Must-see restaurants in Costa Blanca

  • El Portal

    Alicante

    Excellent in every way, this plush corner spot sports deliberately OTT decor that changes biannually but is always interesting. Grab a table or squeeze up…

  • Quique Dacosta

    Dénia

    In sleek, white, minimalist premises near the beach 3km west of Dénia, this coolly handsome place is one of the peninsula's temples to modern gastronomy…

  • Cervecería Sento

    Alicante

    Top-notch montaditos (little rolls) and inventive grilled tapas (try the turrón and pork 'Chupachups') are the reason to squeeze into this brilliant…

  • El Bodegón

    Costa Blanca

    Tried and true, this traditional Spanish restaurant hasn't changed in decades and is all the better for it. Reliably good classic meals such as rabbit,…

  • Bahía

    Costa Blanca

    Offering an ample range of fresh seafood and well-prepared meat dishes with sweet sauces, this traditionally run, but modern-styled place channels sweet…

  • OneOne

    Alicante

    It’s easier if you speak a little Spanish at this wonderfully eccentric place with its faithful following of regulars, but your ebullient host will make…

  • El Baret de Miquel Ruiz

    Dénia

    This is a real find for gastronomes. The chef had a Michelin-starred restaurant but chose to reject the pretension of that world in favour of a more…

  • Piripi

    Alicante

    This quality restaurant is strong on rice, seafood and fish, which arrives fresh daily from the wholesale markets of Dénia and Santa Pola. There’s a huge…

  • Bar Bus

    Dénia

    Bars beside bus stations aren't normally recommended for their culinary qualities, but this vivacious corner spot breaks the mould. As well as being a…

  • Velvet

    Alicante

    Fusing retro and modern styling, with a comfortable L-shaped space, Velvet appeals for its quality food, whether you're tempted by the bar-counter snacks…

  • Els Tomassets

    Dénia

    Informal and vibrant, with an open kitchen, this spot turns out delicious fare. In winter, chargrilled artichokes (alcachofas a la brasa) are a delight,…

  • La Barra de César Anca

    Alicante

    Upmarket and buzzy, this is a fun place to sit at the bar and try some high-class gastro creations using plenty of excellent fish and showcasing fine…

  • La Antigua Sidrería

    Benidorm

    This popular basement space has had a recent change of direction and now offers an open kitchen serving modern, upmarket, Basque-inflected fare with…

  • L'Escoleta

    Dénia

    A range of flavours are at play in this innovative but friendly and unpretentious spot at the beginning of the Calle Loreto strip. Not all the…

  • Barlovento

    Costa Blanca

    Decked out like the stateroom of a baroque galleon, and with an outdoor terrace overlooking the water, this place, 3km northeast of the centre, is one of…

  • La Cava Aragonesa

    Benidorm

    This has grown from origins as a tiny bar to a sprawling, dizzying array of tapas, fat canapés and plates of cold cuts, all arrayed before you at the bar…

  • La Llar de Bárbara

    Costa Blanca

    Evening-only hours is the first sign of a made-for-foreigners spot in coastal Spain, but this place nevertheless produces some enticing tapas dishes off a…

  • Aitana

    Dénia

    Perhaps the best place in Dénia to try the famous local prawns and other crustaceans, this nondescript backstreet bar gets thronged, so try to book a…

  • El Patio Chico

    Costa Blanca

    In the heart of things, this stands out for its warm and friendly service and generous portions of well-prepared, attractive tapas, salads, meats and…

  • Sudeste

    Alicante

    Sparky service and a comfortably modern space are the framework for a short menu of internationally gleaned snacks such as ceviche, tuna tartare, pulled…

  • El Palé

    Alicante

    This one-man show doesn't look like much, but the friendly young owner produces some really exquisite little snacks, many of which are combinations of…

  • Tavino

    Costa Blanca

    Offering smart surroundings and several good wines by the glass, Tavino has polite service and a range of decent-value seafood and other dishes. Drinks…

  • ¡Chico Calla!

    Alicante

    A short but delicious selection of montaditos and other tasty tapas, supplemented by fresh seafood specials, is the stock-in-trade of this handsomely lit…

  • Pesca al Peso

    Alicante

    When people hand out restaurant flyers on the street, it's normally run-a-mile time, but this is an exception. It's simply decorated and simple to…

  • Oustau

    Costa Blanca

    In the old town, this well-established crowd-pleaser has a warmly elegant interior and a beautiful garden patio with church views. Dishes are old…

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