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…
Must-see restaurants in Costa Blanca
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…
Alicante
Top-notch montaditos (little rolls) and inventive grilled tapas (try the turrón and pork 'Chupachups') are the reason to squeeze into this brilliant…
Xàbia
There’s more than you think to a paella, and this well-priced but classy, welcoming place at the port has numerous different rice dishes, including a…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Xàbia
This friendly spot just near the waterfront in the port area gets everything right with sizeable, delicious portions of seafood, rices, liver and more at…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Xàbia
In the heart of the old town, this convivial spot has a popular terrace, a striking stone-vaulted interior, fine coffee, ice cream and a range of…
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…
Xàbia
Eating on the beachfront promenade is a bit hit-or-miss, but this spot gets most things right, with large portions – the salads are huge – at fair prices…
