Eating and Drinking
We are so-o-o spoilt for choice here on the Costa Blanca and constantly make new discoveries. For holiday-ers who like to explore, for anyone just arrived or even if you are living here and want some inspiration, this page is just for you.We also invite you to use the comments section to contribute your opinions and recommendations.
Everyone you meet will tell you about their favourite bar or restaurant so every time we tick one off the list we add another two….Believe me its hard work!!! The information below is solely based on our own personal experiences and preferences. Enjoy….or en español – Aprovecho!
First let me say there are basically 3 kinds of establishment here:
CAFE BARS - Typically Spanish-owned and open all day for tapas or larger portions (raciones), sandwiches (bocadillos), and most do simple meals too (platos combinados). It has to be said the tapas in most bars here aren´t too inspiring compared to other areas in Spain, although there are some who make an effort such as Meson La Huertica in Torrevieja. Menu del Dia is very popular in these bars, 3 courses typically cost between 7€ and 12€ including a drink. Don´t expect a gourmet meal though as Spanish cooking is very simple, typically salad, meat/fish and chips with everything! As with everything in life you generally get what you pay for but there are some good´uns at both ends of the price spectrum. The main craic though is the atmosphere, particularly at lunchtimes (between 2pm and 4pm) and the smaller bars are the most fun – often there´s no menu, you get whatever is in the pot that day or if you speak the lingo you can ask for what you want, if they have it they´ll do it for you. Some good examples of cafe/bars appear in our information pages on San Miguel and Los Montesinos. Right now you can find Menu del Dia, renamed Menu del Crisis, for 5€ or even less, causing much excitement among the British ex-pats who take great delight in searching out the cheapest menus, it seems to be some kind of competition…hmmm
BARS WITH FOOD - Spanish cooking may be simple but at least its fresh and usually made on the premises, unlike the fare served up at the numerous English bars where all you need is a large freezer and a decent microwave. There are usually 5 or 6 such bars in every commercial complex and its really personal choice as to which one you choose; the menus don´t vary much, typically including breakfast , burgers, baguettes, ribs, jackets and lasagne, all with chips of course…Pub grub is quick and easy though, if you´re hungry it gets the job done, and its relatively cheap especially if you have kids in tow as most have a kiddies menu. What did kids eat before chicken nuggets were invented?!
INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS - As you would expect in a cosmopolitan area like this, there is a huge choice from small bistros to up-market gourmet restaurants. Whether you fancy Spanish, Indian, Italian, French, English, American, Scandinavian, Thai, Chinese, or anything in between, its here…
FOR RESTAURANT REVIEWS – CLICK HERE
And so to our recommended list….let´s do it by location
- Beach and Waterfront
- Towns and Villages
- Countryside
- Urbanisations
