Situated on the Spanish Costa Blanca, Torrevieja and the Orihuela Costa is a haven for expats. With it's almost year round promise of sunshine and beautiful beaches stretching along the coast, it's not hard to see why. Our family has been visiting the area for a few years now and have established a list of favourite restaurants and cafés between us that we return to again and again.
On my first visit to the Orihuela costa, I'll admit I wasn't too taken with the foodie scene. An eclectic mix of residents from all over the world has resulted in a plethora of cuisines being available with eateries popping up on every corner; the good ones can be hard to find. Avoid the tourist traps with their cheap plastic tables and overpriced paella, and dig a little deeper - you'll soon discover some of the best restaurants in Torrevieja and the surrounding areas. From Punta Prima to Cabo Roig, and all the way to San Miguel de Salinas, this guide has got your holiday dining covered.
1. Lolyta Café, Torrevieja - A beautifully styled café in the heart of Torrevieja, specialising in cake! The menu here is simple with a selection of tostadas, coffee, cocktails and freakshakes to compliment the incredible sweet treats. Their sister restaurant, Lolyta Food & Coffee, is equally beautiful with a more eclectic food offering. We enjoyed burgers, loaded wedges and gyoza for lunch!£ Calle Clemente Gosalves 30, 03181, Torrevieja
2. El Charro Negro, Torrevieja - This Mexican cantina has been on the go for over 20 years and does a fabulous menu del dia for just 11.90 euros. I recommend the nachos and enchiladas rojos. According to their website, dishes can be adapted for vegetarians and vegans. They do a mean margarita too! I can't comment on the authenticity of the food but the setting is just how I imagine a traditional family run restaurant in Mexico.
£ Pl. Castelar,4, 03181, Torrevieja
3. Rame, Torrevieja - Not far from Torrevieja's marina, this is a place to dress up and drink cocktails. If you like sushi, you'll love Rame - even Gordon enjoyed the chicken sushi!
£££ Calle Clemente Gosalves 5, 03181, Torrevieja
4. Beet Vegetariano, Torrevieja - As the name suggests, Beet is a vegetarian restaurant and comes highly recommended by my veggie sister! I hear good things about their chocolate brownie and menu del dia.
£ Calle de Pedro Lorca 13, 03181, Torrevieja
5. Coffee and Tapa, Torrevieja - This unassuming little tapas bar is a lovely spot to stop after a stroll along Torrevieja's beach front. We shared croquetas de jamon, calamari, patatas bravas and albondigas (meatballs) plus bread and soft drinks for less than 20 euros. The best part? The outdoor seating looks right onto the dog beach!
£ Calle Navegantes esquine Calle la Sal 2, 03182, Torrevieja
6. Restaurante Flores, Torrevieja - Right on the seafront, this stunning restaurant is a great little people watching spot. The interior is spectacular with a wall of pink flowers and chic table settings. Breakfast was a big hit for us, with delicious fluffy pancakes and a generous sized English breakfast starting our day perfectly. However, it looks like the space really comes to life at night with live music and dance shows.
££ Avenida de los Marineros, 5, 03182, Torrevieja
7. Makai Café, La Zenia - One of my favourite spots for breakfast or lunch in the Orihuela Costa area, is Makai. Just a short stroll from La Zenia beach, it's a bright and airy laid back space serving lots of healthy options at affordable prices. I also recommend checking out Makai's sister company - Sun Sea Adventures - if you fancy trying your hand at stand up paddle boarding!
£ Calle San Antonio Zen 7, Local 14, 03189, La Zenia
8. Fresco, La Zenia - Another casual eatery serving fresh fast food made with local ingredients. Think salads, shawarma, sandwiches and some of the tastiest pizzas on the costa. My mum loves the spicy e picante!
£ Carretera de Villamartin 2, 03189, La Zenia
9. Alejandro's Bar & Restaurante, La Zenia - Across the road from Fresco, you'll find Alejandro's. I'm yet to eat at this German influenced restaurant but I can highly recommend sipping fresh margaritas on their sunny terrace!
££ Carretera de Villamartin 2, 03189, La Zenia
10. Brown's Gastro Bar, La Zenia - Another one at the Centro Comercial La Zenia, Brown's is a super chic cocktail bar with an Asian influenced menu. We shared a selection of tapas plates including croquetas, gyoza and delicious bao buns! This would be my top pick for going "out out" on the costa!
£££ Carretera de Villamartin 1, 03189, La Zenia
7. Makai Café, La Zenia - One of my favourite spots for breakfast or lunch in the Orihuela Costa area, is Makai. Just a short stroll from La Zenia beach, it's a bright and airy laid back space serving lots of healthy options at affordable prices. I also recommend checking out Makai's sister company - Sun Sea Adventures - if you fancy trying your hand at stand up paddle boarding!
£ Calle San Antonio Zen 7, Local 14, 03189, La Zenia
8. Fresco, La Zenia - Another casual eatery serving fresh fast food made with local ingredients. Think salads, shawarma, sandwiches and some of the tastiest pizzas on the costa. My mum loves the spicy e picante!
£ Carretera de Villamartin 2, 03189, La Zenia
9. Alejandro's Bar & Restaurante, La Zenia - Across the road from Fresco, you'll find Alejandro's. I'm yet to eat at this German influenced restaurant but I can highly recommend sipping fresh margaritas on their sunny terrace!
££ Carretera de Villamartin 2, 03189, La Zenia
10. Brown's Gastro Bar, La Zenia - Another one at the Centro Comercial La Zenia, Brown's is a super chic cocktail bar with an Asian influenced menu. We shared a selection of tapas plates including croquetas, gyoza and delicious bao buns! This would be my top pick for going "out out" on the costa!
£££ Carretera de Villamartin 1, 03189, La Zenia
££ Malaquita 1,03189, La Zenia
12. The Banana Tree, Villa Martin - This is one of the most popular spots for Thai food in the area. I love the décor, their pad thai and the sound of their menu del dia for £9.95, however I hear the service can be lacking at times.
££ Calle Azafran 1, 03189, Villamartin
13. The Hen's Teeth, Villamartin Plaza - The Plaza is well known across the Orihuela Costa for it's array of bars and restaurants, and live music events. We've enjoyed tapas and great service at The Hen's Teeth which is also well known for catering to vegans.
££ Avenida de las Brisas, 03189, Villamartin
14. Rumours by Gatsby, Villamartin Plaza - My favourite restaurant in the Plaza is Rumours by Gatsby. It's a little on the pricey side but the interiors are stunning, staff are lovely, cocktails top notch and the food is outstanding. I had no idea what to expect when I ordered "Tetris" from the dessert menu but was blown away by the flavours in the trio of chocolate puddings!
£££ Avenida de las Brisas, 03189, Villamartin
15. The Fishbowl, Dehesa de Campoamor - I'm yet to eat here, but ask anyone in the area and they'll likely recommend the Fishbowl as one of the best restaurants in the area. The unusual setting, aptly named, offers sea views and a menu inspired by seasonal ingredients. A 3 course menu del dia with drink costs 19.95 euros, and they even do Sunday roasts, but the main menu is more expensive.
£££ Calderon de la Barca 6, 03189, Dehesa de Campoamor
16. Obrador de Lucie, Campoamor - A great little French style bakery serving an array of breads, cakes and pastries. Their almond croissants with café con leche make the perfect breakfast!
£ Avenida de las Adelfas y Calle Julian Maria, 03189, Dehesa de Campoamor
17. Maritao's Kitchen, Campoamor - There are lots of Chinese restaurants on the Orihuela Costa but our favourite so far is Maritao's, next to The Royal Oak. I recommend the crispy chicken with cashew nuts.
££ Calle de los Pirineos 1, Crta de San Miguel de Salina, 03189, Campoamor
16. Obrador de Lucie, Campoamor - A great little French style bakery serving an array of breads, cakes and pastries. Their almond croissants with café con leche make the perfect breakfast!
£ Avenida de las Adelfas y Calle Julian Maria, 03189, Dehesa de Campoamor
17. Maritao's Kitchen, Campoamor - There are lots of Chinese restaurants on the Orihuela Costa but our favourite so far is Maritao's, next to The Royal Oak. I recommend the crispy chicken with cashew nuts.
££ Calle de los Pirineos 1, Crta de San Miguel de Salina, 03189, Campoamor
18. Isabela's, La Fuente and Cabo Roig - Isabela's is an Italian institute on the costa. You'll find them at La Fuente and their new location in Lomas de Cabo Roig, serving classic pasta dishes and pizzas with a good atmosphere and super friendly staff.
£ Centro Comercial La Fuente & Centro Comercial Lomas de Cabo Roig, Calle Caspio, 03189, Orihuela Costa
19. Vivo, Cabo Roig - I was sad to hear of Maria Limon closing at Lomas de Cabo Roig, but Vivo looks like a solid alternative with it's menu of Mediterranean influence. I certainly wouldn't say no to a cocktail in a toucan glass!
££ 13 Centro Comercial Lomas de Cabo Roig, Calle Caspio, 03189, Orihuela Costa
20. Restaurante Nautilus, Punta Prima - We like to sit on the terrace and soak up the sun by the sea at Nautilus. They're known for their seafood and paella but my personal favourite dish is the pollo al curry con pina - chicken curry served in a pineapple.
££ Calle Acantilado 1, Urbanizacion Rocio del Mar, 03185, Torrevieja
21. Gandhi Restaurante, Punta Prima - For Indian food head to Gandhi's, just off the N332. My parents must be their biggest fans; I'm pretty sure they go every single time they're over there!
££ Calle Cala Dorada, Local 9, Urbanizacion Rocio del Mar, 03189, Torrevieja
££ Calle Cala Dorada, Local 9, Urbanizacion Rocio del Mar, 03189, Torrevieja
22. Asia Kitchen Restaurante, Punta Prima - We enjoyed a 3 course menu del dia for just 10 euros here, and were highly impressed with both the food and the stunning decor. Everything from sushi to Thai curries and Chinese dim sum is served here in a very stylish setting. The terrace seating is beautiful! Asia Kitchen is just off the main road to Torrevieja, making it a convenient stop off.
£ Calle Escorpiones 1, 03185, Torrevieja
23. Willow Cafe, Playa Flamenca - Newly opened in October 2021, Willow Cafe is a beautifully designed space, bright and airy, and great for breakfast. Just a stone's throw from the beach! I had the veggie falafal breakfast, and Gordon's pancakes with bacon and maple syrup looked lovely.
£ Carrer Alhelies, 03189, Playa Flamenca
24. Milk & Honey, Playa Flamenca - In the Playa Flamenca commercial centre we enjoyed tasty traditional tapas, with some contemporary options mixed in, at this modern bistro bar. The service we received at Milk & Honey was faultless. I recommend the albondigas and frozen margaritas!
££ Unit 125 Centro Comercial, Calle Santa Alodia, 03189, Playa Flamenca
25. Las Cuevas, San Miguel de Salinas - For a unique dining experience, you must visit this restaurant in an old cave house from the 1500s! Enjoy the San Miguel de Salinas Wednesday morning market then head here for lunch. Three courses cost us just 25 euros each when we last visited!
££ Barrio Primero de Mayo 13, 03193, San Miguel de Salinas
££ Barrio Primero de Mayo 13, 03193, San Miguel de Salinas
Have you visited the Orihuela Costa? Leave a comment to tell me about the best restaurants you've found in Torrevieja.
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Mario Limon looks so cute inside!! And I love that there is a stellar vegetarian place to eat here too.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, the décor is beautiful in Maria Limon! Always good to have veggie options too :)
DeleteThis is so great!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I’m off to Orihuela next week so will be sure to try out your recommendations!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, hope it helps! Hope you have a lovely time :)
DeleteUvarara Italian Restaurant - Playa Flamenca. How is this awesome restaurant not on the list!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try it next time I'm there! Thank you :)
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