Whether you're looking for a cosy, casual tapas bar or a complete upscale restaurant experience, these eateries will deliver pure Spanish gastronomy cooked fresh with local ingredients and artisan techniques handed down from generation to generation.

From the money-saving Menú del día, mouthwatering tapas, and sharing platters, to Spanish rice dishes, paellas, and exotic Valencian broths and stews – you'll find it all right here in Orihuela Costa.

Here's our list of all the Spanish restaurants and tapas bars in Orihuela Costa for the summer season, recommended by other members of our community. A world of culinary delights awaits you, and you have to try them all!

Restaurante La Mirada, La Zenia

An unparalleled location with spectacular views across Cala Bosque beach. An extensive selection of authentic tapas and an international menu offering traditional Spanish specialities and international dishes. Open every day.

A large terrace on the beach itself overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The venue offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, sunbeds for hire, and a beach bar during the summer months. Lift access to all levels for persons with limited mobility.

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Restaurante Rianxeira, Cabo Roig

More than 30 authentic Spanish tapas dishes to sample with Menú del día options and an a la carte menu. Fish, meat, paellas, and pizzas with a dedicated children's menu. Cosy outside terrace and open six days a week for lunch and dinner.

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Restaurante Los Cucalos, Los Dolses

Specialising in authentic Spanish rice dishes, prepared meat, fresh fish and seafood. One of the largest Spanish restaurants in Orihuela Costa with a dedicated playground for children and plentiful parking. An excellent local reputation.

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Restaurante Casa Adolfo, Cabo Roig

One of the most established family-owned Spanish tapas restaurants, located in La Regia since 1967. Authentic tapas with a menu of fresh food that changes daily. Open Monday to Saturday for coffee, breakfast, and lunch from 08:00 until 17:00.

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Delpuerto Chiringuito, Dehesa de Campoamor

A traditional beachfront restaurant with commanding views over Barranco Rubio beach. An excellent selection of mouthwatering Spanish tapas, and Menú del día or a la carte menus with fresh ingredients. Open year-round with seasonal opening hours.

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Restaurante Doña Isabel, San Miguel de Salinas

An unassuming facade hides a Spanish restaurant that punches above its weight. Open for lunch and dinner with Menú del Día and Menú del Noche options available, offering great value. Traditional Spanish dishes are also available a la carte.

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El Pony Restaurante, Campoamor

Often overlooked, this small but upscale restaurant serves the finest Spanish cuisine. Tapas, salads, and Valencian rice dishes, with a fixed price Menú del Día at lunch and a sharing menu for dinner. Check out the menu on their website.

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Restaurante La Bahia, Cabo Roig

A genuinely idyllic location for this authentic tapas bar and restaurant overlooking the magnificent Cala La Caleta beach in Cabo Roig. Often featured in the UK TV show “A Place in The Sun”, the venue's terrace is located immediately at the water's edge.

Visitors can choose from a menu of small tapas (Pinchos) and light bites from the bar, or a full a la carte menu of Spanish rice, meat and fish dishes in the restaurant. Menus are available in English, Spanish, Russian and French.

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Resto Bar Ili's, Los Altos

Super-authentic family restaurant with a spacious outside terrace. Menú del Día and tapas menu options with Spanish seasonal menu choices offered daily. Open 6 days a week (closed Sunday) for breakfast, lunch and dinner sittings. A hidden gem.

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La Cibeles Bar, Punta Prima

Highly recommended by members of the La Zenia community, La Cibeles Bar offers a variety of authentic tapas and main meals. Dining room or terrace for al fresco eating. Open every day from 10:00 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner services.

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Restaurante Los Angeles, Campoamor

A beautiful restaurant with an elevated terrace overlooking the marina and the Mediterranean Sea. The menu is unsurprisingly fish-focused, with an extensive range of seafood, lobster, octopus, and squid – an unparalleled dining experience.

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Mesón Rincón de Paco, San Miguel de Salinas

Often recommended by group members for the finest authentic Spanish tapas. Family-style restaurant with outdoor seating and a menu of traditional fish and meat dishes. Open for lunch and dinner service every day except Monday.

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Restaurante Nautilus, Punta Prima

It's not possible to get a dining experience closer to the sea. A Spanish restaurant built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea and the beach in Punta Prima. Formal dining room or wrap-around terrace, both just a few metres from the water's edge.

An extensive menu of authentic delicacies, meats and fish. International options include burgers and pizzas. A fully-stocked bar with an exceptional choice of wines, and a rear terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Open daily, read our review.

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Mesón El Prado, San Miguel de Salinas

A traditional Spanish restaurant tucked away down a side street. Stunning covered terrace area and a large dining room to enjoy the authentic menu of freshly cooked food. Menú del Día and Spanish stews with fish or meat a speciality of the house.

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Cafetería Violetas, Playa Flamenca

A cosy Spanish eatery close to Playa Flamenca beach. Authentic Valencian paella and rice dishes are a speciality. Outside terrace for an al fresco dining experience, open seasonally for Spanish breakfasts, lunch and dinner.

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La Barraca de Campoamor, Dehesa de Campoamor

Established since 1975, this traditional Spanish restaurant enjoys a beautiful location with idyllic Mediterranean Sea views. A la carte menu with meat, fish, and paella. Open daily for lunch and dinner service, closed in the winter.

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Restaurante Casa Manolo, La Zenia

A popular location close to Cala Bosque Beach in La Zenia. Pizzeria, paellas and authentic regional rice dishes, and speciality ice creams. Large outside terrace. Open every day from 08:30 until 23:00 (Tuesday to Sunday during the winter).

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Patio Andaluz, Punta Prima

Established in 1973, this authentic Spanish restaurant offers a traditional Spanish meat-focused menu with fish dishes and Valencian paellas. A seasonal venue with live music daily during the summer, and a spectacular Flamenco show three times a week.

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La Braseria, Dehesa de Campoamor

Located inside the La Fuente commercial centre, La Braseria offers a traditional Spanish menu of Biscayan-style fish and Iberian meats. Large outside terrace and covered terrace. Open seven days a week with dinner service only from 17:00.

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Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Known locally as “Chiringuitos”, these miniature café-style bars provide residents and visitors with light refreshments while here on holiday. They're a popular meeting point and watering hole.

In addition to providing food and drink directly on the beach, each beach bar provides other services such as sunbed and parasol hire, water sports, and a schedule of live music and entertainment throughout the summer.

Some of Orihuela Costa's chiringuitos are open year-round, but most only offer their services at certain times of the year. Out of season, the beach bars are removed and stored inland, to be returned to the beach at the start of the following year.

So when do the beach bars close, and when do they open again? Here's a list of all Orihuela Costa beach bars, with their seasonal opening and closing times.

Playa Cala Bosque, La Zenia

One of only two beach bars to open all year round, the chiringuito on La Zenia beach is open every day, 365 days a year, including Christmas Day.

Sunbeds are available from 15th March until 31st December each season (17 € per day for two beds and a shared parasol), and water sports operate on the beach from 15th June until 15th September during the main summer season.

Playa Cala La Caleta, Cabo Roig

The beach bar on Cabo Roig's most popular beach is open every day throughout the year.

Sunbed and parasol hire are available from 16th March until 31st December each year, and water sports operate on the beach from 15th June until 15th September during the summer.

Playa de la Glea, Dehesa de Campoamor

One of the most popular Orihuela Costa beach bars, the chiringuito on Campoamor Beach opens 15th March and closes on the 1st December.

Sunbeds are available from 15th March until 30th October, and water sports take place from 15th June until 30th October.

Cala Capitán, Cabo Roig

The beach bar on Playa de Cala Capitán opens on 15th March and closes the season on 15th November each year. Sunbeds and parasols are available for hire between 15th March and 30th October.

Cala Estaca, Playa Flamenca

One of two beach bars in Playa Flamenca, the chiringuito on Cala Estaca Beach opens on 15th March and closes on 30th October. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available during this season.

Playa de Mil Palmeras, Mil Palmeras

Opening shortly before Easter each year, the beach bar on Mil Palmeras Beach opens on 1st April and closes out the season on 30th October. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available during this time.

Playa de Punta Prima, Punta Prima

The beach bar on Punta Prima Beach opens from 1st April until 30th October each year. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available during this time.

Cala Mosca, Playa Flamenca

The chiringuito beach bar on Playa Flamenca's smallest beach opens from 15th May until 30th October. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available during the main summer season.

Cala Cerrada, La Zenia

The beach bar on La Zenia's official surfing beach opens on 15th March each year and closes on 30th October. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available during this season.

Playa de Aguamarina, Aguamarina

With one of the shortest seasons in Orihuela Costa, the beach bar in Aguamarina Beach opens on 1st June and closes on 30th September. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available throughout the summer.

Playa de Barranco Rubio, Dehesa de Campoamor

The beach bar opens from 1st June until 30th September each year. Sunbeds and parasol hire are also available during the summer season, and water sports take place on Barranco Rubio beach from 1st July until 30th August.

When do the Orihuela Costa beach bars open and close?

Most beach bars open from 09:00 each day and close at 21:00. However, it should be noted that each chiringuito may close later if they are busy or have an event or entertainment scheduled, and may choose to remain closed during periods of inclement weather.

For more information about the chiringuito beach bars, including Google Maps and specific location information, follow this link.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Known locally as Chiringuitos, these diminutive café-style bars provide residents and visitors with light refreshments whilst here on holiday. They're a popular meeting point and watering hole.

The beach bars along the Orihuela Costa coast have received a significant overhaul over the past few years, and the local organisations that administer their day-to-day operations have spared no expense to ensure that the facilities meet expectations.

Each one has been prefabricated off-site from sustainable materials to minimise the impact on the fragile beach environment.

In addition to the cool eco-style, designed to fit in with their surroundings, the bars have received improved toilet facilities and dedicated lifeguard stations fully equipped by the local authorities to deal with most emergencies during the summer season.

The lifeguard stations offer essential medical support and first aid to members of the public, and their installation enabled the beaches to retain their Blue Flag status.

The bars are open every day throughout the summer season, serving a menu of light bites throughout the day.

The Chiringuitos in La Zenia and Cabo Roig open all year round and the beaches are often selected as the locations for the council's Winter Beach programme.

During the height of summer, the Orihuela Costa Chiringuitos offer a weekend social calendar of live music, dancing, fitness, and organised events.

La Zenia's Playa Cala Bosque beach bar often hosts morning Yoga sessions and chilled afternoons of music, with local musicians and DJs playing to crowds of sunseekers into the weekend.

Orihuela Costa beach bars, where to find them this summer

With a busy social calendar throughout the summer, including special events on the beaches of Cala Bosque in La Zenia, and Cala Capitán and Cala La Caleta in Cabo Roig, the beach bars put on an admirable show every year that entertains locals and visitors alike.

The bars (and the hard-working team that provides the valued service), are locally renowned for their friendly atmosphere, warm welcome, and good sense of humour.

The Chiringuito beach bars offer a sustainable service too, taking every opportunity to reduce the number of plastic and non-recycled components throughout the service. They also help to maintain the clean environment expected on the beach.

The Orihuela Costa Chiringuitos provide vital services in beach areas typically devoid of public facilities, and there are currently nine beach bars servicing the requirements of sunseekers along the Orihuela Costa and south Costa Blanca coastal regions.

Orihuela Costa Chiringuitos, a summer of Sun, Sea, and Sangria

A visit to one of the beach bars should be on your list of places to visit while you're on holiday in Spain. You can find each one above with these Google Maps links that include directions from your location.

Do you want to know when each bar opens and closes at the beginning and end of the season? Check out this article with the important dates for the 2026 summer season.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Originally scheduled to take place from Wednesday 8th October, the organisers announced the cancellation of this initial date due to an inclement weather forecast, a day before the inauguration.

The festival brings together vintage food trucks, a DJ, live music from local performing artists, and family-friendly entertainment over the course of the weekend.

The classic specially adapted trucks will serve a selection of street food that embraces global flavours from around the world, including German hot dogs, French-style crepes, Belgian waffles, grilled Argentinian meats, Mexican specialities, and a selection of American, Spanish, and European burgers.

Torrevieja street food festival, a world of flavours

The festival kicks off at 18:00 on Friday 24th October, with the opening of the festival and a live outdoor concert by Seguridad Social at 21:30.

On Saturday, the fun starts earlier at 13:00, with local artists set to take to the stage during the day, and additional entertainment for children.

The Torrevieja street food festival continues on Sunday afternoon from 12:00 with performances from local musicians, live entertainment, and succulent street food delights throughout the day.

Particular musical highlights of the all-weekend festival include Queen tribute artists, Keeng, on Saturday afternoon from 14:30, and Rolling Stone tribute, Control Stone, taking to the stage live on Sunday afternoon from 13:00.

Live music and vintage food trucks in Torrevieja

Eight vintage food trucks will attend the event, with additional attractions including a vintage market area with fashion, art and design, and an outdoor dining terrace offering more than 100 tables.

The Torrevieja street food festival takes place at the Park of Nations in Torrevieja on Friday 24th October from 18:00, with entertainment scheduled for each day of the weekend and culminating on Sunday 26th October.

The Alacant Street Market Tour organises the festival, tickets are not required for this event, and entry is free. Rock and food? Come hungry! Follow this link for a Google Map with directions from your location.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: Alacant Street Food Market

The creative team took an empty and unloved commercial unit in a prime location just moments away from La Zenia's Cala Bosque beach, and designed a contemporary and welcoming dining space.

An equally fashionable menu soon followed, with a heavy focus on home-cooked healthy food for those with an aversion to alternative processed fast-food choices.

Appreciation of the importance of the occasional devilish sweet treat and an inherent love of baking soon spurned an array of accompanying glamorous desserts: layered cheesecakes, fruity mousses, and cheeky cookies fit for a gastronomic catwalk.

Makai Cafe reopened in February last year after an extensive renovation, with an expanded dining room creating a spacious environment that fuses fresh Mediterranean colours with tasteful decorative touches.

Makai Cafe, contemporary food in beautiful surroundings

An extensive covered terrace outside provides European cafe-style streetside seating comfortably off-road, and the street is relatively quiet with very little passing traffic.

The menu is sharply focused on the requirements of daytime diners, with healthy or hearty breakfast and lunch options – many customisable with additional items to taste and appetite.

Full English breakfasts start from €8.95 with a vegan option available for an additional €0.50. Paninis, crustinis, wraps, omelettes and other staple early bites attract prices starting from €6.95.

But perhaps where Makai Cafe's menu shines most is the inventive use of simple and healthy ingredients to create unique dishes that challenge the accepted concept of breakfast.

Hummus and Feta Crush, and Smashed Avocado on crusty bread sound positively gorgeous, and a range of Mediterranean speciality dishes sit alongside French toast and pancakes, and an intriguing if unconventional Makai Fit Bowl comprised of muesli, Greek yoghurt, fruit, and honey.

Restaurant review, beautiful lunches to whet the appetite

The finely balanced lunch menu starts with crustinis and wraps, offering a delectable selection served with coleslaw, nachos, and a Mexican-inspired sauce, with prices from €7.45.

Looking for a lighter bite mid-afternoon, we chose the Chicken and Avocado Cheese toasted sandwich at a very reasonable €8.95. Gluten-free bread is available as an option.

A selection of wraps is high on the menu, and the Makai Burrito sounds delicious, with chilli con carne, guacamole, sour cream, and spicy jalapeños to keep things enticing.

Or for something completely different, Turkish Eggs offers two poached eggs, olives, and seasoned yoghurt served with a naan bread. Just €8.95.

A special mention should go to the Buddha Bowl at €13.45 – a menu option that diners can create themselves by choosing from an appealing mix of ingredients such as Teriyaki chicken, smoked salmon, Halloumi, avocado, or tofu.

Where can you find the best burger in Orihuela Costa?

Makai Cafe offers five burger options with prices starting at €11.45 for a classic beef burger with cheese, pickle, and a touch of salad.

The Chicken Schnitzel Burger is a noteworthy offering, replete with cheese, spicy mayonnaise, tomato, and fresh salad under the bun.

At €12.45, the towering stack is the most expensive burger, but it should be noted that all burgers are served replete with beautifully cooked chips and a modest salad garnish. Gluten-free buns and a sweet potato upgrade are offered as additional cost options.

A welcome and rarely found addition to the menu is a vegetarian burger option. The quarter-pounder burgers offer a genuine meat-free, low-fat alternative to beef products, and even the most ardent carnivore would be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Priced at €11.45.

An opulent fish finger burger rounds out the burger menu. It costs €11.95 and this fishy favourite arrives topped with French Brie, caramelised onions, tartar sauce, and the essential addition of salad.

La Zenia's Makai Cafe, find it close to the beach

With a sunny, open terrace and an inspirational dining room, Makai Cafe offers a relaxing and informal environment to savour its gastronomic creations.

A focused menu offers plenty of choices, and their interpretation and elevation of staple family favourites fused with quality, innovative, and fresh ingredients, provide a refreshing and pleasantly surprising dining experience.

The venue is active on social media, boasting a strong local and international online following and often utilises its Facebook page to showcase the cafe's stunning food.

With an excellent location en route to La Zenia Beach and prices that offer truly excellent value given the high levels of presentation and table service, Makai Cafe should be on your list of places to eat during your visit. You can find Makai Cafe via this Google Map.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: Makai Cafe / Food and Visuals

Eager diners regularly flock to the venue year after year, attracted by its friendly atmosphere, live music and sports events shown on numerous large screen TVs, a fabulous selection of beers and wines (including the obligatory draught Guinness), and an exhaustive food menu.

Paddys Point has a large inside seating area, tastefully decorated to give the impression of a cosy traditional Irish bar, that wouldn't look out of place in the heart of Dublin.

Outside there is a large terrace area with a retractable cover that's away from street noise and gives protection from the sun during the height of the summer.

We attended the venue last week for an evening meal and received a friendly and welcoming greeting from the staff upon arrival. It soon became clear that cleanliness and customer care is a key focus. All areas of the establishment were spotless and nothing was too much trouble for the attentive staff.

Paddys Point, the original Irish bar on the Orihuela Costa

Although live televised sporting events were being shown in the main bar area, it did not distract from the relaxed atmosphere and casual dining experience.

We found the menu comprehensive, and whether you pop in to watch the live events and just want a quick snack, a light lunch before some much-needed retail therapy at La Zenia's superb Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, or an evening meal experience, there's sure to be something to make your mouth water.

The venue serves an all-day breakfast daily from 09:30 until 16:00. You can enjoy a full breakfast menu including an Irish breakfast, a vegetarian option, scrambled eggs on toast, or the traditional Spanish option of a tostada.

If you prefer a light lunch or you have a smaller appetite then your options are similarly extensive. A full range of salads are on offer, favourites like Caesar Salad and Prawn salad, or warm goat cheese with caramelised onions for a truly Mediterranean-tasting salad.

The range of sandwiches, wraps and paninis will keep you deciding which takes your fancy for a while, and if you're still undecided, continue on to the selection of delicious burgers.

Restaurant review, great quality food and super value

There's plenty to choose from, including the impressive Paddys Point Burger – a double beef patty, fried onions, bacon, cheese, and topped with onion rings. All burgers are served with a side salad and chips, or you can choose to swap your chips for a jacket potato.

A full 3-course evening meal experience won't disappoint, with a good range of starters from garlic bread, a prawn cocktail, or spicy chicken wings.

The main course offers something for every price point. Bangers and mash with onion gravy, the best-selling homemade lasagne, served with a side salad and chips, or the Southern fried chicken goujons – crispy breaded chicken goujons served with chips or a jacket potato, a side salad and a sweet chilli dip.

There are two premium options on offer – a full rack of baked barbecue ribs comes served with chips and a side salad, and the Paddys Point 10 oz sirloin steak arrives at the table with onions, mushrooms, and a side of chips.

During our visit we sampled their famous fish goujons, battered strips of fresh cod served with chips and coleslaw. The fish was beautifully cooked and paired well with the accompaniments.

We also ordered the pan-fried chicken breast with gravy, mash, and fresh vegetables. The chicken had a good char and the mash and vegetables were perfect – not overcooked at all. The pictures here show how the food was presented when it arrived at the table.

The bar and tables were spotlessly clean and attention had been paid to every important detail. The staff were helpful, knew the menu well, and were able to answer any questions we had about the food.

Notably, almost the entire menu is available gluten-free at no additional cost. The only exception is the Cajun Chicken dish which is substituted with a plain chicken breast, and lactose-free ingredients are also available as a no-cost option.

We would recommend trying Paddys Point for yourself. The comprehensive menu, beautifully presented food, super-friendly team, and casual relaxed atmosphere make it a unique and special find in La Zenia.

The venue is open from 09:30 until 01:30 every day of the week. To find out more about Paddys Point and their live events visit their official Facebook page, or just click here to find them on Google Maps.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Whether it's grass-fed Galician steak from Spain's northwesternmost region or prime cuts of Argentinian sirloin, Spain is a mecca for meat lovers with many claiming the country's restaurants serve the best steak in the world.

So we asked members of the La Zenia Community Facebook Group to give us their recommendations of the best steak restaurants in our locale, and we've compiled this guide to the best steakhouses in our part of the South Costa Blanca.

But don't think of this as ranking venues from worst to best, this is the “best of the best” speciality steak restaurants that the Orihuela Costa has to offer, based on personal recommendations from the people who live here or visit our area.

10 | Viejo Tango, Villamartin

Located between San Miguel de Salinas and Villamartin, Viejo Tango is an Argentinian grill house specialising in the finest flame-grilled steaks and South American flavours.

The restaurant boasts a large interior dining room, a spacious outdoor terrace, and a large garden that makes the most of the sunshine year-round.

The menu balances quality with value, and the venue proudly serves farm-fresh authentic steaks. A small selection of salads provides alternative choices for non-meat eaters, but as expected, the menu is heavily meat-focused.

A Flamenco show takes place Saturday evenings for a passionate and traditional dinner experience. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone or online via their website.

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09 | Surfers Bar & Grill, Playa Flamenca Beach

With such close proximity to Playa Flamenca's beaches, Surfers Bar and Grill offers one of the most idyllic places along the Orihuela Costa coastline to enjoy a fabulous meal.

The venue offers a relaxed and casual dining experience with a cosy dining room and an impressive outside terrace. Surfers is a popular choice year-round with residents and visitors alike.

The menu is as laid-back as the ambience, with an all-day kitchen service that starts with a selection of breakfasts, sandwiches, paninis, and light bites.

Main courses focus on fresh salads, pasta dishes, prime beef burgers, and grilled fish and meats. The menu's highlight is a 12 oz (340 g) rib-eye steak accompanied by a salad garnish, a creamy rich pepper sauce, and your choice of thick-cut chips or a healthier baked potato option.

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08 | Long Horn Flamenca Beach Restaurant, Playa Flamenca

It's easy to feel the North European influence on Long Horn's menu. Pork steak in a peppered Dijon mustard dressing and spicy chicken wings sit aside fragrant Cod Provençal and German Wiener Schnitzel – a type of schnitzel made of a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet.

But as the name rightly suggests, burgers and steaks remain the star of the show with past diners noting the exceptional presentation of steak dishes, a perfect cook and sear, and the quality of the ingredients used.

The venue offers seating inside and out, with a spacious covered terrace that can be used throughout the seasons, and the restaurant is accredited with TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award for consistently positive reviews.

You can find Long Horn Flamenca Beach Restaurant in neighbouring Playa Flamenca, located on the upper storey of the Flamenca Beach commercial centre.

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07 | The Stone Grill Restaurant, Dehesa de Campoamor

Located in the La Fuente commercial centre, The Stone Grill occupies a premium location overlooking a central square and offers a surprisingly spacious dining room and covered outdoor seating suited to use year-round.

The menu is unapologetically meat-heavy (there's a rump steak option on the children's menu), with special dishes such as a slow-baked full rack of barbecue ribs or an Argentinian Angus steak burger.

The steak menu is comprehensive with prime cuts of South American fillet, sirloin, and rump steaks available in a variety of weights to suit your appetite, complimented by a veritable armada of side dishes and sauces to customise your plate.

Steaks are stone-served, and mixed grill options including pork tenderloin, New Zealand lamb, chicken, king prawns and salmon, round out the restaurant menu.

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06 | The Hens Teeth, Villamartin Plaza

Sporting a coveted Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award, The Hens Teeth deserves the desirable accolade and enjoys an enviable local reputation as one of the finest dining venues in South Costa Blanca.

The restaurant specialises in Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, with influences taken from contemporary urban street food. The Hens Teeth isn't a steakhouse, the menu features just one option – a grilled rump steak, but that hasn't stopped the venue from garnering enough recommendations to warrant inclusion.

At first glance, the Spanish theme is abundantly clear, with Iberian favourites such as cod croquettes and grilled prawns headlining the tapas menu. Dive deeper and you'll find meat, fish and seafood mains accompanied by a choice of hand-cut dirty fries.

The Hens Teeth offers a bespoke and entirely separate vegan menu, gluten-free options, a fixed-price menú del día, and a specials menu that changes weekly.

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05 | Che Argentinian Grill House, Villamartin Plaza

It seems that when it comes to fine quality meats, all roads lead to Villamartin Plaza, and Che Argentinian Grill House is another proven firm favourite with local carnivores.

The venue offers a three-course à la carte menu with a selection of speciality meat dishes including steaks cooked to order, skewered meats, sausages, and a variety of grilled plates.

There's a children's menu, an extensive wine menu, and a separate gluten-free menu that´s as close to the original as possible, substituting ingredients and adapting dishes to fit the dietary requirements of people with Coeliac Disease.

Diners praise the restaurant for the quality of the food, the outstanding location with tables in the central square, the friendly and attentive service, and the value offered by the set menus.

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04 | Rustica, Playa Flamenca

Rustica might have only just missed out on a top-three podium position in this list of most recommended local steak restaurants, but don't underestimate the quality of the food on offer here – this restaurant in Playa Flamenca is a hardcore steakhouse.

Take a look at that photo at the very top of this page – that's Rustica's succulent and exquisitely presented Chateaubriand tenderloin. Galician rib eye is available as an option. Be under no misapprehension, when it comes to steak these guys mean business.

The menu is sharply chiselled, with starters and main courses barely covering two sides of an A4 sheet each. But what might be lacking in choice is more than compensated for by the exclusive use of world-class Mediterranean ingredients.

This is fine dining at its best, with the kitchen team delivering Michelin Star quality food that you would usually expect to find in an upscale Parisian boutique brasserie. Their flawless reviews on Tripadvisor speak volumes, with the vast majority of diners awarding them the highest possible five-star accolade.

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03 | Steakstones Hot Rock Grill, Villamartin Plaza

The number one restaurant according to Tripadvisor, Steakstones in Villamartin specialises in premium cuts of the finest quality meats cooked to order and served to the table atop a hot lava stone.

You'll find the usual menu selection of rump, fillet, and sirloin steak, amongst some exotic menu choices such as kangaroo, crocodile, venison, and ostrich steaks – all beautifully presented tableside with a selection of side dishes and dipping sauces.

The extensive menu offers plenty of choices but the clear focus lies around dishes from the grill, including restaurant staples such as chicken and pork alongside Mediterranean seafood offerings such as tuna and salmon.

The restaurant occupies a prime location with an elegant dining room and a terrace located inside Villamartin Plaza's central square on the ground floor, offering a choice of seating all year round.

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02 | El Gallego, Pilar de la Horadada

Technically not a part of Orihuela Costa, but good food knows no boundaries, and this magnificent Spanish steakhouse tucked away in neighbouring Pilar de la Horadada scored too many votes to ignore.

From the “walk-through” corridor of wine to the butcher's counter packed a half-meter deep with the finest cuts of Spanish meat, there can be no doubt that El Gallego is at the raw edge of pure steak enjoyment.

Simply pairing fine Spanish wine with high-quality ingredients is the name of the game, and fish and meat lovers will appreciate the no-frills honest food served in a well-appointed dining room.

Portion sizes are best described as generous, and the venue is commended by diners for its authentic Spanish vibe, consistent quality food, and an award-worthy entrecote steak that never fails to impress.

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01 | Fairways Restaurant and Chill Out Lounge, Villamartin Plaza

With more personal recommendations than any other steakhouse, Fairways Restaurant in Villamartin Plaza is the venue of choice for local diners looking for the very best in carnivorous fulfilment.

Boasting a spectacular terrace nestled amongst the palm trees and overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean square, Fairways offers an idyllic location to enjoy some of the most exquisite culinary treats you'll find in our part of Spain.

Menu highlights include market-fresh seafood and fish dishes such as bream, wild salmon, and lobster; plus a comprehensive selection of pasta and meat.

But when it comes to the best steak restaurants on the Orihuela Costa, the perfect sear, cook, and high-quality taste of the sirloin, rib eye, and fillet steaks at Fairways Restaurant simply can't be beaten.

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The best steak restaurants on the Orihuela Costa

How do our Community Group members' recommendations compare with your experiences? Is there a venue that warrants inclusion on our list of best steak restaurants in Orihuela Costa? Let us know in the comments below.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: Provided by local restaurants / LaZenia.com

Situated on the beach in Punta Prima, the restaurant is a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike due to its amazing beachfront location, a spotlessly clean nautical-themed dining room, and spacious outside terraces offering year-round al-fresco dining and speciality cocktails.

The chic bistro has been welcoming guests since 1975, enchanting diners for the better part of a half-century with its unique mixture of panoramic Mediterranean vistas and a resplendent Spanish menu.

So we couldn't resist the opportunity to sample the fare on offer, and we visited for an early dinner just this past weekend.

Restaurante Nautilus, a part of the culture and history of the area

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a DJ playing modern (but thankfully ambient) background music on the large outside terrace to the rear of the restaurant.

The terrace has casual seating overlooking the sea with ample car parking provided to the rear. A covered gallery runs the full length of the restaurant offering beachfront seating immediately adjacent to the water's edge, while a smaller terrace at the front of the property offers further seating with views over Punta Prima's smaller Cala Piteras sandy beach.

Indoor seating downstairs is arranged in American-style booths offering a personal and informal dining space beside the bar (one of three bars on-site serving beverages to diners), with oversized porthole windows to the gallery.

An upstairs dining hall provides an extensive formal dining space with elevated panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea, with a floor-to-ceiling folding glass wall to two aspects that retracts to fuse both inside and outside space.

We were seated in the gallery and greeted by multilingual staff who seemed more than happy to accommodate our requests.

An extensive fusion menu, with plenty of choice for all palates

The restaurant was exceptionally busy, and we were lucky to get one of the last tables. Clearly, advanced booking is highly recommended to avoid potential disappointment – particularly good advice during the current summer season.

The restaurant menu is extensive with more than 80 dishes on offer. The Mediterranean cuisine is a fusion of traditional Spanish dishes and American ranch-style cooking, emphasising beef as a result.

But this is no one-trick pony, and the restaurant caters well for vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements, with plenty of choices to suit everyone's tastebuds.

The menu offers a fine selection of starters including cheese and meat platters, freshly prepared soups, and Spanish speciality dishes such as Andalusian-style grilled calamari, beef or salmon carpaccio, and steamed mussels.

Salads provide a lighter dining alternative when the weather is warmer, and Restaurante Nautilus offers a variety of delicious salads that pair familiar ingredients in imaginative ways such as chicken and apple, or salmon and avocado.

Our visit, booking is highly recommended

Continuing the Mediterranean theme, the restaurant offers an extensive choice of authentic wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes to choose from, including several vegetarian options.

No fine dining bistro menu would be replete without an offering to satisfy the pure meat-eaters, so Restaurante Nautilus offer chicken breast dishes, premium cuts of entrecôte, and tenderloin steaks with a choice of accompanying sauces.

Finally, as would be expected of any restaurant located in such close proximity to the sea, salmon, hake, and sea bass feature on the fish menu, and for those looking for the ultimate Spanish experience, the restaurant offers a selection of freshly cooked traditional Paella, including a luxury fresh Lobster Paella.

We visited with friends at a table of four and sampled the grilled sea bass, a Diavola pizza, pork rack of ribs with barbecue sauce, and the grilled Iberian pork steak.

The menu is presented in five languages (Spanish, English, German, French and Russian), and the service was polite and efficient – especially impressive given the mammoth size of the dining area and the sheer volume of eager diners.

The best sea views, beautiful food in a magical beachside location

The restaurant team should be commended for providing a comprehensive menu complete with allergen information that's so often essential for many diners with special dietary requirements.

The dishes were delivered to the table piping hot and beautifully presented (the photos show the actual dishes as they arrived).

Dishes are served with a potato and Mediterranean vegetable accompaniment where appropriate (chips are optional at no additional cost).

Restaurante Nautilus is not the cheapest eatery you'll find along the Costa Blanca coastline, so expect to pay for quality food and you won't leave disappointed.

The quality of the food is absolutely first class and portion sizes are exceptionally generous (the rack of ribs was essentially the entire side of a large pig).

The Chuleton Tomahawk bone-in rib-eye steak is a Nautilus speciality, but the full 1-kg beef cut is more than generously sized and priced to feed two people.

Similarly, the “Nautilus” Seafood Flamed-Grill speciality fish dish is prepared for two people and comprises half a lobster, grilled crayfish, prawns, mussels, and squid. The presentation is nothing less than spectacular.

Those on a budget can choose from the pizza menu and expect to pay around €15.00 – €20.00 per person including a drink (very reasonable for this area), while those with a more decadent palate can indulge in Spanish beef fillet steak.

Despite the Mediterranean seafront location, the menu is pleasantly balanced between an assortment of sharing dishes, grilled meats, and speciality fish dishes. The addition of a dedicated pizza menu and a variety of Spanish paella is just perfect for diners looking for a lighter dining experience during the summer months.

The venue offers a significant wine selection with bottles of locally produced Rioja or fine Spanish cava available. Dom Pérignon Brut vintage champagne is available at your table for those with deep pockets and extravagant tastes.

Restaurante Nautilus, one of the finest restaurants on the Costa Blanca

Whatever your budget, Restaurante Nautilus proves that while quality has its price, sometimes quality is worth paying for.

The Mediterranean influence of the menu and the Spanish cooking style render some truly unique dishes, which you'll want to try again and again.

The Pork Knuckle with Spanish Sauce is the perfect example of how the kitchen executes provincial Mediterranean fusion with such finesse, to produce a unique dish that you just won't find elsewhere.

Fresh food, attentive service, and what must surely be the finest of beachfront locations for any restaurant in the South Costa Blanca locale, make Restaurante Nautilus an experience that's well worth paying that little extra for. We can highly recommend this prestigious Spanish restaurant.

Need more information? You can find the TripAdvisor reviews online or visit the official Restaurante Nautilus Facebook page.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Now a firmly seated annual tradition celebrating its tenth iteration this year, the citywide rice-themed affair is becoming more prominent within the Torrevieja social calendar and its popularity among locals compares to the much-loved bi-annual tapas route that takes place in the city each spring and autumn.

The popular staple ingredient is undoubtedly one of the most versatile available in any kitchen, and it should prove no surprise that given the Spanish location, restaurant chefs throughout Torrevieja are keen to showcase just what's possible with the humble grass seed.

Within Europe, only Italy produces more rice each year than Spain, and dishes like Valencian Paella, one of the most globally recognised dishes in Spanish cuisine, only serve to highlight the national importance of this adaptable ingredient.

For this year, no less than twenty-one of Torrevieja's finest restaurants have lined up to produce special menus with a mouthwatering variety of rice-based dishes.

Torrevieja Rice Week is a much more extravagant affair than its tapas route sibling, with elegant and inventive dishes that use premium ingredients and advanced culinary skills. This is reflected in the price, with individual set menus costing from €22 to €50 per person depending on the venue.

Participating restaurants are offering a menu that changes daily, and famous names taking part this year include Las Columnas in the heart of the city, Mar de Levante, and Restaurante La Cantina located on the seafront promenade.

Torrevieja Rice Week from Monday 4th March 2024

Diners can expect a full four-course dining experience for the price, with several appetisers, a rice-based main course typical of the Valencian Community, a dessert, and a selection of fine local wines, beers, and soft drink options.

Torrevieja Rice Week takes place in the city from Monday 4th March 2024 until Sunday 10th March. For more information about this event, a list of the participating restaurants, and menus, visit the official website here.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

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Tapas days are one of our closest coastal city's most successful innovations, allowing diners to sample beautifully presented Spanish fayre at prices that offer excellent value.

A total of 13 revered local restaurants are taking part in the special event, including specialised tapas bars such as Restaurante Catalina II and Las Columnas in the city centre – and our favourite beachfront restaurant, La Cantina, on the main promenade adjacent to the city's marina.

Unlike Torrevieja's bi-annual Tapas Route, the International Tapas Day will give locals and visitors just one day to sample the gastronomic delights on offer.

Each restaurant will produce two different types of signature tapas dishes: a traditional classic tapa and a gourmet tapa, each served with a small beer or soft drink for just 3,50€ per tapa.

Torrevieja's International Tapas Day 2023

The event provides an opportunity for local restaurants to showcase their culinary skills, usually resulting in some ornate and beautiful dishes, and the international nature of the event means that Asian and Mexican spices will influence some of the crafted offerings.

The gastronomic experience offers a fun and inexpensive way to spend an afternoon or evening touring the centre of Torrevieja and discovering many of the hidden delights of the city.

The City Council have provided a leaflet illustrating the participating restaurants and the special menu on offer from each venue, and diners can find a copy available from local tourist information offices throughout the city.

The event has been organised by City Hall in association with local businesses, and with support from the Costa Blanca tourist board.

The Torrevieja International Tapas Day takes place this coming Saturday 30th September 2023. Find more information from the official website.

Looking for holiday ideas and inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa this year, or join the La Zenia Community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com