Paddys Point Irish Bar and Restaurant in La Zenia

PADDYS POINT IRISH BAR and Restaurant has been a favoured hotspot since it was founded more than 25 years ago in 1999. The local area's inaugural Irish bar is in the heart of La Zenia, central to the Orihuela Costa, and the venue celebrated its 20th birthday in 2019 and its quarter-century anniversary on 4th June 2024.

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