10 Best Local Restaurants in Benidorm

Freiduria Los Peces is a legendary fish restaurant on the northwest side of Benidorm. Despite the rock-bottom prices, the seafood here is superb. From fried fish to calamari and tangy boquerones (anchovies in vinegar), each delicious dish is caught fresh that day.

Feeling famished? The bandeja de frituras (mixed fried seafood platter) spans a broad range of ocean-dwelling delicacies. That said, all the portion sizes are generous here. Oenophiles should order a well-priced bottle of fine Spanish wine to accompany their meal – we recommend the whites.

Restaurante La Bahía is your go-to venue for affordable seafood dishes in Benidorm with a sweeping bay view. Customers sit together on a shaded open-air patio directly opposite the beach, perfect for catching a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day. Thirsty? Their sensational sangria bolsters the happy-to-go-lucky vibe.

The kitchen whips up an array of the usual seafood favourites, from locally-sourced mussels to Iberian-style arroz caldoso (a brothy rice dish). The signature dish, however, is the paella, which comes cooked to perfection and infused with flavour. The rapid service – most meals come out in 15 minutes – is a nifty plus.

Gaztelutxo is a small, hole-in-the-wall tapas bar in the heart of Benidorm Old Town. Despite its privileged location in the top tourist district, the prices here are entirely reasonable. Local tapas aficionados flock here in droves to enjoy delicious bite-sized morsels at a wallet-friendly rate. In fact, the place is so popular it’s often difficult to find a seat.

Most of their tasty tapas contain locally caught seafood, although there are a few land-based options as well. Crowd favourites include bacalao al pil pil (Basque-style salted cod), montaditos (little sandwiches), and boquerones (white anchovies). The merluza (hake) goes down a treat if you love seafood dishes.

L’aroma whips up aromatic seafood dishes in a scenic beachfront locale in Benidorm. While it’s not the cheapest local restaurant around, the mid-range haunt offers superb value for money. Top-quality food, friendly service, and sweeping sea views make it a great place to dine.

The menu lists well-prepared renditions of the usual seafood classics, from fried fish to calamari. The highlight, however, is the sublime shellfish paella – some say it’s the best in town. Not keen on seafood? Give the patatas bravas (a spicy potato-based dish) a try.

Daivel is an unpretentious tapas and wine bar in Benidorm with an incredible ocean view. Situated opposite the blue-paved Platja de Ponent promenade, the restaurant attracts scores of hungry beachgoers around lunchtime. Come early during the peak season to snag a seat.

The well-priced venue specialises in tapas, primarily seafood nibbles like octopus and squid. A solid selection of Spanish wine and beer complement the menu, perfect for people-watching while soaking up the view. If you’d rather chill out in a non-alcoholic fashion, order a soothing glass of cava instead.

While Stars Lounge Bar lacks a sea view, the restaurant makes up for it with delicious tapas and the best sangria in Benidorm. The friendly, family-run affair prepares a broad range of land-based dishes – great for non-seafood eaters. Its menu rotates with the seasons, from homemade chicken goujons (fingers) to house-special sloppy joe.

Pop into Stars if you’ve yet to try a Spanish-style ploughman’s lunch. The restaurant has revamped the traditional British dish with locally-available ingredients, and the novel combo goes down a treat. Alternatively, book their highly lauded afternoon tea. This decadent post-lunch feast includes sandwiches, scones, cake, tartlets, and – naturally – plenty of tea.

La Fava is a much-loved tapas bar on a non-descript Benidorm Old Town street. The cosy, contemporary-styled restaurant serves a tasty selection of seafood and land-based recipes. From the figatell de sepia (cuttlefish) to the berenjena con miel (honey eggplant), these delicious traditional tapas dishes pack a flavoursome punch.

Like most restaurants in Benidorm, the place does a mean shellfish paella. Whatever you order, save room for dessert because La Fava is famous for its sweet treats. The torrija (a type of French toast) and homemade cheesecake are both well worth a try.

La Picaeta de Maties does a superb seafood-centric selection of traditional Spanish tapas in a quiet Old Town alleyway. The small, homely Benidorm restaurant attracts a loyal contingent of locals for its terrific tapas. While the portion sizes are pretty small (even by tapas standards), the quality here is on point.

So what’s on the menu? Expect an eclectic selection of grilled squid, artichokes, kebabs, salads, and more. Most dishes are cooked with fresh Valencian ingredients and follow the region’s traditional recipes.

Taperia Ayala is a top-notch tapas bar in Benidorm with a beachfront view. Located a 15-minute drive west of Benidorm Old Town, it’s a great lunch option for sun-seekers enjoying a day at Platja de La Cala de Finestrat beach. Four sea-facing restaurants sit side-by-side, resulting in a buzzy beachfront vibe.

Attractive prices, sizeable portions, and authentic flavours keep punters coming back for more. Choose from an array of seafood and non-seafood tapas, plus mountainous mains like patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and paella. As you’d expect, the house wine goes down well at sunset.

La taberna del Jamón is an ultra-authentic tavern-style venue in Benidorm’s atmospheric Old Town. Like many Costa del Sol restaurants, tapas comprise the bulk of the menu. Nonetheless, you’ll find a solid selection of hearty mains, from Spanish omelettes to patatas bravas.

Order the well-priced combo meal to savour a wide range of tapas dishes. More adventurous home-style recipes include carrilleras (cheek meat) and carrilleras (oxtoil). True to its name, the unassuming venue also serves an impressive selection of Iberian ham. Of course, there’s a wide range of locally-sourced cheeses (and let's not forget the wine) to go with it.