Our Favourite Restaurants in Benidorm

AT A GLANCE

OLD TOWN

The Old Town is Benidorm at its most Spanish: narrow streets, packed terraces and the best tapas in the resort. Book ahead on Friday and Saturday nights, especially in summer.

Olea Mar

Calle del Rosario

Just off Tapas Alley, on one of the liveliest streets in the Old Town, Olea Mar is the kind of place where it simply feels good to sit down.

Order the paella and a chilled bottle of white, then watch the world go by.

Olea Mar

Umoo Grill Beach

Plaza del Torrejó

A corner spot on the Levante seafront, right where the promenade climbs into the Old Town. The grill is the star: Argentinian-style cuts of meat, plus some very good fish.

Ask for a table outside and you’ll have the sea on one side and the Old Town on the other.

Umoo Grill Beach

Abuela Herminia

Calle Doctor Pérez Llorca, 6

Argentina meets Spain at Abuela Herminia, a cosy, friendly spot that’s as good for a family meal as a night out with friends. The grill is the main event: order the bife de chorizo, a classic Argentinian sirloin, or a proper milanesa.

If you’re not in a steak mood, there’s seafood paella and grilled salmon. Leave room for the cheesecake with red berries, and expect generous portions.

Abuela Herminia

Aupa

Calle Martínez Oriola, 27

Is there anything better than a table on a busy Old Town street, where the chatter gets louder as the second glass of vino is poured? Yes: the same table at Aupa, with a spread of their tapas in front of you.

It’s on the back street that runs parallel to Tapas Alley, so you get the buzz without the crush.

Aupa

Sherpa

Calle San Roque, 13

Indian and Thai cooking in the heart of the Old Town. Plenty of people call Sherpa the best Indian restaurant in Benidorm. That’s a big claim, but we’ve always found the food and service on song.

There’s a good choice for vegetarians and vegans, too.

Sherpa, Calle San Roque

Paneil’s

Calle de la Palma, 12

Our pick for steak, and for a special night out in the Old Town. Paneil’s does everything well, from the grill to the welcome.

It’s ideal for an anniversary or a birthday, and hen parties are well looked after. Ask about their celebration cakes, and book ahead, because it fills up fast.

Paneil’s

Pizzeria Avanti

Calle Coles

We first ate here more than 20 years ago, and Avanti has been serving its slice of Italy in the Old Town for over a quarter of a century.

There are tables out in the side street for eating al fresco, or a cosy dining room inside. Proper pizza, no fuss.

Avanti Pizzeria, Calle Coles

LEVANTE

Levante is Benidorm’s busiest side, from the beachfront terraces to the streets behind The Strip and on to Rincón de Loix. You’ll find every kind of food here. These are the places that stand out.

Los Ranchos

Avenida de Madrid, 9

Right on the Levante seafront and good value for the location. Los Ranchos is a fine spot for lunch on a beach day, with paella for two and a long menu of Spanish favourites.

Come back later for a sundowner on the terrace once the sun loungers have emptied.

Los Ranchos, Avenida de Madrid

Yantar de Asturies

Calle de Valencia

Ever wondered what they eat up in Asturias, on Spain’s green north coast? Yantar will show you.

Order one of the region’s two famous dishes. Fabada is a rich bean stew. Cachopo is two veal fillets sandwiched with ham and cheese, then fried in breadcrumbs. Wash it down with a glass of cider: Asturias is Spain’s Somerset.

Yantar de Asturias

Taberna Andaluza

Calle del Esperanto, 4

Ten out of ten for atmosphere and authenticity. Taberna Andaluza is packed with Spanish holidaymakers and locals, which tells you everything.

Its tapas regularly win prizes at Benidorm’s annual tapas and pinchos contest. If you’ve come to Spain for Spain, this is where you need to be.

Taberna Andaluza

Toscana

Calle Gerona, 3

Our go-to for a family pizza night, or a relaxed start to an evening out with friends.

The pizzas are spot on, the pasta is a favourite with regulars, and there’s plenty on the menu for anyone who doesn’t fancy pizza. The terrace is lovely on a summer night.

Restaurante Toscana

Curry Leaf

Calle de Berlín, 1

Possibly the best curry house in Benidorm. It’s tucked away in Rincón de Loix, but it’s worth the walk even from the other side of town.

The tandoori mixed starter and the lamb dishes get rave reviews, and the staff are friendly and quick.

Curry Leaf Indian

Roman

Avenida de Madrid, 37

Something of an institution, open since 1975 on the corner where Levante Beach meets Rincón de Loix. The terrace is often packed with people eating, drinking and soaking up the sun.

We nearly always go for an early breakfast, beginning our day the Roman way!

A Roman Breakfast

The Brunch Box

Avenida del Mediterráneo, 47

“Every good day starts with a cocktail,” say The Brunch Box team. Fair enough. But they do much more than that.

This family-run café serves American-style breakfast and brunch, from chicken and waffles to French toast. Pop in once and you’ll probably be back most mornings of your stay.

The Brunch Box

PONIENTE

Poniente is the calmer, more Spanish side of town, with a long promenade made for slow lunches and sunset drinks. Most of these restaurants face the sea.

The Dining Room

Calle San Pedro, 8

Art Deco style, a perfect spot between Poniente Beach and the Old Town, fabulous food and service that’s always on point. The Dining Room simply understands hospitality.

Make sure you go at least once during your stay. The set lunch is excellent value.

The Dining Room, Calle San Pedro

El Barranco

Avenida Vicente Llorca Alós

Right on the beach, with views to match. El Barranco is all about rice dishes, seafood and grilled fish, done the Alicante way.

Regulars swear by the arroz del senyoret, a seafood rice with everything already peeled. Book for a weekend lunch.

El Barranco

A Bordo

Avenida de la Armada Española

Run by Benidorm’s Magic hotel group, next to the Villa del Mar hotel, with views right across Poniente Beach and the Med.

This is where you go Spanish: paella, garlic prawns, calamari, rabbit and lamb. The fideuà, a seafood noodle paella, is a highlight.

A Bordo

Tortuga Beach

Avenida de la Armada Española

A bright, modern beach bar and kitchen with its feet almost in the sand. It’s easy to settle in for the afternoon.

Start with the croquettes and the octopus. It’s good for breakfast too: the eggs Benedict are a favourite.

Tortuga Beach

Va Bene La Cala

Avenida Vicente Llorca Alós

Proper Italian food at the far end of Poniente, where the beach meets La Cala, with the sea right in front of you.

They don’t take bookings, so arrive early in high season or be ready to wait. It’s worth it.

Va Bene Italian

Zodiac

Calle San Pedro, 6

A family-run restaurant that has been bringing the best of Colombian cooking to Benidorm since 2011. It sits at the Old Town end of Poniente, a few doors from The Dining Room, with the sea just across the road.

If you’ve never tried Colombian food, this is the place to start, with a few new South American dishes alongside Spanish favourites. The mojitos are a hit.

Zodiac

New York 3

Avenida Vicente Llorca Alós

A knock-out spot for a drink or a lunch on a beach day, with a wide menu of American favourites and some luscious desserts.

Grab a front-line table, order a jug of sangria or a cocktail or two, and gaze out across the Med.

New York 3

HOW EATING OUT WORKS IN BENIDORM

A few things are worth knowing before you sit down.

Meal times: Spanish lunch runs from about 1.30pm to 4pm, and dinner rarely starts before 8.30pm. In the tourist areas many kitchens serve all day, but the Spanish-run places in the Old Town and on Poniente keep to Spanish hours.

The menú del día: on weekday lunchtimes, look for the menú del día board. It’s a set lunch of a starter, main and dessert, usually with bread and a drink, and it’s the best-value meal in Spain.

Booking: you rarely need to book for lunch. For dinner at weekends, during the Fiestas and in July and August, book the popular places a day or two ahead.

Paying and tipping: cards are taken almost everywhere. Tipping isn’t expected as it is at home, but rounding up, or leaving 5 to 10% for good service, is always appreciated.

Bread and nibbles: bread or olives brought to the table may be added to the bill. If you don’t want them, just say “no, gracias”.

Paella: the best rice dishes are made to order and are usually for at least two people. Allow 20 to 30 minutes, and treat it as a lunchtime dish, as the Spanish do.

READ NEXT

Hungry for more? Our 9 Best Spanish Restaurants in Benidorm goes deeper on paella, rice and local cooking.

For a night of pintxos, follow our route around Tapas Alley.

And to browse every restaurant we list, area by area, head to our Dine guide.