15 Must-Try Local Dishes & Where to Eat Them in Costa Blanca
Introduction: Eat Your Way Through Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca isn’t just about sunshine and sandy beaches—it’s a culinary hotspot packed with centuries-old flavors, Mediterranean freshness, and regional dishes you won’t find elsewhere in Spain. Whether you’re staying in Alicante, Altea, or Dénia, this guide will help you taste the 15 most iconic dishes in the region—and tell you exactly where locals eat them.
From seafood paellas to sweet almond treats, consider this your Costa Blanca food map.
What Makes Costa Blanca Cuisine Unique?
Costa Blanca sits in the heart of the Valencian Community. Here, rice dishes rule, seafood is always fresh, and olive oil, almonds, and citrus shape almost every recipe. The cuisine blends mountain traditions (like hearty stews) with coastal influences (think grilled octopus and anchovies).
Many dishes here are specific to towns, making food the perfect excuse for a regional road trip.
15 Local Dishes You Need to Try in Costa Blanca
1. Arroz a Banda – Dénia, Altea
A rich rice dish cooked in seafood broth, served separately from the fish itself.
Where to eat it:
- El Pegolí (Dénia) – Seafront restaurant with a strong reputation for traditional rice dishes and fresh seafood
- L’Arròs (Altea) – Traditional recipes with seafront views
2. Fideuà – Calpe, Jávea
Like paella but with short noodles instead of rice, usually cooked with monkfish or cuttlefish.
Where to eat it:
3. Coca amb Tonyina – Alicante
A savory pastry filled with tuna, onions, and pine nuts, usually served during the Hogueras festival.
Where to try it:
- Pastelería Torreblanca (Alicante)
- Mercado Central de Alicante (local stalls)
4. Olleta Alicantina – Alcoy, mountain villages
A thick, comforting stew made with pork, beans, rice, and vegetables.
Top spot:
- Restaurante Lolo (Cocentaina)
5. Esgarraet – Valencia & Alicante
Roasted red peppers, salt cod, olive oil, and garlic—served cold with crusty bread.
Find it at:
- Cervecería Sento (Alicante)
- La Taberna del Gourmet (Alicante)
6. Arroz al Horno – Xàtiva, inland towns
Oven-baked rice with sausages, chickpeas, tomato, and black pudding.
Where to eat:
- Ca Tomás (Xàtiva)
- Menus del día in local inland towns
7. Pulpo a la Brasa (Grilled Octopus) – Altea, Moraira
Tender octopus, charred to perfection.
Try it at:
- Restaurant El Cranc (Altea)
- Brisas del Mar (Moraira)
8. Gambas Rojas de Dénia (Red Prawns) – Dénia
Famous throughout Spain—delicate, sweet, and best grilled with sea salt.
Where:
- Quique Dacosta (Michelin-starred)
- Bodega Casa Benjamín (authentic and affordable)
9. Calamares a la Romana (Fried Squid Rings) – Coastwide
Crispy on the outside, tender inside.
Reliable places:
- La Taberna del Puerto (Torrevieja)
- El Buen Comer (Alicante)
10. Bollit – Valencian interior
Boiled vegetables and meat, often served as a hearty family meal.
Found in:
- Menus del día in towns like Banyeres de Mariola or Biar
11. Turrón de Jijona – Jijona/Xixona
A soft nougat made with almonds and honey—famous throughout Spain but made locally.
Buy it from:
12. Helado de Turrón (Nougat Ice Cream) – Villajoyosa, Alicante
Turrón reinvented as a frozen treat.
Best scoops:
- Heladería Livanti (Alicante)
- Valor Chocolate Café (Villajoyosa)
13. All i Pebre – Valencia, coastal marsh areas
Garlicky eel stew. A bold local delicacy for adventurous eaters.
Where to try:
- Restaurants around Albufera Natural Park
14. Empanadillas de Bonito – Alicante
Tuna-stuffed pastries, commonly sold in bakeries and markets.
Pick one up at:
- Panadería Pardo (Alicante)
15. Agua de Valencia
A cocktail of orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin—iconic and surprisingly delicious.
Best enjoyed at:
- Any sunny terrace in Altea or Valencia’s old town
Where to Eat: Best Towns for Food in Costa Blanca
Alicante
- Best for: Tapas, seafood, pastries
- Mercado Central, Cervecería Sento, Nou Manolín
Altea
- Best for: Scenic dining, octopus, old-town vibes
- L’Arròs, El Cranc, La Claudia
Dénia
- Best for: Seafood, arroz a banda, high-end gastronomy
- El Pegolí, Quique Dacosta, Bodega Casa Benjamín
Villajoyosa
- Best for: Chocolate, beachfront cafés
- Valor Café, Heladería Sanchis Mira
Jalon Valley (Xaló, Lliber)
- Best for: Wine, rural cuisine
- Bodegas Xaló, rural restaurants and weekend markets
Tips for Eating Like a Local
- Lunch is the main meal – Go big at lunch, light at dinner
- Look for “menú del día” boards—best value meals
- Ask for local rice dishes—not all are paella
- Explore inland towns for rustic, hearty dishes
- Book in advance on weekends—popular places fill up