Best Restaurants on the Costa Blanca: Michelin Stars, Seafront Lunches and a Realistic Torrevieja Base

If you are coming from the UK and planning a food-forward break, the Costa Blanca is one of Spain's most rewarding regions right now. Within one coastline you can go from a once-in-a-lifetime Michelin tasting menu to a simple, perfect plate of grilled fish by the sea - and still be back in time for a swim.

This guide rounds up the best restaurants on the Costa Blanca for fine dining and special meals, with honest logistics (including drive times) and a practical idea for where to stay. Torrevieja can be a comfortable, good-value base for the southern Costa Blanca and wider Alicante province, and it also works for occasional big-ticket nights further north - as long as you plan those evenings properly.

What to eat on the Costa Blanca (quick local hit list)

The local food identity is Mediterranean at heart: seafood, rice, citrus, olive oil and market vegetables. If you want to order like a regular, these are the easiest wins.

• Arroz dishes (rice): from seaside arroz a banda to richer, seafood-led pans shared at lunch.
• Red prawns (gamba roja): often served very simply because the flavour is the point.
• Grilled fish such as sea bream (dorada) or sea bass (lubina), usually with little more than salt, oil and lemon.
• Caldereta de mariscos: a saffron-leaning seafood stew that is ideal on a breezy terrace.
• Local sweet wines and Alicante DO wines: worth exploring if you enjoy pairing beyond the obvious.

Michelin-star restaurants on the Costa Blanca (and what to expect)

For many travellers, Michelin-starred dining is the main reason to build a Costa Blanca itinerary. Expect formal service, tasting menus (often 10+ courses), and reservations that need planning weeks or months ahead in peak season.

For up-to-date star status and opening periods, use the official Michelin Guide pages (they change): Michelin Guide - Comunidad Valenciana restaurants.

Quique Dacosta (Denia) - 3 Michelin stars

This is the classic "plan-your-trip-around-it" table. The menu is highly technical, strongly regional in inspiration, and paced like an experience rather than a meal. If you love creative fine dining and you are happy to commit an entire evening, it is one of the headline bookings in Spain.

Good to know: tastings here are a long event and wine pairings are tempting, so think ahead about transport if you are not staying locally. Official site: Quique Dacosta Restaurant.

BonAmb (Javea) - 2 Michelin stars

BonAmb is a favourite for couples and food-first groups who want modern Mediterranean cooking with a calm, polished feel. It is elegant without being intimidating, and the setting suits a special lunch just as well as an evening menu.

Official site: BonAmb.

Audrey's (Calpe) - 1 Michelin star

Calpe is underrated for high-end dining, and Audrey's is one of the main reasons. Expect a tasting format, strong technique, and a sense of occasion that still feels holiday-friendly.

Michelin page (easy for confirmation): Audrey's on the Michelin Guide.

Beat (Calpe) - 1 Michelin star

Another Calpe address worth dressing up for. It is a strong pick if you like structured tasting menus, seasonal ingredients and a dining room that takes service seriously.

Michelin page: Beat on the Michelin Guide.

El Xato (La Nucia) - Michelin-starred

A great option when you want to pair a meal with a change of scenery away from the immediate coastline. It is often chosen by repeat visitors who want something established and reliably excellent.

Michelin page: El Xato on the Michelin Guide.

Fine dining in Javea beyond the stars

Javea (Xabia) is ideal for a "nice clothes" meal without necessarily committing to a full Michelin-level production every night. You can spend the day by the sea, then go somewhere smart that still feels relaxed.

• Tosca Restaurante - a popular choice for celebrations thanks to its refined atmosphere.
• La Perla de Javea - a strong option for seafood lovers looking for a more romantic setting.
• Masena - a good pick if you want something a little different from the typical seafront formula.

How to make it feel effortless: aim for a long lunch in Javea, then drive back before dark. It is one of the easiest ways to combine a high-end meal with a low-stress day.

Moraira and Benissa: marina lunches and romantic dinners

Moraira delivers the "upscale coastal" mood: marina views, well-run dining rooms and a crowd that appreciates good hospitality. It is a great place to schedule a scenic lunch or a romantic dinner.

• The Olive Tree (Moraira) - often chosen for date nights and attentive service.
• MESA Moraira - modern and stylish, a good fit for an easy-but-special evening.
• Casa Bernardi (Benissa) - a short drive away and worth it when you want a more elevated experience.

Where to eat in Torrevieja and nearby

Not every meal needs to be a tasting menu. One of the joys of basing yourself in Torrevieja is that you can keep your days simple: beach, promenade, a relaxed dinner, then an early night before a bigger day trip.

When you are choosing restaurants in Torrevieja, look for places that do the local classics well:

• Rice and seafood: order the house rice if you see locals doing the same.
• Grilled fish: a clean, satisfying choice after a hot day.
• Tapas: ideal for groups, and perfect for trying a bit of everything without over-ordering.

And if you want to add variety without committing to long drives north, Alicante city makes an easy day out for sightseeing and a smarter dinner reservation (check the Michelin Guide list above for current recommendations).

Distances from Torrevieja (so you can plan without guesswork)

This is the detail many guides skip. Torrevieja is an excellent base for southern Costa Blanca beaches and Alicante city, but the Michelin-heavy northern coast is a proper journey. Use these approximate drive times to plan realistically (traffic and season matter):

• Torrevieja - Alicante: about 45-60 minutes
• Torrevieja - Calpe: about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes
• Torrevieja - Moraira / Benissa area: about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Torrevieja - Javea: about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes
• Torrevieja - Denia: about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes

Where to stay: luxury apartments in Torrevieja for a food trip

If your plan mixes beach time with a few standout restaurant days, a self-catered apartment gives you the flexibility that hotels often do not: slow breakfasts, space to reset between reservations, and a comfortable base to return to after a day on the road.

• Sun Apartment 3A in Torrevieja
  Ideal for couples (or a small family) who want a stylish base close to the sea, with the freedom to plan dining days without feeling rushed.
• Sun Apartment 3B in Torrevieja
  A great choice if you want extra space for a longer stay: beach mornings, day trips to Calpe or Alicante, and a calm place to unwind after big meals.

Why Torrevieja works well for food-focused travellers:

• Comfort between reservations - you can actually rest, not just sleep.
• Better pacing - mix simple local dinners with a few planned "event" meals up the coast.
• Good access to Alicante province - easy days to Alicante city and plenty to do locally.

FAQ

Are there Michelin-star restaurants on the Costa Blanca?

Yes. The Costa Blanca and wider Comunidad Valenciana include multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, including Quique Dacosta (Denia), BonAmb (Javea), Audrey's (Calpe) and Beat (Calpe). Check the Michelin Guide for the latest list and status.

What is the best town for fine dining on the Costa Blanca?

Denia and Javea are the headline destinations for Michelin-level dining, while Calpe offers excellent high-end options in a more compact area. If you want a beach-first holiday with selected day trips for big meals, Torrevieja is a comfortable base for southern Costa Blanca and Alicante city, with longer drives required for Denia and Javea.

What local dishes should I try?

Start with a local rice dish (arroz), red prawns (gamba roja) when available, and simply grilled fish like dorada. If you see caldereta de mariscos on a menu, it is a great way to taste the region in one bowl.

Is Torrevieja a good base for a Costa Blanca culinary holiday?

It is a good base if you want comfort, beach time and easy access to Alicante province, and you are happy to plan a few longer day trips for the northern Michelin hotspots. For late dinners with wine pairings in Denia or Javea, consider a transfer or an overnight stay closer to the restaurant.

Wrap-up: a simple 5-7 day foodie itinerary

If you want a holiday that feels both luxurious and realistic, build it with contrast:

• 1-2 Michelin experiences (Calpe is easiest from Torrevieja; Denia/Javea need more planning)
• 2-3 scenic seafood lunches in Moraira, Benissa or along the coast
• Relaxed local dinners in Torrevieja so you still feel like you are on holiday, not on a constant road trip

When you are ready to lock in the practical side of the trip, choose your base first, then book the restaurants around it. For a premium, self-catered stay in Torrevieja, you can check availability here: Sun Apartment 3A or Sun Apartment 3B.