Benidorm's food scene is so underrated – there I said it. A favourite destination with UK travellers, the strip is more often known for greasy fry ups to cure a raging hangover, but when I visited I was desperate to uncover the lesser-known side to this popular Spanish city.
You guys know I love finding an alternative side to a popular destination and Benidorm is the perfect example of somewhere that has become so popular, it feels like it has lost its authentic charm. But, if you're planning a visit this summer and are desperate to sample the local cuisine, I have good news! Benidorm hasn't lost its gastronomic edge, you just need to take a closer look.
Which is exactly why I have created this Benidorm food guide to the best places to eat in Benidorm. Whether you're just there for a weekend, or are staying for a summer season, trust me you'll want to bookmark these incredible eats. Forget the bucking broncos and bright lights – this is the guide that will take you away from the busy strip and into the heart of the Old Town, discovering local delicacies, family-run restaurants and favourites among the locals.
But who am I? I'm your new solo travel bestie who follows her stomach and her love of adventure around the world seeking the very best and most underrated spots so you can enjoy. Trust me, if you love eating local, authentic delights and stepping away from the tourist traps – you're in the right place. Don't forget to check out my global food guides.
Planning a trip to Benidorm, Spain? Here's everything you need to know:
- Best food in Benidorm: What food is Benidorm famous for?
- Is Benidorm cheap to eat out?
- Planning your Benidorm trip
- The best places to eat in Benidorm
- La Taperia Aurrera: Eat authentic Basque cuisine in Tapas Alley
- Exotico Benidorm: A unique gastronomic experience with live music
- D'VORA Gastrobar: Dine with panoramic sea views in the Old Town
- Restaurante Ulia: Family-run feasting on fresh seafood and paella
- Urban Beach Gastro Bar: Beachfront dining and unique flavours
- Selvático: Sunset cocktails at the best rooftop bar in Benidorm
Get your Benidorm essentials!
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Best food in Benidorm: What food is Benidorm famous for?
Many travellers visiting Benidorm will make a beeline for the greasy fry-ups and takeaways along the strip, but if you really want to experience authentic local cuisine when visiting this part of Alicante, you'll want to take a wander through the Old Town. Did you know that this region of Spain is actually best known for its popular rice dishes? This includes the delicious Spanish staple of paella, a saffron-infused rice dish that is traditionally cooked using duck, rabbit or chicken.
Seafood is always on the menu in Benidorm so you may find that local paella dishes incorporate fresh seafood such as prawns, squid or freshly caught fish, you may even want to try a seafood platter. Other popular rice dishes include Arròs a banda (a Spanish seafood rice), or Arroz negro which is cooked with squid ink and is one of my favourite dishes. You could also try Arrós del Senyoret which is a seafood paella created "for the Lords" with already peeled seafood, or Catalan Fideuà, a Spanish seafood vermicelli.
Of course, no visit to Spain is complete without exploring the best local tapas restaurants and this remains one of my favourite ways to eat while exploring Spain. I just love that you can try so many different dishes and share them with friends. Keep reading this guide for my top pick of Benidorm's tapas restaurants if you want to try the best local, authentic cuisine.
Is Benidorm cheap to eat out?
Benidorm is such a great trip for budget travellers and particularly if you're limited for time as it's a nice quick flight and easy to get straight on the beach and hit up the best local eats. If you're looking for an underrated foodie trip that matches your budget, Benidorm has some of the best and most affordable restaurants (if you know where to look). If you're wondering if Benidorm is cheap to eat out, the trick is to follow the locals and eat authentically for high quality dining at great prices.
Skip the strip where restaurants tend to cater for the masses who want their kebabs and takeaways before a night in the bars, instead stroll over to the Old Town where you'll find lots of great budget-friendly eats. Prices can start from as low as €8 for a tapas dish and a drink, to €40 for a full lunch or dinner with drinks. If you're looking to cut costs even more, you might want to choose a hotel which offers breakfast, a meal package or half board so you only eat out for limited meals and choose carefully from my list of the best places to eat in Benidorm.
Planning your Benidorm trip
If you're reading this and feeling the urge to book a trip to Benidorm (I don't blame you!), here's your at-a-glance guide to planning your Benidorm trip. It makes the perfect quick getaway whether you're travelling for a weekend in the sun, a summer holiday or even fancy an extreme day trip! Start by reading my guide to the 20 Best Things To Do in Benidorm to start planning your trip, I've got all the inspiration for the ultimate authentic adventure itinerary to keep you busy in the sunshine.
- Flights to Benidorm from Stansted Airport from £32
- Book a stay at the Barceló Benidorm Beach Hotel
- Find activities and tours for Benidorm
- Get an eSIM for Benidorm (use code: ABSOUTELYLUCY)
- Don't forget your travel insurance! I always book Nomad Insurance through SafetyWing
Don't miss my honest hotel review of Best Place to Stay in Benidorm: Barceló Beach Hotel Review
The best places to eat in Benidorm
La Taperia Aurrera: Eat authentic Basque cuisine in Tapas Alley
Without a doubt, Tapas Alley is my favourite place to eat in Benidorm and an absolute must for anyone wanting to experience the very best of Benidorm food. Tucked away in the heart of the Old Town, this lively little street is lined with tables, buzzing terraces, and family-run restaurants serving some of the most authentic Spanish cuisine in the city.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the sizzle of fresh tapas, the aroma of grilled seafood and cured meats, and the unmistakable energy that makes this area so special. It’s no surprise that Tapas Alley is often listed among the best places to eat in Benidorm, and it’s only getting busier each year, so I’d definitely recommend booking ahead if you can.
My top pick here is La Taperia Aurrera, where you’ll find outstanding Basque-inspired dishes with a modern, creative twist. Their sharing plates are perfect for sampling a variety of flavours, and every meal feels like a little celebration of northern Spanish cuisine. If you’re looking for an authentic, atmospheric dining experience in Benidorm, this is one spot you truly shouldn’t miss.
We enjoyed a selection of sharing plates including grilled octopus, meats, the famous "broken eggs", fresh tuna and mouth-watering grilled peppers. I highly recommend a selection of sharing plates so you get to try as many different dishes as possible, or you can also request specific bread with different toppings at the counter which are also delicious.
Exotico Benidorm: A unique gastronomic experience with live music
For a truly unique Benidorm food experience, Exotico Benidorm blends art-deco glamour, creative cuisine, and an unforgettable atmosphere. This is one of those places that proves why Benidorm has so much more to offer than just beach bars and tourist menus. Head to the Primavera Park Hotel, you might not expect to find Exotico tucked away here but don't miss their impressive four course tasting menu for just €55, which is excellent value for such high quality food and such an immersive experience.
From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed by exotic décor, soft lighting, and the subtle scent of incense drifting through the space. The menu is just as impressive, with beautifully presented dishes designed to excite both your eyes and taste buds. Highlights include the fresh red tuna tataki, fluffy beef bao buns filled with slow-cooked beef cheeks, and perfectly cooked turbot, all bursting with flavour. Then we finished with a fresh cheesecake with a caramel sauce. My mouth is watering just typing this as I remember the night I was there... what I would give to eat the whole menu again.
What really sets Exotico apart from other restaurants in Benidorm is the entertainment. With live DJs, music, and occasional performances, it offers the perfect balance of relaxed dining and vibrant nightlife. This combined with the excellent and attentive service form the warm, friendly servers, makes it one of the best spots in town. If you’re looking for one of the best places to eat in Benidorm where great food meets great vibes (without heading to the Strip) this is the place to be.
D'VORA Gastrobar: Dine with panoramic sea views in the Old Town
Nestled in the Old Town is one of the best places to eat in Benidorm, D'VORA Gastrobar. It is so hard to choose between the restaurants on this list, but if you could only squeeze in a visit to one of my top choices, make it this one. I was blown away by the incredible service and exquisite flavours, none of which you would usually associate with the Spanish city's usual reputation.
The restaurant is perched high on the cliff with panoramic ocean views and facing Levante Beach, which provides a beautiful setting for a long lunch, Although we visited in an unexpected rainstorm, there was a beautiful breezy balcony that would be a gorgeous place to sit for lunch. Prepare yourself for a full gastronomic experience and don't forget to try the local wines, the servers are great at suggesting which ones will pair best with the menu.
Some of our favourite dishes included the chicken caesar salad and huevos rotos or ‘Broken Eggs’ (which was also a favourite of mine from when I visited the Azores!). While others ordered the popular Iberian pork dish, I made a beeline for the creamy monkfish rice which was mouth-wateringly good.
Restaurante Ulia: Family-run feasting on fresh seafood and paella
If you're looking for the freshest seafood and beachfront dining, look no further than family-run Restaurant Ulia. When you want a break from the crowded side of Benidorm, Ponienete Beach is the perfect tonic and is located in a much more local area of Benidorm. The perfect place to begin your culinary tour of the city with a hearty lunch of tuna salad, crispy croquettes and fresh Andalusian fried calamari with a squeeze of lemon.
My tastebuds were so satisfied with this deliciously zesty introduction to Benidorm's food scene, but when they brought out a giant paella dish filled with authentic local flavours, our jaws hit the floor in astonishment at the sheer size of the dish. Pack your appetite for this one, Restaurante Ulia will leave you bursting at the seams with contentment and is a true local favourite. As our first foodie stop on the trip, it certainly set the standard for the meals we would enjoy for the next few days, and remained one of my favourites by the end of my time in Benidorm.
Urban Beach Gastro Bar: Beachfront dining and unique flavours
You could be forgiven for not even noticing this beachfront restaurant, but you'd be missing out by not enjoying lunch at Urban Beach Gastro Bar. Stroll along Levante Beach to find this fun, quirky eaterie which makes the perfect sassy stop for a leisurely lunch. The Instagrammable decor and creative flavours make this an exciting addition to my list of the best restaurants in Benidorm.
Whilst housed in an unassuming building along the promenade on Levante Beach, Urban Beach Gastro Bar will definitely surprise you. The decor is cool and modern (with great views of the beach) and the food is fantastic; there’s a good range of seafood as well as high quality meat dishes some with unique twists.
We had a selection of starters including croquettes (you can never go wrong with a croquette) and caesar salad before I devoured the Thai Black Angus Burger. The fresh herbs in the beef burger made this such a unique and light burger compared to normal plus I loved the chipotle sauce and caesar cheese sauce. So good!
Selvático: Sunset cocktails at the best rooftop bar in Benidorm
The perfect way to finish up your trip is with a visit to the best rooftop bar in Benidorm (consider this your bonus tip for reading this whole post!) Don't miss a spectacular sunset at Selvático, the terrace with the best views of Benidorm, complete with infinity pool, a live DJ and amazing cocktails.
We sat and enjoyed the last sunshine of the day as a rainbow appeared over the mountains and we clinked our glasses in cheers before enjoying the delicious cocktails. I went for a raspberry & gin cocktail which I highly recommend. Make sure you book a table in advance, particularly if you are a bigger group so you don't miss out.
