Our Top 5 Restaurants By The Sea

Summertime is often when we find ourselves entertaining visiting family and friends. Finding the perfect combination of high-quality food and service with those magical sea views isn’t always easy. So, to help give you and your guests an unforgettable experience, we’ve pulled together our top 5 list.  Whether you’re craving high-end cuisine or a laid-back lunch with waves at your feet, Costa Blanca North offers an array of exceptional sea-view dining experiences. Each of our choices combines fresh, local ingredients with stunning views — the perfect pairing for an unforgettable meal by the sea.

We recommend making reservations in advance for all of these restaurants, especially in the summer.

1.) Restaurante El Pegolí – Denia

This historic restaurant set into the rocks along Les Rotas in Denia opened in 1943. This one is more on the fine dining side, especially inside, which has the feel of a classical, old-school restaurant. Outside on the terrace, the vibe is slightly more casual. Whether you choose inside or outside, you are surrounded by the Mediterranean on all sides. This is one of those restaurants where the sea views are just as impressive inside as they are outside, so if it’s a hot day, you may want to book a table inside. El Pegoli excels at traditional local fish and rice dishes, including the famous Denia red shrimps. They also have an exquisite tasting menu, allowing you to sample many of their signature dishes.

2.) Cala Clémence del Portitxol – Javea

If there’s a more picturesque terrace to dine on in the whole of the Costa Blanca, we don’t know about it. Portitxol Cove near Javea is considered one of the prettiest coves in the region. The restaurant overlooks the bay, providing a wonderful view of the turquoise waters and whitewashed houses with their contrasting blue doors (it almost feels like somewhere in the Greek islands). The restaurant itself is shabby chic in style, combining bohemian and Ibizan elements. One of our favourite dishes here is the Calamari which are large and only lightly battered. We also liked the tempura langostinos and dorado al horno (also lots of vegan options at his restaurant). There is limited free road-side parking but there’s also a private car park for  €10 (cash only). 

3.) Los Baños Sunshine Bar – Denia 

This is another well established Denia restaurant, having been in operation since 1974. Situated along a quiet, almost wild stretch of beach just north of Denia (weather permitting, the sunsets here are amazing). Los Baños was rated one of top 25 beach bars in Spain by Forbes Magazine (it’s so much more than a beach bar though). Walking through the restaurant to the terrace is an experience in itself, with it’s beautifully kept tropical garden featuring plenty of interesting spaces for a pre or post meal cocktail. The staff here are warm and friendly which really adds to the overall ambience. The menu offers bold Mediterranean options with lots of high-quality fish and rice options. The creamy rice paella with red shrimp and monkfish is special and one of our favorite dishes. Dont forget to leave room for the home-made desserts and also a special mention for the cocktails here, they are excellent, especially the Tropical Mexican Cocktail with mezcal.   

4.) Le Dauphine – Moraira

Tucked into the exclusive El Portet bay, Le Dauphin is a premium restaurant offering fine French-Mediterranean cuisine with unbeatable sea views. With elegant decor and a curated wine list, this is a top pick for a romantic evening or special celebration. The restaurant is beautifully designed, built with natural stone, and finished with wood from monasteries in Toledo. The interior creates a Provençal Mediterranean atmosphere with spectacular views of the entire bay of Moraira, Calpe, and the colossal Peñón de Ifach in the background. Of course, there are plenty of delicious seafood options but their Australian Rossini sirloin and a roasted lamb crown also deserve a specical mention. 

5.) Republic – Denia

Nestled in the vibrant Marina de Dénia, Republic offers a stylish and cosmopolitan dining experience. Known for its chic waterfront setting and relaxed yet refined atmosphere, Republic blends modern European cuisine with international influences, offering everything from gourmet burgers and fresh seafood to flavourful Asian-fusion dishes. In the evening, its a magical experience as you gaze out at the boat masts in the marina, almost close enough to touch. Also, If you’re in the mood for Chateaubriand, this is one of the best places locally to order the dish in our opinion, and they cook it right there at your table. The service is polished and welcoming, and the lively ambience makes it a favourite for both locals and visitors alike.

This short curated list is based on our personal experiences of living in the Costa Blanca for many years. We hope you find it  useful and we wish you,  your family and friends ¡Buen provecho!