Where to Eat
Where to Eat in Santa Pola
The best restaurants, tapas bars, seafood, paella and beach clubs in Santa Pola, Costa Blanca.
Santa Pola sits on the Costa Blanca's south coast and offers a rich mix of Mediterranean kitchens, fresh seafood, Valencian rice dishes, tapas bars and beachfront dining. Below you'll find restaurant categories, featured listings, typical dishes and local food events.
Best areas to eat in Santa Pola
- Old town & historic centre
- Marina & seafront promenade
- Beach clubs & chiringuitos
- Inland & wine country
Restaurant categories in Santa Pola
Spanish CuisineTapas BarsSeafood RestaurantsRice & PaellaMediterranean CuisineFine DiningMichelin RestaurantsBeach ClubsBreakfast & BrunchCafés & BakeriesWine BarsRooftop Restaurants
Featured restaurants in Santa Pola
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santa pola • Seafood
María Picola
Port-town reference for caldero, arroces and salazones — fish straight from Santa Pola's working lonja.
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santa pola • Seafood
Varadero
Modern marina restaurant overlooking the fishing fleet — grilled fish, oysters and arroz a banda.
Typical dishes to try
Paella Valenciana
The original — rabbit, chicken, garrofó beans and bomba rice cooked over orange-wood fire.
Arroz a Banda
Fishermen's rice, cooked in seafood stock and served with allioli.
Arroz Negro
Squid-ink black rice with cuttlefish and prawns.
Fideuà
Like paella, but with toasted short noodles in place of rice.
Caldero
Rice cooked in a rich stock of rockfish and dried red peppers.
Red Prawn of Dénia
World-famous deep-water red prawns auctioned daily at Dénia's fish market.
Food events near Santa Pola
November • Dénia
Dénia Gastronomic Festival
March • Dénia
Dénia Tapas Route
October • Alicante
Alicante Gastronomic Festival
May • Jávea
Jávea International Food Festival
Local tips
- Spaniards eat lunch from 14:00 and dinner from 21:00 — book ahead in season.
- Many of the best paella restaurants only serve rice at lunch.
- Order the menú del día on weekdays for excellent value (€14–€20).