Calpe – The Best Restaurants, Bars & Seafood by Peñón de Ifach
Calpe is a unique point on the Costa Blanca map. A town visually dominated by the colossal Peñón de Ifach rock, rising 332 metres straight out of the sea, it also towers gastronomically over many of its neighbours. If Benidorm is about nightlife and Alicante is about history, then Calpe is about cuisine. Within a relatively small area, you’ll find a remarkable concentration of culinary phenomena: from a lively fishing port where trawlers arrive daily, to a constellation of Michelin-listed restaurants.
For travellers, Calpe offers a rare chance to see the entire journey of a product – from the sea to the plate. You can watch the fish auction at the local market (La Lonja) at 5:00 pm and by 8:00 pm be enjoying that very catch in a restaurant just a hundred metres from the quay. Local cuisine here is built on deep respect for the sea. Unlike many resorts where fish is often imported, Calpe proudly carries the “Peix de Calp” quality label, guaranteeing the product’s local origin.
In this guide, we break the town down into flavour zones: the port with its famous seafood platters, the historic centre with cosy bistros, and, of course, the fine-dining scene that has turned Calpe into a pilgrimage destination for gourmets from across Europe. We’ll show you where to find authenticity, where innovation thrives, and how to avoid overpaying in tourist-heavy spots.
What to Taste: The Flavour of “The Rock”
Before booking tables, it’s important to know exactly what to look for on the menu. Calpe has its own culinary specialities that are rarely found beyond the municipality.
Llauna de Calp
This dish is the DNA of local gastronomy. The name “Llauna” comes from the rectangular metal tray in which it is cooked. It’s fishermen’s food: simple, hearty, and deeply flavourful.
The base consists of thinly sliced potatoes, tomatoes, and a mix of small fish known as morralla – species that aren’t usually sold whole due to their size or appearance, but which deliver the most intense flavour. Crabs, mantis shrimp (galeras), and always garlic, parsley, and saffron are often added. Everything is baked in the oven. The secret of a proper Llauna lies in the potatoes, which soak up the fish juices and often become even more delicious than the fish itself.
Arròs del Senyoret
Although this rice dish is popular throughout the Valencian Community, in Calpe it’s prepared with particular care. The name translates as “Rice for the Gentleman” (or, more playfully, “for the lazy gentleman”).
The idea is simple: the chef does all the dirty work. All seafood – prawns, squid, pieces of monkfish, mussels – is fully peeled and cleaned. You eat the rice with a fork (or a spoon, as locals do), without getting your hands messy.
In Calpe, this rice is often cooked in a very rich broth made from rock fish, giving it a dark, intense colour and a powerful sea aroma. The ultimate delicacy is the socarrat – the toasted, crispy layer at the bottom of the pan.
Gamba Blanca de Calp
While Dénia is famous for its red prawns, Calpe proudly claims the white prawn (Gamba Blanca). Smaller in size, it offers a more delicate, slightly sweet flavour. It’s typically served boiled (hervida) in seawater and chilled with ice.
This is the perfect starter before a main course, best paired with a glass of chilled white wine made from the local Moscatel grape.
The Port: The Epicentre of Sea Life
Calpe’s port is more than just a marina – it’s the town’s stomach. The street running along the waterfront (Avenida del Puerto) is packed with marisquerías (seafood restaurants). The atmosphere is unmistakable: waiters rush past carrying huge trays piled with lobsters, crabs, and oysters, while visitors try to photograph the Ifach rock looming directly above their plates.
That said, caution is advised. Heavy tourist traffic has created places with inflated prices and average quality. The rule here is simple: look at the ice display (everything should look fresh, with clear fish eyes) and check whether locals are dining there. We’ve selected a spot that has stood the test of time and generations of fishermen.
Restaurante Baydal
This restaurant is a living piece of Calpe’s port history. Founded in 1941, Baydal occupies a privileged location directly opposite the fish market. It’s a classic old-school Spanish marisquería, with a maritime interior (wood, nets, white and blue tones) and fast, professional service.
The main reason to come here is freshness. The owners maintain direct relationships with fishing boats. Start with their signature Sopa de Pescado – a thick, deeply flavoured fish soup that warms the soul even on the hottest day.
For a main course, order the Mariscada (seafood platter). You’ll be served a generous dish of langoustines, prawns, razor clams (navajas), and mussels. Cooking is kept simple – grilled (a la plancha) or boiled – to let the natural taste of the sea shine through.
Despite its tourist location, Baydal maintains high standards. It’s an excellent choice for a family lunch, where children can experience authentic Spanish cuisine without trendy experiments, but with guaranteed freshness.
Contact details:
Address: Av. del Port, 12, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 83 11 11
Website: baydal.es
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Restaurante Puerto Blanco
Restaurante Puerto Blanco is a striking gastronomic spot by the Port Blanc marina, where an evening in Calpe easily turns into an “event”. Here, it’s not just about the food, but the entire setting – water, yachts, lights, and the port’s atmosphere. It’s an ideal choice for a final dinner after a waterfront stroll, when you’re looking for something more celebratory than a traditional port marisquería.
The cuisine is Mediterranean with refined contemporary touches: fish and seafood, seasonal ingredients, and dishes designed for a leisurely evening. Puerto Blanco works particularly well as a romantic stop – reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and during high season.
Contact details:
Address: Urb. La Canuta Baja, 35B, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 830 977
Website: puertoblanco.eu
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Grizzly’s World
Grizzly’s World is a bar-restaurant located in the Centro Comercial Biblos area on the Calpe-Moraira road. It combines a sports bar, music venue, and grill – a lively spot for atmosphere, drinks, and hearty food. It’s a convenient stop for an evening after a day by the sea: casual, moderately noisy, with an easy-going bar vibe.
This is a great place to drop in for a couple of drinks: beer, cocktails, shared plates, and food designed for groups. Within this guide, Grizzly’s works as a contrast to the port marisquerías – the sea is still close, but the mood becomes more urban and evening-focused.
Contact details:
Address: Centro Comercial Biblos, Carretera, Km 1, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 613 73 76 50
Website: grizzlysworld.shop
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Bar-Restaurante El Peñón
Bar-Restaurante El Peñón is a reliable anchor point in the Old Town (Casco Antiguo) for those who want classic Spanish dining rather than fine cuisine: drinks, tapas, and rice dishes without unnecessary theatrics. It’s easy to stop by for an aperitif and stay on for dinner – or arrive later in the evening and build a table from several small plates.
Within the context of this article, El Peñón represents a practical Old Town option: straightforward food, lively seating, and a format that suits both couples and groups. The best time to visit is during Old Town prime time – when the heat fades and evening life fills the streets.
Contact details:
Address: Carrer Pintor Sorolla, 21, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 618 903 947
Google Maps: view on map
Fine Dining: Michelin Stars by the Beach
Calpe has carried out a true revolution in the world of fine dining. Just ten years ago, it was hard to imagine this resort town becoming a serious competitor to Valencia or Alicante in terms of Michelin stars per capita.
Today, Calpe is an essential stop on the map for any foodie travelling through Spain. A unique cluster of restaurants has formed here, mostly located within boutique hotels, where world-class chefs reinterpret local products through a contemporary lens.
Below is a full contextual translation into English, with all HTML preserved, no shortening, and a neutral editorial tone suitable for an international travel / gastronomy publication.
The defining feature of Calpe’s fine dining scene is that it remains deeply rooted in the land — or rather, in the sea. This is not abstract molecular cuisine created for the sake of spectacle. It is an ode to the local terroir: citrus groves, almonds, fish from the bay, and vegetables grown in the surrounding countryside. The two main flagships of this gastronomic revolution are Audrey’s and Beat.
Audrey’s Restaurant
Located in the AR Diamante Beach Hotel, this restaurant became the first in Calpe to be awarded a Michelin star. Its founder and head chef, Rafa Soler, is considered one of the leading ambassadors of Valencian gastronomy worldwide. The restaurant’s name references Audrey Hepburn, and the interior reflects this inspiration perfectly: elegant, refined, timeless, yet free from excess and unnecessary grandeur.
Rafa Soler’s cuisine can be described as an “anthropological study” of the region. He takes dishes traditionally prepared by local grandmothers and deconstructs them to their core, rebuilding them as refined culinary artworks. His tasting menus (such as the “Anfitriona” menu) feature unexpected interpretations of classic recipes — for example, All i pebre (a traditional eel stew) transformed into a delicate appetizer with an extraordinary concentration of flavor, or desserts based on local almonds and citrus fruits.
Audrey’s wine list places a strong emphasis on sparkling wines and Champagne, as well as rare local wines made from Bobal and Monastrell grapes. Dining here is a calm, unhurried journey through the flavors of the Costa Blanca, where each course is accompanied by a story about the origin of its ingredients. It is an ideal choice for a romantic evening, when you want not just to dine well, but to enjoy a truly emotional and immersive experience.
Contact details:
Address: Av. Juan Carlos I, 48, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 27 77 48
Website: https://www.ar-hotels.com/restaurantes-calpe/audreys.html
Google Maps: view on map
Beat Restaurant
The second gastronomic gem of Calpe is located at The Cookbook Gastro Boutique Hotel & Spa. Beat Restaurant, led by chef José Manuel Miguel, also holds a Michelin star and two Repsol Suns. José Manuel is a unique figure: he is the only Spanish chef to have earned Michelin stars both in France (Paris) and in Spain. This bicultural experience forms the foundation of Beat’s culinary philosophy.
Here, French technique — sauces, texture control, precision, and discipline — meets Mediterranean passion and the freshness of local ingredients. The restaurant’s interior is light and airy, dominated by white tones and large windows overlooking the garden, creating a sense of openness and elegance. Beat’s cuisine is more cosmopolitan. The menu may feature foie gras paired perfectly with local figs, or pigeon prepared according to classical French tradition, served with Valencian rice as a garnish.
The restaurant offers several tasting menus of varying lengths. Particular attention should be paid to their work with game and seasonal mushrooms in autumn. If you appreciate classical French cuisine but wish to experience it through a sunny Spanish lens, Beat will be a genuine discovery.
Contact details:
Address: Urbanización Marisol Park, 1A, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 27 77 30
Website: https://ar-hotels.com/restaurantes-calpe/beat
Google Maps: view on map
The Old Town: A Labyrinth of Flavors
Leaving behind the polish of Michelin-starred dining rooms and the bustle of the port, we move uphill into the heart of Calpe’s Old Town (Casco Antiguo). This area often escapes the attention of visitors who spend all their time on Arenal-Bol or La Fossa beaches — and quite unfairly. The Old Town is a maze of narrow, steep streets adorned with colorful murals, flower pots, and the famous staircase painted in the colors of the Spanish flag.
The gastronomy here is different: more intimate, personal, and creative. Old fishermen’s houses now host bistros, tapas bars, and chef-driven restaurants where owners often cook themselves or stand behind the bar. There may be no direct sea views (though some terraces offer glimpses), but there is an authentic sense of warmth and history. This is the best place for dinner once the heat subsides and the streetlights come on.
Lapsus Bistro
Located in the very center of the historic quarter, near Plaza de la Villa, Lapsus Bistro is a perfect example of how modern cuisine can blend seamlessly with historic surroundings. The interior combines original stone walls with minimalist contemporary design and artistic elements.
The concept of Lapsus revolves around “creative tapas and sharing dishes.” Classic staples like patatas bravas are left behind in favor of original flavor combinations. The menu is compact but carefully curated. A must-try is their renowned red tuna tartare (Tartar de atún rojo), considered one of the best in town, with perfectly balanced seasoning. Another standout dish is the oxtail croquettes (rabo de toro) — crispy on the outside and meltingly tender inside.
Lapsus is also well known for its desserts. Their Torrija caramelizada — a caramelized slice reminiscent of French toast, but far more delicate — is served with turrón ice cream and makes a perfect finale to the meal. This venue is very popular with locals and expats alike, so reserving a table in advance is strongly recommended, especially if you wish to sit on their small, charming outdoor terrace.
Contact details:
Address: Carrer del Torreó, 15, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 865 88 20 12
Website: lapsusbistro.com
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Tu Capricho
Tu Capricho is one of the most elegant yet welcoming spots in Calpe’s Casco Antiguo. This small restaurant offers a modern interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine, focusing on product quality, seasonality, and refined presentation without unnecessary extravagance.
The menu changes according to the daily catch and market availability. Fish and seafood dishes are particularly successful here: pulpo a la brasa, fish of the day (según mercado), and creative sharing plates. The wine list emphasizes local wines from the Valencian Community, carefully selected to complement the flavors of the dishes.
Tu Capricho is ideal for a relaxed, thoughtful dinner after a stroll through Calpe’s old streets, when you want something more refined than tapas, yet without the formality of haute cuisine.
Contact details:
Address: Edifici Apolo VII, Carrer Pintor Sorolla, Local 19, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 865 64 25 22
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Bar As De Plata
Bar As De Plata is a cozy tapas bar in Calpe’s Old Town, offering a solid selection of snacks and drinks — an ideal spot for the evening after dinner at Lapsus Bistro. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, with locals and visitors gathering to enjoy a glass of wine or beer accompanied by a variety of small bites.
The bar serves classic Spanish tapas, olives, cheese and cured meat platters, as well as seasonal dishes. The drinks menu includes a wide range of wines, sangria, and signature cocktails that pair perfectly with light snacks.
Contact details:
Address: Carrer Málaga, 4, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 641 85 63 22
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Bar-Restaurante Tata
Bar-Restaurante Tata is a classic Spanish venue in the Casco Antiguo, offering drinks and tapas in a relaxed Old Town atmosphere. It is an excellent choice for a light dinner or as a transition from a full meal to evening drinks.
The menu features everyday Spanish snacks, tapas, and hot dishes, while the bar offers wines, local liqueurs, and refreshing cocktails. Tata is popular with local residents, making it a great place to experience the authentic gastronomic life of Calpe’s Old Town.
Contact details:
Address: Carrer Benissa, 2, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 83 19 25
Google Maps: view on map
Practical Tips for Travelers
To ensure your gastronomic experience in Calpe meets expectations, it is worth keeping a few local customs in mind — details that are not always obvious to visitors.
- Sacred lunch hours: In Calpe, as throughout Spain, dining schedules are strictly observed. Restaurant kitchens (*cocina*) usually open for lunch from 13:30 to 15:30. If you arrive at 16:00, you will most likely be offered only cold snacks. Dinner service rarely begins before 20:00, with peak hours around 21:30.
- Reservations: For Audrey’s, Beat, and popular port restaurants (such as Baydal), reservations are essential during high season (July–August), ideally 1–2 weeks in advance. On weekends, this applies to most quality establishments.
- Tipping: In Spain, tips are not automatically included in the bill (unlike in the US) and are not obligatory. However, it is considered polite to leave 5–10% if you are satisfied with the service, or simply round up the total (for example, leaving €50 for a €47 bill).
- The fish auction (La Lonja): If you are staying in an apartment with a kitchen, you can buy exceptionally fresh fish at the shop near the port’s fish auction (usually from 17:00 to 19:00). This is the same fish supplied to restaurants, but often at prices 2–3 times lower.
- Menú del Día: At lunchtime on weekdays, look for restaurants offering a “Menú del Día.” This fixed-price menu typically includes a starter, main course, drink, and dessert (usually €15–25). It is the most economical way to enjoy high-quality home-style cooking.
Conclusion
Calpe is a city that knows how to surprise. It can be refined and exclusive in Michelin-starred dining rooms, lively and unpretentious in port-side marisquerías, and cozy and mysterious in the narrow streets of the Old Town. Here, food is not just fuel — it is an integral part of culture and daily life. Arrive hungry, stay curious, and do not be afraid to try something new — whether it is sea urchin or the humble local Llauna potatoes. Calpe will undoubtedly reward you with flavors you will remember long after your visit, on quiet winter evenings far from the Mediterranean.
