Orihuela: Delicious Places for Lunch and Dinner
Orihuela is one of the most interesting gastronomic cities in the southern Costa Blanca, yet it has long remained off the radar of mass tourism. The reason is simple: unlike the coastal resorts, it lacks a continuous line of beaches and hotels, but it has a centuries-old urban culture closely linked to agriculture, the internal traditions of the Valencian Community, and the daily rhythm of local life. That is why Orihuela’s gastronomy is centered not on tourist expectations but on the everyday cuisine of the Vega Baja del Segura region.
The municipality of Orihuela is unique because it encompasses two fundamentally different areas: the historic city of Orihuela and the coastal zone of Orihuela Costa. These areas are separate geographically but form a single administrative unit. From a culinary perspective, this creates a rare opportunity: within one destination, travelers can experience both traditional urban cuisine of inland Costa Blanca and the more modern, seafood-focused, evening gastronomy of the coast.
This guide is built around this contrast. We do not oppose the city and the coast but select the best venues from each format, organized by time of day and gastronomic logic. Orihuela is mainly about lunch, traditional dishes, and local restaurants. Orihuela Costa is about dinners, seafood, terraces, bars, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Together, they form a complete picture of where to eat well in Orihuela.
Gastronomic Identity of Orihuela
Orihuela’s historic cuisine developed away from the sea, on the fertile lands of the Segura river valley. The Vega Baja region is known for its agricultural past, which is directly reflected in the dishes. Local gastronomy is based on rice, meat, vegetables, legumes, eggs, and olive oil. Fish and seafood traditionally played a secondary role and became prominent on menus only with the development of the coast.
The city’s signature dish is arroz con costra—baked rice with meat, sausages, and egg, cooked in a clay dish until a firm egg crust forms. It is hearty and rarely found outside the region. Because it is difficult to make at home, Orihuela’s restaurants are the best place to try it.
Other typical dishes include stews with lamb or rabbit, seasonal vegetable ragouts, thick soups, and simple yet flavorful snacks. Desserts are usually homemade, straightforward, and focused on taste and tradition.
Orihuela Costa developed differently. It is a relatively young resort area, oriented toward evening leisure, seaside restaurants, and an international audience. Here, there is a greater presence of fish, seafood, tapas-style dishes, and wine lists. The best coastal venues maintain a Mediterranean character and do not succumb to fully tourist-oriented cuisine.
What to Try in Orihuela: A Basic List
Before choosing restaurants, it’s important to know which dishes and formats to look for. This helps select venues consciously and not miss the highlights.
Arroz con costra – the city’s signature dish, best tried in Orihuela. Order for lunch and check in advance if it is available that day.
Meat dishes – lamb, rabbit, pork, stewed or baked. The backbone of urban cuisine.
Tapas – simple and hearty: tortilla, meat snacks, vegetables, fried dishes.
Coastal rice dishes – in Orihuela Costa, focus on seafood rice dishes, fish, and shellfish.
Alicante region wines – increasingly emphasized in both the city and the coast.
When and Where to Eat
Orihuela follows a classic Spanish meal schedule. Lunch is the main meal, especially in the city. From 13:30 to 15:30, most restaurants offer a menú del día—a set lunch popular with office workers, families, and retirees. This is the optimal time to experience traditional cuisine.
Dinner starts later, usually after 20:30. In the historic city, it is quieter, while Orihuela Costa has a more active evening life, with restaurants staying open longer and dinner often extending into a long evening with wine and tapas.
To eat like a local, plan lunch in Orihuela and dinner either in the city or on the coast, depending on mood. This principle guides the selection of restaurants below.
Orihuela Restaurants: Where to Have Lunch and Dinner in the Historic City
The historic center is a hub of everyday gastronomy. Views and trendy interiors are not the focus; instead, stability, respect for ingredients, and straightforward cuisine are valued. Most restaurants cater to lunch, have been operating for many years, and maintain a loyal clientele. These venues are ideal for trying traditional Vega Baja dishes.
Restaurants in Orihuela rarely adapt to tourists. Menus may be only in Spanish, service is calm, and presentation is simple. This is not a flaw but part of the city’s gastronomic culture. Below are recommended places for both lunch and relaxed dinner.
Tudemir Restaurant (Hotel Palacio de Tudemir) – Traditional Cuisine in a Historic Building
For the authentic Orihuela experience—urban, not resort-style, with old streets and a local pace—Tudemir Restaurant in the Palacio de Tudemir is ideal. It is not a flashy hotel restaurant; the historic ambiance adds to the experience, while the cuisine remains Mediterranean with regional accents.
Atmosphere: calm, classic – high ceilings, historic details, soft light. Lunches are often enjoyed by locals seeking reliable cuisine. Dinner is more intimate, perfect for a quiet evening.
What to Order: ask staff for daily specials and seasonal dishes; try Mediterranean-style starters, fish, or meat with classic sides. If regional specialties are available, request recommendations—they are usually the highlights.
Contact:
Address: Calle Alfonso XIII, 1, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante
Phone: +34 966 73 80 10
Website: hotelpalaciotudemir.com
Google Maps: view on map
The Agus Orihuela – Lunch in the City Center
Atmosphere: lively city spot with comfortable seating, suitable for a relaxed daytime lunch and meetings in central Orihuela.
What to Order: daily specials (menú del día, if available), pasta and Mediterranean-style dishes, salads, and main courses for lunch.
Contact Details:
Address: C. Valencia, 9, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 30 61 95
Website: agusorihuela.com
Google Maps: view on map
Bar Restaurante Manolo – Classic Spanish Lunch
Atmosphere: traditional local bar-restaurant: daytime rhythm, simple presentation, feeling of a familiar spot for a hearty lunch.
What to Order: tapas and hot dishes for lunch, homemade specialties, daily specials (menú del día, if available), meat dishes and hearty options.
Contact Details:
Address: Cl. Río, 16, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 30 20 93
Website: cartadigital.barmanagerapp.com
Google Maps: view on map
Casa Corro – Hearty Lunch and Classic Local Style
For a “hearty lunch without experiments,” Casa Corro is an excellent choice—one of those restaurants where tradition is felt in guests returning regularly. A great option for an Orihuela-style lunch: filling, calm, and practical. Here, you experience how locals live during the week when restaurants operate for residents.
Atmosphere: classic family restaurant: tidy dining room, straightforward service, feeling of a reliable spot. Lunch sees colleagues’ groups and family tables; evenings are calmer, but the cuisine remains honest and consistent.
What to Order: menú del día (if available), regional traditional dishes, meat dishes, and seasonal specials. A good chance to try local Orihuela dishes that tourists rarely order but are popular with locals.
Contact Details:
Address: Av. Dr. García Rogel, 24, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 30 29 63
Google Maps: view on map
Casa Pepe – Everyday City Lunch
Casa Pepe is a typical restaurant sustained by loyal regulars. Chosen for stability and familiar cuisine rather than atmosphere.
Atmosphere: lively, informal. Busy at lunchtime, calmer in the evening.
What to Order: daily menu, grilled fish, meat dishes, traditional appetizers.
Contact Details:
Address: C. Pedro Maza, 4, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 613 54 95 32
Website: casapepeorihuela.com
Google Maps: view on map
Orihuela Tapas Bars – Evening Spots
Evening gastronomy in Orihuela is closely tied to tapas bars. These are spaces for socializing, wine, and simple but hearty dishes. Unlike resort areas, city bars cater to locals and operate year-round.
La Gramola – Tapas and Wine in a Calm Atmosphere
La Gramola is considered one of the best spots for an evening meal in the city. Not a noisy bar, but a gastronomic space for a relaxed dinner.
Atmosphere: dimly lit, calm music, relaxed pace.
What to Order: signature tapas, cheeses, meat dishes, local wines.
Contact Details:
Address: C. Valencia, 21, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Website: lagramola.com
Google Maps: view on map
Burger Prime – Informal Evening Bar with Modern Cuisine
Burger Prime in Orihuela is a modern city spot for evening meals. Popular after work or late at night, it offers casual dining and socializing.
Atmosphere: lively and dynamic. Evening crowd: friends, couples, youth. Music and fast service reflect city rhythm rather than formal dining.
What to Order: burgers for sharing, fries, snacks, sauces, and drinks. Ideal for a late dinner or post-tapas evening.
Contact Details:
Address: Av. de la Vega, 22, 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 623 55 90 02
Website: beprimestreetfood.com
Google Maps: view on map
Orihuela Costa – Best Dinner Spots, Sea, and Evening Gastronomy
Unlike the historic city, Orihuela Costa developed as a leisure area. No central hub, but a string of coastal zones with their own culinary life. Evenings are ideal for seafood, wine, and terrace dining.
Punta Prima Restaurant – Classic Dinner by the Sea
Punta Prima is one of the most reliable coastal restaurants, ideal for a predictable dinner.
Atmosphere: spacious terrace, sea breeze, relaxed resort rhythm. Particularly pleasant in the evening.
What to Order: fish, seafood, rice with seafood, white and rosé wines.
Contact Details:
Address: Av. del Mar, 28, 03189 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 32 81 06
Website: restaurantepuntaprima.com
Google Maps: view on map
Cala Capitán Restaurant – Calm Evening and Mediterranean Cuisine by the Beach
Perfect for a quieter part of Orihuela Costa. Close to the beach, focused on relaxed evening dining.
Atmosphere: calm, terrace, soft lighting, unhurried service. Ideal after the beach or for a peaceful evening.
What to Order: Mediterranean dishes, fish and seafood, simple shared appetizers, wine, and light desserts.
Contact Details:
Address: C. el Mistral, 6, 03189 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 675 61 36 23
Google Maps: view on map
Tapas and Bars in Orihuela Costa – Late Evening Format
After dinner, the coast’s gastronomy continues. Tapas bars thrive with a lounge-style evening, retaining Mediterranean flavors while adding international influences.
Zenia Lounge Bar & Tapas – Evening Tapas in La Zenia
Popular for a relaxed evening with tapas, cocktails, and music.
Atmosphere: relaxed, resort-style, ideal for friends and couples.
What to Order: shared tapas, snacks, cocktails, and wine.
Contact Details:
Address: 82, C. Malaquita, 25, 03189 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 615 79 31 98
Website: zenia-lounge.com
Google Maps: view on map
The Banana Tree – Evening Tapas Bar in La Zenia
Active, resort-style bar for evening snacks and socializing.
Atmosphere: lively, music, groups of friends, informal evening.
What to Order: tapas, fried snacks, shared dishes, cocktails, and beer.
Contact Details:
Address: C. Azafrán, 1, 03189 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 653 92 20 40
Google Maps: view on map
Conclusion: Structuring a Gastronomic Day in Orihuela
Optimal gastronomy in Orihuela splits lunch and dinner logically. Lunch in Orihuela city: traditional, hearty, local-focused (arroz con costra, meat dishes, daily specials). Dinner on Orihuela Costa: more seafood, extended hours, and a relaxed atmosphere. This combination shows the full culinary picture—from historic city cuisine to coastal Mediterranean dining.
