Torrevieja: A Gastronomic Route for Tourists
Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca is often associated with beach holidays, salt lagoons, and long seaside promenades. But the city has another strong “magnet” – food. It’s easy to plan a day (or two) here to experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine from the Alicante province: rice dishes and seafood, salted fish and vermouth tapas, desserts with hot chocolate, and a dinner “by the shoreline.” This itinerary is designed for tourists: everything is logically timed, without unnecessary running around, with clear guidance on what to order and simple rules to avoid mistakes.
Current Verification Before Publication (per project requirement): the itinerary was prepared using the official working websites of key locations (restaurants/brands) and market information pages. The Torrevieja municipal site may occasionally return access errors depending on the time/load, so for the market, an alternative page from the regional tourist portal Comunitat Valenciana has been added (as a backup source for contacts/locations) + Google Maps.
How to Use the Itinerary
- Format: breakfast → stroll and aperitif → market → lunch by the sea → sweet break → sunset at the salt lagoon → dinner (Option 1: La Mata beach / Option 2: city center).
- Pace: leisurely, with photo stops and breaks. If desired, you can condense the schedule: visit the market before the aperitif, or move sunset to the promenade.
- Budget: easily adjustable – from tapas and daily menus to a “seafood” dinner on the beachfront.
- Seasonality: in low season, some venues may operate on reduced hours – always check Google Maps for timings the day before.
Torrevieja’s Gastronomic Map: What Counts as “Local”
In Torrevieja, aim not just for “paella” as a tourist symbol, but for the specific local flavors of the Vega Baja region and Alicante coast:
- Rice Dishes: arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish/seafood broth), arroz del senyoret (seafood already peeled), arroz con costra (rice with an egg crust, typical of southern Alicante province).
- Seafood: squid/cuttlefish, mussels, prawns, fish of the day grilled (dorada, lubina), seafood in garlic sauce.
- Snacks: Spanish tapas “with a drink” (olives, anchovies, pickled vegetables, cheeses), vermouth, light regional white wines.
- Sweets: thick hot chocolate with churros – a classic for an evening stroll.
Starting Point: Promenade and an “Appetizing” Walk
Begin the day with a short walk along the waterfront: this “prepares” your appetite and immediately gives you a sense of the city’s rhythm – locals enjoy walking, stopping for coffee, and watching the sea without hurry.
Location 1: Paseo Marítimo / Vistalegre (stroll + coffee)
Simple idea: get a coffee (or café con leche), walk the promenade, and note two reference points – where you want to have lunch by the sea and where to return for dinner.
Google Maps: view on map
Torrevieja-Style Aperitif: “Small Plates, Big Impressions”
A Spanish aperitif is not just a quick snack, but a ritual: one or two drinks, a few snacks, conversation, and the feeling that the day has already started well. In Torrevieja, it’s convenient to choose a “shareable tapas” format – you’ll taste more flavors rather than a single heavy dish.
This is a choice if you want an unusual accent within the Spanish rhythm: small dishes easy to share. Perfect as an aperitif before a seafood lunch or a light dinner in the city if you don’t want a heavy fish dish.
- What to order: mezze assortment (hummus/baba ghanoush/tabbouleh), skewers/grill items, something “to the table,” and one signature sauce.
- Drink: something refreshing (sparkling water/citrus) to avoid overpowering flavors before the sea.
Contact Information:
Address: C. Ramón y Cajal, 75, 03182 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 690 06 21 55
Website: tapasdebeirut.com
Google Maps: view on map
The Market as Torrevieja’s Gastronomic Context
Even if you don’t plan to cook, the market is the best way to see the city’s everyday gastronomy: seasonal fruits, vegetables, olives, nuts, spices, and street vendors catering not only to tourists but also to locals.
Location 3: Mercadillo Paseo de la Libertad (Torrevieja street market)
This is a classic Spanish street market format, operating on specific weekdays, perfectly showing the “non-touristy” gastronomy of the city. Convenient for buying fruits, nuts, sweets, spices, or a quick snack between aperitif and lunch by the sea.
- What to look for: seasonal fruits, nuts, dried fruits, sweets, local snacks.
- What tourists can buy: fruits for the walk, nuts and sweets “to go.”
- Useful to know: the market does not operate every day – check current hours on Google Maps before visiting.
Contact Information: Address: 03183 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain Google Maps: view on map
Moving on to the “Big Seafood Lunch”
Location 4: La Boca Restaurante (lunch at Playa de los Locos)
A good choice when you want “the sea on your plate” with beautiful presentation. Conveniently located close to the beach stroll – you literally go from water to table and back.
- What to order: seafood (pasta/rice with seafood), fish of the day, or a dish with mussels/prawns. For dessert – something light (crème brûlée works well to finish a seafood lunch).
- How to avoid mistakes: ask for “today’s best from the sea” recommendation and check the portion size of rice (for one/two people).
Contact Information:
Address: Av. Dr. Mariano Ruiz Canovas, 30, 03183 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 966 02 56 82
Google Maps: view on map
Rice and the Sea: Mini-Guide on What to Try in Torrevieja
To prevent your gastronomic day from turning into random orders, keep a short guide to rice and seafood – the “skeleton” of local cuisine. Even if you order in different restaurants, the logic is the same: start with a flavorful broth, then rice, then fish/seafood, and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Arroz a banda
A coastal classic: rice cooked in a rich fish broth, with the fish served separately. Often served with alioli – a garlic sauce added sparingly to avoid overpowering the taste of the sea.
- How to eat: try a few spoons of “plain” rice, then add a drop of alioli.
- Who it’s for: those who love an expressive seafood flavor.
Arroz del senyoret
A “comfortable” version: seafood is already peeled. Ideal for tourists who don’t want to “work with their hands” and prefer a neat presentation.
Arroz con costra
A dish from southern Alicante province and Vega Baja: rice with meat ingredients and an egg “crust” on top. A heartier, more homestyle profile, not purely seafood.
- When to order: on a cooler day or if planning a long evening stroll.
- Tip: order for two – it’s a dense dish.
Lunch Option #2: Cuisine + Sea View (Frontline)
If you want “classic” Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on fish and good service by the shore, choose a restaurant on the frontline — this is the quintessential Torrevieja format.
Location 5: Restaurante Las Columnas (Frontline, Mediterranean Classics)
A seaside restaurant strongly focused on Mediterranean ingredients. A good choice for those who prefer “no experiments,” but want tasty, beautifully presented food with the right atmosphere.
- What to order: grilled fish of the day (dorada/lubina), seafood rice (depending on the menu), seafood starters.
- Wine: dry regional white (or cava if in a festive mood).
Contact Information:
Address: Av. de los Marineros, 23, 03182 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 965 71 23 98
Website: restaurantelascolumnas.com
Google Maps: view on map
Sweet Break: Chocolate, Churros, and a City Stroll
After a seafood lunch, take a break for something sweet. In Spain, this isn’t just a detail — it’s a proper part of the day: you slow down, stroll through the center, and “switch” from salty seafood flavors to chocolate and pastries.
Location 6: Chocolatería Valor (Hot Chocolate and Churros)
Valor is a well-known brand, and the “chocolate + churros” format is predictably excellent here: thick chocolate perfect for dipping warm churros. Ideal for a stroll through the city center and a cozy pause.
- What to order: chocolate a la taza + a portion of churros; if not very hungry, share one portion for two.
Contact Information: Address: C. Concepción, 7, 03181 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain Phone: +34 965 71 57 41 Google Maps: view on map
Sunset as Part of the Gastronomic Experience: Torrevieja’s Salt Lagoons
In Torrevieja, sunset is more than just a photo opportunity. It’s a pause between sweets and dinner, when you swap “urban” flavors for nature. The salt lagoons are a regional highlight: fresh air, open space, pink-hued waters at certain times, and a feeling that the day has become fuller.
Location 7: Laguna de Torrevieja (Salt Lagoon, Sunset Walk)
The best scenario: arrive close to golden hour, walk along the viewpoints, breathe in the salty air, then return to the city for dinner. If you’re driving, this is especially convenient. Walking is possible too, but allow extra time. 
Google Maps: view on map
Dinner: Choosing the Day’s Finale (2 Options)
The finale depends on what you prefer more: “La Mata beach and sea breeze” or “city center and atmospheric format.” Below are a seaside and city option.
Option A: Dinner by the Sea in Torrevieja
Location 8: El Mesón de la Costa — Frontline Dinner
Classic frontline restaurant in central Torrevieja, focused on Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. Perfect as the finale of a gastronomic day: sea view, relaxed seating, and a clear menu without tourist extremes.
- What to order: grilled fish of the day, seafood starters, rice or seafood; finish with coffee or a light dessert.
Contact Information: Address: C. Ramón y Cajal, 27, 03182 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain Phone: +34 966 70 35 98 Website: elmesondelacosta.com Google Maps: view on map
Option B: “Event-Style” Dinner (for Show/Space)
Location 9: Villasalada (Dinner + Atmosphere, “Evening Out” Format)
For those who want a change of scenery: drive out of the center, enjoy dinner in a spacious venue, and optionally combine the evening with the restaurant’s program/atmosphere. Great for groups and those who enjoy “dinner as an event.”
- What to order: meat/grill and more substantial dishes if enough seafood was eaten earlier; or a mix of shared starters.
Contact Information:
Address: CV-905, Km. 3.3, 03184 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain
Phone: +34 626 54 44 93
Website: villasalada.es
Google Maps: view on map
If You Only Have Half a Day: Compact Version
- 2–3 hours: walk along Paseo Marítimo / Vistalegre → lunch by the sea (La Boca or Las Columnas) → coffee and a leisurely stroll along the shore.
- 4–5 hours: aperitif at Tapas De Beirut → Mercadillo Paseo de la Libertad (if open that day) → lunch by the sea → chocolate and churros at Chocolatería Valor.
- Evening: sunset at Laguna de Torrevieja → dinner by the sea in the city (El Mesón de la Costa) or “event-style” dinner at Villasalada.
Practical Tips for Tourists
- About rice: many rice dishes are cooked “for two” and take time.
- About fish of the day: ask which fish is best today.
- About market hours: arrive in the morning.
- About sweets: share churros and chocolate.
- About sunset: bring a light jacket — it can be windy.
Conclusion: What Surprises in Torrevieja’s Cuisine
Torrevieja’s strength lies in combining simple Mediterranean flavors with very convenient tourist logic. It’s easy to plan a gastronomic day without much preparation: morning market and stroll, midday seafood on your plate, evening chocolate and sunset, finishing with dinner by the water or an “event-style” evening. If you want to experience the Costa Blanca through taste, Torrevieja is an excellent choice: accessible, diverse, and genuinely “by the sea.”
