Spain’s Costa Blanca is known for its beautiful beaches and rich culinary scene, with many Michelin-starred restaurants in the area. In this article, we will explore the gastronomic offerings of six of the region’s most renowned restaurants. All of them have a Michelin star and are the best option for luxury gastronomy in the area.
BonAmb – Jávea
BonAmb is located in Jávea and is run by chef Alberto Ferruz, who creates modern Mediterranean cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars and offers an innovative tasting menu that changes frequently. Some of the dishes you can expect to find on the menu include oysters with apple foam, roasted lamb with leeks and mushrooms, and beetroot with yogurt and black garlic. BonAmb’s desserts are equally impressive, with highlights such as lemon sorbet with bergamot and basil, and cocoa with cherries and hazelnuts.
Orobianco – Calpe
Orobianco is a seafood-focused restaurant located in Calpe, run by chef Marco Paolini. The restaurant has been awarded one Michelin star and offers a range of dishes made with fresh fish and seafood. The menu changes frequently depending on what is available, but some of the standout dishes include grilled octopus with smoked potatoes, red shrimp carpaccio, and black rice with cuttlefish and aioli. Orobianco also has an extensive wine list with many Spanish and international options.
Quique Dacosta – Dénia
Quique Dacosta is a three Michelin-starred restaurant located in Dénia, run by chef Quique Dacosta. The restaurant offers an avant-garde take on Mediterranean cuisine, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. The tasting menu changes frequently, but some of the standout dishes include squid noodles with saffron and sea urchin, local shrimp with fermented tomato, and a dessert called “pumpkin leaves,” which is made with pumpkin and cumin. Quique Dacosta also has an extensive wine list, with many Spanish and international options.
L'Escaleta – Cocentaina
L’Escaleta is located in the small town of Cocentaina and is run by chef Kiko Moya. The restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars and offers a modern take on traditional Valencian cuisine. The tasting menu changes frequently, but some of the standout dishes include rice with eel and cuttlefish ink, black truffle and foie gras, and pigeon with beetroot and raspberry. L’Escaleta also has an impressive wine list, with many Spanish and international options.
Beat – Calpe
Beat is located in Calpe and is run by chef Jose Manuel Miguel. The restaurant has been awarded one Michelin star and offers a range of creative dishes inspired by Japanese cuisine. Some of the standout dishes include tuna tartare with avocado and wasabi, tempura prawns with yuzu aioli, and pork belly with miso and pickled ginger. Beat also has an extensive wine list, with many Spanish and international options.
Audrey's – Calpe
Audrey’s is located in Calpe and is run by chef Rafa Soler. The restaurant has been awarded one Michelin star and offers a range of creative dishes inspired by both Spanish and international cuisine. Some of the standout dishes include smoked eel with apple and horseradish, grilled octopus with black garlic and hazelnuts, and pigeon with beetroot and raspberry. Audrey’s also has an impressive wine list, with many Spanish and international options.
La Finca – Elche
La Finca is a highly regarded restaurant located in Elche, a city in the province of Alicante, Spain. The restaurant has one Michelin star and is known for its creative Mediterranean cuisine that emphasizes local and seasonal ingredients.
The gastronomic proposal at La Finca is based on the use of high-quality ingredients, innovative cooking techniques, and a passion for culinary creativity. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of dishes that are inspired by traditional Mediterranean cuisine, but reimagined with a modern twist.
One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the “Arroz de Cochinillo” or suckling pig rice, which is made using locally sourced suckling pig and cooked with traditional Spanish rice. Other popular dishes include the “Pulpo a la Brasa” or grilled octopus, which is served with roasted vegetables and a garlic aioli, and the “Gamba Roja de Denia” or red prawns from Denia, which are served with a spicy tomato sauce.
In addition to its a la carte menu, La Finca offers a tasting menu that showcases the restaurant’s most innovative and exciting dishes. The tasting menu changes regularly to reflect the seasonality of the ingredients and to keep diners engaged and surprised.
The restaurant’s wine list is also highly regarded, with a focus on local and regional wines that complement the flavors and textures of the food.
Monastrell - Located in Alicante
Monastrell is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in the city of Alicante, on the eastern coast of Spain. The restaurant is known for its modern, creative cuisine that incorporates local and seasonal ingredients, as well as its extensive wine list that showcases the best of Spanish and international wines.
The gastronomic proposal of Monastrell is based on the concept of “cuisine of the territory,” which means using local ingredients and traditional recipes as a starting point, but then applying modern cooking techniques and creative flair to create dishes that are both innovative and deeply rooted in the local culinary tradition.
The menu at Monastrell changes frequently to reflect the seasonal availability of ingredients and the chef’s ongoing experimentation with new flavors and techniques. Some of the signature dishes at the restaurant include “Foie Mi-Cuit with Cherries and Brioche,” “Turbot with Iberian Ham and Green Asparagus,” and “Black Angus Steak with Smoked Potatoes and Red Wine Sauce.”
In conclusion, the Costa Blanca region of Spain offers a diverse and exciting culinary scene, with many Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing the best food in the region.
