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The Costa Blanca North is known for its beautiful coastline, picturesque villages and Mediterranean climate, but certainly also for its rich culinary traditions. For gourmets and lovers of haute cuisine, this area is a real treasure trove, with several restaurants awarded prestigious Michelin stars. In this blog, we give you an overview of Michelin-starred restaurants on the Costa Blanca North, where even for the gourmets among us, every dish will be an unforgettable experience.
Quique Dacosta (Dénia) ***
With no less than three Michelin stars, restaurant Quique Dacosta in Dénia is one of Spain's most renowned restaurants. Same-name chef Quique Dacosta sways the scepter of avant-garde cuisine. His philosophy is to champion nature and highlight the products of the Mediterranean, always with a clear dedication and even a deliberately thought-provoking dish.
The interior is modern with a trendy lounge atmosphere and a touch of humour in the accents. Spanish tradition is not lost sight of. The tables are empty upon entry and are set during the meal, thus allowing the gourmet to fully experience each dish. Maître Didier Fertilati is considered one of the world's best maîtres and he makes sure you are pampered and everything is taken care of to perfection. Each dish is a work of art in itself, with local ingredients taking centre stage. The tasting menu takes guests on a culinary journey that stimulates all the senses, with surprising textures and flavours you won't find anywhere else. It is truly impressive to witness the journey through Quique Dacosta's kitchen. Extreme creativity is on display in menus where every preparation consists of flavour explosions derived from some of the region's most remarkable ingredients. This restaurant definitely offers one of the best adaptations of Spanish tapas cuisine and guarantees one of the best culinary experiences in the world.
Special: La Valiente is the beer brewed by Quique himself which is in harmony with dishes made up of complex ingredients.
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - gift voucher - online reservation - +34 965 784 179 (11-14u) - closed on Mondays
BonAmb (Jávea) **
BonAmb, located in idyllic Jávea, has two Michelin stars and offers a sophisticated culinary experience that reflects the region's rich history and culture. Led by chef Alberto Ferruz the restaurant combines local produce with creativity and precision. The restaurant is warmly decorated with enough space between the tables to ensure intimacy. Moreover, it boasts a beautiful garden, where culinary delights can also be enjoyed. Each season inspires the chef to create a new menu. The maître Pablo Catalá makes sure you will not lack anything comes. The menu changes annually and is themed. The year 2024 has the theme'Fustes' (wood) and is the third and final season of their three-year cycle around light. There is a choice of three different menus with amuses, 7 - 9 or 11 culinary dishes respectively and a 'sweet moment' to conclude. The menu is an ode to the sea and the mountains, with dishes ranging from delicate seafood to some more robust meat dishes, all presented with an artistic flair that takes the dining experience to the next level.
Special: De Mead, made with local honey from the Montgó, is a cocktail you should definitely try, while the wine pairings are exceptional and complement the dishes perfectly.
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - gift voucher - online reservation - +34 965 084 440 - closed on Mondays
Casa Pepa (Ondara) *
Casa Pepa, located in the quiet village of Ondara, has been awarded a Michelin star. Housed in a traditional finca, this charming restaurant offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist. Chef Emmanuelle Baron and her team prepare dishes using ingredients from the region, keeping the flavours pure and honest. The result is a menu that is both traditional and surprising, with dishes that reflect the soul of Mediterranean cuisine. The dishes are seasonal and use the best local ingredients, often straight from the restaurant's own vegetable garden. Specialities include their subtle rice dishes and refined preparations of fresh seafood, which bring to life the rich flavours of the region. The maître of Casa Pepa is Juan Navarro. With his extensive experience in the hospitality industry and his passion for hospitality, he ensures that every guest feels at home and enjoys a perfect culinary experience. He leads the team with attention to detail and a personal touch, contributing to the warm and refined atmosphere that characterises Casa Pepa.
Special: The kitchen uses fresh vegetables from their own kitchen garden, contributing to the authentic and natural flavours in their dishes..
€€€ - lunch & dinner - gift voucher - online reservation - +34 965 766 606 - closed on Mondays
Peix i Brases (Dénia) *
Located in the heart of Dénia, Restaurant Peix i Brases is known as a culinary hotspot that celebrates the rich flavours of Mediterranean cuisine. This stylish restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience, with a menu that emphasises daily fresh seafood, including Dénia's red prawn , and local produce.
Led by chef José Manuel López, Peix i Brases combines traditional dishes with modern culinary techniques. The result is an innovative menu that attracts locals and visitors alike. Besides à-la-carte options, the restaurant also offers a tasting menu for a comprehensive introduction to their gastronomic delights. With elegant décor and stunning views over Dénia harbour, Peix i Brases is the perfect place for a special dinner. With his extensive knowledge of wines and dishes, maître Tomás Moreno ensures that every guest feels welcome and can fully enjoy what the restaurant has to offer. Peix i Brases is more than just a restaurant; it is a culinary destination that pays tribute to the flavours of the sea and the richness of the region.
Special: One of the most acclaimed dishes is their "Arroz a Banda", a traditional Valencian rice dish cooked in a flavoursome fish broth, giving the rice a rich, deep flavour.
€€€ - lunch & dinner - online reservation - +34 965 782 757 - closed on Mondays
Tula (Jávea) *
In the heart of Jávea, on the coast, lies Tula, an intimate restaurant that earned its first Michelin star in 2019. A restaurant that claims to belong to the new generation of starred restaurants "without a degustation menu or white tablecloth". Tula is run by married couple Borja Susilla (head chef) and Clara Puig (maître and sommelier) who bring their love of local cuisine to every dish.
Borja is a self-taught chef from Alcarreño who was fascinated by the cuisine of his grandmother Tula from an early age. He knew even then that spending his life behind a cooker and creating unforgettable gastronomic experiences for his customers was what he loved most. The menu is seasonal and changes regularly to harness the best produce of the moment. The dishes are simple but sophisticated, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients presented in inventive ways.
Special: Tula is known for its creative tapas and innovative dishes that combine traditional Mediterranean flavours with modern techniques.
€€€ - lunch & dinner - gift voucher - online reservation - +34 966 471 745 - closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (also check website)
Beat (Calpe) *
Located in the luxury The Cook Book Hotel (AR Group) in Calpe, restaurant Beat has a Michelin star and offers an elegant and sophisticated dining experience. Beat's head chef, José Manuel Miguel, developed his culinary skills in renowned Parisian starred restaurants
and brings these sophisticated French influences to Calpe. This results in dishes that not only celebrate Mediterranean cuisine but also integrate sophisticated French techniques, creating a unique, international flair. The restaurant offers 3 degustation menus (including a vegetarian one) for foodies. Each menu is a carefully crafted mix of traditional and modern dishes, with attention to detail and a perfect balance of flavours. The stylish interior and excellent service led by maître Fran Espinosa complete the experience.
Special: Beat focuses heavily on the guest's personal experience. All menus feature contemporary dishes that combine the vitality of the Mediterranean with the finesse of French cuisine. The French influence here is typified by authentic butter from Normandy!
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - gift voucher - online reservation - +34 628 27 78 58 - closed Monday and Tuesday
Audrey’s (Calpe) *
This bright, fresh and elegant gastronomic gem, which takes its name from actress Audrey Hepburn, the legendary star of the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's", is located in the Diamante Beach hotel in Calpe. The restaurant is the domain of chef Rafa Soler, a born and bred Valencian with a deep love for local gastronomy, which he knows how to present in an innovative and contemporary way. Here he conjures up highly developed and creative cuisine, both in terms of technique and presentation, but with a strong connection to his 'tierra' (soil), the past and seasonal ingredients. There are 3 tasting menus, Raïces, Origin and Huerta, the latter being vegetarian, that exude personality and the soul of the Mediterranean, transforming ingredients with respect for seasonality and a minimum of fuss. The interior of Audrey's is stylish and sophisticated, with a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly suits Soler's culinary creations. The maître Juan José Sahuquillo is known for his hospitality, attention to detail and in-depth knowledge of the haute cuisine that Audrey's offers. Juan José ensures smooth and refined service and creates a warm and professional atmosphere in the restaurant.
Special: The homemade bread served with the menus is baked according to family recipe (they have a bread oven in the Burjassot suburb) and they bottle the 'extra virgin' olive oil themselves. It is produced from the harvest of thousand-year-old trees in Traiguera (Castellón province).
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - gift voucher - online reservation- +34 608 66 76 37 - closed Monday and Tuesday
Orobianco (Calpe) *
Orobianco is the first Italian restaurant in Spain to be awarded a Michelin star. The restaurant which also features a rooftop terrace O-B Rooftop, is located in Calpe, and enjoys views of the sea and the Peñon de Ifach rock. Led by gastronomic director Paolo Casagrande, chef Andrea Drago and maître Ines Correia, Orobianco emphasises the art and elegance of Italian gastronomy and impeccable service. The culinary essence of the restaurant is a fusion of Italian cuisine and local ingredients that showcase Spain and the Mediterranean in dishes such as tagliatelle with squid, risotto with watercress and red shrimp, and spaghettoni with a pil-pil sauce. Add perfect cooking techniques, pure flavours, astute combinations of ingredients that add a modern touch to classic basic dishes.
Special: On the O-B Rooftop terrace, one can enjoy the unique flavours of cocktails offered by the master mixologists and casual gourmet offerings ranging from appetisers to desserts. Some evenings feature special programming, from live music to various cultural and leisure activities.
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - online reservation: Restaurant or O-B Rooftop - +34 966 806 661 - closed on Sunday and Monday
Casa Bernardi (Benissa) *
Casa Bernardi, located in Benimarco in Benissa, is a recent (2024) addition to the Michelin-starred restaurants in the region. This restaurant, headed by chef Ferdinando Bernardi, combines the best ingredients from the local market as well as herbs from his own herb garden with techniques from Italian cuisine, his homeland. The result is a harmonious fusion of Mediterranean flavours with an Italian flair. Casa Bernardi's menu is seasonal and offers both traditional and innovative dishes, with each course providing a new surprise for the taste buds. The restaurant itself, with its stylish decor and intimate atmosphere led by maitre Valentina Visnevschi, makes it a perfect destination for a special night out. In fine daytime weather and the many balmy summer evenings on the Spanish Costa, you can also enjoy the terrace with its fantastic sea views.
Special: At the restaurant, bread is not just a side dish, it is an integral part of the dining experience. With a soft texture and crispy crust, their bread is the perfect accompaniment to any dish. That's why they have a shop next to the restaurant where you can buy their delicious breads to enjoy at home.
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - kadobon - online reservation - +34 622 308 625 - closed on Mondays
El Xato (La Nucia) *
El Xato in La Nucia is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a rich family history dating back to 1915. Led by chef Cristina Figueira and maître/sommelier Francisco Cano, El Xato offers a unique dining experience where tradition and innovation come together. El Xato's menu combines classic Mediterranean flavours with modern techniques and creative presentations. Dishes such as the famous rice dishes, refined fish creations and innovative tapas are real taste explosions that honour the essence of the region. Cristina Figueira's innovative approach and respect for local produce ensure that every meal is a culinary journey. The surprise Tentaciones and Centenario menus are also highly recommended, where the chef takes guests on a culinary journey full of innovation and tradition, with each course being a new discovery. The restaurant offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere with attention to detail, completing the dining experience. El Xato is a destination for foodies looking for a fusion of traditional and modern Spanish cuisine and a must-visit on the Costa Blanca.
Special: One of their most acclaimed dishes is the "Arroz con Costra" (rice with a crispy crust), a Valencian speciality that has been creatively reinvented.
€€€€ - lunch & dinner - kadobon - online reserveren - +34 96 587 09 31 - closed on Sunday and Monday
Other starred restaurants in Comunidad Valenciana
Apart from the above restaurants on the Costa Blanca North, in the city of Valencia there are another 8 (eight!) starred restaurants
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- Ricard Camarena ** (+ green Michelin-star for organic vegetables)
- El Poblet **
- Lienzo *
- Fraula *
- Kaido Sushi Bar *
- Riff *
- La Salita *
- Fierro *
And should your taste buds still not be tickled enough and you feel the need to visit even more starred restaurants in the Comunidad Valenciana (provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón), the following starred restaurants are also well worth a visit:
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- Alicante: Baeza & Rufete *
- Benicarló: Raúl Resino *
- Cocentaina: L’Escaleta **
- Elche: La Finca *
- Sagunt: Arrels *
- Vall d’Alba: Cal Paradis *
In conclusion
The Costa Blanca North is a true gourmet paradise, with an impressive selection of Michelin-starred restaurants, each offering its own unique culinary experience. Whether you are looking for avant-garde dishes, vegetarian, fish or meat dishes, traditional flavours or a mix of both, the restaurants in this region offer something wonderful for every taste. A visit to one of these top restaurants promises not only a delicious lunch or dinner, but also an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful parts of Spain.
The Costa Blanca will also continue to develop with sustainability and circularity in mind (minimising food waste and utilising residual products) with an emphasis on organic and local produce. Requests for special diets can be indicated when booking and will then be incorporated into the dishes. The same goes for the growing demand for plant-based food options, with more and more restaurants in the region offering creative vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The drive for new developments will continue to position the Costa Blanca North as an innovative and diverse culinary destination, with the region continuing to focus on sustainability, tradition, innovativeness, technology and then especially, celebrating local cuisine... ¡QUE APROVECHE!
Sources: https://guide.michelin.com/es/es/comunidad-valenciana and the various websites of said restaurants.
