Food And Drink

Benidorm Restaurants.

Benidorm has quickly become one of Spain's biggest tourist attractions. Millions of visitors come each year for the gorgeous beaches, historic buildings, and extravagant nightlife. Benidorm has also be come a celebrity hotspot. Since the city's founding, Benidorm has been known for it's special blend of Spanish cuisine. There are dozens of Spanish restaurants serving classic dishes. But the past 20 years has seen the rise of of many new restaurants in Benidorm. The city now boasts English restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Indian restaurants, and Italian restaurants. There's also plenty of fantastic hotel restaurants. Use this quick guide to navigate your dining options in Benidorm.

English Restaurants

Many visitors are surprised to find a large British and Irish population living in Benidorm. Some of these expatriates have started up their own English restaurants and pubs. You can grab a traditional English breakfast in the morning or a delicious ham for dinner. Most English restaurants and pubs have TV's to watch football matches in the UK.

Spanish Restaurants

Most of Benidorm's Spanish restaurants sit in the Old Town neighborhood. As the name implies, this is the oldest part of the city and many families have lived in the neighborhood for centuries. Much of Benidorm makes things easy for foreign but Old Town is more of a local hangout. It's best to bring a guide or local to help out. The Spanish tapas bars are all top-notch.

Chinese Restaurants

Like many world cities, Benidorm has it's own Chinatown neighborhood. Chinatown lies at the Northwest corner of the city. It's fairly small but boasts a handful of authentic Chinese establishments. Like Old Town, you can't go wrong with almost any restaurant you choose. Meals are often cheaper here than in the downtown area.

Most Chinese restaurants offer menus in Spanish, English, and Chinese.

Italian Restaurants

Benidorm only has a handful of Italian restaurants in the city. There are a few gems to check out along the beach district. Patrons enjoy gorgeous views of the Mediterranean while eating authentic Italian cuisine. Many restaurants order ingredients from suppliers in Italy and ship them to Benidorm. Italian food made with real ingredients makes for a fantastic meal.

Indian Restaurants

The Indian influence on Benidorm goes back many centuries when Spanish first started trading at Indian ports. Many Indian merchants started setting up shop in Benidorm to sell their own goods. Over time, many of these businesses transformed into restaurants. Many Benidorm residents eat only Spanish food and Indian food. Benidorm has no Indian neighborhood but there are fantastic Indian restaurants sprinkled throughout the city.

Hotel Restaurants

If you're staying in a hotel while visiting Benidorm, there's most likely a hotel restaurant. Many hotel restaurants cater to American or British tourists who often request American or British dishes. The restaurants in hotels don't offer the best food of Benidorm. Their meals are good but travelers need to get out to get the true experience.

Pizzerias

It may shock you to find pizzerias in Benidorm, but there are dozens. The pizzerias have popped up in the past few decades as more tourists want the comfort foods of home while they explore the city. Most pizzerias offer New York Style pizza, Chicago deep dish, and some even mix Spanish cuisine into the mix. Pizzerias are very popular with Benidorm's youth.

French Restaurants

Most French restaurants in Benidorm are very expensive, high-class establishments. Most order ingredients direct from France and prepare them daily. You can't go wrong with almost any French bistro you choose. Be aware that these spots don't work for many family dinners! But they're perfect for a romantic evening with your significant other.

Seafood Restaurants

Benidorm is lined with seafood restaurants. All of these spots catch they're fish and serve them that evening. You can't beat fresh Mediterranean seafood. Favorite dishes include grilled swordfish, grilled salmon, seafood soup, shellfish paella, and Fideua.

Choosing A Benidorm Restaurant

The choices for choosing a restaurant in the city can be overwhelming at first. There are limitless options and it's sometimes hard to tell the bad restaurants from the great ones. The best way to pick great spots is to ask the hotel concierge. It's their job to know the best restaurants in town, so use them to find a great Benidorm restaurant. If you've got friends in Benidorm, then obviously you should ask them about their favorite places.

But let's say you want to be more spontaneous. You may find yourself hungry and stumble upon a Benidorm restaurant. How do you know they'll be good? The best way to determine the quality of the restaurant is by it's visitors. If it's filled with tourists then it probably isn't the most authentic cuisine or the best quality. If the restaurant is filled with local residents, you can trust it will be good.