Sublime Sunday eats in the Costa Blanca.

February 13, 2020

Sublime Sunday eats with a side order of jaw dropping views.

For those of us lucky enough to live in this beautiful part of Spain, Sunday lunch is a highlight of the week. Even better if you are retired, every day is Sunday! Whatever time of the year, sunny Sundays are made for jumping in the car and taking a leisurely drive up the mountains in search of good honest food.

Real Spain North Costa Blanca

We all love to dine out, and fine dining is all very well but that´s not what this is about. Sundays here are for relaxing in the sun and being part of nature. We want to eat rustic food that has been locally sourced and cooked fresh in front of us. What´s more we want to eat it with our best friends, on the mountainside, with unspoiled views to remind us how lucky we are. Oh yes… and we don´t want to pay a fortune for it!

See you next week

Here are six of our favourite restaurants which tick all the boxes:

Bar Refugio Vista Bernia. At the top of the magestic Bernia mountain, the views are awesome. Idyllic on a sunny summers day when you can sit outside on the terrace and cozy in the winter when you can sit near a roaring fire. The paella is great and the meat is all “a la brasa” which means they actually cook it on the aforementioned open fire. https://www.facebook.com/RefugioVistaBernia/

Restaurant Refugio

Venta Del Collao, Benimaurell. More stunning views and a lovely drive up. Again, lovely outside in the summer and warm and cosy in the winter. The food is excellent. Wild boar stew and fideua with duck are very popular. They also do some tasty vegetarian and gluten free options. Its a hidden gem, literally, so make sure you know where you are going! https://www.facebook.com/restaurantelaventadelcollaobenimaurell/

Venta Del Collao

Ca Pinet, Tarbena. Not to be confused with Ca Pinet Alcalali. The journey is a sheer pleasure. Up to the top of the Coll de Rates, photo stops are a must, with views across the Med to Ibiza on a clear day. Good honest Spanish food. As with all of our choices, they do a great paella and some mouthwatering meat dishes. The starter with embutidos (cured sausage and black pudding) and honey is delicious. Be careful not to overdo the bread which has to be dipped in Allioli, there is so much more to come! It is a family run business in the hilltop Spanish town of Tarbena and the service is fabulous. Alicia is a warm and friendly host. https://www.facebook.com/CanPinet/

Ca Pinet

Verd i Vent, Maserof. Similar fare in very generous portions! This place is all about the atmosphere. It is popular with the ex pats because they serve excellent rustic food in huge quantities and at a very reasonable price. The delicious, ” all you can eat” vegetable broth is kept on an open fire in the winter. Live Spanish music and very welcoming. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Verd-i-Vent/450499391825022

Verd i Vent

Casa Susi, Maserof. Just across the road from the Verd i Vent. A lovely Moroccan influence gives this little gem an added attraction. So when you book yourtable, order (in advance) one of their Tagines. Choose from beef, lamb, chicken or vegetable. Lovely outside terrace and friendly faces give this a relaxing Sunday vibe, every day, with great food for around 20 euros a head. Plan to spend the whole afternoon there among the vineyards and olive groves. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-Susi/627923710691983?rf=263533174404652

Casa Susi

Los Pinos, Pinos. With stunning views over Benissa and Calpe rock this is another wonderful journey and afternoon out. The terrace is raised with stunning mountain vistas. Great food, the steaks and swordfish are consistently excellent and some say its the best paella around. A menu del dia, which consists of bread and allioli, 3 courses and half a bottle of wine will set you back 15 euros. https://www.facebook.com/restaurantepinos/

We love all of the above and there are so many more yet undiscovered. So if you find a hidden gem in the mountains, don´t keep it to yourself. There is something very settling about eating good food in a rustic country setting. Its good for the mind, body and soul. So, you can keep your Michelin stars and pass me the car keys!