Rice dishes with soul

The Costa Blanca breathes rice. Not just paella — though the aroma of a freshly cooked pan filled with prawns, saffron, and crispy socarrat is never far away — but also lesser-known classics:

• Arroz a banda, where rice is served separately from a deep, flavorful fish broth.

• Arroz negro, dark and creamy from cuttlefish ink, served with aioli.

• Fideuà, a playful twist on paella made with vermicelli instead of rice, beloved in fishing towns like Dénia.

These dishes are often family affairs, cooked in large pans and shared under the sun.

 

Sweet heritage: from Turrón to Horchata

For those with a sweet tooth, this is paradise. In the inland areas around Jijona, turrón — a soft nougat made from roasted almonds and honey — has been crafted for centuries.

In summer, it’s time for horchata, a refreshing drink made from chufas (tiger nuts), best enjoyed with fartons: long, airy pastries perfect for dipping. Children grow up with it; for visitors, it’s an instant taste memory of holiday joy.

 

From the sea to your plate

The cuisine of the Costa Blanca is inseparable from the sea. Every morning, market stalls fill with sea bream, branzino, anchovies, mussels, razor clams, and red prawns.

A beloved dish is caldereta de mariscos, a fragrant seafood stew flavored with saffron and fennel.

Or something simpler: grilled calamares, a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt, and lemon. Here, less is often more.

 

From Monastrell to Café Bombón

The sunlit vineyards of Alicante province yield characterful wines.

• The Monastrell grape gives bold, spicy reds.

• Crisp whites from indigenous grapes pair perfectly with fish and rice.

To finish? A café bombón: espresso with sweetened condensed milk, served in delicate layers in a glass. A local favorite — sweet, strong, and surprisingly refined.

 

A culinary journey with character

What makes this cuisine so special is the balance between authenticity and simplicity. The Costa Blanca cooks with what the land and sea offer — no fuss, always flavor.

Discover local eateries where grandma is still in the kitchen, visit a slow food market, or learn to cook paella yourself during a hillside cooking workshop.

And after a day full of sun and flavors? Retreat to one of our carefully selected accommodations — places with character, where you can unwind with a glass of wine and views of the sea or mountains.

 

Taste, feel, and experience the Costa Blanca like the locals do

The cuisine of the Costa Blanca is not a trend; it’s a way of life. An ode to simplicity, seasons, and togetherness. Let yourself be guided by the scents, sounds, and flavors — and live it for yourself.

→ Stay in Style

Explore our handpicked accommodations on the Costa Blanca – from design villas to authentic fincas, always curated with a keen eye for detail and atmosphere. Perfect for those seeking culinary enjoyment, close to home.