One of the great pleasures of Moraira is how easy it is to eat well. The marina, the seafront promenade, El Portet, and the cobbled streets of the old town are all packed with restaurants — from white-tablecloth Mediterranean dining to no-fuss tapas bars where the locals outnumber the tourists.

This isn’t an exhaustive list. It’s our honest picks — the places we’d send friends to, the ones we keep going back to, and a few that are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. All within walking distance of BlueView.

Book a terrace table for sunset. Le Dauphin is a 2-minute walk from BlueView — you can literally stroll there in flip-flops and still be dining at one of the best restaurants in the region.

If you eat at one restaurant during your stay, make it Le Dauphin. Sitting right on El Portet beach with views across the bay to the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe, this is one of the most beautifully located restaurants on the Costa Blanca — and the food matches the setting.

Le Dauphin has been here since 1993, and the quality has only gone up. The kitchen is French-Mediterranean, with everything made from scratch — from the tapas to the desserts. Fresh fish comes straight from the bay, the meat includes Galician Rubia Gallega beef and oven-roasted crown of lamb, and the wine list runs to over 120 references. The owner, Bert, even produces his own gin.

The restaurant itself is built from natural stone, with antique wood reclaimed from abandoned Toledo monasteries and a permanent bronze sculpture exhibition inside. It sounds a lot, but it works — the atmosphere is warm, Provençal, and unpretentious for the quality on offer.
Starched linen, silver cutlery, crystal glasses, and that view. This is special-occasion dining that doesn’t feel stuffy.

Grizzly’s is a Moraira institution. Originally a much-loved grill house on the road between Moraira and Calpe, it’s now expanded into Grizzly’s World — three distinct restaurants under one roof, each with its own kitchen, menu, and dining space.

Grizzly’s is the classic grill house: steaks, ribs, burgers, and comfort food done properly in a relaxed setting. Taste of Japan brings modern Asian dining with sushi, sharing plates, and bold flavours. Taste of Mexico offers vibrant Latin American cuisine with tacos, burritos, and a lively atmosphere.

When you arrive, you choose which restaurant you’d like to eat in — so it’s worth having a look at all three menus before you sit down. It’s a great setup for groups where tastes vary, since everyone can split up and eat exactly what they fancy, then meet afterwards for drinks.

There’s also a dedicated children’s play area shared across all three restaurants, which makes it one of the most family-friendly dining spots in Moraira. Staff are genuinely friendly, portions are generous, and the food is well executed across all three menus. It’s not fine dining, but it’s not trying to be — it’s crowd-pleasing food done with thought and care.

Walk-ins welcome, but book ahead for weekends and groups.

BlueView Tip: Can’t decide between steak, sushi, or tacos? Have a wander through all three before committing. Each has its own vibe, and you can always come back tomorrow for a different one.

Every Spanish port town has a Club Náutico, and Moraira’s is a gem. Sitting inside the working harbour, also known as Bela Dama, it offers something different from the seafront terrace crowd — a genuine marina setting, with fishing boats and yachts coming and going at the water’s edge.

The menu covers the full Mediterranean spread: fresh fish of the day, paella, fideuà, grilled meats, and a solid tapas selection. Nothing revolutionary, but consistently well executed and good value relative to some of Moraira’s higher-end spots.

What makes it special is the atmosphere. It’s relaxed, nautical, and unpretentious — the kind of place that works equally well for a morning coffee watching the harbour wake up, a long lunch with a bottle of white, or early evening cocktails on the Upper Club rooftop terrace as the sun goes down.

Open daily from 9am to 10pm. No need to book for lunch, but it fills up for dinner in summer.

El Chamizo sits right by the water on the seafront promenade, and it’s a local favourite for a reason. This is the kind of restaurant where the grilled octopus is always good, the garlic prawns arrive sizzling, and the paella is made properly — none of the tourist-trap shortcuts.

The setting is everything: tables on the terrace, the Mediterranean in front of you, and sunsets that make you put your fork down just to watch. It’s busier than some of the quieter spots, but that’s because it delivers reliably good seafood at reasonable prices in one of the best locations in town.

Go for lunch rather than dinner if you want a more relaxed pace. The seafood platter for two is generous, and the house white is perfectly drinkable without breaking the bank.

Some of the best eating in Moraira doesn’t happen in restaurants at all. The old town and port area are dotted with small tapas bars where you can spend a wonderful evening drifting between spots, sharing plates and trying whatever looks good.

Tasca Moraira is an authentic Spanish tapas bar in the old town — informal, buzzy, and perfect for an evening of small plates with a glass of local wine. The menu changes regularly, and the portions are honest. It’s the kind of place where you end up staying longer than you planned.

Gastrobar 21 is another strong option for tapas with a slightly more contemporary edge — good for sharing with friends or family, with a wide-ranging menu and a terrace that catches the evening light.

For drinks with a view, Captain Andy’s Cocktail Bar at the Club Náutico is an ideal terrace spot for an aperitif or a nightcap. Mandala Port Moraira, down by the harbour, takes the beach bar concept and elevates it — all-day food from breakfast through to after-dinner drinks, with quality and attention to detail that goes beyond what you’d expect from its casual setting.

And if you’re staying in El Portet, don’t overlook the smaller beach bars near the water. In summer they serve simple, excellent food — fresh fish, cold beer, salads — with sand between your toes and zero pretension.

Booking — In July and August, book ahead for dinner at popular places like Le Dauphin, Grizzly’s, and El Chamizo. Outside peak season, walk-ins are usually fine. Lunch rarely requires a reservation.

Meal times — Spain eats late. Lunch is typically 1:30–3:30pm, dinner from 8:30pm onwards. Many restaurants won’t be busy before 9pm. If you prefer eating earlier, you’ll have your pick of tables.

Menú del día — Look out for set lunch menus, especially in the old town and less touristy restaurants. Two or three courses with a drink and coffee for around €12–€18 is standard, and it’s often the best value meal of the day.

Tipping — Service is included in the bill in Spain, but it’s customary to leave a small tip for good service — rounding up or leaving a euro or two per person is appreciated.

Children — Moraira is very family-friendly. Most restaurants welcome children and many have outdoor terraces where kids can move around. Grizzly’s World has the best dedicated play area. Spanish restaurants are generally relaxed about children eating late.

Walking distance — Every restaurant in this article is walkable from BlueView. Le Dauphin is 2 minutes on foot. The marina and old town are about 10 minutes along the seafront. No car, no taxi, no parking stress.

Wine — The Alicante wine region is on your doorstep and produces excellent, affordable reds and whites. Ask for local wine — most restaurants will have options from the Jalón Valley or the Marina Alta, and they’re often the best value on the list.