Altea is, without question, one of the best places to eat on the entire Costa Blanca — and I say that after ten years of living here and eating my way through every menu del día, every sunset terrace, and every suspicious-looking bar down an alley in the old town that turned out to be absolutely brilliant. If you're planning a holiday in Altea and wondering where to eat, you're in the right place.
September is actually one of the finest months to eat out here. The summer crowds have thinned, the restaurant owners are relaxed, the local produce is at its peak — tomatoes, peppers, figs, grapes — and you can actually get a table without a reservation at most places. Let me walk you through the Altea food scene, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
The Old Town (Casco Antiguo): Where Atmosphere Meets Good Food
Eating up in the casco antiguo is as much about the setting as the food, but thankfully the quality has improved enormously over the past few years. The narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed walls, and blue-domed church as a backdrop make this one of the most dramatic dining locations on the Spanish coast.
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Find rentals →Oustau de Altea (Carrer de la Mar, 3) is the standout fine-dining option in the old town — a lovely French-Mediterranean restaurant run by a genuinely passionate team. Their rice dishes and fish preparations are exceptional. Book ahead, even in September.
La Costera is a reliable favourite just below the main church square. Good local rice dishes, generous portions, and a terrace that catches the afternoon breeze perfectly. The arroz a banda here — rice cooked in fish stock, served with alioli — is one of my personal benchmarks for whether a Costa Blanca restaurant is taking rice seriously. La Costera passes the test.
For something more casual in the old town, duck into any of the small tapas spots around Plaça de l'Església. Order a glass of local Marina Alta wine and a plate of boquerones (fresh anchovies in vinegar) and you're living well at under €10.
The Port & Seafront: Fresh Fish and Rice Within Sight of the Boats
Down at the port level, the dining mood shifts from romantic to unpretentious and the focus is squarely on seafood.
Restaurante Bahía on the Paseo del Mediterráneo is a local institution. Family-run, cash-friendly, and serving some of the most honest fish and shellfish on the coast. The grilled dorada (sea bream) with olive oil and lemon is textbook perfection. Sit outside and watch the fishing boats come in while you eat.
El Puerto de Altea is worth knowing about for its generous paellas, cooked to order (minimum 20 minutes wait — a good sign). This is where Altea locals bring family for Sunday lunch. Loud, convivial, slightly chaotic, and completely wonderful.
If you want a more laid-back bite near the water, the chiringuito beach bars between Altea and Cap Negret serve cold beer, grilled sardines, and simple bocadillos — sometimes the most satisfying meal of the holiday.
The Main Town (Below the Old Town): Where Locals Actually Eat
This is where I do most of my own eating, honestly. The stretch of Avenida del País Valencià and the surrounding streets offer a mix of proper Spanish bar-restaurants where a three-course menu del día with wine comes in at €12–€15 and is genuinely excellent.
Bar Restaurante Patio is exactly the kind of place you'd never find unless someone told you. Unfussy decor, handwritten daily specials, exceptional homemade croquetas, and a lamb stew in September that I dream about. No Instagram presence whatsoever, which is always a good sign.
Casa Ortega does a brilliant weekend brunch and is also open for long lunches — good for families. Try the local embutidos (cured meats) and cheese board to start.
For pizza and something lighter after a beach day, La Roca near the mercado has been feeding tourists and locals alike for years without any drop in quality. Their wood-fired bases are genuinely good.
What to Order in Altea: The Dishes You Shouldn't Miss
- Arròs a banda — the definitive local rice dish, cooked in fish stock
- Caldero alteano — a rich fish broth with rice, specific to this stretch of coast
- Pulpo a la brasa — grilled octopus, often served with patatas bravas
- Boquerones en vinagre — fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar and garlic
- Coca de tomate — a flatbread topped with tomato, olive oil and whatever the kitchen fancies. September versions with roasted peppers are outstanding.
- Figs with local honey — September is fig season and local restaurants know it. Don't skip dessert.
For drinks, look for wines from the DO Marina Alta denomination — particularly the local Moscatel-based whites, which pair brilliantly with fish. A decent bottle starts at around €12 in a restaurant.
Practical Tips for Eating in Altea
Lunch is king. Spanish meal culture means the main meal of the day is lunch (2pm–4pm), not dinner. The menu del día is always the best value — three courses including bread, water and often wine for €12–€16. Restaurants that offer a serious menú at lunch are showing their hand: they care about their food.
Dinner is late. Don't turn up to a restaurant before 8:30pm expecting a warm welcome. 9pm–10pm is perfectly normal. In September, this works beautifully — you eat after sunset and the temperature is perfect for terrace dining.
Book ahead for weekends. Even in September, the better restaurants fill up on Friday and Saturday evenings. A quick WhatsApp message is often all it takes.
Tip culture: A 5–10% tip is appreciated but not mandatory. If service has been good, leaving a few euros is always warmly received.
Stay in Altea: Book Direct and Save
If all this food talk has convinced you that Altea deserves more than a day trip, you're absolutely right. Staying in a well-located holiday rental in Altea means you can buy fresh produce from the local market, cook a lazy breakfast on your terrace, and walk to dinner without worrying about driving.
JV Properties offers a handpicked selection of holiday apartments and villas in and around Altea — all bookable direct, which means you save up to 18% compared to booking through Airbnb or Booking.com. That's essentially a couple of very good dinners back in your pocket. Worth considering.
September is genuinely the best month to experience Altea's food scene at its most relaxed and delicious. Come hungry.
