After a decade of living on the Costa Blanca, I've eaten my way through most of what Jávea (Xàbia in Valencian) has to offer — from beachside chiringuitos to proper old-school Spanish kitchens tucked into the old town. And let me be honest: the food scene here is genuinely brilliant. Not "tourist resort" brilliant. Actually brilliant.
Jávea sits at the crossroads of traditional Valencian cooking and Mediterranean freshness, and the best restaurants here reflect exactly that. Whether you're after a long Sunday rice lunch, fresh grilled fish by the sea, or a creative tasting menu, this guide will point you straight to the good stuff — and help you avoid the tourist traps that line the port with English menus in plastic frames.
Browsing holiday rentals in Jávea for your trip? Make sure you read this before you book your table.
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Find rentals →The Three Zones: Where You'll Be Eating in Jávea
Jávea is split into three distinct areas, and where you eat depends a lot on where you're staying.
The Old Town (El Poble) is where you'll find the most authentic Spanish restaurants — family-run places that haven't changed their recipes in 30 years. The streets around Plaça de l'Església are worth exploring on foot before deciding where to sit down.
El Port (The Port/Harbour area) is the most touristy zone, but don't dismiss it entirely. Among the mediocre places, there are some genuinely excellent spots, especially for fresh fish and seafood.
El Arenal is the beach zone — buzzy in summer, with some solid options for casual dining right on the sand. In May and early June it's glorious here, warm enough to eat outside but without the August madness.
Top Restaurants in Jávea You Shouldn't Miss
La Bohème — Old Town Classic
This is my go-to recommendation for anyone who asks. La Bohème sits on a quiet corner in the old town and serves refined Mediterranean food without any pretension. The rice dishes are exceptional — the arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock, served with aioli) is one of the best versions I've eaten on the Costa Blanca, and that's a bold claim in a region where everyone does rice.
Book ahead, even in May. They fill up fast at weekends.
La Perla — For Fresh Fish at the Port
If you want to eat fish that was swimming this morning, La Perla at the port is your place. It's not flashy, the decor is nothing special, but the product is impeccable. Order the dorada a la sal (whole sea bream baked in salt) and a bottle of local white wine and you're sorted. Their grilled calamares are also worth ordering as a starter.
Sitting outside on a warm May evening here, watching the fishing boats come in — it doesn't get much more "Costa Blanca" than that.
El Rodat — If You Want to Splurge
El Rodat is the fine dining option in Jávea, and it earns its reputation. The restaurant is set within a beautiful hotel just outside the town centre, and the tasting menu changes with the seasons. Dishes draw heavily on local produce — Dénia prawns, local citrus, Alicantine almonds. It's a special occasion place, but the set lunch menu offers surprisingly good value if you want a taste without the full bill.
Casa Tiburón — El Arenal Beach Institution
Open since the 1970s, Casa Tiburón is a Jávea institution. Right on the Arenal beach, this is where local families come for Sunday lunch — a reliable signal that a restaurant is doing something right. The paella valenciana here is authentic (chicken and rabbit, not seafood — don't argue with the tradition), and the sangría is dangerously good.
It gets packed in August. In May it's a pleasure — turn up without a reservation and you'll probably get a table on the terrace.
Mesón El Alcázar — Meat in the Old Town
Not everything in Jávea is fish. The Mesón El Alcázar in the old town does serious meat — good steaks, excellent slow-cooked lamb, proper Spanish stews. It's cosy, slightly cave-like inside (that's a compliment), and the wine list leans into local Alicante DO wines that you won't find in supermarkets at home.
La Sireneta — Casual Beachside Dining
For something more relaxed — think grilled fish, cold beers, your feet practically in the sand — La Sireneta at the Arenal is reliable and unpretentious. Perfect for a lazy lunch after a morning on the beach. Kids are welcome and the menu is broad enough for picky eaters.
What to Order in Jávea (A Quick Guide)
If you're new to the area, here's a short cheat sheet:
- Arroz a banda — the local rice dish. Don't leave without trying it.
- Esgarraet — roasted red peppers with salt cod and olive oil. A classic Valencian tapa.
- Gamba roja — red prawn from nearby Dénia. Incredibly sweet, best simply grilled.
- Fideuà — like paella but with short noodles instead of rice. Equally delicious.
- Tarta de Santiago — not strictly local, but ubiquitous on dessert menus here and always good.
Practical Tips for Eating Out in Jávea
Eat on Spanish time. Lunch is 2–4pm, dinner rarely starts before 8:30pm and most locals don't sit down until 9pm. Restaurants that open at 6pm for dinner are catering to tourists and the quality often reflects that.
Book ahead at weekends in May. The good restaurants fill up quickly, even before summer properly starts.
Ask for the menú del día. Almost every proper Spanish restaurant offers a set lunch menu (usually €12–18) with three courses, bread, wine and coffee included. It's the best value eating in Spain and a great way to try better restaurants without breaking the budget.
Avoid menus with photographs. It's a rough-and-ready rule, but it holds up more often than not.
Stay Close to the Best Tables: Book Your Holiday Rental in Jávea Direct
The best way to enjoy Jávea's food scene is to have a proper base — a kitchen for breakfasts and lazy evenings, and easy walking distance or a short drive from the places you want to eat. Our holiday rentals in Jávea range from old town apartments to Arenal villas, so you can choose your neighbourhood and your vibe.
One more thing worth knowing: booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to booking the same property through Airbnb or Booking.com. That's a decent dinner at El Rodat, right there.
Jávea's food scene rewards people who take the time to explore. Get off the main drag, eat late, order the rice — and you'll eat very well indeed.
