After ten years living on the Costa Blanca, I can tell you without hesitation that Moraira is one of the best places to eat in Spain. That's not a line you'll find in every travel brochure — it's just a fact that locals quietly enjoy while the crowds flock to Benidorm's tourist menus. Whether you're after fresh-off-the-boat seafood, a long Spanish lunch with local wine, or a romantic dinner with a sea view, Moraira's restaurant scene punches well above its weight for a town this size.
This guide is based on years of regular meals, honest opinions, and the kind of inside knowledge you only get from living here. No sponsored content, no paid placements — just the places I'd send my own friends and family when they visit.
The Old Town & Port Area: Where Moraira's Best Eating Happens
Most of the town's top restaurants cluster around the old town (the casco antiguo) and the fishing port — and for good reason. This is where produce arrives fresh, where chefs have competed for decades, and where the atmosphere is genuinely local even in peak season.
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Find rentals →El Girasol — Without question, the most prestigious table in Moraira. This Michelin-starred restaurant has been a Costa Blanca institution for years, run by the Köppen family with meticulous care. The tasting menus change seasonally and showcase Mediterranean ingredients with French-influenced technique. It's not cheap (expect €80-120 per person without wine), but for a special occasion dinner, there is nowhere better within 30 kilometres. Book weeks in advance, especially in September when the summer crowds have thinned and the kitchen is at its most relaxed and creative.
Casa Millán — This is my personal favourite for a proper Spanish lunch. Set in a charming old house just off the main square, Casa Millán does traditional Valencian cooking without apology. The arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish broth, served separately) is as good as you'll find anywhere on the coast, and the house wine is a perfectly decent local bottle that won't embarrass itself. Lunch for two with wine runs around €45-55. Arrive at 2pm, not 1pm — this is Spain.
Restaurante Portet — Right on the beach at El Portet cove, this is the place for a lazy lunch with your feet practically in the sand. The paella marinera is a crowd-pleaser, but the fideuà (noodle paella) is where the kitchen really shines. In September, El Portet is glorious — warm enough for swimwear, quiet enough to actually enjoy the view. Book the terrace.
Tapas, Casual Dining & Hidden Gems
Not every meal needs to be a three-course event. Moraira has a solid tapas scene that most visitors miss entirely because they're eating at the restaurant with the largest sign on the seafront.
La Bodeguita — A tiny wine bar tucked into a narrow street near the castle, La Bodeguita pours excellent local wines from the Alicante DO and pairs them with simple, well-chosen tapas. The jamón ibérico and local cheeses are enough reason to visit. It fills up fast after 8pm — arrive early or hover near the door.
Chiringuito Pla — The chiringuito (beach bar) at Playa El Pla is a step above the average beach snack bar. The grilled fresh fish changes daily depending on what came in, and the cold beers at noon after a morning swim are one of Moraira's genuine pleasures. Cash only, no reservations, no fuss.
El Rincón de Pepe — A proper neighbourhood restaurant that locals actually use, not just tourists. The menú del día (daily set lunch) costs around €13-15 and includes three courses, bread, and a drink. It changes daily and is written on a chalkboard in Spanish, which should tell you everything you need to know about the intended audience. Brilliant value.
International Dining: Better Than You'd Expect
Moraira has attracted a cosmopolitan expat community for decades, which means the international dining options are genuinely good rather than the desperate tourist-trap versions you find in larger resorts.
Bali — An Indonesian restaurant that has been quietly excellent for years, popular with Dutch and Belgian residents who know their Indonesian food. The rijsttafel is a proper one. Worth visiting if you need a break from rice and fish.
The Clipper — A reliable British pub-restaurant near the town centre. I'm not going to pretend it's haute cuisine, but the Sunday roast is properly done and if you've been in Spain for two weeks and your kids are clamouring for something familiar, this solves the problem without drama.
Practical Tips for Eating in Moraira
When to eat: Lunch is served 1:30-3:30pm, dinner from 8:30pm. Show up at 7pm and you'll be eating alone in an empty restaurant. This is not a resort that bends to northern European mealtimes.
Reservations: In July and August, you need them everywhere. In September, you can often walk in at most places — though El Girasol and Restaurante Portet are worth calling ahead.
Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated. Rounding up to the nearest €5-10 on a bill is perfectly normal. Tipping 20% American-style will confuse the staff.
The menú del día: Always worth asking if a restaurant does a set lunch menu. Many excellent places that seem expensive at dinner are very affordable at lunch.
September advantage: If you're visiting this month, you've timed it perfectly. Summer crowds are gone, kitchens are less stressed, and seasonal ingredients — particularly fresh tuna, local tomatoes, and early-season grapes — are at their peak.
Stay Close to All of It
The best way to make the most of Moraira's restaurant scene is to base yourself in the town centre or within a short walk of the port — ideally in a self-catering apartment or villa where you can plan your meals properly, stock up at the excellent Tuesday market, and have breakfast on your own terrace before heading out.
Browse holiday rentals in Moraira and find the perfect base for exploring the town's food scene. Booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com — that's a couple of extra El Girasol dinners right there.
See all available properties in Moraira and check availability for your dates. September is still bookable and the weather is genuinely excellent — warm sea, cooler evenings, and restaurants at their unhurried best.
Moraira won't shout about its food scene. It doesn't need to. The quality speaks for itself — you just have to know where to look.
