Recommended Bars and Restaurants in the towns close to our Costa Blanca holiday villa in Orba

If you want to eat at a particular restaurant, it is advisable to book a table as most are very busy right into the late evening, even out of season. We have found that there tends to be two groups of diners at the restaurants. Often the tourists or English residents go to the restaurants when they open at around 7pm, whilst the locals often don't arrive until after 9pm.

The "Cavall Verd" (96-597-7345) can be seen from the villa as it is high up on the hillside on the opposite side of the town, and has amazing views back down over Orba and on out to Denia, Javea and the sea - do try to get a window seat. This restaurant has recently re-opened and can be found by taking the Fontilles road out of Orba, and following it on up the hill until you see the restaurant signposted between the villages of Campell and Fleix - the side road up to the restaurant is just after a long left hand bend. This highly recommended restaurant is open at lunch times only, offers a "Menu del Dia" on Tuesday to Friday, and is closed on Mondays. Sunday lunchtime is the best time to go for a genuine Spanish Paella.
Even further up the hill at around 1,800 feet above sea level, and just past the village of Benimaurell, is the modern "Alahuar Hotel" (96-558-3397). Again the views are stunning, and our impression is that it is a particularly "Spanish" place to eat. Slightly more expensive, but the food is very well prepared and presented. One word of warning, this is possibly not a good place to head for if you don't like mountain roads.
Recently a new restaurant has opened even further up the hill called the "Venta El Collao" (69-601-2352). The menu is not extensive but it is worth the trip for the different scenery as you are on the slopes of a largely uninhabited valley with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. This restaurant is also becoming popular with the more energetic walkers, but for drivers it is signposted from the Alahuar Hotel.
Another restaurant high up in the mountains is "Coll de Rates" (96-644-5604), a German run restaurant serving a wide variety of food seven days a week. From the village of Parcent follow the road towards Tarbena up into the hills. You won't want to miss the views, so go on a clear day and ideally one that isn't too windy.
Another new restaurant in 2008 was "El Nou Portet" (96-640-5360) which is only a couple of kilometres outside of Orba on the CV-715 road towards Jalon (Xalo) and Alcalali. We visited this impressive restaurant soon after it opened and can recommend it for special occasions. The food was adventurous and appetising, but accompanied by the higher prices that this nearly always incurs. Our main courses were around 20 Euros each.
Very close together on the edge of Alcalali there are "Restaurant Pepe" (96-648-2456), "Los Amigos" (96-648-2270), "La Solana" (96-648-2140) and "Castellvi" (96-648-2481). Our experience at the "Pepe" and the "Castellvi" is that the portions are enormous and good value for money - although a little more expensive than the Orba village restaurants. Other restaurants on the outskirts of Alcalali include "Bar Valbon" (currently up for sale), "Bar Marcel" (Menu del Dia at €7.5 in Sept 2009), and the "Indian Palace" (96-648-2269) (which replaces the "Los Almendros").
Actually in the village at Alcalali is the "Bar La Torre" (96-648-2649) which has recently changed hands and is now run by Natalie and Jaume. We've not had a chance to visit it since it changed hands so are unable to make a report at this time.
At Jalon (Xalo) there are many bars and restaurants in and around the town, including "Salamanca", "La Pista", "La Risa", "Bar-Cafe Ole", "Riu Rau", "Cocina Fusion", "La Vall", "Ca La Lisa", "The Lemon Tree", and "Harry Stafford's Fish and Chips" . As you reach Jalon there is car parking on the left hand side of the road alongside the river. It is probably best to leave your car there and explore the narrow streets on foot.
Also out of town is the "Verd I Vent" (96-597-3413) which is on the road to Bernia out of Jalon - just keep driving along the narrow and twisting road towards Bernia and eventually you will see a non-descript building on the left side of the road. This restaurant is only open at lunchtime (from 1pm), but serves a multiple course set meal of great food and wine at a reasonable price (€15 in October 2008). Despite its remote location, booking is strongly recommended as it is usually full all year round.
At Parcent "La Tasca" has had another change of management. First impressions are that this will be a good "Spanish" restaurant to visit. Again, there are several other bar / restaurants to visit in and around the village of Parcent.
At nearby Tormos, "Restaurante Tormos" offers a winter special on Saturday nights with a magnificent buffet meal followed by local musicians and dancing at very reasonable prices. Booking is necessary, and plan to arrive there at 9pm. When we last visited in October this year our group were the only non-Spanish diners (always a good sign).
If you turn left off the main road just before Pego (signposted to Vall d'Ebo), the road is very scenic with great views out over Pego to the sea. After several kilometres of winding road you will first come to "Le Moulin" (96-597-7404) which can easily be missed as it has only has a small Bistro sign, but you will clearly see the large white building with windmill sails high off to the right hand side of the road. This is a lovely quiet location where you can stop for tea and cake, a beer and a plate of tapas, or a full meal (telephone for reservation). A few kilometres further on you will reach civilisation again, and just into the village on the left hand side you will find "Bar L'Entra" (96-557-2390) where you can dine entirely on multiple courses of marvellous tapas (we lost count), or have mixed tapas followed by a main course. Again, booking is strongly recommended at this restaurant as it was completely full when we visited in mid-week during September 2009.
In Javea (Xabia) we can recommend "Siesta" which is right on the beach just south of the Old Port area, and "Scallops" at the far end of Arenal beach (great location and value for money).
Other recommendations are the "Taberna Antigua" (96-576-0388) at Ventes de Pedreguer (wide range of great food, but quite expensive), "Meson De Paco" (96-579-0485) on the road out of Javea towards Benitachell, and "Paraiso" (96-640-5050) at Parcent. "Casa Pepa" (96-576-6606) on the edge of Ondara near Pamis is pricey but has a very good reputation.