3 Bedroom Spanish Holiday Villa on the Costa Blanca available for rent in the Orbeta estate overlooking Orba on the Costa Blanca close to Denia

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 sharp 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 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. 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 views as you are on the slopes of a largely uninhabited valley with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. This restaurant is becoming popular with the more energetic walkers, and for drivers it is signposted from the Alahuar Hotel.
Very close together on the edge of Alcalali there are the "Restaurant Pepe" (96-648-2456), "Los Amigos" (96-648-2270) 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 more expensive than the Orba village restaurants. Other restaurants in Alcalali include "Bar Valbon", "Los Almendros", and "Bar Marcel".
Actually in the village at Alcalali is the "Bar La Torre" (96-648-2649) which is well frequented by Spanish locals, unusual for an English run restaurant. We arrived early (8pm) and had good food and drink in a friendly atmosphere. Later in the evening the place filled up such that by 10pm there were no available seats in either the restaurant or bar sections.
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 2007). Despite its remote location, booking is strongly recommended, as it was even full when we visited in mid-October.
At Parcent the "La Tasca" has recently re-opened after a change of management and re-decoration. First impressions are that this will be a good "Spanish" restaurant to visit.
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 advisable, 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).
Other recommendations are the "Taberna Antigua" (96-576-0388) www.tabernaantigua.com 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.