Local & Spanish

Benidorm pays tribute to its traditional gastronomy with four days of Menjars del Nostre Poble (Foods of Our Town)

18 November 2025 / Benidorm

Twenty-two bars and restaurants are participating in this new gastronomic event, organised to mark the '700th Anniversary'

Benidorm will celebrate its most traditional local cuisine with a new four-day gastronomic event, Menjars del Nostre Poble (Foods of Our Town), running from 27 to 30 November. A total of 22 bars, restaurants and cafés will take part in the initiative, organised by the Abreca hospitality association and the Department of Tourism as part of the commemorations marking the 700th anniversary of Benidorm’s founding as an independent municipality.

The presentation of the event took place today at the El Torrejó Municipal Centre. During the festival, visitors will be able to sample local dishes, tapas and desserts including bollos a la paleta (bread rolls baked on a shovel), arroz con anchoas y espinacas (rice with anchovies and spinach), arroz con llampuga (rice with dolphinfish), coca a la calda (a type of flatbread), rollos de anís (anise rolls), all i pebre (garlic and pepper stew) and guiso de pulpo (octopus stew), among many others.

Benidorm’s mayor, Toni Pérez, and the president of Abreca, Javier del Castillo, explained that the aim is to allow diners to “experience those traditional flavours that have formed part of generations of Benidorm households, and to which we are now paying a well-deserved tribute”.

Pérez thanked Abreca “for their willingness from the outset to get involved in the activities for the 700th Anniversary of Benidorm”. He noted that, with the collaboration of Bárbara Alemany and Juan Fuster, the association had created a programme that sits outside the usual Benidorm Gastronómico (Benidorm Gastronomic Festival) yet shares the same purpose: “to showcase our gastronomy and our restaurant offerings to the world”.

He also praised the 22 participating establishments for “helping to ensure our hospitality sector remains strong all year round, and for recovering and bringing us closer to traditional dishes and flavours”.

Abreca president Javier del Castillo said the association was “very proud of our local history and of being able to present these events, combining traditional cuisine with modern techniques and recovering the gastronomic essence of Benidorm”.

He added that the association wanted to take part in the city’s anniversary celebrations by offering Menjars del Nostre Poble (Foods of Our Town), featuring tapas, dishes, full menus and exceptional desserts “that could rival those of any Michelin-starred restaurant”.

Participating establishments

The establishments taking part in the event are:
Alameda Gourmet, Círculo Barra Bar, Club Náutico (Yacht Club), El Beato, El Bodegón Aurrerá, El Linaje de Castilla, El Mesón, Esturión, Jardín Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Garden), L’Abadia (The Abbey), La Cava Aragonesa (The Aragonese Cellar), La Fava (The Broad Bean), La Señoría, La Tapería Aurrerá, La Tortillería y Tapas Benidorm (The Omelette House & Tapas Benidorm), Mal Pas, Malaspina, Marisquería El Puerto (The Port Seafood Restaurant), Shija Sabores de los Balcanes (Shija Balkan Flavours), Pinocchio Playa (Pinocchio Beach), Aroma Café and La Creu (The Cross).

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Benidorm pays tribute to its traditional gastronomy with four days of Menjars del Nostre Poble (Foods of Our Town)

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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