If you love fish and seafood and are in or planning to soon be visiting Calpe, Spain, do we have a deal for you. The best and cheapest fish and seafood restaurants in Calpe — and the food they serve is pretty darn delicious too.
While many visitors to Calpe will eat seafood or fish at a restaurant in town, those in the know, including thousands of Spaniards, head to the fish restaurants on the harbor in Calpe. Not expensive, as you may think, the harbor fish restaurants serve some of the freshest fish and seafood you’ve ever eaten and at simply unbelievably cheap prices.
To find these amazing fish restaurants just walk down to Calpe Harbor (finding a parking space can be difficult, especially on the weekends and every day during the summer), and take your pick.
There is a line of large restaurants, all with outdoor covered patios and lots of space inside, and all are staffed by young men out front who are paid to get you inside. All serve the typical Menu del Dia, the Spanish three-course meal for one set price, and what you get for it is incredible.
In fact, after my last amazing meal, I would have happily paid one of the young men for his recommendation — it was that good.
Most of the restaurants on the harbor charge €10 or €11 ($12.88 and $14.17) for a Menu del Dia per person, and that includes an appetizer chosen from at least 10 choices, a main course from 20 choices, a dessert and a bottle of wine between two people, or a jug of sangria per person.
But, the delights don’t end with the cheap price. The food is so delicious, and portions so large, if you don’t come back another day for a second Menu del Dia, I’ll be surprised.
On my last visit to Calpe’s harbor-side seafood restaurants, I ate at La Lonja. In the past, I have eaten at El Camion, and both fish restaurants serve exceptional food.
This time I ordered fried calamari, battered fish and chips, and creme caramel for dessert. I washed it all down with a huge jug of sangria and, no, there was absolutely no room for anything else, including the large pieces of baguette they also included with the meal — the portions really are huge.
So, the next time you are jonesing for a fresh seafood meal, run don’t walk to Calpe, Spain and hit one of the harbor restaurants. They are truly spectacular.