Discover the restaurants and cafes of the old town - the historical heart of this delightful port resort.

Xàbia Pueblo sets itself apart from the port and the Arenal beach, the other two main areas of the town, not just geographically, sitting as it does on its own low-rise hill overlooking the bay, but also culturally in character and pace. The pueblo sets its own rhythm throughout the year through the numerous fiestas that are celebrated in its labyrinth of narrow streets, shady squares and around the fortress church of San Bartolome. The imposing gothic church is a listed National Monument that dates to the 15th Century and is situated at the heart of the old town both physically and spiritually. It is here that you will find not only blue skies, palm trees and noble architecture, but also fine food, robust wine, and warm hospitality. Where the beach of El Arenal offers a wide range of restaurants serving international cuisine, the pueblo is typically Spanish in style and Valenciano in cuisine and character.

The Dampier International office in Xàbia is located in a refurbished townhouse in the pueblo so we have personal knowledge of what the town has to offer gastronomically. Here is a selection of our personal favourites, in no particular order. We hope you enjoy them!

VOLTA I VOLTA

Calle Sta. Teresa, 3, 03730 Xàbia. Telephone: 96 504 28 23

Open Thursday to Monday from 13:00 to 16:00 and from 19:30 to 00:00 - Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

The concept of Volta I Volta is best summed up in one idea: "noves tradicions" or new traditions. They have taken well-loved Mediterranean recipes and given them a culinary twist, adding a contemporary avant-garde touch that presents each dish in a new and surprising light.

Striving to source local produce, what they call ‘km 0 products’, the team at Volta I Volta select the best from each season to offer a fresh and exciting gastronomic experience. Located in an old townhouse in the centre of the town, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and the food will delight and surprise at every visit and every changing season. Friendly and attentive staff combined with a relaxed old town atmosphere make each visit a real treat.

CHOLA GASTRO

Avinguda d'Alacant, 13, Xàbia, 03730. Telephone: 665 57 94 77

Tuesday – Saturday 13.00 – 15:30 and 19:00 – 22:30 - Sunday 13:00 – 15:30 - Closed Monday

The cuisine of Chola Gastro is a gloriously inventive fusion of flavours and cultures. To all that is good about living by the Mediterranean they add techniques, spices and flavour combinations from around the world. Peruvian, Latin American and Spanish cuisine at its heart, Chola brings together flavours and ingredients in what they call “A journey around the world through our dishes.”

You can dine inside in the comfortable air-conditioned interior or outside in the delightfully cool patio of what was once a large prestigious property situated in a double-fronted Grande Dame of a house on the principal road to the old town up from the port.

Reservations are necessary throughout the year, and especially during the summer months.

DA GIULIA – Delicata Cucina 1993

Plaça de la Marina Alta, 03730 Xàbia. Telephone: 965 790 947

“Italian flavours with local touches.”

When Carlo and Carmen first came to Javea on holiday in 1990 following recommendations from the many Italians who visited at that time, they knew that this was the place they wanted to settle and raise their daughter Giulia. In 1993 they opened a small café in the centre of town and soon word spread about Mamma Carmen’s pizzas and pasta. When Giulia returned home in 2011 after pursuing a career in hospitality and gastronomy, she knew what she wanted to do and with the support of her parents a new restaurant concept was born - Da Giulia. She soon set about creating a very personal relationship between local and Italian producers, so her customers can enjoy the freshest products of each moment and season. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Giulia’s pizzas and pastas are prepared daily in the authentic Italian tradition. The menu includes a refined array of meat and fish dishes that take advantage of the wonderful local produce and ends with mouth-watering desserts that are hard to overlook. Also check out their extensive and carefully considered wine list.

Giulia’s philosophy is for her legion of loyal customers to enjoy fine Mediterranean gastronomy in a charming environment, not only in the cosy interior but also on the large terrace in the historic centre – the perfect accompaniment to their dishes. If you want just a coffee, pastry, or savoury dish, then head directly across the square to Giulia’s Cafeteria. She really does have every base covered.

LA SUCRERIA DE LA PLACA

Plaza Esglesia 1, Xàbia, 03730. Telephone: 965 79 71 13

Open Tuesday – Sunday 16:00 – 01:30 - Closed Monday

This family-run restaurant bar in Xàbia’s historic centre is a true gem in a unique setting. The owners are real foodies and take their inspiration from a fabulous selection of fresh and interesting produce sourced as close to home as possible. They continually seek out interesting gastronomy from around the world and bring to each dish they create their own unique touch that delights their customers time after time. Check out their reviews online and you’ll realise why the Javiense locals are proud of this corner of their historic mediaeval square next to the church but also why visitors from abroad come back not just to Spain but to Javea, and La Sucreria, in particular.

A recent post on La Sucreria’s Facebook page perfectly sums up the challenges faced by every restaurant owner or head chef: “Creativity is an important aspect of being a chef. Dining trends come and go, and staying ahead of the curve with new and exciting dishes is what keeps customers coming back. This means that chefs must be open to experimenting and trying new things, whether it's experimenting with new flavour combinations or taking inspiration from other cultures.”

Visit soon and don’t be surprised if La Sucreria becomes one of your favourites.

LA TASCA REBOTICA

Carrer Sant Bartomeu, 6, Xàbia 03730. Telephone: 966 461 318

When José and Marta arrived in Xàbia in 2005 the restaurant scene had shifted to the beach front. It is therefore notable that they decided to open La Tasca Robotica in a narrow lane directly opposite the entrance to the church in what was once a pharmacy. After more than a decade of intense work, they have established themselves as a landmark in the town for anyone seeking excellent Spanish tapas focused on seasonal products. Today they rightly attract locals and tourists alike. Summer months can be busy but after the first bite of battered cod or sun-dried octopus with the taste of the sea and umami, you’ll be happy you persevered.

BAR TRINQUET

Calle Escola,Xàbia 03730. Telephone: 966 46 21 61

Open 09:00 – 23:00 - Closed Tuesday

El Trinquet is more than just a bar, but it retains that informal atmosphere alongside a menu of dishes found only in very good restaurants. Food, wine, and service come together in a lively atmosphere with bright interior space and a large, covered terrace on a busy corner with plenty of hustle and bustle to observe while enjoying an aperitif and freshly cut jamon or dining on traditional tapas, salads, rice dishes and some individual dishes based on meat and fish. The main source of produce is supplied by the Mediterranean Sea although there are plenty of meat-based dishes if you prefer. By aiming for freshness there are always off-menu proposals that accommodate seasonal products or adapt to what is best at the market.

BAR IMPERIAL

Placa De Baix 2, Xàbia, 03730. Telephone: 686 600 498 or 965 064 064

Bar Imperial is in an enviable position in the lower square of Xàbia’s historical centre. From the church square simply go down the steps through the arch and you’re there. And it’s been there for quite a few years – serving tapas since 1939 in fact. Well known for its simple but fresh tapas, grilled meats, and fish, this tried and tested formula remains unaltered and unaffected by words such as fusion and modern traditional. This is unpretentious Spanish cuisine at its best which is both excellent quality and great value.

Lunchtimes can be very sunny on the outside terrace, but parasols are available and evenings during August can be busy so make a reservation.

MI LOLA

Carrer Major 2, Xàbia, 03730. Telephone: 965 793 510

Located in the heart of the historic centre ofXàbia, Mi Lola has a fabulously authentic atmosphere where you can enjoy a wonderful gastronomic experience surrounded by local tosca stone buildings and the throng of passing visitors. In their cosy and traditional interior or outside on the small terrace they serve modern classics and great wines at very reasonable prices. In this location you would expect to pay more. Inventive dishes based on locally sourced produce from the sea and land.

CAJITA AZUL

Carrer En Finestrat, 9, Xàbia, 03730. Telephone: 642 53 49 39

Tuesday and Wednesday – 20:00 - 23:30 - Thursday to Sunday - 13:00 - 15:00 and 20:00 - 23:30 - Closed Monday

This restaurant is truly a little blue box of a place, but don’t be deceived by its size; this surprising find on a hidden lane in the old quarter serves up big flavours on an ever-evolving menu. Specialising in traditional Spanish cuisine with an Andalusian vibe, this townhouse restaurant is very popular, so it is essential to reserve a table to avoid disappointment.

9 DONDE FABRIZIO?

Calle San Bonaventura 9, Xàbia, 03730. Telephone: 865 68 98 00

Tuesday and Wednesday 20:00 – 23:30 - Thursday to Sunday 13:00 - 15:00 and 20:00 – 23:30 - Closed Monday

“Donde Fabrizio?” or “Where’s Fabrizio?” Well, you can find this delightful tapas restaurant close to the Museum and the church!

Original tapas style dishes and seasonal produce all marked up on the chalkboard outside. Generous dishes of meatballs, smoked rabbit, burrata, huge salads, seafood etc. Ever changing menu according to season and availability. Wine by the glass or bottle. Very reasonable prices. Fabrizio also offers a market day (Thursday) special lunch menu. Close to the Museum and church. Now you know where 9 Donde Fabrizio is, go find him for yourself and enjoy!

THE MERCAT MUNICIPAL – BAR MERCAT

Mercado Municipal de Abastos de Jávea. Carrer Roques, 6. Xàbia. Telephone: 965 79 12 30

The Mercat de Xàbia, a neo-Gothic building first inaugurated in 1946 and located next to the church in the old town, has recently had a rebirth. As times change, so do consumer habits. The traditional indoor food market of Xàbia, which has specialised in fresh produce and gastronomy for years, discovered during a study that only a small percentage of the residents of Xàbia made their purchases here. Something had to be done, so new stalls have been opened that are in line with the recommendations: fish and seafood restaurant, coffee shop, pizza restaurants and tapas bars.

In addition, lifelong businesses such as BAR MERCAT in the northern corner of the Mercat have begun to thrive with a new lease of life. Now much enlarged, the bar maintains its reputation as one of the best tapas bars in Xàbia. In operation since 1968, its traditional dishes continue to triumph, while it has also introduced a "healthy" menu to satisfy the ever-changing culinary needs of its customers without losing the essence of local and Mediterranean cuisine.

From its bar come seductive toasts, impeccable cocas, and succulent tapas. The daily offer is usually varied, with three or four suggestions of the day among which stand out, when available, stewed garrofós or puchero balls. The ratatouille or onion cocas are indispensable, slightly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, crowned with a piece of salted sangacho and accompanied by a variety of pickles.

Another classic is the toast Manolo Segarra – the great classic of the Mercat – consisting of half a bar of bread with grated tomato, tender white cheese, salted tuna, anchovy, melva and cod and sea fennel and, for lovers of casqueria, a tapa of blood and onion (sang amb ceba). The variety of Mediterranean beers stands out, from the popular Estrella Levante Murcia to the Valencian Turia or the Xábiga of Jávea.

OUR GUIDE TO THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS OF XABIA PUEBLO

We hope that this review has whetted your appetite. If so, then head up to the Xabia Pueblo, where traditional cuisine meets innovation. From traditional tapas bars to fusion concept restaurants, the historic old town is a gastronomic delight for the most demanding foodie.

This list is by no means exhaustive but reflects our own favourites. Why not visit soon and discover your own.

Check out our guide to the gastronomic delights of the Valencian region here.