Best restaurants in Costa Brava (Spain)
A LOCAL'S GUIDE TO WHERE TO EAT IN COSTA BRAVA
Costa Brava is the coastal area between the town of Blanes, about 1 hour North of Barcelona, and the border with France. A gorgeous coast with rocky coves and Mediterranean beaches where the pine trees almost touch the water, and whitewashed fishing villages. And a beautiful inland, the Emporda county, that is a sort of Catalan Tuscany, with green countryside and medieval villages.
The Costa Brava is a wonderful destination for your vacation away from the tourist crowds. And if you are a foodie, you'll find here some of the top restaurants in Spain. I've listed here my favorite ones, all of them within less than 20 minutes drive from the coast, and many of them by the beach. Because sure, some listings of Costa Brava restaurants include locations in Girona or Figueres, but that's in my opinion (and sorry, I'm a local and many bloggers out there aren't!), if it's more than 30 minutes drive from the sea it doesn't deserve to be called Costa Brava!
Top Costa Brava restaurants with sea views
1
Toc al Mar
This popular restaurant is located by the sand of the Aiguablava beach, and it specializes in fresh local seafood and fish, grilled in an oak wood fire. They have high quality tapas and a variety of seafood rice dishes. The atmosphere is informal and fun, with authentic Costa Brava vibes.
LOCATION: Begur, right on the Aiguablava beach
Restaurant website >>
2
Els Brancs
This restaurant is located in the terrace of the Hotel Vistabella, one of the best hotels on Costa Brava, with spectacular views over the Bay of Roses. Fish and seafood are the stars of their elaborated menu, but meat and vegetable eaters will also find there some satisfactory choices. Make sure to ask them to show you their impressive wine cellar, with over 300 references.
LOCATION: Roses, only 5 minutes walk from the closest beach.
Book your table and see reviews >>
3
Tragamar
LOCATION: Calella de Palafrugell, right by the beach.
Restaurant website >>
4
La Blava
There’s one more restaurant in Calella de Palafrugell that I want to share with you. La Blava is located in one of the most iconic fishermen houses with white arcade of the village, and right by the main beach. While their food is also based on local products and fish, their recipes make more international concessions, with some Asian, Peruvian and Italian touches. Nice selection of rice dishes, too (also including a vegetarian one), and one more meat option than Tragamar.
LOCATION: Calella de Palafrugell, right by the beach.
Restaurant website >>
5
Clot dels Mussos
To me, if there’s a beach that summarizes what Costa Brava is, that is Tamariu. Thick sand, rocks and pine trees that almost touch the water. Clot dels Mussos is my choice there, the restaurant of the Tamariu Hotel. They are open for breakfast, too. And at night, when they serve cocktails too, there’s often live music. Their lunch and dinner menu is eclectic, going from tapas to rices, from burgers to grilled seafood and salads.
LOCATION: Tamariu (Palafrugell), overlooking the beach from the promenade.
Restaurant website >>
Best restaurants in Costa Brava with garden or countryside view
6
Mooma
LOCATION: Palau-Sator, just 15 minutes drive from the iconic Illa Roja beach.
Restaurant website >>
7
La Riera
The restaurant of the Hotel La Riera, in the scenic medieval village of Peratallada, has two terraces surrounded by lush vegetation: olives and cypress trees, but also vines and exotic plants. The perfect place to cool off on a hot Summer day. Their menu is a combination of starters to share, rice and pasta, and grilled and roasted specialties. Despite the beautiful location, don’t expect it to be fancy food, just nice enough for a lovely meal.
LOCATION: Peratallada, 15 minutes drive from the coast.
Restaurant website >>
8
Cala Joncols
Is it possible to combine greenery and sea views? Yes! The restaurant of the Hotel Cala Joncols is surrounded by an olive tree garden, dotted with flower bushes. And their inside room has a balcony with views over the garden and the Mediterranean sea. Their food is all made from locally sourced products, either it is the fish freshly caught by the Roses fishermen, or the veggies grown in their own vegetable patch. Even their oil comes from their won olive trees, and their wine is made from grapes of their won vineyards.
LOCATION: Roses, right in front of a small cove.
Restaurant website >>
Other unique Costa Brava restaurants
9
Far Nomo
LOCATION: Llafranc, under 10 minutes drive from the Tamariu beach.
Restaurant website >>
10
Moli de l'Escala
Dine in a restored flour mill from the 1600’s, now a gorgeous gastronomic hotel and restaurant. Their menu is delicate and elaborated, based in local recipes but with some concessions to Italian and French cuisine. The perfect place to surprise your gourmet friend.
LOCATION: L’Escala, only 5 minutes drive from the beach.
Restaurant website >>
11
Pa i Raïm
If you like historical sites, you’ll love this gorgeous restaurant located in the house where the Catalan writer Josep Pla was born. He was a famous local writer of the XX century, who wrote about Catalonia, its traditions, villages and people, and his love for the Costa Brava showed in his books. The restaurant has two elegant interior dinning rooms, plus one more dinner area in the old greenhouse, and an outdoor space in the lime tree garden. They do exquisite Catalan cooking consisting on delicate tapas and starters, and traditional recipes of fish, meats and casseroles.
LOCATION: Palafrugell, some 10 minutes drive from the coast.
Restaurant website >>
12
Compartir
LOCATION: Cadaques historical center, just 4 minutes walk from the beach.
Restaurant website >>
13
Vicus
Did you know the wetlands around the medieval village of Pals are where a particular rice grain is grown? It’s the best rice for Costa Brava rice casseroles. And Vicus is a great place to experience its flavor and fragrance. Their menu, not very extense but well designed, also includes many dishes to share, that through its ingredients talk about the local landscape and produce.
LOCATION: Pals, only 10 minutes drive from the closest beach.
Restaurant website >>
Costa Brava Michelin Star restaurants
14
2 stars
- Bo.TiC. Located in Corçà, a medieval village in the Emporda inland and just 30 minutes drive from the coast. They do a creative cuisine based in local traditional recipes that they take to a next level. For the most exclusive experience, book their Chef Table.
- Miramar. The restaurant of the Hotel Miramar in the seaside village of Llança is run by the prestigious chef Paco Perez. Enjoy modern Catalan cooking with delicate presentations and views over the bay.
15
1 star
- Cuina de Can Simon. Located in a medieval street of the seaside village of Tossa de Mar. Family owned restaurant that elevates the local fishermen cooking to the pleasure of the senses.
- Castell de Peralada. Eat in a castle with lush gardens, just 20 minutes away from the coast. They approach the Emporda cooking from a contemporary and elegant point of view.
- Emporium. Located in the medieval village of Castello d’Empuries, just 1o minutes drive from the closest beach. Their cooking is in contact with the local nature, its mountains and its seaside. They have an exceptional wine list.
- Els Tinars. Located in a spectacular masia Catalan farmhouse renovated with contemporary touches and just under 15 minutes drive from the coast. Their cuisine relishes in locally sourced and sustainable products and stems out of tradition to play with modernity.
I hope you enjoyed our list of Costa Brava best restaurants!
Marta
Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.
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