Costa Blanca’s seafood and gastronomy take centre stage

Food lovers across the Costa Blanca are being spoilt for choice this June as two popular gastronomic events celebrate the region’s rich culinary traditions, local produce and close connection to the Mediterranean Sea.

From Guardamar del Segura’s famous Nora Pepper & Prawn Gastronomic Week to Torrevieja’s seafood-inspired gastronomic days, visitors and residents have the opportunity to sample specially created menus showcasing some of the area’s most prized ingredients.

A Taste of Guardamar

Food lovers have until 7 June to enjoy one of Guardamar del Segura’s most popular annual events, the 22nd Nora Pepper & Prawn Gastronomic Week.

Now firmly established on the local calendar, the festival celebrates two ingredients that have become synonymous with Guardamar’s culinary identity: the locally grown ñora pepper and the prized prawns caught off the town’s coastline.

This year’s event sees five restaurants creating special menus designed to showcase the flavours and traditions of the Mediterranean coast while demonstrating the versatility of these much-loved ingredients.

Taking part this year are Club Náutico, El Jardín, Hotel Eden Mar, Jaime Legend and Origen, with menus priced between €42 and €55.

Each restaurant has developed its own unique menu, combining the sweet, smoky flavour of the locally grown ñora pepper with the fresh prawns harvested from the waters off Guardamar. Diners can expect a mixture of traditional recipes passed down through generations alongside more contemporary interpretations created by local chefs eager to put their own stamp on the region’s culinary heritage.

The festival has become one of the most important gastronomic events on the Costa Blanca, attracting visitors from across the region who are keen to experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a town renowned for its food culture.

The ñora pepper has long played an important role in local cooking and is considered a defining ingredient in many traditional dishes. Its distinctive sweet and slightly smoky flavour pairs perfectly with the delicate taste of the local prawns, creating combinations that have helped establish Guardamar’s reputation among food enthusiasts.

Beyond the restaurants themselves, the event also serves as a celebration of the area’s agricultural and fishing traditions, recognising the generations of farmers and fishermen whose work continues to shape the local economy and culinary landscape.

Full menus and booking details are available directly through the participating restaurants or through the Guardamar Tourist Board at guardamarturismo.com.

Seafood Showcase in Torrevieja

Torrevieja is preparing to celebrate its own maritime culinary traditions with the return of the popular Torrevieja y el Mar gastronomic days.

The event once again places seafood and Mediterranean cuisine firmly in the spotlight, inviting diners to discover the flavours that have helped define the city for generations.

Torrevieja’s history has always been closely linked to the sea, from its fishing industry to its famous salt production, and organisers believe gastronomy remains one of the best ways to showcase that connection.

The event celebrates the city’s relationship with the Mediterranean through specially created menus that highlight local seafood, regional produce and traditional coastal cooking techniques.

AEHTC president José Ignacio Pastor said the initiative continues to strengthen Torrevieja’s reputation as one of the Costa Blanca’s leading food destinations while also showcasing the talent, creativity and professionalism of local chefs.

He also highlighted the importance of supporting local producers and suppliers whose ingredients help form the foundation of the city’s growing culinary reputation.

The event will once again take place across four Fridays in June, with a different restaurant hosting each week and offering its own interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine.

Restaurante Las Villas opens the programme on 5 June, followed by first-time participant Luna Creciente Gastrobar on 12 June. Restaurante Luz de Mar takes over on 19 June, while La Mar de Bien brings the event to a close on 26 June.

Each participating restaurant will offer a specially designed menu inspired by the sea, giving diners the opportunity to experience creative dishes built around Mediterranean ingredients and traditional coastal flavours.

The rotating format allows visitors to enjoy a different culinary experience each week while discovering some of the restaurants that continue to shape Torrevieja’s evolving food scene.

Organisers believe the event plays an important role in promoting the city’s gastronomy while encouraging visitors to explore Torrevieja through its restaurants, traditions and culinary heritage.