Mediterranean Cuisine & Dining

Local Specialities

Countries around the mediterranean are often defined in large part by their food and cuisines.  Spain is no exception, and a real value is placed on local, seasonal, fresh produce.

Where to buy

Buying food and wine in a market is a great way to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere and buy some of the freshest local produce.  Street markets in Traiguera and nearby Sant Jordi, as well as a permanent market in Vinrós are teeming with fresh fruit and vegetables, bakery, fish and meats. 

Carrer Major in Traiguera has three independent butchers who specialise in the local pork production, cured and fresh, as well as poultry, meats, local cheeses and other tasty morsels!  We also have two bakeries, two mini-supermarkets, and a number of bars and restaurants, but more on those later.

Locally, the foodie highlights include:

The Costa del Azahar literally translates as The Orange Blossom Coast, and for good reason as mile-after-mile of orange groves stretch out alongside much of the coastal plains.  Oranges, including the famous Valencian Oranges are harvested from late November through to May, and the juice is intense and sweet.

Traiguera is famous for its olive oil production, and has three olive mills to it's name!  The Vicente Dellá e Hijos SL oil mill has been producing in the town since 1727, and Bodegas Peset Vallés specialises in recovering and harvesting from ancient olive trees, and offers guided tours of the mill and tasting sessions.

Vinaròs has a lofty reputation for the best langoustines in Spain, celebrated every August for over sixty years with the Fiesta del Langostino. In the Vinaròs fishing tradition langoustines continue to be caught daily by hand and are widely available in markets and restaurants locally.

Visit the Mercat de Vinaròs, open daily except Sundays, for the best seafood, meat and poultry, cheeses, fresh vegetables and fruits, and much more.

Benicarlo is famous for their artichokes, and celebrates this throughout February each year.  Local restaurants busily cook up mouth-watering dishes starring the artichoke, and look out for the popular artichoke “Torrà” barbecue when over 2000kg's are cooked over charcoals. Yum!!

The black truffle plays a very important role in the cuisine of Morella, and is included in a wide variety of dishes. It is delicious served with scrambled eggs, raw with salads, or in handmade patés, which gives the truffle an excellent aroma, colour and taste. Morella hosts a selection of unique delicatessen shops, each with its own specialism of local ingredients including cheeses, honeys, cured meats and specialist ingredients.

Sant Mateu is home to Besalduch, Valls & Bellmunt one of the most extensive wine companies in Castellon Province, with more than 22 hectares of vineyards and more than 30 hectares of olive trees, currently offering a great variety of wines, sparkling wines and virgin olive oils. Enjoy a visit to the wine museum, winery with tasting of wines and products from the Maestrat.



Eating Out

Whether you're feeling like a Michelin-starred fine-dining experience, or a long lazy lunch overlooking the beach, we have it all!  We've put together a few well-known or personal favourites here to get you started.  But the list could be almost endless.  Enjoy!

Traiguera’s main street, Carrer Major has a number of cafes, bars and restaurants along its length. Often rather unassuming to look at, but all very friendly and patient with non-Spanish speakers!

Panaderia cafeteria Major – seating inside and out. Pick up some fresh bread or other bakery goodies while you’re here

Bar Jaunita – always busy with locals, serving drinks and plated meals. Open all day 7:30 to 22:30

L’olivera – very near the market and ideal for a drink and a tapa or two. A vegan chef works there and will cook delicious vegan or vegetarian meals with a days notice. 

El Café – Opposite La Tasca. Sit indoors or out and enjoy a plated meal or just a drink

La Tasca – lots of seating in and out. Bustling with locals, it’s good for a drink or a bite to eat in the sunshine.

Just out of town, but well regarded is Casa dels Capellans near the Font de Salud.  Lovely restaurant in an amazing building.

Sant Mateu, set around the Plaça Major, offers a good selection of bars and restaurants such as the Restaurante Moderno, Bar Restaurante La Plaça and Ka Nostra (a Casa de Olivos favourite), all with a wide variety of tapas and full dining menu choices. With Ka Nostra offering a menu with a wide selection of options for guests with specialist dietary requirements.

If you fancy something a bit more formal then The Farga Restaurant, Ermita de la Mare de Déu dels Àngels, offers a healthy, organic menu using local products. The hermitage has inspiring views of Sant Mateu and the Maestrat region.

Back down to earth again.  On the beach promenade running north from the port in Vinarós are dozens of restuarants and bars, all overlooking the Mediterranean. Used by locals and tourists alike, the prices tend to be very reasonable and the food is often excellent. Personal recommendations include Restaurante el Barco, La Hacienda del Mexicano and Oscars, but go and explore, and tell us what you find.

Benicarlo is home to Casa de Olivos favourite Cor Carxofa – all plant-based (and gluten free) with seating indoors and out overlooking the harbour. Bollywood Indian cuisine (great for veggies too) is on the harbour-side too. Keep walking north along the beachfront and you’ll find Mar Blava Restaurante which has outstanding views and an excellent reputation.

Peñiscola - Much more touristy than Vinaros or Benicarlo, you’ll find the prices a little higher and the streets a little busier here. But even so, there are some great places to eat and drink, soak up a gorgeous view, and rest a while. Explore the castle and look out for the eateries on the south-east corner with seating overlooking the Mediterranean, or on the land side overlooking the beaches and harbour. Spectacular day and night, this is a firm favourite of ours for a paella and Sangria date! You could spend a lifetime trying out eateries here, but we suggest to look out for:

Bar Muralla & Tasca “Al Masset” in the N.E. corner overlooking beaches and harbour for tapas and a drink

Brizza on the S.E. corner with amazing sea views for delicious seafood dishes, paella and more... with plenty for veggies too.

La Frontera Tex-Mex, right in the thick of the maze of cobbled streets.  Super friendly and such tasty food!

Michelin Star Restaurants

Just outside San Rafael del Riu on the way to La Senia is Restaurante L’Antic Molí. Awarded a Michelin star in 2015, this is an experience as much as a restaurant, and now holds a Michelin Green star as well, awarded to chefs committed to sustainable gastronomy.

In Ulldecona - Restaurante Les Moles with a Michelin Star and two Repsol Suns, offers a unique gastronomic experience. The signature cuisine of chef Jeroni Castell exists in a balance between the product of the territory, technique, fun, reflection, roots and daring.

Restaurante Raúl Resino in Benicarlo - Has a cooking style of its own, based on the traditional cuisine of the area, which is updated with cutting-edge techniques, where the product is always the protagonist.

As vegetarians ourselves, we have good first hand experience of which restaurants can cater for vegan and vegetarian diets so don't worry if you have a specialist diet, there are still plenty of delicious local restaurants to visit, just ask us for some recommendations. And with the mix of local olive oils and fresh produce the mediterranean diet here really is a healthy option for all to enjoy.