DURING THE FESTIVE SEASONÂ there is no better experience than eating out with good friends and family and enjoying the Christmas menus at some of the best restaurants on the Orihuela Costa.
Every restaurant that has made this list of our most recommended places to eat over the Christmas period offers something special, whether you're looking for spectacular views, a traditional Spanish venue, a thoroughly international flavour, or a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
Christmas inspiration: The Orange Tree, Cabo Roig
The popular casual dining venue, The Orange Tree, is offering one of the more traditional Christmas menus, with a 4-course set menu for just €16 per person.
The main course features a selection of roast meats including turkey, chicken, and beef, served with sage and onion stuffing, seasonal vegetables, and a Yorkshire pudding.
Admirably, vegetarian and pescatarian options are available, and gluten-free gravy is provided on request. A choice of four starters and four delicious desserts rounds out their festive offering.
The Orange Tree Christmas menu is available for advanced bookings only with a €10 deposit from 1st to 23rd December. Call +34 965 323 235 to enquire or book.
Festive and classy: MarÃa Limón, Lomas de Cabo Roig
MarÃa Limón only opened earlier this year, but the first of their Christmas menus is dressed to impress.
The signature menu is both imaginative and well-crafted, with a choice of three starters including prawn lollipops, duck mousse with a red berry preserve, and an Iberian cold cut platter.
Lamb, hake, and a charcoal-grilled steak provide a choice of hearty main courses, and two desserts round out the festive menu.
The fixed-price menu costs €30 per person, and bookings can be made via Facebook or by calling +34 744 622 438.
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Christmas menus: Hi-Life Resto Bar, La Zenia
Already highly regarded for their family-sized Sunday carvery, Hi-Life Resto Bar has an entire festive calendar planned for this season.
For those too impatient for Christmas Day itself, the venue is hosting a pre-Christmas party on Christmas Eve replete with a four-course dinner for €25.
The main event takes place on Christmas Day from 6:00 pm and the bar is offering a three-course festive meal for just €18. Quite exceptional value.
For bookings call +34 693 916 747 or visit their Facebook page for more information about forthcoming events and dates.
Festive fun: The Emerald Isle, La Florida
One of the Orihuela Costa's most popular casual dining venues, it should be no surprise to learn that The Emerald Isle is already fully booked for Christmas Day.
Nonetheless, they're offering a festive menu daily from now until 20th December, centred around a traditional British roast dinner replete with Yorkshire pudding and offering a choice of roasted meats.
A two-course main and dessert costs €12 with a three-course option available for €15. However, the venue requires a booking of at least 10 people limiting availability exclusively to organised events or larger family and friend groups.
Advance bookings can be made by calling +34 965 327 138 or speaking with The Emerald Isle on Facebook about their Christmas menus.
Christmas at the beach, The Nautilus, Punta Prima
The Nautilus has been providing the ultimate beachfront venue for festive partygoers for more than four decades.
Their opulent Christmas Day menu is a naturally elaborate and exclusive four-course affair with a selection of delicious and exotic plates to choose from.
The price is €55 per person which considering the beautiful location, and the quality of food on offer, does offer remarkable value for money – especially considering the menu includes the price of all water, wine, beer and Cava ordered at the table.
Reservations must be paid in full and can be made by phone on +34 966 798 354 or via email at reservas@restaurantenautilus.es.
A Spanish theme: Alejandros Bar Restaurante, La Zenia
Local favourites Alejandros celebrated their 20th anniversary earlier this year. The venue has become a regular haunt for both locals and returning visitors over the decades, testament to the quality of the food.
For the Christmas season, Alejandros are offering a simple three-course menu that showcases their gastronomic skills.
To begin the experience, diners can choose the cream of leek soup or a Goats cheese salad on a bed of lambs lettuce. Naturally, the main dish includes a roast turkey option, a venison fillet, or salmon served with green asparagus. A classic Tiramisu rounds off the festive meal.
The menu costs €29.90 per person, and reservations can be made via Alejandro´s Facebook page, or by calling +34 966 760 623.
Christmas menus at the Sunrise Restaurant, Playa Flamenca
It's no secret that the Sunrise is one of our personal favourite dining venues on the Orihuela Costa, so we were genuinely looking forward to reading this year´s Christmas menus.
And it was well worth the wait, as the venue is offering a no-holds-barred five-course menu for Christmas Day itself – replete with live music.
At €58 per person it certainly isn't the cheapest option around this year, but with an established reputation for first class table service, and a kitchen team that consistently delivers high-quality food, we predict that tables will be booking up pretty fast.
It's worth mentioning that the price also includes soft drinks, beer, red and white house wines, Spanish Cava, and water at the table. Call +34 965 326 814 or find them on Facebook.
Viva Morgans Music Bar and Diner, Lago Jardin II
A little tucked away, you'll find Viva Morgans at the Via Park 5 commercial centre and this little gem is certainly worth tracking down.
The venue is offering one of the most comprehensive Christmas menus, and it's certainly worth considering if you are thinking about where to book that special festive meal over the Christmas period.
Viva Morgans Christmas Day offering provides complimentary Bucks Fizz on arrival, followed by a hot and cold self-service buffet. There´s a wide variety of courses to choose from, including desserts, plus live entertainment and music in the evening.
The party starts at 15:00 and the event costs €25 per person. You can make an enquiry via their Facebook page, or call +34 629 622 534 to make your booking.
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Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.
Photo credit: LaZenia.com
