MAKAI CAFE IN LA ZENIA has been part of the coastal culinary scene since 2018. Since then, the uber-cool laid-back eatery has established itself as one of the favourite casual dining venues to hit the Orihuela Costa.
The creative team took an empty and unloved commercial unit in a prime location just moments away from La Zenia's Cala Bosque beach, and designed a contemporary and welcoming dining space.
An equally fashionable menu soon followed, with a heavy focus on home-cooked healthy food for those with an aversion to alternative processed fast-food choices.
Appreciation of the importance of the occasional devilish sweet treat and an inherent love of baking soon spurned an array of accompanying glamorous desserts: layered cheesecakes, fruity mousses, and cheeky cookies fit for a gastronomic catwalk.
Makai Cafe reopened in February after an extensive renovation, with an expanded dining room, creating a spacious environment that fuses fresh Mediterranean colours with tasteful decorative touches.
Makai Cafe, contemporary food in beautiful surroundings
An extensive covered terrace outside provides European cafe-style streetside seating comfortably off-road, and the street is relatively quiet with very little passing traffic.
The menu is sharply focused on the requirements of daytime diners, with healthy or hearty breakfast and lunch options – many customisable with additional items to taste and appetite.
Full English breakfasts start from €7.95 with a vegan option available for an additional €0.50. Paninis, crustinis, wraps, omelettes and other staple early bites attract prices starting from €6.45.
But perhaps where Makai Cafe's menu shines most is the inventive use of simple and healthy ingredients to create unique dishes that challenge the regular concept of breakfast.
Hummus and Feta Crush, and Smashed Avocado on crusty bread sound positively gorgeous, and a range of Mediterranean speciality dishes sit alongside French toast and pancakes, and an intriguing if unconventional Makai Fit Bowl comprised of muesli, Greek yoghurt, fruit, and honey. Here it is – yum!
Restaurant review, beautiful lunches to whet the appetite
The finely balanced lunch menu starts with paninis and wraps, offering a delectable selection served with coleslaw and nachos with a Mexican-inspired sauce with prices from €6.45.
Looking for a lighter bite mid-afternoon, we chose the Chicken and Avocado Cheese Melt at a very reasonable €7.75. Gluten free bread is available as an option at a supplement of €1.50.
A selection of wraps is high on the menu, and the Makai Burrito sounds delicious, with chilli con carne, guacamole, sour cream, and spicy jalapeños to keep things enticing.
Of for something completely different, Turkish Eggs offers two poached eggs, olives, and seasoned yoghurt served with a naan bread. Just €8.45.
A special mention should go to the Buddha Bowl at €12.95 – a menu option that diners can create themselves by choosing from an appealing mix of ingredients such as Teriyaki chicken, smoked salmon, Halloumi, avocado, or tofu.
Where can you find the best burger in Orihuela Costa?
Makai Cafe offers five burger options with prices starting at €9.95 for a classic beef burger with cheese, pickle, and a touch of salad.
The Chicken Schnitzel Burger is a noteworthy offering, replete with cheese, a spicy mayonnaise, tomato, and fresh salad under the bun.
At €10.95 the towering stack is the most expensive burger, but it should be noted that all burgers are served replete with beautifully cooked chips and a modest salad garnish. Gluten free buns and a sweet potato upgrade are offered as additional options.
A welcome and rarely found addition to the menu is a vegetarian burger option. The quarter pounder burgers offer a genuine meat-free low-fat alternative to beef products, and even the most ardent carnivore would be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Priced at €9.95.
An opulent fish finger burger rounds out the burger menu. It costs €10.45 and this fishy favourite arrives topped with French Brie, caramelised onions, tartar sauce, and the essential addition of salad.
La Zenia's Makai Cafe, find it close to the beach
With a sunny open terrace and an inspirational dining room, Makai Cafe provides a relaxing and informal environment to enjoy its gastronomic creations.
A focused menu offers plenty of choices, and their interpretation and elevation of staple family favourites fused with quality, innovative, and fresh ingredients, provide a refreshing and pleasantly surprising dining experience.
The venue is active on social media with a strong local and international online following and often utilises its Facebook page to showcase the cafe's stunning food.
With an excellent location en route to La Zenia Beach and prices that offer truly excellent value given the high levels of presentation and table service, Makai Cafe should be on your list of places to eat during your visit. You can find Makai Cafe via this Google Map.
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: Alexander Pichlmayr / LaZenia.com
