Imperial Park, Calpe

 

RESTAURANTS:

Rather than bore you with long lists of directions, we will tell you the names and a brief bit about our favourite restaurants and feel sure that you will find them as you explore the town.

EL TARASCON. On the main road down the side of Calpe is our favourite restaurant of all. They specialise in Argentinian meat, and the daily menu (Menu del Dia, a term well worth knowing when entering a new restaurant) starts at under 8 Euros. For less than 14 Euros you will get a starter (you have to try the sweetcorn pie), a salad course, the best fillet steak you will ever eat (ask for it "rare and on a stone")and a choice of dessert. As in most restaurants, they will automatically serve you Bread and Ali Oli (a garlic mayonnaise dip) for which there is a small charge.

PEDRAMALA.

On the "dry riverbed" street that adjoins the beach and the Gabriel Miro. A contemporary new restaurant with an excellent menu, again specialising in Argentinian meat.

HARBOUR RESTAURANTS.

 There are at least 5 restaurants next door to each other by the harbour, and you can eat and drink for free if you have the nerve! They all have waiters outside offering you Sangria and appetisers, just to look at the day's fresh fish on display in refrigerated cabinets, so if you went along the whole line you may not want anything else to eat! That would be a pity though, as a 3 course Menu del Dia of (as an example) Battered Whitebait followed by Dover Sole with chips and salad with a Creme Caramel for dessert, a fresh bread roll and half a bottle of wine per person will cost as little as 8 Euros.

THE YACHT CLUB.

Right next to the harbour, and sitting at the foot of the Rock of Calpe, is the Yacht club. On the sea-ward side is a restaurant called the Salpicante. It looks and feels like an exclusive private club, with thick linen tablecloths and a more refined air. Ask for the Menu del Dia and you will be most pleasantly surprised at the value of a 3 course meal here, starting at 6 Euros. Great value, great food and beautiful surroundings. Be prepared to be a bit adventurous as the waitresses do not tend to speak any English, so you may have to plump for fish or meat as your main course! Well worth a visit.

OSCARS. Not to be confused with the very upmarket (and also recommended by a friend of ours) restaurant on the road to Altea of the same name, Oscars on the seafront close to the junction with the "High Street" (actually called the Gabriel Miro) is a friendly, clean and pleasant cafe. Large selection suitable for everyone.

BRISA ANDALUSA. On the seafront to the left of the Rock of Calpe. This wonderful restaurant serves terrific Paella and fresh fish, but also serves children's portions and plenty of meat-based dishes. The sangria is excellent here.

THE DELFIN. A British style pub in the heart of Calpe. This is a pub with a difference though, as the food is truly excellent. Fantastic Sunday roasts and a great daily menu of British food. Go once and you will be most welcome, twice and you are treated as a regular. Proper beer! For our family, a trip to Calpe is not complete without at least a drink at The Delfin.

BUMPY ROAD CHICKEN! Not its real name of course, just how we know it. One of the routes from Imperial park to Calpe is a long, straight road with 13 (yes, I counted them!) speed humps, and halfway along the road is a cooked chicken place, hence the nickname. Great value for a cheap meal at the villa of take away chicken and chips. It even has a small supermarket right next door for fresh bread and salad. The cafe is licensed and is a pleasant place to have a cool beer while you are waiting for the food to be cooked.

THE OLD TOWN, CALPE

Head uphill on the Gabriel Miro from the seafront and you will come to an archway with brightly coloured steps leading to Calpe Old Town. This area has a completely different feel to it and the cobbled streets and wonderful Spanish architecture depict Calpe from another era. The ancient walls of the town surround an area full of excellent restaurants and bars, as well as the beautiful 15th century church. Try the Cambalache restaurant and also a heartbreakingly beautiful bar called La Fragatta, owned and run by a really laid back guy called Coti, which is like a smuggler's cove.

In high summer, go running with the bulls in the Old Town if you have the nerve and visit the artisans' market.

A visit to the Old Town is a must - you won't be disappointed!

SHOPPING AND MARKETS:

FOOD: There are at least 5 big supermarkets, 2 Lidls and an Aldi in Calpe as well as many smaller shops selling everything you could want. Consum, Mercadonia and Mas y Mas are the best. The supermarkets all have an international aisle where you can get any favourite foods you miss from home. Expect to see some unusual items on sale, we once bought what we thought was Strawberry jam only to find on opening that it was Tomato jam! Delicious on toast by the way. My bargain of the year so far is a very drinkable Red wine at 39C (about 25p) a bottle.

ALEHOP. A great little shop on the Gabriel Miro selling household wares, novelties and pictures. Worth a look around, and close to The Delfin.

AITANIA. Just up the road from Alehop is this "proper" department store, like something from 1950s England. I can lose my father-in-law in their hardware department for hours as he wanders about looking at all the drawers full of bits and pieces. Huge electrical, bedding and lighting departments may not be of interest to you on holiday, but useful for everyday bits you may have forgotten.

CASA. A little harder to find as it is hidden away a bit, but CASA is one of a chain of shops selling housewares etc. Worth popping in if you find it! As a clue, it is very close to the Wednesday market.

CALPE SATURDAY MARKET.

 Don't get there too early, before 10 and some of the stalls will still be setting up. Runs downhill from the top roundabout towards the beaches. Everything and anything on sale here, leather goods and shoes are cheap. The very top of the market is where the fruit and veg stalls are to be found. Parking nearby can be difficult, I tend to park in the Caprabo supermarket car park and walk. Can be very crowded, watch your children and your pockets. Plenty of haggling over prices, particularly for the fake designer watches and sunglasses!

ALTEA TUESDAY MARKET. Drive towards Altea and once over the bridge that takes you into town turn right. Bigger and more space than at Calpe. Generally in most people's opinion the best market on the Costa Blanca.

CALPE WEDNESDAY MARKET. In a different place to Saturdays, behind the Mas y Mas supermarket, and much smaller and more amateurish but cheaper for all of that. Worth a look but don't expect too much!