Ontinyent is a small but vibrant entrepreneurial town well known for its gastronomy, with a fantastic range of restaurants, locally sourced food, exceptional wines and craft beers. Home to 35,000 people it has over 70 restaurants, serving a working community year-round without charging tourist prices. There are many high-quality eateries and Michelin star options that cost a fraction of the price you'll find at similar establishments on the coast. There also many cheap but good quality restaurants too, to suit every occasion and budget. Smaller towns inland might only offer one or two options, with very limited days/hours and often seasonal openings. Here's our guide to some of our favourites. It is by no means the complete list and we're still a long way off trying everywhere. We've listed some of the better options for a Menu del dia too (exceptional value 3-course lunches, usually served with a coffee or drink). In our next post will cover the coffee shops and perhaps the bars. Fine dining restaurants La Cuina Perhaps David's favourite restaurant. Owned by and shares the same kitchen as the Michelin starred restaurant Sents. Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€ range
Paixixi
David likes the fish from here and the glassware made nearby in L'Olleria
Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€ range
Blanc i Negre
Perhaps Emmeline's favourite restaurant. Best steaks in town?
Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€ range
Sents
Michelin star restaurant, which usually only requires 24-48 hours notice. Locals don't book in advance and some of the other restaurants are comparable.
8-course taster meal for approximately 50€
Borinot Bistro A tiny restaurant owned by a Michelin star chef. We had our best meal here and we've not found anywhere in the region that serves better rice and fiduea dishes. They also make their own craft beers.
Bar Jauja
Award-winning restaurant serving high-quality tapas and meals on a tree-lined theatre square.
Meson del Rey Modern Spain meets tradition. This is often is our guest's favourite restaurant, with perhaps the best Menu del Dia and certainly the best traditional salads. Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€
Debosc
Sister restaurant to Bigfoot, with a fantastic wine cellar. Another guest favourite.
Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€ range
El Tinell de Calabuig
Traditionally furnished traditional restaurant serving classic dishes
NAC
Small eatery at the other end of town serving exceptional tapas and good meals.
Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€ range
El Taulell
The first restaurant we went to and still a favourite.
Menu del dia available - in the 12-14€ range
Modern & International restaurants
Most will offer a slightly cheaper Menu del dia and great a la carte meals.
Zoco
A great terrace, live outdoor music on summer Sundays.
Big Foot Known for the burgers, but a great range of food available. Excellent menu del dia.
Nou Tendur
A good Spanish menu.
Moshi Moshi
For your sushi fix.
Due Cocina Italian
Great Italian food and good pasta.
Wait Cooking Experience
One of best locations for an early evening gin and tonic on the square.
Bratembier Beer House
Currywurst anyone? An always busy bar, great beers and hearty food with offerings from Germany too.
Bram
Bunker
Popular at lunchtimes, early evening and weekends. They even made a video
Guapizza
For pizza, pasta and Italian.
La Catrina
For Mexican food.
Traditional Spanish
There's a good selection of Spanish restaurants including Taberna La Gamba, Cases de Borras, Don Picaeta, Teixo, Chuymar, Aitana Restaurant, El Tipic, Els Tonells, La Terrata and Restaurante Monterrey
Cafe / Bar Restaurants - serving food
We'll cover cafes in more detail in another article, but some of the following have great food options, whether it be from the Spanish version of a sausage and egg sandwich at Miranda's (popular with motorbikes) or gourmet coffee and tostada's at Entrepans and Maraga.
Cafe Marago - gourmet coffee and lighter bites.
Entrepans - excellent tapas and main dishes
Bar Miranda - massive bacon and egg baguettes, Spanish style.
Nou Tibot - popular with local cyclists and trail runners.
Cafe Alma - one of our favourite places for tostadas and light lunches.
Bar San Remo - simple, cheap and popular.
Coret de Sucre - the best cakes in town.
Others There are lots more small traditional Spanish establishments, some larger event spaces with restaurants and even an Irish bar, The Kells. For Asian food, there are several options including China Town, Chino Estrella, Hui No and new Japanese restaurant due to open in 2021. There's also an Argentinian steak house, which is something of a very basic restaurant, simple menu and excellent steaks.