Come for the views, stay for the paella: Altea’s most beautiful beachfront table delivers both

At L’Olleta Club del Mar, everything begins with the setting. Tucked along the shoreline in Altea’s Villa Gadea, the restaurant feels almost suspended between land and sea pine trees framing the terrace, the sound of waves folding into the background, and a horizon that stretches uninterrupted towards Calpe. It’s the kind of place where time softens; lunches drift into late afternoons, and dinners unfold slowly as the sky turns from gold to deep blue.

This is not just somewhere to eat, it’s somewhere to linger.

A menu rooted in the Mediterranean

The menu moves with a natural, almost effortless rhythm, from pristine raw seafood and delicate starters to richer, more indulgent plates, all grounded in exceptional local produce and a clear respect for Mediterranean tradition.

It might begin simply, with the unmistakable quality of Iberian cured pork loin or Iberian ham from Arturo Sánchez, or a briny hit of Marennes-Oléron oysters, before easing into more composed bites like the “López Anchovy 00” on toast with smoked butter or the vibrant red tuna tartar catalana. From there, the dishes build in both flavour and creativity: aspencat with cod brandada coca, a nostalgic yet refined ensaladilla with garlic-fried egg, or a fresh, sun-soaked Alteana salad. Even the more traditional combinations, like tomato with cured salted fish, feel elevated here.

Seafood, unsurprisingly, is where the kitchen really finds its rhythm. Plates like béarnaise sea urchin, negra ceviche with sweet potato, and scallop aguachile with crystal prawns strike that perfect balance between technical precision and bold, clean flavour. There’s also a playful, shareable quality to the menu: fried artichokes with romescu, red mullets with mojo picón mayonnaise, sepionets with allioli ink, and calamari brioche with lime mayonnaise are all designed for the table rather than the individual.

Larger dishes continue that narrative, from octopus with green mole and fresh pico de gallo to mackerel with aubergine and teriyaki glaze, while seasonal vegetables and more unexpected plates, like tear peas with cured egg yolk and truffle or piglet’s ears with Diabla sauce, add depth and contrast.

The paella everyone talks about

And then there’s the rice.

Because while everything leading up to it is excellent, this is what L’Olleta is known for… and why people return. The paella here has built a reputation as one of the best in the area, and it’s easy to see why. Each dish arrives with perfectly cooked grains, deep, layered flavour, and that all-important socarrat.

Whether you choose the Senyoret with monkfish, prawns and cuttlefish, the signature L’Olleta rice with sea urchin, or the striking negro with sepionet and artichokes, every version feels considered, balanced, and made to be shared slowly. There are also standout fideuà options and richer meloso (sticky) rice dishes, alongside comforting classics like meatballs with cuttlefish or beef tail in red wine but the rice remains the centrepiece, and rightly so.

The atmosphere: from sunlit lunches to candlelit evenings

By day, L’Olleta has an easy, coastal energy, bright light, crisp white table settings, and the gentle hum of long lunches unfolding. But as the evening sets in, the entire space transforms. Candles flicker, the sea darkens, and the atmosphere becomes softer, more intimate, almost cinematic.

It’s this transition, from relaxed beachside restaurant to quietly romantic dinner setting, that gives L’Olleta its edge. It works just as well for a long, celebratory lunch as it does for a special evening that stretches late into the night.

L’Olleta Club del Mar is one of those rare places where the setting and the food genuinely meet at the same level. Yes, the views are among the best in Altea, immersive rather than distant, the sea almost within reach, but the kitchen ensures it’s not just style over substance.

Come for the location, stay for the seafood, and order the rice. Then settle in, take your time, and let the experience unfold exactly as it should.

www.lolleta.com