There’s nothing better than sitting outside on a warm Spanish evening, cold beer or white wine in hand, sharing small plates of incredible Spanish food. If that’s what you’re after in Benidorm, you’re going to love Tapas Alley located in the Benidorm Old Town.
This is a street with a cluster of amazing traditional tapas bars where you’ll find locals and visitors sharing fantastic Spanish food and wine late into the evening. I’m going to tell you eveything you need to know about Tapas Alley, how to find it, and show you the absolute best spots where locals gather to enjoy proper Spanish tapas.
Why is it called Tapas Alley?
The name ‘Tapas Alley’ started when local tour guides noticed how many fantastic tapas bars were packed into these few narrow streets in the Old Town.
The word ‘tapas’ itself comes from the Spanish word ‘tapar’ (to cover) – ages ago, bartenders would put a small plate on top of drinks to keep flies away. They started putting snacks on these plates, and that’s how tapas was born!
While its real name is Calle Santo Domingo located in the Old Town, everyone calls it Tapas Alley because of the amazing number of tapas bars you’ll find here, with their tables spilling out onto the streets and the smell of garlic prawns and grilled seafood filling the air.
Where you can find the Tapas alley?
It’s not far from the Benidorm Municipal market – see the map below.
Best tapas bars to visit
I’ve tried loads of places here over the years, and these are my top picks (see a handy map, with more details below)
Tasca Y Basta
Tasca y Basta specialise in Spanish cuisine, offering a variety of tapas such as garlic prawns, pork skewers, and chicken wings. They also serve dishes like meatballs, chorizo, calamari, and lamb cutlets.
This is often my first stop of the evening. Their garlic prawns are amazing, and I always order their pork skewers. The chicken wings here are properly Spanish-style – crispy and full of flavour.
Bar Zarzosa
A traditional bar known for its tapas and raciones. Popular dishes include octopus, mushrooms, prawns, seafood, and meatballs. They also offer pinxtos, calamari, and monkfish.
Aupa Taberna Bar
The seafood paella here is proper Spanish home cooking. I’m a big fan of their chipirones (baby squid) – they cook them simply on the grill and they’re fantastic.
Pintxos Aurrera
Running since 1991, this place brings a bit of the Basque Country to Benidorm. The pintxos (small snacks on bread) are displayed along the bar – just point to what you fancy!
El Rincón del Ribera
Known for its great variety of tapas, this establishment allows patrons to choose complimentary tapas with their wine selections.
Here’s a top tip – when you order wine here, you get to choose a free tapa to go with it. The quality is great and it’s brilliant value.
La Tapería Aurrera
Opened in late 2010, La Tapería features an avant-garde menu with skewers based on micro cuisine, made to order. These small works of art delight the most demanding gourmets.
Tabernita del Sur
A charming tavern reminiscent of Cádiz, offering excellent fried fish and succulent tapas such as steamed mussels, natural cockles, and traditional-style clams.
El Bodegon Aurrera
Established in 1995, this rustic and cozy spot specializes in typical Basque dishes like bacalao al pil-pil (cod in garlic sauce), various tostas (toasted bread with toppings), revueltos (scrambled eggs with ingredients like asparagus and shrimp), tempuras, grilled vegetables, and Iberian cured meats.
Bar Atxuri
Specialises in Spanish cuisine, offering well-prepared tapas, tender pintxos, and notable dishes like entrecôte.
El Txoko
Specializes in Basque pintxos, offering a variety of these traditional small snacks.
Tips for visiting Tapas Alley
- Go between 8:30pm and 10pm – that’s when it’s most lively
- Start with 2-3 tapas per person and order more as you go
- Share everything! That’s the Spanish way
- Don’t be shy about standing at the bar – it’s normal here
- Look for places full of Spanish people – always a good sign
Best dishes to try
After countless visits, these are the dishes I think you absolutely must try:
- Gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns)
- Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes)
- Calamares (squid rings)
- Chorizo al vino (chorizo cooked in wine)
- Albóndigas (meatballs in tomato sauce)
My suggested route
I usually start at Plaza de la Constitución and work my way down Calle Santo Domingo. Pop into any bar that catches your eye – that’s part of the fun! Each place has its own specialities, and the beauty of tapas is you can try lots of different spots in one evening.
Most bars here speak good English, but pointing at what others are eating works just as well. The staff are used to tourists and are really friendly.
