El Mirador — Eating by the Sea on Playa Romana
Few restaurants in Alcossebre can boast a location like El Mirador's: perched at the far end of Playa Romana, on Camí L'Atall, with the Mediterranean literally filling the window. Its terrace is one of the most photographed spots in town and the reason many summer visitors come back year after year: this is where you go to eat a rice dish while gazing at the sea.
The restaurant, run by the Jarque family, is a classic of the northern end of Alcossebre (Alcocebre). The atmosphere is calm and unhurried — long, lingering lunches rather than quick sittings — and the glazed dining room means you can enjoy the views outside the summer months too, when Playa Romana gets its calm back.
🍽️ What to Eat: Rice Dishes, Grilled Fish and Seafood
At El Mirador, rice is the star of the show. The black rice is the house staple — the dish regulars order again and again — alongside the paellas and soupy "meloso" rices on the menu. The other speciality is the fresh grilled fish, which reviews describe as carefully prepared and cooked just right, plus seafood straight from the fish market.
The cooking is classic Mediterranean with no experiments: local produce, simply treated. Prices sit at the mid-to-high end for Alcossebre (€€–€€€), in line with its privileged setting; several diners point out that, given the views on offer, the final bill feels reasonable.
As in any market-driven kitchen, rice dishes take their time and fish availability depends on the day's catch: for specific dishes or large tables, the practical move is to order ahead when booking on 964 412 293.
💬 Reviews: the Views Rule
El Mirador has racked up more than 430 reviews on TripAdvisor with an average score of 3.7 out of 5, plus a 4.3 on Facebook. It is the typical rating profile of restaurants with an exceptional location: positive reviews highlight the sea views, the quality of the fish and the attentive service time and again ("very quiet, good food, sea views, attentive staff"), while criticism clusters around the busiest days of summer, when service can suffer.
The practical tip regulars keep repeating: go on a weekday or outside peak hours, ask for a table on the terrace or by the glass front, and let yourself be guided by the rice of the day and the market fish.
🕑 Booking and Tips for Your Visit
In high season (Easter and June to September) the terrace fills up daily, especially at lunchtime: it is worth booking on 964 412 293, above all for groups or if you want a table with a view. Out of season, confirm opening hours before making the trip.
The visit plans itself: El Mirador sits at the foot of Playa Romana — a Blue Flag beach and one of the town's great sandy stretches — and close to the first coves of the Sierra de Irta. Looking for more places to eat? See our complete guide to Alcossebre's restaurants.