Few things represent Mediterranean cuisine as well as a good paella by the sea. On the Costa Brava, rice dishes meet a gastronomy shaped by fish, seafood and products from the Empordà region, resulting in very different interpretations depending on the restaurant and location.
From Cadaqués to Begur and S’Agaró, there are restaurants where rice takes centre stage on the menu and where the dining experience combines with some of the most characteristic landscapes of the Girona coastline.
If you are planning to explore the Costa Brava and want to start your trip comfortably, you can book your transfer to the Costa Brava with ShuttletoSun. The shared transfer services and private transfer services, affordable and sustainable, allow you to travel to different points along the coast from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Girona Airport, Reus Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
What Makes a Good Paella Special on the Costa Brava
Although paella can be interpreted differently depending on the region, seafood rice dishes have a particularly strong presence on the Costa Brava. Fish, seafood and other Mediterranean ingredients are commonly used in many of these dishes, although there are also meat options and combinations of seafood and meat.
Beyond the ingredients, the setting is also part of the experience. Enjoying a rice dish near a beach, in a small fishing village or inland in the Empordà allows you to discover an important part of Girona’s gastronomic identity.
For this reason, rather than looking for a single paella that could be considered the best, it is worth discovering different restaurants and styles of rice dishes throughout the Costa Brava.
Ses Paelles de Cadaqués, a Place for Rice Lovers
In the centre of Cadaqués, Ses Paelles de Cadaqués is a restaurant specialising in Mediterranean cuisine and rice dishes. Its menu is particularly focused on fish and seafood, two products closely linked to the gastronomic tradition of this town. Among the options highlighted by diners are different rice dishes and paellas featuring seafood.
Its location in the old town makes it easy to combine a meal with a stroll through the streets of one of the Costa Brava’s best-known villages.
Bon Punt, Local Produce in Sant Pere Pescador
In Sant Pere Pescador, in the Alt Empordà region, Bon Punt focuses on cuisine based on local produce and the flavours of the area. Its menu includes different types of paella, such as mixed paella, seafood paella and meat paella, as well as other rice dishes and fideuà.
Its proximity to Roses Bay is also reflected in its gastronomic offering, which places particular emphasis on fish and seafood. It is an interesting option for those exploring the northern Costa Brava and looking to combine gastronomy with a visit to the natural areas nearby.
Toc al Mar, Rice Dishes Overlooking Aiguablava
Few experiences are as closely connected to the landscape of the Costa Brava as enjoying a rice dish beside one of its coves. At Toc al Mar, located on Aiguablava Beach in Begur, rice shares the spotlight with fish and seafood.
Its menu includes options such as lobster rice, rice with artichokes and cuttlefish, and sea urchin and prawn rice, as well as a distinctive square paella. Some of its rice dishes are finished in an oak wood-fired oven, a technique that adds a characteristic smoky touch.
The restaurant is located in one of Begur’s most recognisable coastal landscapes, making it an ideal gastronomic stop during a route around the municipality’s coves.
Remember that you can book your transfer to the Costa Brava with ShuttletoSun. The shared transfer services and private transfer services allow you to travel to different points along the coast from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Girona Airport, Reus Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
La Taverna del Mar, Rice Dishes by Sant Pol
Another notable place to enjoy rice dishes overlooking the Mediterranean is La Taverna del Mar, located beside Sant Pol Beach in S’Agaró. The restaurant occupies a Modernist building listed as a Local Cultural Heritage Site, and its cuisine focuses on Mediterranean products, fish, seafood and different types of rice dishes.
Its menu includes señorito paella, black paella, sea and mountain rice and different dry and creamy rice dishes. Some preparations are designed for sharing, making it a particularly suitable option for a relaxed meal by the sea.
Pals, a Gastronomic Stop in the Heart of the Empordà
Not all great rice dishes on the Costa Brava have to be enjoyed directly by the sea. The Baix Empordà also offers restaurants where gastronomy plays an important role in the overall experience.
In Pals, for example, El Pedró is among the local options for enjoying paella and offers Mediterranean cuisine. Its location in the historic centre of Pals makes it possible to combine a meal with a visit to one of the best-known medieval villages in the Empordà.
This combination of heritage, landscape and gastronomy offers a different way to discover the Costa Brava, beyond its beaches and coves.
How to Enjoy a Good Paella on the Costa Brava
If you want to try some of these restaurants, there are a few things worth keeping in mind. First of all, it is advisable to book in advance, especially during the busiest tourist months. In addition, some rice dishes are prepared for a minimum number of people and may require some preparation time.
It is also worth checking the menu before visiting, as the selection may vary depending on the season and the availability of certain ingredients.
Another option is to organise a small gastronomic route through the Costa Brava, combining different towns and villages. Cadaqués allows you to explore the northern end of the coastline; Sant Pere Pescador offers a perspective connected to Roses Bay; Begur is known for its coves, while S’Agaró stands out for its architecture and seafront promenade.
A Gastronomic Route to Discover the Costa Brava
Exploring the Costa Brava in search of great rice dishes is also a way to discover the region’s diversity. From fishing villages along the coast to the inland areas of the Empordà, the gastronomy changes according to the landscape and the products available.
Rather than focusing solely on finding one particular paella, the experience can be about discovering different interpretations of Mediterranean rice dishes while visiting some of the most representative places in Girona.
Don’t forget to book your transfer to the Costa Brava with ShuttletoSun and start your journey without worrying about transportation. The shared transfer services and private services make it easy to reach different points along the coast and focus on enjoying its landscapes, villages and gastronomy.
