Sometimes the best discoveries happen by mistake. We wandered into El Bodegón de Julio on Calle Girona thinking it was an Italian restaurant, but it turned out to be a traditional Spanish spot – and what a find it was!
The restaurant sits right on the main “restaurant strip,” with a lovely atmosphere both indoors and out. There’s plenty of seating, whether you want to soak up the lively buzz of the street outside or enjoy a more relaxed meal indoors. It immediately felt welcoming, and we knew we’d stumbled onto something special.
We went for the set meal, which cost only €20, and honestly, it was some of the best value food we’ve had in Benidorm. To start, I had scallops, which were cooked beautifully. The main course was the star of the show though: perhaps the best fillet steak I’ve ever eaten, cooked rare (the only way to have it!) and served with a rich peppercorn sauce, chips, and crispy tempura vegetables. Every bite was absolute perfection. For dessert, I had cheesecake, and to wash it all down, I opted for a pint of cider (classy, I know!).
Every course was delicious, portions were generous, and the quality was far beyond what you’d expect for the price. The set menu also included your choice of drink, which made the deal even sweeter.
The menu itself is extensive, offering plenty of Spanish classics as well as a good selection of kids’ meals. Even my super fussy middle child managed to find something he liked – which, trust me, is no small miracle!
Between the friendly atmosphere, fantastic food, and unbeatable value, El Bodegón de Julio turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. What started as a happy accident has now become a definite must-visit on our future Benidorm holidays.