Best Family Restaurants with Outdoor Play Areas in Costa Blanca

Introduction

One of the nicest things about the great weather on Spain’s Costa Blanca coast is the chance to get outside more. Enjoying family meals together outdoors is always a great way of bringing everyone together.

That said, children don’t always want to sit still for the duration of a meal, especially if there are multiple courses involved. It is therefore often a good idea to try and plan to eat somewhere with additional activities to entertain the kids. Family restaurants with outdoor play areas or playgrounds are perfect for meeting this need.

All along the Costa Blanca there are many family friendly restaurants to choose from. The demand from the steady supply of tourists visiting the region each year, along with the commendable attitude of tolerance towards children that is demonstrated throughout Spain, means that kids are well catered for.

Here we have put together a collection of our favourite family restaurants with outdoor play areas in Costa Blanca. All of these play areas are free to use by the kids of customers.

If, however, the weather is not so nice and you would rather eat inside, see instead our pick of the best family restaurants with indoor play areas in Costa Blanca.

If food is not a concern and you are just looking for some great play areas to keep your little ones entertained, take a look at our best outdoor playgrounds for kids in Costa Blanca, or best indoor play areas for kids in Costa Blanca.

Family Restaurants with Outdoor Play Areas

#1 The Royal Oak, Orihuela Costa

A firm family favourite, especially amongst Brits, The Royal Oak is a British style pub and restaurant located in the Orihuela Costa area, just a short drive from the coast. The pub has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating and a full food and drinks menu.

There are regularly live singers or musicians playing in the evenings, with the Friday evening outdoor shows in summer attracting a big crowd.

Kids are well looked after at The Royal Oak. There is a great value children’s menu, with a choice of home-cooked food that also includes a drink and ice-cream dessert.

Outside, to keep kids entertained, there is a small playground with swings and slides, as well as a bouncy castle whenever the weather allows it. The Royal Oak also host regular special events for children, often on a Saturday afternoon, that feature children’s entertainers and games to play (pre-booking essential – keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming sessions).

#2 Los Cucalos, Los Dolses

Located in Los Dolses, just a short drive in from the coast at La Zenia, is Los Cucalos restaurant. A Spanish owned restaurant, Los Cucalos has more of an authentic feel than many of the others on this list, with the kitchen producing decent quality home cooked food. Expect a good selection of meat and fish dishes, as well as traditional paellas.

There are plenty of tables both inside and outside. Kids can expect the usual offerings from the children’s menu.

The best part about Los Cucalos however is the impressive children’s play area at the back of the restaurant. As well as a good sized playground with swings, slide and climbing frames, there are also 2 separate bouncy castles and an area for playing football. You can definitely rest assured that your kids will be well entertained. You might even get to relax for 5 minutes!

**2024 Edit: Due to several recent reports we’ve heard of falling standards including dirty and dangerous play equipment, we can no longer recommend Los Cucalos at this time.

#3 The Abbey Tavern, La Florida

Just a short drive inland from the beaches of Playa Flamenca brings you to The Abbey Tavern on the La Florida estate. A Spanish-owned Irish bar, you can expect a mash-up of these two influences on the food menu that consists of mainly pub classics.

To the rear is an attractive beer garden, with many tables arranged around different types of decorative plants. It is one of the nicest outdoor garden settings to enjoy a meal in the area. There is also a stage area, with regular shows in the evenings (particularly during the summer months).

Kids have the usual food choices from the children’s menu, as well as a playground area to keep them entertained, that includes swings, slides and climbing frames.

#4 Manolo’s Mar, Torre de la Horadada

Occupying a prime seafront location in Torre de la Horadada (right at the southern end of the Costa Blanca), sits Manolo’s Mar restaurant. This is a Spanish restaurant with menu to match, including a good value Menu del Dia (set menu) outside of peak times.

Kids are sure to be given a friendly welcome on arrival, with a children’s menu for them to choose from.

Outside the restaurant there are a selection of shaded tables that overlook a small children’s playground, that is particularly suited to younger children – giving them a safe space to run off some energy after eating.

There is also a swimming pool open in summer (additional charge), making it Manolo’s Mar also one of the best family restaurants with swimming pools in Costa Blanca.

#5 The Tipsy Cow, Pinar de Campoverde

Located a short drive inland from Torre de la Horadada in the Costa Blanca’s south, is The Tipsy Cow family pub. A British-style country pub, The Tipsy Cow has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating, with a menu of traditional British pub classics. The Sunday Roast is a particular favourite.

For kids, there is a great value children’s menu that includes a drink and ice-cream dessert.

Outside of the pub there is planty of space for little ones to run around, all in a safely fenced space. As well as a playground and bouncy castle, there is also a small soft play cage and a games room with pool table and air hockey. All in all, plenty of things to keep kids entertained while you enjoy your meal.

#6 Restaurante Rebate, Pinar de Campoverde

Situated in a peaceful rural location is Restaurante Rebate. Making use in a restored 18th century hamlet, the setting is beautiful and sometimes used for hosting weddings.

The menu is very Spanish and offers good value set menus as well as food for children. The restaurant also hosts regular special events, including a flamenco show on Wednesday and Sunday evenings and a fun Mariachi band on Sunday afternoons.

Within the large gardens is a small children’s playground. It isn’t amazing but still provides a nice distraction for kids.

#7 La Food Truck, Torrevieja

Located in the heart of Torrevieja is this new venture, La Food Truck. As the name suggests, the restaurant is actually a collection of food trucks, each serving their own speciality food. There is plenty of outdoor seating within the enclosed courtyard area for diners to enjoy their meal.

La Food Truck hosts regular events for children, including kid’s bingo, karaoke and foam parties. On some evenings there is live music.

They also have a children’s fairground area, with a selection of small rides that are charged for individually.

#6 Lo Crispin Tavern, Lo Crispin

Hidden away at the back of the Lo Crispin estate, just outside of Ciudad Quesada, sits the Lo Crispin Tavern. This traditional style tavern has a full food and drinks menu, as well as hosting regular afternoon and evening events.

Kids have their pick from the children’s menu, if staying for food.

Outside, there is a beer garden to the rear and side of the tavern, with a selection of tables to choose from. The children’s play area is safely contained and has a large fenced trampoline alongside an impressive pirate ship playground. Kids love running around and exploring the many different routes around in and out of the ship.

#7 The Oasis, San Luis

Sandwiched between the two salt lakes of Torrevieja in the San Luis urbanisation, sits The Oasis restaurant. The restraurant has plenty of outdoor seating, much of it shaded. For food, expect a classic menu of British and other international options, as well as regular special events.

The playground has a nice selection of equipment for kids to play on, and is safely enclosed. The only downside is that it is not shaded, so cannot be used during the peak sun hours of summer.

In addition to the playground, the restaurant is home to a large swimming pool that is open in summer (additional cost applies). This makes it also one of our best best family restaurants with swimming pools in Costa Blanca.

#8 Alingui Castillo, San Miguel de Salinas

At Conesa Castle, just outside of San Miguel de Salinas in the south of Costa Blanca, is this location of the popuar Alingui restaurant. The castle grounds make for a peaceful and attractive setting for a restaurant, with plenty of indoor and shaded outdoor seating and lots of space for kids to run about. The castle also hosts weddings, birthday parties and other special events.

Alingui has a varied menu of different Spanish and international cuisine, being best known for its low price, set 3 course menu that is available at any time. The selection is good and the food for the most part is quite decent for the price.

There is a children’s playground at the castle to keep kids entertained. Although a little basic and dated, there is enough there to amuse little ones and it serves as a welcome distraction.