La Zenia-Torrevieja in Alicante

bluugirl

My family and I will be going to La Zenia soon wondering if anyone has any recommendations as regards restaurants,pubs,shopping,activities?
Thanks in advance!

bluugirl

Anyone?

delthedriver

Paddys Point pub in centre of La Zenia good for music. The Gaiety restaurant has good food it is in the Villa Martin Centre about a mile inland from La Zenia. There are plenty of good restaurants along the strip including an Argentine and Italian unfortunately can't remember the names. There is excellent food in the German restaurant across the road from Paddys Point. Hope this info helps.

bluugirl

Thanks will check those out!

delthedriver

Just remembered avoid 'The Auld Sod' about a mile from the centre of La Zenia inland. Food and service not good, I would even say the worst I have come across. There is an excellent Italian restaurant in Punta Prima about a mile from centre of La Zenia.

Hope you enjoy your holiday. Of course if anybody is into golf you will be spoilt for choice. If you need the names of any courses the old memory might be better for those!

8under

Paddys Point pub is the centre of La Zenia. Food served all day and music everyday. Nice staff.

I personnaly don't like the German restaurant (Alejandros) across the road but it's always busy. (Matter of taste no pun intended).

The are more pubs and restaurants on the Cabo Roig strip, next roundabout up. 10 to 15 min walk, or 3 mins in a taxi.

Bushwacker Bar for the younger people. "The Bog road" and "Slievenamon" Irish bars with nightly music. there are more give 'em a try.

As for food, depends on what you want. Family or couples. Good value in Chinese, try wok buffets. "Beef or Salmon" has good food and reasonable. More upmarket and for couples is the "Italian Affair" and "Blu".

Also try the centre of Torrevieja town near the fountain. Taximan will know about 10 - 15 mins in the taxi. Lots of Spanish, Mexican, Italian, Chinese restaurants etc., Stroll along the sea front, where there are lots of cafes and ice cream parlours. There are also market stalls along that walk each evening.

Shopping in Habenaras centre in Torrevieja. Taximan will know.

The giant new SC in La Zenia is not due to open until November.

bluugirl

8under wrote: »

Paddys Point pub is the centre of La Zenia. Food served all day and music everyday. Nice staff.

I personnaly don't like the German restaurant (Alejandros) across the road but it's always busy. (Matter of taste no pun intended).

The are more pubs and restaurants on the Cabo Roig strip, next roundabout up. 10 to 15 min walk, or 3 mins in a taxi.

Bushwacker Bar for the younger people. "The Bog road" and "Slievenamon" Irish bars with nightly music. there are more give 'em a try.

As for food, depends on what you want. Family or couples. Good value in Chinese, try wok buffets. "Beef or Salmon" has good food and reasonable. More upmarket and for couples is the "Italian Affair" and "Blu".

Also try the centre of Torrevieja town near the fountain. Taximan will know about 10 - 15 mins in the taxi. Lots of Spanish, Mexican, Italian, Chinese restaurants etc., Stroll along the sea front, where there are lots of cafes and ice cream parlours. There are also market stalls along that walk each evening.

Shopping in Habenaras centre in Torrevieja. Taximan will know.

The giant new SC in La Zenia is not due to open until November.

Thanks for the detailed info! thats a shame that new sc isn't going to be open till november I heard about it before

bluugirl

delthedriver wrote: »

Just remembered avoid 'The Auld Sod' about a mile from the centre of La Zenia inland. Food and service not good, I would even say the worst I have come across. There is an excellent Italian restaurant in Punta Prima about a mile from centre of La Zenia.

Hope you enjoy your holiday. Of course if anybody is into golf you will be spoilt for choice. If you need the names of any courses the old memory might be better for those!

My dads a bit of a casual golfer! where would the nearest one be?

delthedriver

Villa Martin is the closest to La Zenia. A lovely course was home to the Spanish Open at one stage. Would really recommend Campoamor golf club and if your Dad plays there everyone should eat in the restaurant there that evening as it is excellent.

8under

There are 4 golf courses within a 10 minute drive.
Campamor Hotel & Golf, Big hotel, average course and sometimes over priced.
Villa Martin GC, Have not played there but apparently nothing exceptional
Las Ramblas. Need to be a good golfer as it's tricky but a good test if you can play a decent game.
Las Colinas is a new course, excellent but still pricey.

Ther are plenty more within a half an hour and better value too but...

Get your Dad to check out the Pubs, Paddys Point, or next door at Gogarty's, and the others I mentioned earlier. All have a golf society and all welcome visitors. It's also cheaper than going on your own. Gogarty's and The Bog Road play every week and they maybe can arrange a spare set of clubs.

delthedriver

Las Colinas offers a special twilight rate and it is really a fantastic course.

delthedriver

I've just remembered the name of a lovely Greek restaurant it is 'El Greco' it is in Los Dolses Centre which is about 3/4 of a mile from La Zenia centre. It is family run and the owners son who is the waiter is known as 'FT' as nobody can pronounce his correct name. The mezes are fantastic there.

delthedriver

bluugirl wrote: »

My family and I will be going to La Zenia soon wondering if anyone has any recommendations as regards restaurants,pubs,shopping,activities?
Thanks in advance!

A few more ideas for you, there is a large open air market on Saturdays in La Zenia also one in Torrevieja, they start early and finish around lunch time. Torrevieja is worth a trip , nice beach and harbour.good restaurants.
Definitely worth making a day trip to Alicante, fabulous marina with nice restaurants and very good beach with great facilities. Alicante has an abundance of shopping about 10 mins walk from the beach. El Cortes Ingles is probably the largest, which has something for everyone.
Bonus is getting away from the rain, you will only need a brolly for shade. I am sure you will enjoy

bluugirl

delthedriver wrote: »

A few more ideas for you, there is a large open air market on Saturdays in La Zenia also one in Torrevieja, they start early and finish around lunch time. Torrevieja is worth a trip , nice beach and harbour.good restaurants.
Definitely worth making a day trip to Alicante, fabulous marina with nice restaurants and very good beach with great facilities. Alicante has an abundance of shopping about 10 mins walk from the beach. El Cortes Ingles is probably the largest, which has something for everyone.
Bonus is getting away from the rain, you will only need a brolly for shade. I am sure you will enjoy

Thanks we'll definitely do all this can't wait now,yeah its the only way we can see proper sunshine!

delthedriver

bluugirl wrote: »

Thanks we'll definitely do all this can't wait now,yeah its the only way we can see proper sunshine!

Hi Blugirl,
Just remembered the names of the Italian Restaurants, Puccinis in Punta Prima and Leonardos, both very good.
Finally Mar Menor a resort approx 15 mins drive south of La Zenia is renowned for its salt mud baths, and for health and beauty reasons.Again nice beaches walks and restaurants.a great day out!
Del:):):)

8under

" Finally Mar Menor a resort approx 15 mins drive south of La Zenia is renowned for its salt mud baths, and for health and beauty reasons.Again nice beaches walks and restaurants.a great day out!"

To find the mud baths, drive south to the turn off for San Pedro Del Pinatar. Its about a 15 minute drive.

faceman

As already mentioned, Paddys Point in La Zenia is a great spot. Live music every night and while the type of music varies, generally speaking there will also be something to entertain. Eileen Reid and Jimmy Day play there twice a week. (Scarlett for ya if you know who they are! ) Food there is good too and the staff are friendly.

I agree about Alejandros. About a 10 minute walk from Paddy's Point toward the toll for the motorway is a German bar/restaurant called de Bassus. They brew their own beer and have some great German dishes. The place does be pumping around Oktoberfest time!

I'm not a fan of La Zenia beach, but then again Im not a fan of beaches at all. I do prefer the beach at Playa Flamenca (less than 5 minute drive from Paddy's Point) or if you prefer quietness Cala Capitán, near Cabo Roig is great but its not sandy.

Cabo Roig is a busy popular spot with plenty of bars and restaurants. Its about 15 minutes walk from Paddy's Point. The Bog Road is a very popular Irish bar but Im not a big fan. Live music every night but tends to be a one person jobbie. Bushwhacka is very popular with the younger generations. Its an aussie bar. Monday nights most drinks are a €1 and the place is mobbed. Slievenamon is popular with the local ex pats and is home to John "Wardi" Ward, (hes is the singer with Saxon). He plays there alot and is a great entertainer. A must see.

In terms of restaurants in Cabo Roig, I love The Italian Affair and Beef or Salmon (although the latter is pricey but the food excellent) I havent been to Blu but people rave about it.

The big shopping centre thats opening has been brought forward to September. Its going to have a Primark, Ikea, casino and a comedy club to name but a few. I dread to see what will happen to traffic in the area when it opens.

If you venture to Villamartin there is a fantastic Spanish restaurant there that begins with a C whose name escapes me. Its a bit hidden off the main road but its well worth checking out.

In terms of things to do besides the beach, there is go karting on the road toward Torrevieja. There is a great water park in Torrevieja called Aquópolis. You can also do boat trips. Torrvieja is about 10 mins by car from La Zenia but you can also bus or taxi it. Shopping there you have Habenaras. I think there is a Decathlon store there too but I cant remember.

If golf is your thing, there are plenty of courses. Some of the pubs have golf societies and are open to non members. They arrange monthly outings.

If you can, you could drive or get a bus to Cartegena. Its about 30 minutes away. Its a beautiful Spanish historic town with a marina, roman amphitheater (closed on Mondays), boat trips, narrow pedestrian streets with plenty of quirky shops. You could spend a day here and only see part of the place. The views from the marina are fantastic. They used to say that historically if you wanted to invade Spain by sea, you had to do it at Cartegena.

On the road to Cartegena you could stop off at San Pedro beach. You'll see lots of people rubbing in mud from the sea on themselves there to make claim to its healing and rejuvenating properties!

Enjoy your holiday!

positivenote

hi all,
great reading through these posts as we are heading over the end of june with the two toddlers(aged 2&3) and my parents (mid 60's). Any further advice re:
Family friendly restaurants/pubs
Should we rent a car for the week (there will be 6 of us including the toddlers) or will taxis take us with the kids sitting on our laps?
Staying the Golf 2 complex in a Friends residents.
Thanks

delthedriver

positivenote wrote: »

hi all,
great reading through these posts as we are heading over the end of june with the two toddlers(aged 2&3) and my parents (mid 60's). Any further advice re:
Family friendly restaurants/pubs
Should we rent a car for the week (there will be 6 of us including the toddlers) or will taxis take us with the kids sitting on our laps?
Staying the Golf 2 complex in a Friends residents.
Thanks

Absolutely recommend renting a car . You will need transport to and from Airport, not to mention trips to supermarket, restaurant, beaches, ........
La Zenia is ideally located on the Costa Blanca, fabulous beaches, golf courses nearby. A trip to Cartagena is also recommended.
Have a wonderful holiday!

faceman

I'd also recommend car rental but it's not a necessity if you don't plan on traveling around. Regarding airport transfers I can give you the phone number of a reliable Irish private taxi guy I use when I'm out there. PM me if you would like his number.

A massive shopping mall called "Zenia Boulevard" opened in the past few months in La Zenia and its great. It's got everything, even a Pennies! Lots of shops etc. it also has plenty of eateries, a casino and a huge kids play area. It's less than 10 minutes walk from Paddys Point.