Gastronomy

The majority of the cooking to be found in La Vila Joiosa is typical of the Valencian coast and Mediterranean lands in general. The most emphasis is on fresh fish, shellfish and of course a thousand and one ways to prepare rice, among which the paella is the most well-known but by no means the only dish to be tried.

Restaurants in La Vila Joiosa offer a number of other rice dishes, such as "caldoso" (rice stew) using fish stock," arròs amb llampuga" (rice with yellow mackerel) , anchovies, mackerel or other fish, "arròs amb ceba i carabassa" ( rice with onion and pumpkin)," arròs amb espinacs" (rice with spinach).Other traditional dishes are " suquet de peix" (fisherman stew), "polpets amd ceba i orenga" ( octopus in onion and oregano sauce, the town’s famous " caldero de peix ",a fish pot.

Dried fish is also an important product made here. Tunny roe, or roe from other fish such a "bonitol","moixama",etc...,can be bought at the local market or tasted as "tapas" in certain bars and restaurants.

Traditional desserts include the inventions of local confectioners, such as " sarginoses, pastissets de boniato ( sweet potatoe pies), tortada d’ametla (almond cakes),etc... "

The gastronomical possibilities are further enhanced by a selection of restaurants offering other types of cuisine, such as Italian, French, Chinese or International. Chocolate is also made here, served in a number of local chocolaterías.