Where To Eat In Salou, Spain: Best 11 Salou Restaurants & Tapas Bars
Mixing golden sandy beaches with a glorious Mediterranean climate, the Spanish resort town of Salou is a perennial holiday favourite with sun-seeking travellers. Those also searching for fantastic food will be pleased to know there are culinary gems amongst its busy streets, offering a taste of authentic Catalan cuisine. Here are my favourite Salou restaurants for your next trip.
It’s safe to say that the Spanish resort town of Salou is a popular tourist destination. In fact, it's one of the busiest places in the Costa Daurada during the summer months. With people flocking to this section of the northeast Spanish coast in search of sun, sea, and sangria, there is no shortage of restaurants in Salou to cater for every taste.
While there is the inevitable downside of fast-food chains and less-than-authentic eateries, the city boasts a rich culinary scene that will satisfy even the most discerning foodie.
That said, Salou’s food scene falls behind other golden coast resorts, like nearby gastronomic hotspot Cambrils. But it is slowly catching up.
In part, because Salou’s appeal is growing beyond its jam-packed town centre beach, I was surprised to discover a stunning coastal path. Plus, there are cycle trails and water sports on offer for active travellers.
Then there is Salou’s quieter outskirts, which retain much of the charm many of us associate with Spanish seaside towns. As you might expect, many of the town’s best eateries are found in these areas, away from the resort centre.
Travellers willing to wander beyond the promenade end their day with exceptional cuisine – from fresh seafood to grilled meat, delicious salads, tasty tapas, and cold Spanish beers. Here is my list of Salou restaurants to try, all highly rated and authentic.
Best Salou restaurants & places to eat
These are my favourite Salou restaurants, each serving authentic Catalan cuisine and traditional dishes like paella, tapas, and plenty of seafood. You’ll find restaurants across the town; however, the best places to eat tend to be in the quieter neighbourhoods and lesser-visited spots. Of course, this rule has a few exceptions, and I’ve included the best places along the busy promenade and beach.
Ready to eat? Let’s go!
1. 4R Casablanca Restaurant
At the edge of town and overlooking the sea, 4R Casablanca is a traditional Mediterranean restaurant with a menu dominated by Catalan classics and locally caught seafood cooked in traditional recipes.
The food here is undeniably authentic, focusing on big flavours and fresh ingredients. And, as with so much Spanish cuisine, everything is perfect for sharing.
We got to try fideuà for the first time on our Costa Daurada road trip - a Catalonian dish similar to paella but served with vermicelli noodles rather than rice, packed with clams and seafood flavours. Another first for me was gazpacho, a cold tomato soup, which was refreshing after a sun-drenched hike along the coastal path.
The tuna belly salad and roasted vegetables were equally delicious, but my favourite tapas dish was the innocent-looking baby potatoes, which turned out to be little spicy flavour bombs.
Inside, the décor is contemporary, airy, and bright, with big windows offering sea views. There’s also an outdoor terrace, perfect for a casual lunch or afternoon aperitif.
2. Boquet
Located on a leafy street in a quiet part of town, Boquet is a contemporary eatery that oozes an elegant atmosphere and takes pride in its beautifully presented (and delicious) food.
The menu is classically Catalan, featuring traditional dishes of local fish, squid, steak, grilled lamb chops, and sharing paella dishes. The wine menu is also exceptionally good, offering Priorat and Montsant wines from the nearby mountain vineyards.
Read next: Best places to eat in Cambrils
3. Carbonic
Just a stone’s throw from the beach, Carbonic is a gorgeously decorated and highly rated restaurant in the town centre. First and foremost a steakhouse, the menu offers special cuts like T-Bones, tomahawk, and tenderloin. There’s an impressive seafood menu, too, with delicious options like monkfish, sea bass, and squid.
Carbonic, as the name suggests, specialise in cooking on an open fire, and the charcoal oven and Basque grill are easily seen in their flaming glory from the dining room.
The décor is immaculate and vibe elegant; this Salou restaurant is a special one.
4. Club Nàutic
We initially stopped at Club Nàutic for a morning of paddle boarding. But we stayed for the palm-lined swimming pool, modern outdoor terrace, and smart restaurant.
People often visit for a coffee, vermut, and the view; situated beside the port and between two of Salou’s most popular beaches, the location is especially good for enjoying sweeping views over the Med and the resort town behind.
This is a firm favourite amongst locals and tourists, and reservations are essential.
On the food front, as you’d expect from a restaurant on the marina, it's mostly known for its seafood, all sourced from local fishing boats and nearby Cambrils market. The menu includes Mediterranean-inspired flavours with an innovative twist - dishes like grilled shrimp with chipotle and lime emulsion, tuna loin with ponzu sauce, and whole fish with garlic and chilli oils are amongst the most popular orders.
5. Sofia
Sofia is not a restaurant for dinner but a cosy café for leisurely breakfasts and afternoon coffee. It specialises in gorgeous brunches, like avocado toast, poached eggs, granola bowls, and fully laden toasts. All are served with freshly squeezed orange juice and speciality coffee; this little gem is worth skipping your hotel breakfast for.
The food, atmosphere, and décor are all equally charming, and the little terrace has a sea view.
6. La Goleta
La Goleta is situated beside one of the prettiest Salou beaches and on my favourite stretch of the coastal path.
This Salou restaurant specialises in seafood and classic dishes like paella and fideuà, plump mussels, fresh oysters, and whole grilled fish, which are menu staples. The focus is on simple, fresh flavours and high-quality ingredients, with seafood brought in daily from the market in nearby foodie city Tarragona.
Eat here and enjoy both delicious seafood and glorious sea views in a peaceful part of town.
7. Tabaré
With an elegant industrial-inspired interior, Tabaré advertises itself as a gastro bar – with elegant food far beyond the normal definition of gastro. A fusion of Iberian and worldwide flavours, this popular Salou restaurant keeps things fresh with an innovative menu and a twist on classics.
Tabaré is open all day, meaning you can enjoy a delicious lunch, dinner, or tapas of bao bread with veal cheeks, speciality cheese boards, croquettes with Iberian ham and quail eggs, crispy shrimp, or duck gyozas. For dinner or bigger plates, there are grilled steaks, duck, and pork to choose from, as well as fully loaded salads.
Modern and adventurous, wash it down with excellent beers or cocktails from their extensive drink menu.
8. Bamboo
If you’re looking for a casual lunch with sea views, check out Bamboo. Although it may not serve the most authentic food in town, the vibe is fun, the terrace and ambience lively, and the bowls of fried anchovies, crispy calamari, and paellas are tasty.
9. Mur Mur
Next door, restaurant Mur Mur is another lively option with good tapas, paella, and cocktails; if you can’t get a seat on the terrace head inside for the very atmospheric and fun décor.
10. Las Brasas
Las Brasas is a relaxed spot around a 15-minute walk from the seafront, offering a blend of Catalan and Spanish cuisines. Its menu is mainly dominated by steak and grilled meat, though there are also plenty of fish and seafood options. Although dishes are simple, the focus is on quality ingredients and flavour, and diners rave about their delicious and perfectly grilled steaks, lamb chops, octopus, and black pudding starter.
11. Deliranto
Last but certainly not least, Deliranto is one of the few Michelin-starred restaurants in Salou and serves incredible cuisine with a far-from-traditional menu. This eatery is all about gastronomy and spectacle, with set menus inspired by whimsical stories (at the time of writing, there is an Alice in Wonderland menu) and dramatic operas; dishes are pretty but served with flair.
A high price point (€165 without drinks) means this is likely to be a special occasion eatery rather than your typical dinner, but if you’re a foodie looking for an experience, then be sure to check their availability.
Day trips to take in Salou
Although it’s easy to spend your days in Salou lounging by the pool, chilling on the beach, and eating exceptional food from the restaurants listed above, it’s always good to explore the local area. Here are some highly-rated tours and activities from Salou:
I visited Salou as a guest of Jet2 and Costa Daurada Tourism Board, however, all views are my own. Posts on this site may contain affiliate links that help support my business in creating content. If you purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.
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