From sea to table: 9 terraces with views to enjoy the Costa Brava

GironaMidsummer is here, and with the heat of these August days, there's no doubt that the best plan for the day is to get away from the big cities and head to the sea to cool off. The Costa Brava is the top destination in our country, and from one end to the other, you'll find plenty of beautiful beaches to lay out your towel, swim, or sunbathe. However, before or after a swim, you can't miss the precious moment of sitting on the terrace of a good bar or restaurant, with spectacular views of the sea, and enjoy some tapas, have a vermouth, have a cocktail, or order a fish and seafood rice dish that will leave its mark.

That's why in the We eat We suggest nine establishments on the Girona coast with spectacular views, located in prime locations, and offering quality cuisine. There's something for all tastes and budgets, from popular beach bars with a good layout to upscale restaurants, all ideal for a stopover at midday or in the evening. This isn't a ranking or a list of places to visit. Top 10, because from Blanes to Cadaqués, in summer, the options are endless. But it's a thoughtful and well-reviewed selection, appreciated by local consumers and experts alike, of a handful of establishments that are definitely worth a visit.

We begin the route in Blanes, the first town in Girona on the Costa Brava, where, right in front of the seafront promenade and with an unbeatable view of the iconic Sa Palomera rock, we find Bar Ja.Leo. They serve generous and affordable tapas (almost all under €10), such as Galician-style octopus, bravas, mussels, and Andalusian-style squid. This is a family business, run by the founder's daughter, Leopoldo, who has worked since 1982 in another tavern closer to the port, in the same style and equally recommended.

On Canyelles beach, between Lloret and Tossa de Mar, stands a charming restaurant, right in front of the white sand of this idyllic cove, surrounded by pine forests and warm stones. At Gammarus you can find a very extensive menu of salads, market cuisine, fish, seafood and rice dishes, with prices starting at €30. If you don't want to get involved, there is also a more informal space, and even, if you are looking for something more exclusive, there is a private area with a pool, sun loungers and bar service, in the style of the beach clubs of a movie.

Probably the most prestigious restaurant on this list, Casamar, by chef Quim Casellas, offers a high-energy dining experience combining traditional dishes with modern techniques, with a glass window in the dining room offering a picture-postcard view of Llafranc's main beach. A tip: book early to get tables closer to the corner. For around 70 euros (minimum), you can enjoy an excellent meal, choosing a set menu with seasonal products or à la carte dishes. After your meal, you can complete the experience by walking down the beautiful coastal path to Calella de Palafrugell.

Summer is also rice season, and a restaurant specializing in the art of pans and casseroles, right on the seafront, is Solimar, on Pals beach, at the end closest to the Begur coastal path, heading towards the beautiful Illa Roja beach. Pals is a land of rice cultivation, with a native variety of full-bodied and very tasty grain, which in this restaurant with a terrace is prepared in many different ways: rice with lobster, black rice, rice with seafood, surf and mountain rice, or rice with vegetables, with competitive prices that don't go over 30 euros.

To escape the hustle and bustle of the seafront, it's also worth exploring the Empordà region and seeking out restaurants with great views of the Empordà plain. One is L'Horta de Can Patxei, at the foot of Montgrí, a very spacious restaurant with a covered patio, ideal for families and small groups, and offering a wide variety of meats and fish. From your table, you can see the Empordà crops, and as you walk outside, you can see the entire silhouette of the castle. It's one of Lluís Llach's favorite restaurants in the area.

That list couldn't be complete without a recommendation for the most typical and classic beach bar. This is Blue Monkeys in Estartit, opposite the Platera residential area, near the mouth of the Gorge. With its summer tables on the sand and an awning next to the bar, it offers an unbeatable view of the Medes Islands, accompanied by an extensive menu of fish tapas, burgers, and all kinds of drinks. It's a great place for a midday break or, in the evening, the perfect end to the day after an afternoon of playing in the waves.

If you're not looking for a simple meal, a highly recommended spot is Bar Medusa in l'Escala. It's right across from the town's main beach, but a bit hidden, down some turns and under a footbridge leading to Empúries. It has a porch with tables outside, two meters from the sand, facing the rockiest part, right where the locals go to swim. A great place to have a vermouth or some tapas before a night swim, and fill up for about 20 euros.

In one of the wildest and most impressive spots in Catalonia, opposite the Cap de Creus lighthouse, between Cala Jugadora and Cala Culip, lies the restaurant founded by Chris Little, an English biologist who came to Cadaqués in the 1990s, drawn by the landscape and bohemian heritage. It's not a glamorous restaurant. It's not pretentious, but it is a fishing establishment steeped in history, part of the natural park's landscape. For €30 or €40, you can enjoy a delicious rockfish stew, rice dishes, or a variety of delicious curries. You can also enjoy live music concerts with the sunset in the background.

If at the beginning we promised recommendations for all tastes, this last one is the most affordable and popular. In Llançà, one of the most beloved places by long-time vacationers is the mobile stall El Talleret de Creps. Every summer it has been a fixture in the town center for over 15 years, long before the now-called food trucks were all the rage. Every night there's a long line, and it's well-received by the local French. You can buy homemade crepes made to order, with traditional or more original combinations, which many children and young people take to the beach to eat, watching the spectacular sunset.