Café París Beach Club

Café París Beach Club sits directly on Gran Playa in Santa Pola, one of the most popular stretches of sand on the Costa Blanca. It's equal parts beachside restaurant and lounge bar, open for everything from morning coffee to late-evening cocktails.

Tables and sunbeds line the sand, with shade from parasols. You can eat with your feet practically in the water. Dogs are welcome, which is a rarity on Spanish beaches. Free WiFi is available too.

The menu leans into local seafood. Paella is the main draw, and you'll also find grilled fish, seafood platters, and a solid selection of rice dishes. For something lighter, they do ice cream, waffles, and cheesecake. Prices sit in the €11-30 range.

Service gets mixed reviews. Mornings and lunch tend to run smoothly, but things can slow down when the terrace fills up later in the day. Book ahead during July and August if you want a guaranteed spot.

Rated 4.0 from 3,642 Google reviews. The location does a lot of the heavy lifting. Gran Playa faces east, so you get morning sun and calm water, making it a solid pick for families.