Spain's Best Place to Eat Is an Inland Alicante Toy Town — and It's an Easy Day Trip from the Costa Blanca

The inland Alicante town that's quietly become Spain's hottest food destination

Mention Ibi to most people and they picture toy factories. The small town of Ibi, tucked into the l'Alcoià hills roughly 27 kilometres inland from the Costa Blanca coast, has been synonymous with Spanish toy manufacturing for well over a century — earning the affectionate nickname La Villa Juguetera, the Toy Town. But in 2026, food lovers have been looking its way for an entirely different reason.

Ibi is now being called the best place to eat in Spain. And if you own or are considering buying property on the Costa Blanca North, it's the kind of discovery that makes the region feel even richer.

A chef who came home — and changed everything

The culinary story centres on Ricardo Moltó Doménech, a local boy who trained at some of Alicante's most respected kitchens — including the celebrated Monastrell restaurant — before returning to Ibi to reinvent his father's longstanding local restaurant. The result is RQR Erre Que Erre (C/ Juan Brotons, 11), now listed in the Michelin Guide and awarded a Sun by the Repsol Guide 2026, Spain's two most authoritative culinary benchmarks.

The restaurant's name translates loosely as "stubbornly persistent" — and it suits the philosophy. Moltó's approach is deceptively simple: source exceptional local ingredients from the l'Alcoià comarca, apply contemporary technique with restraint, and never lose sight of the flavours that define this corner of inland Alicante.

The tasting menu runs to around €70 per person — remarkable value for food at this level, and a genuine contrast to the prices you'd pay in Madrid or Barcelona for comparable cooking.

What's on the plate

The dishes at RQR read like a love letter to inland Alicante's larder. Croqueta de aladroc — a silky anchovy croquette — opens the meal with the salt and depth of the Mediterranean in a single mouthful. Sagí, slow-rendered pork fat infused with native herbs including thyme and rosemary from the surrounding hills, is spread on bread with the kind of quiet intensity that demands attention.

The standout, for many, is pericana de pimiento seco: the ancient inland Alicante condiment made from dried cuarnicabra peppers, shredded salted cod, garlic and olive oil. It has been made in these hills for centuries — a bridge between the coast's preserved fish and the mountain's dried peppers — and Moltó elevates it without losing its soul.

More playful touches include an escalfaded oyster with cherry caviar, a dish that nods to the coast while remaining rooted in the chef's inland sensibility.

The town beyond the table

Ibi earns its gastronomic reputation against a backdrop that rewards exploration. The town's famous toy heritage is still visible in its museums and vintage arcades — a charming contrast to its newly minted food credentials. The surrounding Sierra de Mariola offers excellent walking, and the landscape of orchard terraces and pine forest is typical of the beautiful inland Alicante that many coastal property owners have barely scratched the surface of.

For owners based in Jávea, Dénia or Moraira, Ibi sits roughly 50–65 kilometres away — easily managed for a weekend lunch, particularly in the cooler months when the coast is quiet and the inland hills are at their most inviting.

Why this matters for Costa Blanca buyers

One of the questions buyers most commonly ask is: what is there to do here beyond the beach? Ibi's emergence as a national gastronomic landmark — anchored by a Michelin-listed restaurant offering a €70 tasting menu — is one small but vivid answer to that question.

The Costa Blanca North has long attracted buyers who want more than a fortnight's holiday and a view. The region's draw is its layers: the seafood in the fishing ports, the wine from Jalón Valley, the markets in Dénia's old town, the Michelin-starred dining in Jávea and Altea, and now the product-driven chef's table in an inland toy town that has food critics rethinking what the Alicante hinterland has to offer.

Property buyers who choose Jávea, Moraira or Dénia as a base are not just choosing a coastline. They are choosing access to one of the most gastronomically interesting corners of Spain — and Ibi is the latest proof of that.

Practical notes for a visit

RQR Erre Que Erre serves lunch Tuesday to Sunday (1:00–3:30 pm) and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings (8:30–11:00 pm). Reservations are strongly recommended — since the Repsol Sol recognition in early 2026, tables have filled quickly. The restaurant address is C/ Juan Brotons, 11, Ibi. From the coast, it's a straightforward drive via the A-7 motorway and CV-810.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Ibi, and how far is it from the Costa Blanca coast? Ibi is an inland town in the l'Alcoià comarca of Alicante province, roughly 27 kilometres from the sea and 50–65 kilometres from coastal towns such as Jávea, Dénia and Moraira. The drive takes approximately 45–60 minutes depending on your starting point.

What is the restaurant RQR Erre Que Erre, and what recognition has it received? RQR Erre Que Erre, run by chef Ricardo Moltó Doménech, was awarded a Repsol Sun in 2026 and is listed in the Michelin Guide. It serves contemporary cuisine rooted in the traditional products of the inland Alicante region, with a tasting menu at around €70.

What are the signature local dishes of Ibi? Ibi's cuisine is anchored in inland Alicante tradition: pericana (dried peppers with salted cod and olive oil), aladroc (local anchovy), sagí (herb-infused pork fat), and cured meats. Chef Moltó works with these ingredients in refined modern presentations.

Is Ibi worth a day trip from Jávea or Dénia? Very much so, especially for a weekend lunch. The scenery en route through the Alicante interior is striking, and combining lunch at RQR with a walk in the Sierra de Mariola makes for an excellent inland day out.

Does this recognition say anything broader about the Costa Blanca region's food scene? Yes. Ibi joining Alicante city (Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2025) and multiple Michelin-starred restaurants on the coast confirms that the greater Alicante area is experiencing a sustained gastronomic moment. For property buyers, this contributes to the quality-of-life case for the region.

Where can I find out more about dining in the wider Alicante and Costa Blanca area? The Michelin Guide (guide.michelin.com) and Repsol Guide list all recognised restaurants in the area. Alicante Gastronómica — the annual fair held each October — is also an excellent showcase for the province's culinary talent.