adminWe made a conscious decision to book an apartment for four days and a hotel for four days on this last trip. This meant we could try some breakfast and evening meal establishments. It was a great plan, but with the weather being so warm, we were never hungry enough in the evening for a full meal. However, we did manage to sample four breakfasts/brunches, and here are our reviews in reverse order.
Disclaimer
I know many people will take umbrage with this post, but taste and preferences is a difficult thing so these reviews are from my point of view. I have to admit I think it’s very difficult to get a good Full English in England maybe even in your own home so Benidorm was going to be a challenge, I must say I think reading reviews led me to expect more, none of the food was bad, so just enjoy the post in the spirit it was intended, a bit of fun and trying new places.
Refuel
This is a bar we have known for a long time but had never stopped at. After reading all the excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, it was top of my list to try, and I was expecting more from the menu. I know we’re talking about breakfast, but there wasn’t much that inspired me, so we both opted for a bacon sandwich.
Refuel is in a great location, raised above Poniente Beach and the Marina, so you have lovely views while being away from the crowds. The spot offers plenty of shade, a good breeze, and a beautiful view.
The bacon sandwiches arrived with our coffee and, to be fair, they were just about OK. I honestly couldn’t see what all the rave reviews were about. The place was clean, the food was fine, and the location was nice, but the staff left no lasting impression on me. It’s the kind of place that’s pleasant enough, but I wouldn’t rush back.
The Castle
The Castle is located on a back street, Carrer de Finestrat, close to Madeira Centro, The Royal, Hotel Victoria, and ‘Eating Street’ (Calle Gerona). At first glance, it looks a bit run down, like the sort of café you might find near a UK bus station, but we liked it. The menu was interesting, offering Irish, English, and Scottish breakfasts, among other options. My wife went for the full English, while I took a more adventurous route, opting for the Scottish breakfast. The novelty of trying something different drew me in, and it took me back to the days when I used to go snowboarding.
Though the location and décor leave much to be desired, the staff more than made up for it by being friendly and taking the time to chat with us. The food was OK—nothing extraordinary. My wife loves a fry-up, but I can take them or leave them. The English bacon, catering sausages, and rather tasteless black pudding (which I’ve noticed can be a problem in the UK as well) were nothing surprising. Still, everything was hot and not swimming in grease, which is always a bonus.
Aroma’s
I’ve followed Aroma’s on Facebook for some time but had never visited until now. It’s located near Levante Beach, just past The City Bar, up the side of Sirvent (the ice cream parlour). However, tables at Aroma’s are very limited, and you can’t just pop in for a drink—you’ll likely have to queue. I don’t usually queue, but I made an exception for Aroma’s.
The menu, surprisingly, was quite limited, so we both went for the full English. Once again, it was just OK. The staff seemed very busy and didn’t really engage with us—it was a case of ordering, being handed the bill, and leaving. In fact, there wasn’t even a “goodbye”. It was a disappointing experience overall. While the café is close to the sea, it doesn’t offer any real view, which added to the feeling that the visit was less than special.
Simply Delicious
We’ve visited Simply Delicious many times, and on the fourth day, when we couldn’t find anywhere else for breakfast despite walking from the Old Town to the New, we ended up here again. We had tried Robin Hood but were glad to see it closed, as I struggle with memories of the old owner. We also walked into John and Joseph’s, but after sitting down, we remembered it wasn’t English bacon, so we left without ordering. Finally, we landed at Simply Delicious.
Simply Delicious markets itself as the “Benidorm Greggs”, which I think does it an injustice. You can get sausage rolls and pies here if you want them, but it’s much more than that. I wasn’t really in the mood for another breakfast, so I opted for a burger with cheese and bacon, while my wife had the full English. The staff are always lovely here—the same ladies every time, and they’re consistently pleasant, funny, and friendly.
The café is located on Av. Dr. Severo Ochoa, is raised away from the street and a little up from the Indoor Market. The food arrived, and it was head and shoulders above any other breakfast/brunch we had on the trip—hot and tasty. In fact, every time we visit Benidorm, we make a point of stopping by at least once for a drink or a bite. It’s definitely a standout place for us.
