Costa Brava is a coastal region in northeastern Spain stretching from Blanes up to the border of France. It's known for sandy beaches, peaceful villages and mountain landscapes. The characteristic rugged coastline gives Costa Brava its name, which translates as 'wild coast'.
Anywhere you go you'll be able to find a variety of restaurants, from Mediterranean and modern European to British, American and Asian. Seafood is very popular in the area and there are many places serving freshly caught fish.
If you want to sample Spanish cuisine, make sure you have some tapas, paella and 'patatas bravas' (fried potatoes with spicy tomato and garlic sauce). Wash it down with some sangria or an Empordà wine. For dessert, why not try the local speciality 'crema catalana' a kind of crème brûlée.
Spanish
There are a wide range of Spanish restaurants around if you want the complete experience. Tapas are a great way to try a bit of everything, or if you're a fan of seafood have it on paella.
In Tossa de Mar there's La Lluna, a charming traditional restaurant with a good choice of tapas including chorizo in cider, sausage and white beans, stuffed squid and patatas bravas. Sa Lola is claimed to be the best tapas place in Blanes and it's great value for money. Don't miss the 'olivas esfericas' (exploding olives). Curcuma in Girona is quite hard to find but worth the effort for its creative tapas dishes made with local ingredients like 'suquet' (Catalan fish dish).
If you want chilled surroundings go to La Calma in Platja d'Aro, a seafront restaurant and bar where you can gaze out to the sea as you snack on tapas. For tapas and a round of golf, head to Restaurant Forat 19 located in the Club de Golf d'Aro.
If you want entertainment with your meal, head to Restaurante Aiguaclara based in Begur's Aiguaclara hotel. Enjoy your rustic meal in shabby chic surroundings with flamenco dancing on Thursday, or on Friday there's a DJ playing old vinyl.
If you want a good restaurant for paella, visit Restaurant Feliu in Platja d'Aro which also serves local delicacies like pig trotters and Spanish cured ham. La Parrila in Lloret de Mar near the Miramar hotel also does a great selection of paella. Go to Turandot in Begur to try the local dessert, crema catalana.
For the best of the best, visit Vicus Restaurant in Pals, a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellent Winner 2013. It's fairly expensive but worth it for the modern take on Spanish cuisine including lamb with liquorice. Or there's Celler de Can Roca run by the three Roca brothers and three Michelin stars it's one of the best restaurants in Girona.
For something a bit cheaper there's El Celler de la Puntaire in Blanes, only 12 for a three-course set lunch menu. Try the Spanish risotto or baked swordfish with olive tapenade. Or there's Lizarran in Figueres with great tapas and skewers in a friendly atmosphere.
Mediterranean
There are plenty of Mediterranean establishments in the area if you want a bit more variety.
For somewhere with character, visit El Barroco Restaurant in Cadaqués. A former olive press, its logo was designed by Salvador Dalí and was frequented by the artist himself. Admire the arty decor and feast on your Mediterranean meal in the patio garden that Dalí often sat in. Or there's Restaurant Sant Pere del Bosc in a picturesque location in Lloret de Mar atop a hill in an old church.
Pasko's Balkan Grill in Roses is 'a taste of the Mediterranean' and serves authentic Balkan food. Specialties include the evapi (type of kebab), pljeskavice (ground meat) and ra¾njii (pork skewer).
El Bulli was a famous Michelin-star haute cuisine restaurant which recently closed, but its staff can now be found at Compartir in Cadaqués. Try the local anchovies and the duck breast. Or there's Freu Restaurant in Lloret de Mar, part of the Guitart Monterrey hotel, boasting a stunning interior design.
Seafood
Wish many fishing towns along the coast it's no wonder there are an abundance of seafood restaurants.
In a quaint little alleyway in Cadaqués you'll find the charming Es Balconet. Here they use fresh fish from the Cap de Creus Natural Park so the menu varies depending on the time of year. Try the tuna carpaccio or scallops wok. In the same town there's La Sirena who serve the local speciality 'zarzuela' (seafood stew).
If you're in Roses, Rafas Restaurant is a must-visit for fish lovers. There's no menu or prices, they simply sell the food the chef has bought in the morning. They recommend you try lots of small starters like the anchovies, baby squid, sea snails, prawns and razor clams.
If you want a romantic location to sample the fish of the day, head Hostal Sa Rascassa Restaurant in Begur set in a picturesque cove. Try the 'Sea and Mountain' dish, an interesting combination of lobster and chicken, as you dine outside under the fairy lights. Or there's Can Roquet located in the small mountain village of Romanyà de Selva, definitely worth the trek. Make sure you sample the sea cucumber, a local delicacy.
Modern European
If Spanish and seafood isn't your thing, you can always go for a different kind of European cuisine.
There are plenty of Italian places around. Try Mocambo Restaurant in L'Escala serving up tasty homemade pasta. If you're after pizza L'Escala's Pizza Sibaris have a good selection, while Corsaro in Girona do very good value pizzas. For quality pizza head to Braseria Pini Pizzeria in Tossa de Mar where they use the finest ingredients, and there's a set menu for just 12.50.
If you want a bit of everything, Les Coques del Psss in Peratallada offer a wide range of pizza and pasta. Why not finish with a delicious crêpe or Italian ice cream. Buon appetito!
For cuisine of the French variety, visit La Gruta in the centre of L'Escala. Enjoy a three-course meal with wine for just £13.50, or spend a bit more and try the special five-course truffle menu with local truffles from the cork oak forests of Empordà. Restaurante La Escalopa in Begur serves up typical German food and is good value for money. The pork steak is a must-try.
British and American
If you've had enough of paella and tapas and just want a pie or burger, look no further.
Orient Express Restaurant in Lloret de Mar is designed to represent the glamorous express train at the turn of the century. Take a seat in your carriage-style booth and choose from a selection of steaks, pies and chicken. Why not come in the morning for a full English and a cuppa? Head to O'Malley's in L'Estartit for Irish food and a Guinness.
If it's burgers you're after go for Mick and Julie's Cafe Bar in Tossa de Mar who also do a range of fast food, or Ivan Cafeteria in Platja d'Aro serving hamburgers, pizzas and sandwiches. Make your way to Texas Ranch Steakhouse in Blanes for generous portions of American as well as Mexican food.
Asian
There are also a few restaurants serving food from the Far East if you'd prefer.
Visit Tilak Thai Restaurant in S'Agaro for an enticing selection of Thai curries, stir fries and seafood. They also have options for vegetarians and children. Go to seafront sushi bar Bamboo in Cadaques for Japanese as well as Mediterranean food. You'll find quality Chinese food at Shanghai in Figueres quite near to the Dalí Museum.
If you just can't decide what you want, Wok You in Figueres has a buffet offering Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean and grilled food. Or, in Sant Antoni de Calonge there's Wok Yikan buffet-style restaurant with a range of Asian and Spanish food. There's a wok, grill and barbecue at hand simply pick your meat and they'll cook it just how you like it.