Salou is a popular family resort on the Costa Dorada, or 'Golden Coast' of Catalonia in northeast Spain. It's about 10 km from the historical town of Tarragona and 112 kms down the coast from Barcelona.
Tourists are attracted by its numerous coves and beaches and its Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Aside from the excellent scenery and sunny weather, Salou is also home to the famous PortAventura theme park.
Being a touristy, family-orientated resort, there are no end of British restaurants and pubs, and plenty of places to grab a pizza or burger. You'll have to search a bit harder for proper Spanish food and Mediterranean cuisine, but it's definitely worth it. There are also a few places offering Asian and Italian delicacies.
Spanish
If you want to sample the local cuisine, be sure to try some tapas and paella. These are likely to be focused on fish and seafood dishes, but there will also be meat and vegetarian options. Wash it down with some sangria and for dessert, why not try the 'crema catalana' a kind of crème brûlée.
For a well-established Spanish eatery, look no further than Orient Express. This Spanish family business has been going for over 20 years and boasts a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2013, and it's no wonder. For just 9.50 you can enjoy a delicious three-course meal and choose from an extensive menu of authentic Spanish delicacies.
If you'd prefer somewhere on the seafront, head to Los Chicos who serve an array of Spanish seafood, with products bought every day in the fish market. Try the paella, lobster rice or 'zarzuelas' a selection of fish and seafood flavoured with a sauce. Or there's La Goleta on the beach serving Catalan cuisine with the freshest seafood from the port of Tarragona.
Seek out El Guaje tucked away in a side street for authentic tapas with plenty of choice, from calamari to chorizo. You even get free tapas when you buy a drink. Or why not try Les Barques for tapas with a view? Sample the garlic sizzling prawns and 'patatas bravas' (fried potatoes with spicy tomato and garlic sauce) as you gaze over Salou.
If you want to spend a bit extra for quality dining, go to Asador Las Brasas, a cosy Catalan and Castilian restaurant close to the Font Illuminosa. You'll be brought a plate of olives, garlic, bread and chillies to start. Then go for the 60 meal for two which includes three courses, a bottle of wine and water. You'll definitely get what you pay for.
Or there's Castillo de Javier who offer a set menu for 35 each which includes a starter, main course, dessert, wine and water. Before your meal you'll either get complimentary olives and chorizo or a glass of cava. Try the fresh tuna carpaccio.
Mediterranean
If you'd rather a selection of food from the Med, try out one of these restaurants.
Villamagda specialise in seafood but they also offer a range of other meat dishes from Spain and other Mediterranean countries. Their menu of the day offers a three-course meal for 19.70 have the cuttlefish with noodles for starter, try the garlic monkfish for main and sample the crema catalana for dessert.
Sip on a cocktail on the large sun terrace before your meal at Cafe Gran Kahlua. Located near the Font Illuminosa and just 50m from Llevant beach, they offer a range of cuisine including Spanish tapas and 'montaditos' (small Spanish-style sandwiches) as well as Italian and Mexican food.
The modern Arena Restaurant is also located on Jaume I seafront with a terrace facing the sea. It serves a la carte Mediterranean cuisine including paella and grilled meats as well as a great regional wine list. Go for the tasting menu if you want to try a bit of everything.
Italian
There is a selection of Italian-style restaurants if you just want some pizza or pasta.
Porto Bello is an Italian restaurant in the nearby fishing village of Cambrils with an enticing selection of homemade pizzas, pastas and seafood. Head to its Caffe Teatro afterwards for cocktails and ice cream.
For great value stone-baked pizza and ice cream, head to Cheers on carrer de Barcelona. Head to Pizzeria la Nonna for a tasty Mediterranean vegetable risotto, or share one of their famous meter-long pizzas!
Or there's Portofino on Jaume I seafront promenade with an upmarket vibe. They serve up delicious spaghetti bolognese, calzone, and pizza. Try the penne rigate with dried tomatoes.
You can also grab some pizza or pasta at the chic Sonbuda restaurant situated in a historic building in the heart of Salou. Exposed brick walls and candlelit sconces give the place a timelessly stylish ambiance.
British and American
If you want a taste of home, you won't have to search for long as there are places selling burgers and fish and chips just about everywhere.
For American grub, head to Uncle Sam's American Diner. This 50s-style diner has a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2013 and boasts large, value-for-money portions of t-bone steaks, ribs, burgers, pizza and chicken goujons. If you want a really good steak, go for El Toro steakhouse in a great location overlooking the beach.
If you'd rather some British food, head to The Littlehampton. This TripAdvisor award winner serves homemade steak and ale pie and delicious burgers. Kids can eat for just 3.95. Or there's The Fox and Hounds serving everything from a full English to a hearty British dinner. They also have a large selection of British beers on draught.
Why not head to The Old Brown Cow, the oldest established English pub and restaurant in Salou? They serve fish and chips, roast beef, gammon, homemade pies as well as English breakfasts. At O'Driscolls Rugby Tavern the fish, chips and mushy peas as exquisite, Oliver's Restaurant and Grill's serve mouth watering homemade pies.
Relax under the shade of pine trees on the garden terrace at The Guinness Tavern as you try the deep fried Brie or steak and Guinness pie.
Asian
For those seeking exotic cuisine, try one of these Chinese, Japanese or Indian restaurants.
Indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet at Hong Kong with a choice of Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. It's only 9.50 for adults and 4.50 for children under eight years old.
If you eat at Sakura Japanese Buffet you can choose as many dishes as you want from the extensive menu and they will cook them right in front of you. Be sure to try the prawns and the salmon.
Fine Indian cuisine can be found at Taj Mahal, such as chicken pakora, madras, vindaloo, korma, bhuna, tikka masala and of course naan bread. Or there's Masala located on the main strip where you can get a range of curries, baked Indian breads, barbecued meats and basmati rice.
Family Friendly
If you're bringing children, there are a range of themed and family-orientated restaurants.
For a truly magical feast, seek out Harry Potter's, a family fun bar and restaurant serving homemade British food. A three-course meal is just 9.75 and a pint of local larger is only 1.50. They offer Harry Potter's breakfast, Dobby's snack menu, James and Lily's pizzas, Hagrid's mixed grill and a Hogwarts kids' menu.
In central Salou there's The Robin Hood, a family-run bar and restaurant serving home cooked food and a large selection of draught and bottled beers. Go in the morning for a Fat Friar's breakfast, or in the evening you can enjoy steaks, curries and entertainment such as live music and karaoke.
The Knight's Inn Cap Salou is a medieval-themed family restaurant and bar boasting a full English menu, a beer garden, pool tables, live entertainment and Sky TV. Kids will love the bungee trampolines and mini golf.
If you want more food choice there's The Old Pirate bar and restaurant offering homemade British food and an interesting choice of International and Spanish specialities as well as children's and vegetarian meals.
Over in the Plaza Europa is The Grapevine with an international menu of burgers, pies, seafood, curries, pasta, paella, kebabs, steak, pizza and you can even get a Sunday roast for 9. There's also kid's rides and games machines, a pool table and sports shown on giant TV screen.
Dinner Shows
If you want some entertainment with your meal, try one of these dinner shows.
For a rich cultural experience, head to El Embrujo Tablao Flamenco, which translates as Bewitched Flamenco Show. Located not from the Hotel Playa de Ora Park, you will be transported into a typical Andalucian square for a vibrant flamenco show complete with a menu of authentic Andalucian food and wine.
Or for a truly mesmerising evening, try House of Illusion, voted the number 1 of things to do in Salou on TripAdvisor. The minute you walk through the door you will be entertained with parlor magic in the spacious bar area. Next you'll be shown into a beautifully decorated candlelit theatre where comedy, manipulation, live mind reading and world-class illusions are just some of the components that make up this stunning spectacular. Dinner is only available in the earlier showing, but all your food and drinks are included in the ticket price, so grab a glass of wine and sit back and enjoy the show!