The Abbey Tavern — Restaurant in Orihuela

The Abbey Tavern was a pleasant surprise – the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard, but gets all the important things right.

The food was genuinely tasty, well-prepared and served in portions that leave you satisfied without needing a nap (unless you’re over 40, in which case the nap is non-negotiable). No pretentious foams or unnecessary garnishes – just solid, honest cooking that respects the ingredients and your appetite.

Service was warm and efficient – friendly without being overbearing, and with just the right dash of banter. You get the sense that the staff actually enjoy working there, which is increasingly rare and always appreciated.

Plenty of seating both in the sun and the shade, which is a lifesaver when travelling with kids and partners with varying opinions about UV exposure. Speaking of kids – ours had a great time and stayed surprisingly well-behaved, possibly due to the comfortable surroundings or the bribe of dessert. Either way, we’ll take the win.

Prices were fair – you get good value without feeling like you’re subsidising a new yacht for the owner. The venue itself is clean, welcoming, and full of character, without tipping into theme-park territory.

All in all, The Abbey Tavern offers great food, a relaxed atmosphere, and the kind of service that makes you want to stay for just one more drink – or two, if the kids are occupied. Would...

The abbey tavern is as Irish as Tony Cascarino. If you are going to style and call yourself an Irish pub then you should at least try to mimic an Irish pub. I’ve been here numerous times over the years and last year decide I wouldn’t return for food unless we were stuck. Well we were stuck the other night so we headed in. Food was average at best. I had ribs and baked potato. Ribs were very nice but only half a rack and the baked potato was tiny. The salad garnish was hilarious. I could fit it all on my fork. My wife had fish and chips. The batter on the fish was shocking. Obviously precooked and then recooked. Wife complained and the waiter grunted and sent food back to kitchen. When the bill came they had knocked 3 euro off the fish and chips (7 euro instead of 10) but hadn’t indicated they were going to do this and to be honest if they were going to make a gesture they should have removed it totally from the bill. The staff are efficient but they are not welcoming or warm. After dinner we went into the large enter entertainment area out the back. There is a good atmosphere here and this was the best part of the evening and is the reason this venue gets 3 rather than 2...

Have come to The Abbey Tavern from its first year of being built and opening. I have watched it grow and get better over these years. It has gone from being good to better to having some issues over the years. I went her last night, after being unable to get a table at another local place, and it was absolutely packed out in its restaurant garden area. I along with my wife were very quickly approached by 3 different staff members to ask was it a table for two we required. They advised us they would search and find one for us. We were seated in five minutes with menues in our hands at a well presented table. Food was ordered as were drinks and all arrived very efficiently and was of a very good standard and great value for money. So I just want to say a huge Thank You to Alfredo, James and Romena and all of your staff who took care of us last night. I believe two of the guys who took care of us were Damian and Leo if I remember their names correctly. Thanks again guys until my next visit which will not be...