local products
Benicarló and its surroundings offer a unique Mediterranean cuisine, where land and sea complement each other perfectly. Local products are not just ingredients: they are a culinary identity, tradition, and culture that you can discover in every dish.
artichoke
A true gem of the garden. With a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the Benicarló artichoke is recognized for its compact shape, tender heart, and distinctive flavor. It is, without a doubt, the star of local cuisine, both in traditional stews and haute cuisine.
The Artichoke Festival, held every January, is the best example of how this product has transcended agricultural land to become a symbol of the city.
prawn
Just a few kilometers from Benicarló, we find one of the most renowned seafood dishes in the Mediterranean: the Vinaròs prawn. Raised in clean, shallow waters, this shellfish is prized for its firm texture and delicate yet intense flavor.
Cooked grilled, baked, or in seafood rice dishes, it has earned a place of honor in national gastronomy and is another of the great ambassadors of Maestrat.
octopus
Mediterranean octopus is part of the coast's most traditional recipes. In Benicarló, you'll find it prepared in a thousand ways: grilled, lightly seasoned with oil and paprika, in fishermen's stews, or in tapas that highlight its unmistakable flavor.
Its versatility and connection to seafaring life make it a must-have for those eager to experience authentic local cuisine.
Fresh seafood and fish
Port and sea, fishermen, nets, buckets, artisans of the sea. The Benicarló fish market is the heart of the local seafaring tradition. The facility houses operating offices and access for visitors, who can experience the auction from Monday to Friday at 3:45 p.m. during the winter months.
Sea bream, sea bass, sardines, sole, mantis shrimp, razor clams, mussels... A huge variety of fresh seafood and fish that guarantee the quality and authenticity of Benicarland's cuisine.
