There are dozens of excellent places to eat in Alicante and not all of them serve rice and fish dishes as their speciality. Although it is one of the capitals of Mediterranean rice, together with Valencia and Castellón, Alicante is a very cosmopolitan city, accustomed to welcoming visitors from all over the world, which means you can find an incredibly varied range of restaurants. From Alicante’s traditional food to gourmet cuisine, through to affordable casual fare and the most original options.
Below are some of the most popular and most highly-regarded restaurants, so that the question of where to eat in Alicante becomes another opportunity to enjoy the city during your stay.
Areas for eating out in Alicante
If what you’re looking for is a good area for eating out in Alicante, the best place is the area around El Postiguet Beach, the port, the Explanada and the cathedral. This area, which you could call the historic quarter of Alicante, is home to the largest concentration of bars and restaurants where you can partake in the tradition of going tapas bar hopping (or enjoying a pre-meal drink and bite), as well as have lunch or dinner before whiling away your afternoon or evening. What’s more, in some cases they come included with spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
The best restaurants in Alicante
There are many excellent options for eating in Alicante if you’re after a bit of sophistication and, of course, succulent food. Below are some of the best restaurants geared towards those with more of a refined palate. However, there are a whole host of other options that deserve exploring.
- Steki (Argensola, 8): This restaurant decked out in plenty of wood is, despite appearances, far from conventional. The menu is a mix of flavours and ingredients from various continents with local produce at the heart of it all.
- Nou Manolín (Villegas, 3): Since 1971 this restaurant has been one of the most famous and most awarded in the city and is a perfect place if you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Alicante, above all if you want to sample the finest seasonal produce.
- Monastrell (Avenida del Almirante Julio Guillén Tato, 1): The holder of one Michelin Star, this is one of the most refined restaurants in Alicante. Running the show is María José San Román who serves her particular signature cuisine replete with avant-garde touches, which is available in both the dining room and at the bar, a good option for those on more of a budget.
- Open (Manuel Antón, 12): Here the kitchen, more than just being open and on-view, is completely at one with diners. Eating lunch or dinner in this establishment is a genuine spectacle in terms of presentation, scent, sound and, of course, taste.
Restaurants in the city centre
As previously mentioned, the greatest concentration of bars and restaurants in Alicante are situated in the city centre. Below is just a small selection of them:
- Porto Felice (Muelle Levante, 8): A restaurant with an Italian spirit that is fused with local ingredients, serving dishes such as pasta with lobster, which is a genuine delicacy.
- El Gosto del Gourmet (Gravina, 4): An excellent option if you want to sample rice dishes made the Valencian way. The prices are quite reasonable considering the quality of the food.
- Antica pizzería da Sasá (Cádiz, 1): As the name of this restaurant suggests, authentic Neapolitan pizzas are the order of the day here, although you can also find other traditional Italian dishes and, in particular, pasta.
- Circo (Teatro, 8): Top-quality hamburgers at very reasonable prices in a restaurant that is as small as it is charming – a great option for a casual lunch or dinner.
Romantic restaurants in Alicante
Although you may not necessarily find candle-lit dinners, as you would expect, Alicante boasts several restaurants where you can find just the type of charm couples (link interno) want for their most intimate celebrations. The following three establishments are the pick of the bunch:
- Don Carlos (General Primo de Rivera, 14): This classic establishment (it opened in 1985) is a bastion of intimacy and good taste in a heavenly setting, where the chefs Jorge Jurado and Javier Serrano dish up archetypal Mediterranean cuisine with some invited star guests in the form of sushi.
- TK Restaurante (Tucumán, 6): With striking decor, almost all the tables arranged for two people, and a name that is the shortened form of ‘Te quiero’, or ‘I love you’, used in the digital world, it’s clear to see that this restaurant has been designed as a romantic haven where Northern African and Arabic flavours are the order of the day.
- La Folie Alicante (Bailén, 29): Specialising in hamburgers (look out for the crab burger, a fun nod to Sponge Bob and his friends), this restaurant is perfect for a little toast after the meal thanks it its full cocktail menu. What’s more, you can seal your love with a tattoo by choosing from one of the designs available in its studio.
Eating out on a budget in Alicante
One of the best options if you want to eat well and on a budget in Alicante is the Central Market, where several stands have bars where you can sample the finest local produce. However, for a more comfortable lunch or dinner, it’s worth getting a table at one of the following restaurants:
- Falafelmanía (Perú, 13): Defining itself as a eastern-inspired vegetarian and vegan restaurant, this is, naturally, a great option for those who like to eat their greens, at more than affordable prices. In fact, a tasting menu is available for just 10 euros.
- Higo Pico (Plaza Virgen del Remedio, 7): Did you know that you can also get tapas in Italy, albeit somewhat different to the Spanish version? At this restaurant you’ll be able to discover just that with tasty food from southern Italy and countless creative touches.
- Tepuy Burger (Avenida Periodista Rodolfo de Salazar, 29): Although its name suggests otherwise, there’s more to this Venezuelan-inspired restaurant than just hamburgers. You can also find arepas, tequeños and several examples of Caribbean fusion food.
- El Rincón de Nakiss (Churruca, 14): At this classic restaurant serving home-cooked food you can choose between a 10-euro set menu or order straight off the menu. It also boasts various delicious tapas and sandwich options.
