To travel is to dine. There is no better way to learn about another culture than through its food. The top must-try restaurants in Alicante do just that. At the heart of many of these restaurants is traditional Spanish cooking with a push to bring it into the modern world of cuisine we live in today. From the historic old town centre of the city to the seafront with incredible views, you’ll find an array of restaurants offering various cuisine in modern settings. Many are loved by both locals and visitors alike so provide perfect opportunities to mingle with a wide variety of people on holiday.
Restaurants in Alicante
Alicante is fast becoming one of Spain’s top foodie hot spots. With a restaurant that has achieved a Michelin star, several other restaurants in Alicante have made it into the Michelin guide. We’ve picked a few to help you along your way to a culinary odyssey.
Baeza & Rufete
At the very top of the dining scene in Alicante is the Michelin starred Baeza & Rufete. The husband and wife team at this classy yet unpretentious restaurant pride themselves in the use of local and seasonal products to serve traditional Mediterranean dishes with a modern twist. Here, the popular traditional cod stew, huevo negro, comes served in a plate resembling a bird’s nest in the centre of which sits an egg yolk surrounded by a puree of black garlic, potatoes, spinach, and cod. This is the dish that put the restaurant on the map and one of the reasons for their Michelin star. If you don’t know what to choose from the a la carte menu, pick from one of two set menus, which will see you covered.
There are no white tablecloths here but wooden tables with upright leather chairs and stark walls. Open only for lunch, the staff are incredibly attentive yet discreet leaving you to enjoy your food in an unfussy and welcoming environment.
Address: Avenida de Ansaldo, 31, 03540 Alicante, Spain
Steki Restaurrante
Meaning ‘meeting place’ Steki Restaurante offers exactly that. Another restaurant run by husband and wife, it fuses both their origins with gastronomic triumph. The menu is a celebration of Greek and Mexican flavours combined with Mediterranean cooking. Traditional dishes such as Iberian pork are served with tzatziki souvlaki, and tinga tacos with avocado and chipotle chilli. While the popular Spanish breakfast ‘French toast’, torrija receives an adult upgrade with the addition of rum and is served with mint and lemon. Torrija is how to breakfast in Spain. Although there are around ten dishes to pick from, it’s recommended to pick up to five for sharing.
This is the perfect restaurant if you’re travelling in a small group of people who like good food. They don’t accept bookings of less than four people. Steki is perfectly located in the pedestrianised zone of Old Town Alicante, so it is convenient when visiting local attractions, of which there’s plenty. Be sure to book ahead as it is popular and doesn’t have that many tables.
Address: Calle Argensola, 8, 03302 Alicante, Spain
Nou Manolin
Set over two floors, Nou Manolin has been serving diners for almost 50 years. The restaurant specialises in cooking some of the best traditional food in Spain. They, however, offer a modern twist to retain their very discerning clientele, many of whom return time and time again. On the ground floor is a busy bar with the most elaborate seafood display on ice and large slabs of ham hanging on the walls. This is where you’ll find the locals enjoying their tapas most evenings. Don’t worry if you can’t get a table, plonk yourself at the bar and enjoy your fried anchovies or morish cod croquettes while waiting for one to become free.
Upstairs things pick up a notch with very stylish surroundings and white table-clothed tables under an intricate fan-like ceiling. The menu reflects its surroundings and dishes include various fideuas, which you may know as paella. With excellent and attentive service, it’s great for dining out last minute with friends as the bar area is walk-in.
Address: Calle Villages, 3, 02001 Alicante, Spain
Bodeguita 1999
In the heart of Alicante, in a 20th century building that survived the bombings of the Spanish civil war, is a cosy diner with a large reputation. Amidst exposed brick walls with interesting art works and wood beamed ceilings with low hanging lamps are steaks to die for. Bodeguita 1999 specialises in steaks of all manner, T-bone, entrecote, or sirloin. Carefully selected by its team of experts to ensure quality against fat ratio and the appropriate maturity period to ensure juiciness, it’s perfect for those who love their meat.
However, meat isn’t the only thing you can enjoy here. Other dishes include a choice of paella, and various other seafood dishes, but you really go for the meat. It’s a truly authentic experience with super-friendly staff. What’s even better is that you can rock up without a booking. Perfect for those days you’re not sure on what to do.
Address: Calle Bailen, 4, 03001 Alicante, Spain
Bodhigreen
If you’re vegetarian and travelling in Alicante, Bodhigreen has got your back. This vegetarian restaurant/café serves attractive looking dishes that will soon banish your notion of vegetarian food being boring. There are also vegan and raw vegan options if you are on a health kick or fancy a cleanse after an indulgent holiday with berry bowls that are utterly delicious. Enjoy veggie burgers made with mushrooms, peas, parmesan, sweet potatoes, and beans served with fries or vegetable moussaka with lashings of deep rich tomato sauce. Otherwise, the burritos and pizzas are a must try too. When it comes to dessert, nothing beats the vegan caramel chocolate cake. Well, maybe the chocolate brownie does, so why not have both and share?
With welcoming staff and a chic but casual interior with outdoor tables, it’s a great location to watch the world go by whilst feeling smugly healthy.
Address: Calle San Fernando, 46, 03001 Alicante, Spain
Tabula Rasa
Another restaurant in Alicante making an appearance in the Michelin Guide is Tabula Rasa. Found in the historic Benalua district of Alicante, a visit to the restaurant is an experience not easily forgotten. At the core of the restaurant is a celebration of fresh ingredients, which means you won’t catch sight of either a freezer or vacuum packs. Serving traditional Spanish dishes that receive a very modern update, the menu is set and has only four items on it. It, however, has additional daily specials that change between lunch and dinner. It may be Banda rice (paella rice) with red shrimp carpaccio at lunch time, whilst at dinner a fillet of turbot is served in a foamy volute with chard. Dessert is hazelnut with tonka bean ice cream. It may sound simple, but the flavours are far from it.
Though classy and chic, with white tablecloths and white walls with interesting art, it is very family-friendly. Do remember to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Address: Calle. Alberola, 57, 03007 Alicante, Spain
El Gosto del Gourmet
Along the port area of Alicante, tucked away off Plaza de la Puerta is El Gosto del Gourmet. A seafood restaurant with an outdoor terrace from which to enjoy your food, a glass or two of vino, good weather and indulge in the sport of people watching.
El Gosto del Gourmet has a very laid-back atmosphere and attentive staff and is great if you’re travelling with family, as the menu is also reasonably priced. What people come here for is the paella, it is legendary and there’s plenty of it on offer. Try the lobster option if feeling indulgent and see if you can resist going back for more, otherwise there’s loads more to pick from. They also cater for gluten intolerances with a choice of dairy-free dishes available.
Address: Carrer Gravina, 4, 03002 Alacant, Alicante, Spain
Piripi
Continuing the trend of restaurants that have made it into the Michelin Guide, and the sister restaurant to Nou Moulin, is Piripi. A few years younger than its sister restaurant, it’s been operating since 1994. The same concept of a bar on the ground floor, where you’ll find various tapas dishes and is the beating heart of the restaurant, applies. Sit at the bar and enjoy a glass of wine or sangria and banter with the friendly staff whilst you watch your tapas be prepared. Selections include tuna tartare or steak tartare with a wide choice of croquettes to pick from. When you head upstairs, things take on a slightly more formal atmosphere but no less inviting and friendly.
For a truly authentic experience, book in advance and pre-order the cochinillo, it requires a preparation minimum time of six hours. A dining experience to be had by any self-proclaimed foodie. Deliciously succulent on the inside, the outside delivers a perfect amount of crunchy goodness.
Address: Av. Oscar Espla, 30, 03003 Alacant, Alicante, Spain
Populi Bistro
Last, but by no means least, from the group that gave us Nuo Moulin and Piripi is Populi Bistro. It’s the perfect excuse to head out of the hustle and bustle in Alicante to the quieter neighbourhood of Albufereta. Set in a large farmhouse surrounded by pine trees, it has a rustic contemporary feel inside inspired by a Nordic style interior. On the terrace, you could not find a more romantic setting with tables under wicker awnings, low hanging lights that flicker in the night to a mood set by gentle music joining in the whispering breeze.
Food is authentically Spanish with paella featuring heavily but there is lots more to pick from. Coupled with all that is an extensive wine list to complement the menu. This is a perfect setting for a special celebration or to treat that special person in your life.
Address: Carrer Vial Flora de Espana, 36, 03016 Alicante, Spain
Casa Julio
At one of the best beaches in Costa Blanca, the San Juan Beach, with views to die for, is Casa Julio. The restaurant prides itself in serving Mediterranean seafood dishes and has an extensive menu that also offers fish, salads, and meat. Needless to say, paella is the go-to dish here too; go for the seafood paella for unprecedented flavours.
It has a small terrace area whose shutters are opened in the summer so you can walk straight onto the beach. Given that it has a dedicated children’s menu, book in advance to avoid disappointment as it’s especially popular with families. If you’re in Spain in winter, it’s a good place to sit in comfort while watching the moody weather and clouds outside.
Address: Av. De. Niza, 034540 Alicante, Spain
From Bodequita whose walls survived the bombings of a Spanish civil war, to Steki in one of the most historic town centres in Spain, a trip to Alicante is a lesson in history whilst dining at some of the best restaurants in Spain.
