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Alicante is one of Spain’s great food cities, and the surrounding province produces some of the country’s finest rice dishes, wines, turron nougat, and seafood. Whether you’re eating at a simple chiringuito on the beach, a neighbourhood tapas bar, or a serious restaurant in the city, the quality is consistently outstanding. Here is our guide to eating and drinking around Alicante.
Arroz a Banda — The Local Speciality
If you eat one dish in Alicante, make it arroz a banda. Unlike the Valencia paella you’ll know from elsewhere, arroz a banda is cooked in rich fish stock and served separately from the fish and seafood used to make the broth. The rice absorbs incredible depth of flavour, finished with allioli on the side. The best versions have a proper socarrat — the crispy caramelised bottom layer that is the mark of a rice cooked with skill and confidence.
Look for it at restaurants in Santa Pola, at the waterfront in Alicante’s port area (La Marina), and at traditional restaurants in the villages inland like Elche and Guardamar.
Tapas and the Tapas Culture
Alicante’s tapas scene is excellent. The city centre around the Mercado Central and the Barrio, the old town beneath the castle, is packed with bars where a glass of local wine or cerveza comes with free tapas — a tradition that still holds strong here. Look out for: pulpo a la gallega (octopus with paprika and olive oil), croquetas de jamon, gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic oil), and berberechos (cockles).
The Santa Pola fish market town 10 minutes from Arenales del Sol has superb fresh seafood tapas, particularly clams, sea urchin when in season, and fried pescaito.
Turrón de Jijona
The town of Jijona, 25 minutes inland, is the home of Spain’s famous turrón nougat. The soft, crumbly Jijona-style turrón made from ground almonds is the original version — far more complex and interesting than the hard almond variety sold everywhere at Christmas. You can visit the turrón factories and buy direct.
Alicante Wines — DO Alicante
Alicante province has two designated wine zones: the Marina Alta (north, near Denia) and the Vinalopó valley. The local Monastrell grape makes rich, powerful reds with dark fruit and earthy character. The sweet Moscatel wine is also delicious — a perfect dessert wine with local pastries. Several bodegas offer tours and tastings.
Restaurant Recommendations
In Alicante city, the Mercado Central area has concentrated the best of the traditional tapas bars. La Taberna del Gourmet on San Fernando is renowned for its creative small plates and excellent wine list. For traditional rice dishes, Dársena in La Marina is an institution. In Santa Pola, Miramar on the seafront offers the best fresh fish and arroz dishes in the area.
For a more casual experience closer to Vista del Sol, the beach chiringuitos at Carabassi serve perfectly good grilled fish, paella, and cold drinks with your feet practically in the sand — simple pleasures that never get old.
Alicante is one of Spain’s great food cities, and the surrounding province produces some of the country’s finest rice dishes, wines, turron nougat, and seafood. Whether you’re eating at a simple chiringuito on the beach, a neighbourhood tapas bar, or a serious restaurant in the city, the quality is consistently outstanding. Here is our guide to eating and drinking around Alicante.
Arroz a Banda — The Local Speciality
If you eat one dish in Alicante, make it arroz a banda. Unlike the Valencia paella you’ll know from elsewhere, arroz a banda is cooked in rich fish stock and served separately from the fish and seafood used to make the broth. The rice absorbs incredible depth of flavour, finished with allioli on the side. The best versions have a proper socarrat — the crispy caramelised bottom layer that is the mark of a rice cooked with skill and confidence.
Look for it at restaurants in Santa Pola, at the waterfront in Alicante’s port area (La Marina), and at traditional restaurants in the villages inland like Elche and Guardamar.
Tapas and the Tapas Culture
Alicante’s tapas scene is excellent. The city centre around the Mercado Central and the Barrio, the old town beneath the castle, is packed with bars where a glass of local wine or cerveza comes with free tapas — a tradition that still holds strong here. Look out for: pulpo a la gallega (octopus with paprika and olive oil), croquetas de jamon, gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic oil), and berberechos (cockles).
The Santa Pola fish market town 10 minutes from Arenales del Sol has superb fresh seafood tapas, particularly clams, sea urchin when in season, and fried pescaito.
Turrón de Jijona
The town of Jijona, 25 minutes inland, is the home of Spain’s famous turrón nougat. The soft, crumbly Jijona-style turrón made from ground almonds is the original version — far more complex and interesting than the hard almond variety sold everywhere at Christmas. You can visit the turrón factories and buy direct.
Alicante Wines — DO Alicante
Alicante province has two designated wine zones: the Marina Alta (north, near Denia) and the Vinalopó valley. The local Monastrell grape makes rich, powerful reds with dark fruit and earthy character. The sweet Moscatel wine is also delicious — a perfect dessert wine with local pastries. Several bodegas offer tours and tastings.
Restaurant Recommendations
In Alicante city, the Mercado Central area has concentrated the best of the traditional tapas bars. La Taberna del Gourmet on San Fernando is renowned for its creative small plates and excellent wine list. For traditional rice dishes, Dársena in La Marina is an institution. In Santa Pola, Miramar on the seafront offers the best fresh fish and arroz dishes in the area.
For a more casual experience closer to Vista del Sol, the beach chiringuitos at Carabassi serve perfectly good grilled fish, paella, and cold drinks with your feet practically in the sand — simple pleasures that never get old.
Alicante is one of Spain’s great food cities, and the surrounding province produces some of the country’s finest rice dishes, wines, turron nougat, and seafood. Whether you’re eating at a simple chiringuito on the beach, a neighbourhood tapas bar, or a serious restaurant in the city, the quality is consistently outstanding. Here is our guide to eating and drinking around Alicante.
Arroz a Banda — The Local Speciality
If you eat one dish in Alicante, make it arroz a banda. Unlike the Valencia paella you’ll know from elsewhere, arroz a banda is cooked in rich fish stock and served separately from the fish and seafood used to make the broth. The rice absorbs incredible depth of flavour, finished with allioli on the side. The best versions have a proper socarrat — the crispy caramelised bottom layer that is the mark of a rice cooked with skill and confidence.
Look for it at restaurants in Santa Pola, at the waterfront in Alicante’s port area (La Marina), and at traditional restaurants in the villages inland like Elche and Guardamar.
Tapas and the Tapas Culture
Alicante’s tapas scene is excellent. The city centre around the Mercado Central and the Barrio, the old town beneath the castle, is packed with bars where a glass of local wine or cerveza comes with free tapas — a tradition that still holds strong here. Look out for: pulpo a la gallega (octopus with paprika and olive oil), croquetas de jamon, gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic oil), and berberechos (cockles).
The Santa Pola fish market town 10 minutes from Arenales del Sol has superb fresh seafood tapas, particularly clams, sea urchin when in season, and fried pescaito.
Turrón de Jijona
The town of Jijona, 25 minutes inland, is the home of Spain’s famous turrón nougat. The soft, crumbly Jijona-style turrón made from ground almonds is the original version — far more complex and interesting than the hard almond variety sold everywhere at Christmas. You can visit the turrón factories and buy direct.
Alicante Wines — DO Alicante
Alicante province has two designated wine zones: the Marina Alta (north, near Denia) and the Vinalopó valley. The local Monastrell grape makes rich, powerful reds with dark fruit and earthy character. The sweet Moscatel wine is also delicious — a perfect dessert wine with local pastries. Several bodegas offer tours and tastings.
Restaurant Recommendations
In Alicante city, the Mercado Central area has concentrated the best of the traditional tapas bars. La Taberna del Gourmet on San Fernando is renowned for its creative small plates and excellent wine list. For traditional rice dishes, Dársena in La Marina is an institution. In Santa Pola, Miramar on the seafront offers the best fresh fish and arroz dishes in the area.
For a more casual experience closer to Vista del Sol, the beach chiringuitos at Carabassi serve perfectly good grilled fish, paella, and cold drinks with your feet practically in the sand — simple pleasures that never get old.
