10 Great Restaurants in Alicante

Baeza & Rufete is an excellent place to enjoy a gastronomic experience in Alicante. The chef of this Michelin-starred restaurant skilfully plays with subtle contrasts of flavours to create tasteful and unique local dishes. The cuisine is based on seasonal products, including Mediterranean fish and shellfish, olive oils, herbs, and seaweed.

Baeza & Rufete has fixed menus comprising aperitifs, starters, main dishes, and desserts. One of its most popular dishes is huevo negro – a cod stew with black garlic and egg yolk in the centre, creating the illusion of an egg inside a nest. You’ll appreciate the restaurant’s attentive staff and relaxed ambience with the soft music playing in the background.

Steki Restaurante in El Barrio, an old area of Alicante dating back to the 16^th century, highlights dishes from Spanish, Mexican and Greek traditions. The restaurant’s name means ‘meeting place’, signifying this blend of flavours.

It's a great place to dine with friends. You can select at least 5 sharing plates from the menu with options that include smoked cheese mousse, mussels in saffron sauce, duck with courgette flowers, and Iberian pork with tzatziki souvlaki. Desserts include nougat, yoghurt with pumpkin, as well as chocolate, corn, peanut, and tequila cake. There are only a few tables at Steki Restaurante, so make sure to book in advance.

Nou Manolin in Alicante hosts a bar on the ground floor and a dining room on the first floor. The bar is often packed with locals looking to enjoy good-quality tapas such as cod fritters, fried anchovies, spicy potato wedges, Iberian ham with fried quail egg, and tuna tartare with pistachio.

The restaurant offers beautifully presented and sophisticated dishes with plenty of rice, fish, and meat specialities. There is also a good selection of wines to complement your meal. The atmosphere is warm and rustic, while the food is reasonably priced.

Bodeguita 1999 is a must-visit in Alicante if you enjoy meat dishes. Succulent cuts of T-bone steak, entrecôte, Iberian pork, and homemade sausages are part of the menu. The meat is selected based on quality and maturation. You’ll find other excellent options, including paella, fresh fish, and salads.

Bodeguita 1999 occupies a building that dates back to the early 20^th century, with a rustic interior of stone walls and wooden tables. One contemporary aspect is complimentary Wi-Fi that is available throughout the dining space.

Tabula Rasa in the historic Benalúa district of Alicante occupies a building with a well-maintained facade and cosy interior. The owners of the restaurant preserve traditions of Spanish cuisine while giving it a modern and innovative twist.

There is a 6-course fixed menu based on fresh seasonal ingredients, so dishes change regularly. Standouts include tuna tartare, cod, potato Parmentier, Iberian pork on the grill with pumpkin cream, and cheesecake. Note that the main dish varies at lunch and dinner.

El Gosto del Gourmet is a popular restaurant set on Carrer Gravina, close to the Port of Alicante. Seating is available on its outdoor terrace and lovely dining room. It’s a great place for good-quality paella and fresh seafood, but the menu also includes a variety of specialities, including gluten and dairy-free dishes.

The restaurant is family-friendly, with attentive staff who will make you feel right at home. You’ll also appreciate El Gosto del Gourmet’s good-value meals. A must-try is the paella with lobster.

Piripi is a combination of a tapas bar and restaurant in Alicante. You might want a seat at the bar to watch tapas being prepared and wine being poured. Warm colours and the presence of wooden elements in the decor make the place very homely.

Head upstairs to enjoy the ambience of a classy restaurant. Its menu consists of well-presented regional specialities made with fresh seafood, fish, meat, and vegetables. Must-tries include meatballs with wine sauce, chickpeas stew with clams and monkfish, and homemade cannelloni.

Restaurante Casa Julio is a beachfront restaurant on the beautiful San Juan Beach in Alicante. Here, high-quality yet reasonably priced dishes are served for lunch and dinner. This is one of the top spots in Alicante offering both excellent views and food.

The menu is quite extensive, containing lots of seafood, fish, appetisers, fritters, salads, rice-based specialities, and meats. Standouts include seafood paella, turbo or grilled sole, as well as rice with rabbit and snails. There’s also a dedicated children’s menu, making it a popular spot for families. Restaurante Casa Julio is usually packed, so book in advance.

BodhiGreen is a meat-free restaurant in Alicante city centre. The menu offers plenty of options that are both delicious and visually attractive. From starters to main courses and desserts, you'll enjoy a tasty combination of flavours in each dish.

You can choose from a variety of soups, salads, mushroom burgers with fries, vegetable moussakas, lasagne, burritos, tarts, and cakes. There are also fresh juices or smoothies to complement your healthy meal. The staff is very attentive and friendly, so don't hesitate to ask for suggestions.

Populi Bistro occupies a large farm in Alicante’s Albufereta neighbourhood. Wooden decor, soft colours, fairy lights, a lovely playlist, rustic tablecloths, and plates create a charming and romantic ambience. Its spacious garden terrace is sheltered under the pine trees.  

You’ll discover Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on rice-based dishes, such as dry rice with red mullet and prawns or fideuàs (a paella-like dish made with short spaghetti) with monkfish. The restaurant also serves a selection of fish and meat dishes in sharable portions. Private parking is available for your convenience.