Where to Eat in Alicante: The Best Restaurants by Neighbourhood
Alicante’s food culture is built on seafood and rice. This is not a city that needs to prove itself in any guide — it has a clear identity and a deep-rooted eating culture, far removed from the noise of other gastronomic capitals. Knowing where to eat in Alicante is the difference between leaving with the feeling that you have eaten really well and having fallen into one of the tourist traps around the Explanada. This guide steers you by zone so you can choose based on the occasion, your budget and what you feel like.
The Star Ingredient — Alicantian Rice
In Alicante, rice is not just another dish: it is the cornerstone of local food. It is worth knowing the differences before you order:
- Arroz a banda: the most representative. Cooked in a fish and shellfish stock and served on its own, with alioli on the side. The rice absorbs all the flavour of the stock.
- Arroz con costra: typical of the inland areas of the province (Elche, Orihuela). It contains cured meats and is finished in the oven with egg until a golden crust forms. Very different from the coastal seafood rice.
- Paella alicantina: made with chicken, rabbit and vegetables. Less well known than the Valencian version, but with its own distinct characteristics.
The golden rule: order rice at lunch. Most serious restaurants prepare it to order only at midday, never in the evening. If you see it on the dinner menu, that is a warning sign.
The Mercado Central — The Best Breakfast and Aperitif in the City
The Mercado Central is one of the finest examples of Modernista architecture in the Valencian Community and, at the same time, the place that best reveals the local larder. It opens Monday to Saturday in the morning and brings together stalls selling fresh fish, fruit, spices, cured meats and a bar area that is perfect for breakfast or the midday aperitif.
The bars inside and around the market are the favourite spot for Alicantians on a Saturday vermouth. The atmosphere is entirely local, prices are reasonable and the quality of the produce is high. It is the first stop we recommend to any visitor arriving in Alicante with a serious interest in eating well.
The Old Town and Barrio de Santa Cruz — Tapas and Atmosphere
The old town has the highest density of tapas bars in the city. The streets climbing from the centre towards the Castillo de Santa Barbara — particularly in the Barrio de Santa Cruz — are lined with traditional taverns, wine bars and informal restaurants that work equally well at lunch and in the evening.
It is the liveliest area in Alicante for tapas, with a mix of local and visiting custom that keeps the atmosphere genuine. The ideal time is a weekend lunchtime or from 8:30 pm any evening of the week. Avoid places with menus displayed in multiple languages outside and photographs of the food: these are almost always a sign of low-quality cooking aimed at tourists.
The Explanada and the Port — Options for Every Profile
The Explanada and port area is the most tourist-facing part of Alicante and, as such, the most variable in quality. There are decent options, particularly at the established restaurants with port views that have been here for years, but also a high concentration of places that rely on footfall rather than repeat custom.
The approach is straightforward: if you want to eat with a sea view in this area, do a little research before sitting down. Walk two streets back from the Explanada towards the centre and the quality-to-price ratio improves noticeably. The Marina yacht harbour also has several mid-to-upper-range restaurants with good terraces for a more relaxed lunch.
Benalua and the Ensanche — Where the Locals Eat
Benalua is the neighbourhood where Alicantians go to eat when they want nothing to do with tourism. The city’s residential grid has a strong offer of market-cooking restaurants, long-established bars and traditional restaurants with prices well below those of the historic centre.
If you have more than one day in the city and value authenticity over location, it is worth the walk — which is not far: less than 15 minutes on foot from the Explanada. It is the kind of area where you do not need to search any app: walk into the place with the most local customers and you are unlikely to go wrong.
Where to Eat in Alicante by Budget
| Level | Type of restaurant | Average spend per person |
| Budget | Set lunch menu, tapas bars in the ensanche | €12-18 |
| Mid-range | Traditional restaurants, rice dishes in the centre | €25-40 |
| Gastronomic experience | Specialist rice restaurants, contemporary Alicantian | €50-80 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Food in Alicante
What is the typical dish of Alicante?
Arroz a banda is the most representative dish of Alicantian gastronomy. It is cooked in a fish and shellfish stock and served with alioli on the side. Other notable dishes include arroz con costra, typical of the inland areas of the province, and coca amb tonyina, a local flatbread with tuna and pepper.
Where should I eat rice in Alicante?
The best rice dishes in Alicante are found in specialist restaurants in the city centre and around the port. The key recommendation is to order rice at lunchtime, as many restaurants only serve it at lunch and prepare it to order. Booking in advance at the more well-regarded places is advisable.
How much does it cost to eat in Alicante?
The average price of a set lunch menu in Alicante is around €12-15 including a drink. A rice dish for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between €30-50. Tapas in the old town allow you to eat well for €15-20 per person including drinks.
What is the best area for tapas in Alicante?
The old town and the area around the Barrio de Santa Cruz have the greatest concentration of traditional tapas bars. The Mercado Central is also a reference point for the midday aperitif and vermouth. Both areas are walkable from the city centre.
Where should I stay in Alicante to be close to the best restaurants?
Staying in the historic centre or around the Explanada allows you to reach the main food areas on foot. Libere has apartments in Alicante that are well positioned for enjoying the city without depending on transport.
