Alicante Gastronomy

If you're considering a gourmet getaway to Alicante, you need to know which are the typical products and, most importantly, where they are served. With this small guide, we aim to bring you closer to the best cuisine of this wonderful land where the Mediterranean Sea and the sun are the protagonists. Here are our tips and recommendations.

What products will I try on a gourmet getaway to Alicante?

For those wondering "what products will I try on a gourmet getaway to Alicante?", we have prepared a small list of some of the most outstanding foods from this land of sea and mountains.

Fishes and shellfish

Fishes and shellfish hold a prominent place in this land. The Mediterranean Sea provides them, and they are truly exquisite. Highlights include prawns, carabineros, mussels, octopus, and fish such as sea bass, tuna, or gilthead sea bream, although there are many more. They are commonly eaten fried, grilled, or on a coca, a salty dough that resembles bread but lighter.

Rice dishes

Rice is, probably, the most iconic product of this land. The variety is almost infinite. In the past, fishermen and farmers added the ingredients they had access to into a container called paella. They used rice and garden produce, rabbit, fish, seafood... the result was an economical dish, but always delicious. What is the authentic paella of Alicante? You will have to discover it by visiting the best restaurants and listening to the stories of their creators.

Vegetables from the garden

Sun and good temperatures result in vegetables and produce of considerable size and potent flavor. Among the most notable are tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, zucchini, broad beans, or ñoras (a type of pepper). It is typical to find them grilled, always with a generous splash of AVOE, or as a side to almost all dishes. Regarding fruit, oranges, nisperos, melons, and watermelons stand out.

Turrón and nuts

Sweets in this region are as varied as they are exquisite. Among the most prominent are chocolate, turrón, and dates. It is also very common to find sweet coca, less typical than the savory one, but increasingly widespread. Ice creams are also famous, especially those containing local products like almonds, horchata, or, of course, chocolate.

Alicante restaurants that respect the product

Respect for the product is one of the premises considered in this selection. It is unfair to mask the taste of authenticity with embellishments. These should complement or enhance the flavor of the main ingredient, and in these restaurants, they succeed in doing so.

1.     Quique Dacosta

Quique Dacosta's restaurant, with 3 Michelin stars, is a perfect example of love for cooking. Each dish reflects the personality of its creator, who not only handles each ingredient with care and precision but is also an artist creating a masterpiece with each presentation. You can make a reservation through their website. The venue is located on Calle Rascassa, in Denia.

2.     Casa Elías

You might think of a simple place with a classic menu based on its name. If you think so, you're right. But don't confuse the terms. This is probably the restaurant serving the best rice in Spain. That's how some who have had the privilege of eating there describe it. The secret to its success lies in the quality of the ingredients, the skill in preparation, and, above all, the flavor imparted by cooking over live grapevine embers. Lush, flavorful rice like nowhere else. You will find it at Calle Rosales, 7, in Chinorlet.

3.     Aticcook Bruno Ruiz

At Aticcook Bruno Ruiz, you'll find a perfect fusion of avant-garde cuisine and Mediterranean products. This is one of those restaurants where you use all your senses. Bold flavors and traditional dishes interpreted with originality are some of this venue's highlights, which does not go unnoticed by the most demanding diners. If you're in Alicante, don't miss the opportunity. It's located in Denia, at Cami de La Bota number 13.

4.     Nou Manolin

There's no need to leave Alicante city to enjoy the province's gastronomy. An example is Nou Manolin, a restaurant where the freshness of its shellfish and fish stands out. It’s a classic that leaves all diners satisfied. Located on Calle Villegas, number 3, in Alicante.

5.     La Finca

The last restaurant we will mention is La Finca. The cuisine is modern, although based on quality local products. But it’s not only the food that stands out; the venue itself is impressive. Decorated with exquisite taste, it makes everyone feel special. It's one of the best options for couples. The address is Camí de Perleta, number 1, Elche.

Now that you know all the details for a gastronomic escape to Alicante, we want to give you one last recommendation. Remember to choose your accommodation at Villas Guzmán. We offer a wide selection to make the most of your experience. An ideal complement to your holidays on the Costa Blanca.