Eating
Rice, rice and more rice. Alicante’s paella is legendary, coming in countless varieties, from arroz negro (rice blackened in squid ink) to arroz con costra (with an egg ‘crust’). The inhabitants of the Costa Blanca have more recipes for rice than the average joe could ever imagine. There is one restaurant in Alicante that, depending on the season, has anywhere between 50 and 174 rice dishes on its menu.
Darsena
Has around 75 varieties rice dishes on its menu.
info - 965 20 75 89
Muelle de Levante 6
La Goleta
Grilled Vegetables - Arroz a Banda (Rice cooked in 'paella') - Bollitori de Bacallar (cooking of code fish with potatos)
Explanada de España
Piripi
Piripi is the place to visit for stylish, imaginative tapas or fine rice and seafood dishes. The owners like to showcase the produce of the region and many of their ingredients are sourced from vegetable gardens nearby, so you can be assured you're eating the freshest. Their mousse de turrón de Jijona (almond nougat mousse) is to die for.
Avenida Oscar Esplá 30
btwn Avenida Maisonnave and Calle del Arquitecto Morell
03003
info - 965 22 79 40
Open: 13:00-16:00, 20:00-24:00
Restaurante Jumillano
Which serves robust stews and gourmet tapas of mountain ham or Barbate mojama (salt-cured tuna) with Jumilla wines.
C/César Elguezábal 62-64
info - 965 21 29 64
Casa Ibarra
This is one of several budget places around Plaza del Ayuntamiento that does some decent food. They have a tasty set menu for a very reasonable price. It also has an exciting variety of tapas ('squids to the Roman' is the engaging translation of one seafood dish). Take your pick from a large array of fish and grilled meat including tender lamb chops.
Calle de Raphael Altamira 19
03002
Restaurante Mixto Vegetariano
Carnivores need not fear to enter here for this simple low-ceilinged place offers meat as well as vegetarian dishes at a reasonable price. You can combine dishes from either menu and enjoy an alfresco meal in the quiet plaza.
Plaza Santa María 2
2 blocks north of Av Juan Bautista Lafora
info - 965 20 08 42 |