Alicante Food Guide: Best Restaurants, Tapas & Rooftop Bars

Alicante is no longer just a beach destination. It is one of Spain's most exciting food cities, home to two Michelin-starred restaurants, a thriving tapas culture and rooftop bars with some of the most dramatic views on the Mediterranean coast. Whether you arrive by plane, train or cruise ship, the food scene here is worth planning your trip around.

This guide covers the best restaurants in Alicante, what to order, where to drink at sunset and how to make the most of your time in the city — without dragging your luggage around.

What to eat in Alicante: the dishes you can't miss

Alicante's cuisine is built on three things: the sea, the land and time. The rice dishes alone are worth the trip — but there is much more to explore once you sit down at a local table.

Arroz a banda — the defining dish of the Alicante coast. Rice cooked slowly in a rich fish broth, served separately from the seafood, with homemade alioli on the side. Simple, precise and deeply satisfying.

Gambas rojas de Santa Pola — the local red prawns, caught in the waters just south of the city. Served boiled or grilled with nothing but a pinch of salt, they are among the finest shellfish in Spain.

Caldero alicantino — a hearty fisherman's stew of rock fish and rice, originating from the fishing villages of the Marina Alta. A winter dish with real depth of flavour.

Olleta marinera — a traditional stew of salt cod, vegetables and legumes. Less known outside the province, but a staple in old-school local restaurants.

Turrón de Jijona — the soft almond nougat made in the nearby town of Jijona, with its own protected designation of origin. Buy it at a local confectionery shop, not at the airport.

Best restaurants in Alicante

Alicante has two Michelin-starred restaurants within the city limits and more than a dozen others recommended by the Guide's inspectors. Here is the essential selection — from high-end tasting menus to the best tapas bars in town.

MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS

Monastrell (★ MICHELIN since 2013) View on Maps
The only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city of Alicante. Chef María José San Román is one of Spain's leading authorities on rice cooking and extra virgin olive oil. Much of the produce comes from her own organic farm, Terramón, located 15 km outside the city. Three tasting menus are available — Alicante (from €75), Monastrell and the chef's signature menu. Book at least two to three weeks in advance.

Baeza & Rufete (★ MICHELIN) View on Maps
The most contemporary fine dining address in Alicante. Chef Joaquín Baeza, trained under Martín Berasategui, builds his menus around aromatic herbs he picks himself, local olive oils and the extraordinary diversity of Alicante's seasonal produce. The Fórmula 1 Gastro lunch menu, from €50, is the best entry point into the city's high gastronomy.

MICHELIN GUIDE RECOMMENDED

La Ereta View on Maps
Perched on the hillside below Santa Bárbara Castle, La Ereta has one of the best terraces in the city. Chef Dani Frías offers two Mediterranean menus focused on seasonal seafood. Go for lunch on a clear day — the views over the port and the sea are exceptional.

El Portal Alicante View on Maps
A 21st-century taberna that combines a tapas bar, a gastronomy restaurant and a craft cocktail bar under one roof. The gambas rojas from Santa Pola, the whole boiled crab and the house vermouth are non-negotiable. One of the best cocktail lists in Alicante.

La Taberna del Gourmet View on Maps
The most beloved tapas institution in Alicante. No reservations, always buzzing, with a bar counter loaded with suckling pig, foie gras montaditos and grilled octopus. Arrive when it opens or be prepared to wait — it is always worth it.

Nou Manolín View on Maps
Open since 1972 and still the reference restaurant for generations of Alicante locals. The best caldero in the city. Two areas: a walk-in tapas bar on the ground floor and a proper dining room upstairs. The seafood display at the bar is a sight in itself.

Manero View on Maps
A former grocery store reinvented as a gastro-lifestyle concept. Iberian cold cuts, rice dishes and fish and meat cooked over charcoal. One of the most photographed interiors in Alicante — the space is as much a draw as the food.

Best rooftop bars and lounges in Alicante

Few cities offer what Alicante does at sunset: a cocktail on a rooftop terrace while the floodlit walls of Santa Bárbara Castle glow above the city skyline. These are the best rooftop bars to do it right.

Highbar Rooftop — 7th floor, Odyssey Rooms View on Maps
The locals' favourite for summer evenings. Craft cocktails made with local ingredients, wines from small Alicante wineries and sunset tastings with castle views. The quality of the cocktail programme sets it apart from most hotel rooftops in Spain.

Cúpula / Cuppola — Calle Gravina View on Maps
The trendiest rooftop of the moment. Bold interiors with art and cinema references, and the Cuppola Martini as the house signature. Great castle views and a crowd that takes its aperitivo seriously.

Boga Sky Bar — 10th floor, Hotel Port Alicante, San Juan Playa View on Maps
The go-to option for sea views. Chillout atmosphere, live DJ sets and a cocktail menu built around local produce. The view stretches across the bay towards the mountains — best experienced in the last hour before dark.

La Milagrosa Rooftop — Hotel La Milagrosa, old town View on Maps
The most beloved rooftop in the historic quarter, with direct views up to Santa Bárbara Castle. Relaxed atmosphere, a wide cocktail menu and a mainly local crowd. The ideal spot for your first evening in the city.

La Terraza de Amérigo — 4th floor, Hospes Amérigo View on Maps
The most elegant option. Five-star hotel service, a well-curated wine list and a calm, sophisticated atmosphere. Perfect for a special occasion or a business dinner that calls for something memorable.

Terraza Mira Miralta — Eurostars Hotel Pórtico View on Maps
Right next to the Ayuntamiento, with a unique angle on the Town Hall square and the castle above. DJ nights on summer Saturdays and a menu of gourmet tapas that hold their own against the view.

Practical tips for eating well in Alicante

MEAL TIMES
Lunch in Alicante runs from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner does not start before 9:00 PM. Arriving at 8:00 PM means being the first — and often the only — table. Adapting to the local schedule makes the difference between eating well and eating wherever has a free seat.

RESERVATIONS
Monastrell and Baeza & Rufete require bookings two to three weeks ahead, especially in high season. La Taberna del Gourmet does not take reservations — arrive at opening time or be prepared to wait at the bar.

CENTRAL MARKET
The Mercado Central is a mandatory stop before any restaurant visit. On Friday mornings: fresh gambas, local cheeses and freshly made alioli. The best aperitivo in Alicante costs under five euros.

LOCAL WINES
The Alicante DO produces excellent monastrell-based red wines at very accessible prices. Ask for «vino tinto local» — at €4–6 a glass, it almost always delivers.

LUGGAGE STORAGE
If you arrive with a bag before check-in or have an afternoon flight on the way out, do not waste the morning at the hotel. DROP&WALK automatic lockers in the centre of Alicante are open 24 hours, no queues, no staff needed. Book online with the code ALICANTE10 for a 10% discount.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Are there Michelin-starred restaurants in Alicante?
Yes. The city has two: Monastrell (★ since 2013, chef María José San Román) and Baeza & Rufete (★). More than a dozen other restaurants in the city are recommended by MICHELIN Guide inspectors. Within the province, less than two hours away, you will find Quique Dacosta in Dénia (★★★), one of Spain's greatest restaurants.

What is arroz a banda and where can I try it?
Arroz a banda is the most iconic dish of the Alicante coast: rice cooked in fish broth and served with homemade alioli. The best places in the city to try it are Monastrell, La Ereta and Nou Manolín.

What is the best rooftop bar in Alicante?
It depends on what you are looking for. For craft cocktails with castle views: Highbar Rooftop. For a trendy crowd and design interiors: Cúpula. For sea views and a chillout vibe: Boga Sky Bar. For a relaxed first evening in the old town: La Milagrosa Rooftop.

Where can I store my luggage in Alicante?
DROP&WALK automatic lockers in the city centre are available 24 hours a day with no staff and no queues. Book online and use the code ALICANTE10 for a 10% discount. Ideal if you want to spend the day eating, drinking and exploring the city without carrying your bag.

When is the best time to visit Alicante for food?
May–June and September–October offer the best combination: excellent seasonal produce, fewer tourists and perfect weather for terrace dining. August is busy and very hot, but the rooftop bars run at full capacity and the city is at its most electric.