€€€international
A striking modern property on the ascent up to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, hence its superb views of the city. Here, Alicante-born chef Dani Frías offers two Mediterranean-based, contemporary menus (Ereta and Degus) that focus on seafood. This is demonstrated by one dish we particularly enjoyed: his delicious version of red shrimp stew (“caldereta de gamba roja”).
€€Modern Cuisine
Open boasts an eclectic look in keeping with its name. This similar liberal philosophy is also evident in its open-view kitchen and on the à la carte, with the option of creating your own half portion-style menu. The chefs here explain and serve their own contemporary dishes centred around market-fresh ingredients. One speciality that is definitely worth ordering is the Gilda Open, their interesting red tuna ‘catalana’ or the cuttlefish, guanciale and burrata gnocchi.
€€€Modern Cuisine
A gastronomic restaurant offering innovative international- and French-inspired cuisine which is always based around seasonal market ingredients. Tasting menus are the only option here, one of which is inspired by the period the chef spent working in the kitchen of the Hotel Ritz in Paris. Booking essential.
€€€Fusion
A life full of travel characterises Fernando and Olivia, a charming couple who have made their different culinary cultures (he is Mexican; she is Greek) the cornerstone of their joint gastronomic project. The name (Steki translates as a “meeting place”) of their simple restaurant, located in a pedestrian street in the city’s old quarter, also highlights this philosophy. Their cuisine is based around the cooking of the Mediterranean with understandable influences from Mexico and Greece. Although available à la carte, there is a minimum order of 5 dishes for two sharing.
€€Contemporary, Regional European
In the heart of Alicante, a short hop from the lively Central Market, there is a place with a great deal of character and personality. They themselves say that they are ‘an intimate restaurant, where cooking is done calmly and time is savoured’.Behind the name Plëgat, a small tribute to the now defunct business in the nearby town of San Juan where the chef Nanín Pérez felt the unbreakable bond with the world of gastronomy, you will find an elongated establishment with few tables (just 5 and a reserved area), with the kitchen half-open so we can watch him work. Here you can order á la carte or
€Regional Cuisine
This taverna could almost be described as a tapas museum! Huge choice of tapas on display, all prepared using high quality ingredients, as well as an extensive selection of wines.
🕐 Mo-Su 12:30-24:00
€€Mediterranean Cuisine
Koiné’s name refers to a variant of the Greek language once used in Ancient Greece. Here, the cuisine has returned to the origins and roots of Mediterranean cooking, working in tandem with the culinary traditions of Andalucia and with a style that has adapted to contemporary tastes. Chef Juanlu Parra has previously worked in the R&D department of the Dani García Group – a detail that is obvious on the menu. If you’re looking for a standout dish, try their award-winning aged picaña steak tartare, with creamy smoked eel on marrow and warm croissant.
€€€Farm to table, Regional Cuisine
As soon as you enter Nou Manolín, your gaze is immediately drawn to the superb array of shrimp, red prawn, crayfish, oysters etc in the seafood display. Whether you choose the bar on the ground floor or the dining room with a delightful designer-inspired ceiling upstairs, the market-inspired menu (featuring a few media-ración options and a small selection of rice dishes), is identical. To round off your meal in style, make sure you order the almond nougat soufflé with chocolate ice cream.
€€€Contemporary
A restaurant with a modern decor and gastro-bar ambience run by two chefs originally from the Netherlands, Danny van Vliet and Joris Bruurs. Here, the contemporary à la carte and menu options (daily and seasonal) change every two months. Their cuisine, with specials such as the delicious Stroopwafel (a reinterpretation of a Dutch dessert), combines Central European, French and Spanish influences. Sauces are a prominent presence, while many dishes are given a finishing touch on the grill.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
Distrikt41 in Alicante offers contemporary cuisine with a strong average rating of 4.7/5. Most reviewers highlight exceptional food quality, professional and personalized service, and a pleasant atmosphere. Dishes are described as creative, well-balanced, and paired excellently with wine. However, some negative feedback cites concerns over portion sizes, high prices, and perceived poor value for money. A few guests noted issues with meal pacing or specific seasoning. While generally praised for its high standards, the restaurant receives mixed opinions regarding cost-effectiveness. It suits diners seeking refined culinary experiences who prioritize quality over quantity.
Suitable for diners prioritizing culinary quality and service over portion size and price.
€€€Contemporary
A super-cool gastro-bar with an attractive bar and a variety of tables serving tapas, salted meats, Iberian hams, seafood, caviar, and rice dishes. Cocktails and after-work drinks complete the picture! Our recommendations? In the El Portal classics section, you have to try El bocata de Sergio, an absolute smash hit, and an already iconic snack, its iPepito, a tribute to Steve Jobs.
TripAdvisor review sample · 3.3/5 · 80 reviews
El Portal Alicante offers contemporary dining in a lavish, lively setting with active music. Experiences vary significantly: while some praise the refined food and welcoming atmosphere, others criticize the quality as mediocre or overly smoked. Service is inconsistent; though some staff are attentive, complaints cite rude attitudes, strict dress codes, and rushed seating. Value is frequently questioned due to high prices relative to portion sizes and overall satisfaction. The ambiance is captivating, but the dining experience can be stressful. Suitable for those seeking a vibrant, stylish venue, but less ideal for guests prioritizing consistent service or cost-effectiveness.
Suitable for diners seeking a vibrant, stylish atmosphere who are less concerned with consistent service or high value.
€€Traditional Cuisine
A unique restaurant that has recreated the ambience of a traditional grocery store, where you can enjoy delicate tapas, Iberian hams, salted dishes, high-quality tinned products and even seafood, many of which are packaged ready to take away.
€Peruvian
This bright, stone-walled restaurant in the heart of Alacant is the dream come true of chef Javier Beltri, who named the restaurant after his father (Victor Beltri, known to his family as Vituco). After training at Le Cordon Bleu, the Basque Culinary Center and various prestigious restaurants, here he seeks to offer us an itinerant proposal that flutters between the Mediterranean and Peru (especially surprising in the rice dishes, seasoned with products from this South American country). Interesting dishes? The Ensaladilla with soy mayonnaise and aji amarillo, the Anticucho a la brasa, the Arr
€€€€Creative, Modern Cuisine
If you’re looking for something truly out of the ordinary, this restaurant in Alicante is definitely the place to go.The dining experience is akin to a game that moves from one space to the next (Hi Line, Cocoon Lab and Geoda Verde), each of which features highly personalised decor and provides a backdrop of different visual effects and even specific aromas for your fine-dining experience. Chef Pablo Montoro’s fun and entertaining cuisine, including creative, travel-inspired dishes that showcase the Mediterranean (we loved the trompe l'oeil vegetable sausages and the onion royale, fermented on
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.5/5 · 80 reviews
Espacio Montoro offers creative modern cuisine praised for high quality, originality, and artistic presentation. Guests often describe the dining experience as unique and adventurous, with attentive service from a young, professional staff. The ambiance features distinct atmospheres and privacy-enhancing elements like curtains. However, opinions on value are mixed; some find the portions small relative to the menu cost, while others appreciate the experience. Negative reviews highlight issues such as difficult reservations, occasional service errors, billing disputes, and meal pacing concerns. While many consider it a must-visit for its innovative approach, others feel the execution does not always match the hype. Travelers should be aware of potential logistical challenges and varying portion sizes.
Suitable for diners seeking innovative cuisine and unique ambiance; reserve early and manage portion expectations.
€€€Modern Cuisine
Next to the emblematic La Lonja del Pescado building, a jewel of historicist architecture that now serves as an exhibition hall, this restaurant offers cuisine centred around a highly natural base, with pure flavours and no dressing up, as here they always highlight local seasonal produce (many raw ingredients come from their own vegetable garden, called Terramón and located just 9 miles away). The menu, which takes Alicante's culinary tradition as a starting point and attempts to offer a contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine, takes shape through three menus: Alicante, Monastrel
€€€Rice Dishes
Standing along one of the city’s main avenues, Piripi is one of the best-known tapas venues in Alicante, featuring a busy tapas bar on the ground floor (you can also eat at the bar counter) and a meticulous dining room upstairs. The extensive à la carte showcases its signature dishes, superb rice options, and an array of daily specials (fish and seafood are sourced daily direct from the fish auctions in Dénia and Santa Pola).
€€Traditional Cuisine
This elegant restaurant occupies an attractive villa surrounded by gardens that are popular for corporate events, private spaces for more intimate gatherings, and a terrace for summer dining that is often full. Choose from an extensive à la carte menu of traditional Mediterranean cuisine based around high-quality ingredients and featuring a small selection of rice dishes. We particularly recommended the delicious Santa Pola shrimp and the red tuna served four ways.
€€Traditional Cuisine, Grills
A brasserie-restaurant with a friendly, informal feel and pleasant terrace. Here, the house speciality, gently influenced by Basque cuisine, are the grilled meats and T-bone steak, although plenty of other options are available, including tapas, flatbreads, seasonal vegetables and excellent fish dishes (make sure you ask about the fresh fish of the day). The à la carte is complemented by a tasting menu for a minimum of two people sharing.
€€Modern Cuisine
Located near the beach and under a name that at first makes you think of legendary tennis player Björn Borg, we find Swedish-Spanish chef Carl Borg Medina who was born in Madrid and, from a culinary perspective, trained in Barcelona. His restaurant, with à la carte service (which changes three times a year) and the option of three set menus (an economical one at lunchtime and two tasting menus: Raíces and Alas, with 7 and 10 courses, respectively), combines Mediterranean and regional flavours with his Nordic roots. Recommendations? Everything is well priced, so start with the Gravadlax, a salm
€€€Contemporary, Regional European
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