Rice has a starring role in Alicantino cuisine and many of the restaurants are known simply as arrocerías (‘rice-erias’). Local classics, such as rice with fish broth or rice with a baked egg crust are served all around the harbour area, including the highly regarded Nou Manolín (C/Villegas 3, 965 200 368) and paella temple Dársena (Muelle de Levante 6, 965 207 589), which has around 100 varieties on the menu.

La Ereta (Castilla Santa Bárbara, Monte Benacantil, Parque de la Ereta, 965 143 250) combines traditional cooking with sea views, while the bedroom-sized Azahar (C/Alberola 57, 965 121 348) is perfect for a romantic treat. One of Alicante’s best restaurants is the old-fashioned but affordable Restaurante Jumillano (C/César Elguezábal 64, 965 212 964), which serves gourmet tapas with Jumilla wines. On a steep lane just behind the Plaza del Carmen, Rincón de Antonio (C/San Rafael 13, 965 202 688, closed Mon) is usually full of locals tucking into traditional food on the quiet terraza.

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