The Costa Blanca and Alicante region boasts a remarkable cuisine with many culinary specialities. A land of rice, travelling to this region means discovering a gastronomic destination with over 300 rice-based specialities. With rice cooked in a broth, dry rice, creamy rice, rice with vegetables, seafood and meat, the Alicante region offers a veritable culinary feast! As you'll have gathered, traditional rice dishes are a reflection of the Costa Blanca lifestyle, so don't hesitate to try them out in a restaurant and make up your own mind about these legendary dishes. Some of the best-known rice specialities include: Arroz a banda (rice with fish and seafood), Arroz con costra (rice with crust), particularly popular in Elche, in which the rice is prepared with meat such as rabbit, chicken or cold meats.
The sea that stretches along the Costa Blanca provides a wealth of raw materials that fill the recipes with flavour. As well as the many rice specialities, fish and seafood stew is another traditional recipe that is particularly popular in Alicante's coastal areas. Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle and take a seat in a seaside restaurant to sample this dish.
Take the time to discover olleta, the most popular stew in Alicante. This dish, in which pork, black pudding and bacon are combined with potatoes, spinach and chickpeas, embodies the spirit of the region's cuisine and culture, inviting you to immerse yourself in an authentic gastronomic experience.
Finally, discover esgarrat, a well-known salad made with grilled peppers, cod, black olives, aubergine, garlic and olive oil.
If you really want to surprise your taste buds, there are several Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, particularly in Dénia, which has been named a creative city of gastronomy by Unesco. You will be able to sample some fine red prawns.