Internationally recognised for its health benefits, the Mediterranean diet is particularly evident in Alicante and Elche thanks to produce from its fertile lands and fish and shellfish from its waters.
In these regions, rice is unquestionably the principle ingredient in the majority of dishes, accompanied by fish, shellfish, meats and vegetables. The most famous among them are arroz a banda (Rice on the Side), arroz a la alicantina (Alicante Rice), arroz caldoso (Rice broth) or the popular olleta alicantina (rice and vegetable stew) made from vegetables and pulses.
Among the desserts, it is worth tasting our turrón (made from nuts) with designation of origin, horchatas (drink made from chufa nuts) and 100% homemade ice creams.
To complement these treats, it is worth trying the wines of Alicante which enjoy great recognition and prestige. The most outstanding wine of these is the Fondillon, an exclusive wine with the Alicante denomination of origin, with 100% overripe monastrell grape stock and with a minimum aging period of 10 years. It has a historical tradition which survives today, thanks to the 11 unique and exclusive wine cellars authorised to produce it.
One of the most traditional dishes in Alicante is undoubtedly the coca amb tonyina, which is a succulent tuna fish pie, as well as other kinds of pastries such as boba (sweet) and molletes (savoury). The wealth of Alicante's gastronomy extends to cover a wide variety of montaditos (canapés) and tapas (appetisers) using ingredients such as meats, vegetables and salted fish.
In Elche, many dishes are made from vegetables and fish. Crusty rice, rice with rabbit or snails, Mujol del Hondo with aioli and the traditional puchero con pelotas, a meatball stew are good examples. Among the desserts, there are fruits of the land - dates, figs and pomegranates, as well as the Tortada de Elche (Elche Cake) and fig bread.
Alicante and Elche have a wide range of restaurants of all categories from the most elegant and sophisticated to those with a more relaxed atmosphere. In each of them, you can enjoy the delights of our gastronomy.
