Puro Alicante

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Alicante Rice Gastronomy
Local food culture

Alicante Rice Gastronomy

In Alicante, rice is an art form. Cooked in thin layers with a rich salmorreta base and crispy socarrat, it is deeply Mediterranean.

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The 3 secrets of Alicante rice

The Salmorreta

The signature Alicante paste made of dried ñora pepper, garlic and reduced tomato.

Thin layer & Socarrat

Cooked thin in wide pans for uniform texture and a crispy toasted bottom layer.

Concentrated Stock

Rich broth made from fresh local bay fish or poultry.

Essential rice dishes to order

Arroz a Banda

Fish stock rice traditionally served with a side course of fish and creamy alioli.

Arroz del Senyoret

Seafood rice with all shellfish peeled for effortless dining.

Pork & Artichoke Rice

Inland recipe with tender pork loin and fresh local artichokes.

Tabarca Caldero

Rich, soupy rockfish rice from the Tabarca marine reserve.

Consejos Prácticos

Cómo disfrutar del arroz como un local

  • Book ahead: authentic rice is cooked to order and takes 20-30 minutes.
  • Enjoy at lunchtime: rice is traditionally eaten for lunch between 13:30 and 16:00.
  • Pair with garlic alioli: the traditional side sauce for seafood rice.
Alojamiento Recomendado

Stay steps away from top rice restaurants

Aires Mediterráneos is located in the old town, surrounded by Alicante’s most famous traditional rice houses.

View Aires Mediterráneos Accommodation →