I Tried a Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Alicante — Here's What I Thought

By Isa | IsaUnpacked

If you know me, you know I'll never say no to good food, especially when a Michelin star is involved. So when I found out that one of Alicante's restaurants was awarded a star in 2025, I knew I had to go. But before I get into the food, let me tell you a little bit about Alicante itself, because this city deserves way more hype than it gets.

Alicante Stole My Heart a Little

Alicante is one of those places that just feels good to be in. Whether you're staying for a few days or just popping over for a day trip, there's something for everyone. The harbour is stunning, the beach is right there when you need a break, and the city is packed with restaurants, parks, and little cafés tucked into every corner.

One of my favourite things to do is walk along the promenade. It's lined with palm trees and has these gorgeous patterned tiles that create the illusion of waves under your feet such a clever detail. The whole stretch feels so Mediterranean and alive, especially with all the restaurants along the harbour looking out onto the water and the boats bobbing around. It's the kind of place where you sit down for a quick coffee and suddenly two hours have passed.

The Restaurant: La Taberna del Gourmet

Now, onto the main event. The restaurant is called La Taberna del Gourmet, and from the moment you walk in, you can tell it's special. Both the inside and outside seating areas are beautiful think flowers, greenery, and this really warm, inviting atmosphere. It's a tapas restaurant made for sharing, so naturally I brought my parents along because what's the point of incredible food if you can't fight over the last bite?

The Food — Round by Round

First Round: The Classics

We kicked things off with patatas bravas, a tuna and tomato salad, and a croquette. A strong start. The patatas bravas could have been a touch crispier for my taste, but the spice level was spot on that sauce had a really nice kick without being overwhelming. The tuna salad was delicious, but honestly? The tomatoes stole the show. They were so sweet and bursting with flavour, the kind that reminds you what tomatoes are actually supposed to taste like. The croquette was solid, not the most memorable dish of the meal, but still packed with flavour and a good opener.

Second Round: Things Got Serious

Next up: carpaccio and mussels. This is where the meal really levelled up. The carpaccio practically melted in my mouth. It was sliced paper-thin and paired with this cheese that added just the right amount of salty kick to lift the whole thing. Beautiful. The mussels were incredibly fresh, swimming in a garlic broth that I genuinely wanted to drink. The meat was juicy, tender, and full of that proper seaside flavour. This round was a chef's kiss.

Main Course: The Star of the Show

For mains, I ordered the solomillo with potatoes and pepper sauce, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it was amazing. The sauce had the perfect level of spice, the meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the potatoes balanced everything out beautifully. We also shared a tuna tataki, which came with some lovely accompanying sauces, and a ceviche salad. If I'm being completely honest, the ceviche was the only slight miss, a bit too citrusy for me, especially compared to how strong every other dish was. But one small dip in an otherwise incredible meal? I'll take it.

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely, without question. La Taberna del Gourmet is the kind of place where every dish tells you that someone in that kitchen genuinely cares. It's not pretentious, it's not trying too hard, it's just really, really good food in a beautiful setting. If you're ever in Alicante or anywhere in the Costa Blanca, this is worth the trip.

Go hungry. Order everything. Share with people you love. You won't regret it.

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