Best Bars and Cafés in Alicante
Alicante is a city that lives outdoors, and its bars and cafés are where that happens — from quiet espresso bars tucked into side streets off Carrer del Teatre to lively tapas terraces spilling onto sunny plazas. Whether you're after a serious specialty coffee or a late-evening cocktail with a plate of tapas, the city's café culture rewards a bit of wandering.
The old town (El Barrio) and the streets around C/ Navas, C/ Girona and Plaza Gabriel Miró pack in a dense mix of espresso bars, cafés and tapas spots, many of them consistently well reviewed by both locals and visitors. A short walk can take you from a calm specialty coffee shop to a buzzing bar serving cocktails and small plates.
This guide pulls out a few of the categories worth knowing before you go, plus answers to the questions travellers ask most about grabbing a coffee or a drink in Alicante.
Specialty coffee vs. classic café culture
Alicante has a strong specialty coffee scene alongside its more traditional cafés. Places like Point Bianco, Swallow - Specialty Coffee, Café Bardin, and Madness Specialty Coffee focus on carefully prepared espresso drinks, matcha and brunch-style food, and tend to draw a loyal regular crowd. For a more classic, unhurried café experience — good coffee, friendly owners, no fuss — spots like May Café and Cafeteria Tres Texturas are worth seeking out.
If you're working remotely or just want to linger, cafés such as Musa Café Alicante are noted for spacious interiors, air conditioning and decent WiFi, which makes a real difference on a hot Alicante afternoon.
Tapas bars and evening drinks
For an evening out, Alicante's tapas bars double as social hubs. La Fabrica, Linea7 Coffee Bar & Cocktail, and LA ZONA SOCIAL BAR all combine small plates with cocktails and outdoor seating, making them good options for sharing a few dishes over a long dinner. Martisano and Soul Bar Alicante are also well regarded for pairing food with a solid cocktail list — useful if you want more than just a drink.
- Tapas bars around Plaza Gabriel Miró and Carrer del Cid are good for outdoor, shaded seating
- Several spots get busy in the evening, so arriving earlier can mean an easier wait for a table
- Look for places that pair cocktails with a real food menu if you want a fuller meal out
Breakfast and brunch spots
Mornings in Alicante are built around toast, coffee and a relaxed pace. Bocaices Desayunos & Café Alicante, near Plaza de Toros, and Madness Specialty Coffee are both known for their breakfast tostadas, while Musa Café Alicante is a popular pick for a longer, laid-back breakfast. If you're staying near Mercado Canalejas, Clandestino de Canalejas is worth a look for a sit-down café experience with a generous portion of food and drink.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the best area in Alicante for bars and cafés?
The old town (El Barrio), especially around C/ Navas, Carrer del Teatre and Plaza Gabriel Miró, has the highest concentration of well-regarded cafés and bars within easy walking distance of each other.
Is it easy to find good specialty coffee in Alicante?
Yes — the city has a growing specialty coffee scene, with spots like Point Bianco, Swallow - Specialty Coffee and Madness Specialty Coffee all consistently well reviewed for their coffee quality.
Where can I get a good breakfast before sightseeing?
Bocaices Desayunos & Café Alicante and Madness Specialty Coffee are both popular for breakfast tostadas, while Musa Café Alicante is a good option if you want a spacious spot to sit for longer.
Are tapas bars in Alicante good for groups?
Many tapas bars, such as La Fabrica and LA ZONA SOCIAL BAR, are set up for sharing plates and groups, with outdoor seating on plazas that suits a longer, social evening out.
Do I need to book ahead for popular bars and cafés?
The data doesn't specify booking policies, but several reviews mention busy periods, so it's worth arriving a little earlier or checking directly with the venue, especially in the evening.