
Nou Manolín
A culinary institution since 1971, Nou Manolín offers sophisticated Mediterranean and Spanish fine dining, famous for its legendary seafood tapas and ...

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Nou Manolín

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A culinary institution since 1971, Nou Manolín offers sophisticated Mediterranean and Spanish fine dining, famous for its legendary seafood tapas and vibrant atmosphere.
Arrive Early for Bar Seating
Secure a spot at the bar or counter by arriving early or queuing before opening, as reservations are not accepted for the bar.
Explore Both Levels
Experience different ambiances by visiting both the lively downstairs bar and the slightly more formal upstairs restaurant.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mediterranean, Spanish
Price
$$$
Phone
+34 965 61 64 25
Address
C. Villegas, 3, 03001 Alacant, Alicante, Spain
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary Seafood Tapas Bar
Experience sophisticated versions of fresh, local seafood tapas at this legendary bar, a cornerstone of Alicante's dining scene since 1971.

Authentic Spanish Atmosphere
Immerse yourself in the vibrant, authentic Spanish atmosphere, especially lively at the downstairs bar, a favorite among locals and celebrities.

Exceptional Rice Dishes
Savor expertly prepared rice dishes, a local specialty, with options ranging from creamy to soupy, highlighting the region's culinary heritage.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Bar Seating
Secure a spot at the bar or counter by arriving early or queuing before opening, as reservations are not accepted for the bar.
Explore Both Levels
Experience different ambiances by visiting both the lively downstairs bar and the slightly more formal upstairs restaurant.
Fresh Seafood is a Must
Don't miss the seafood; it's consistently praised for its freshness, flavor, and perfect preparation.
Tapas Service Pace
Appetizer tapas service can be slow, but the brilliant food quality makes it worth the wait.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Bar Seating
Secure a spot at the bar or counter by arriving early or queuing before opening, as reservations are not accepted for the bar.
Explore Both Levels
Experience different ambiances by visiting both the lively downstairs bar and the slightly more formal upstairs restaurant.
Fresh Seafood is a Must
Don't miss the seafood; it's consistently praised for its freshness, flavor, and perfect preparation.
Tapas Service Pace
Appetizer tapas service can be slow, but the brilliant food quality makes it worth the wait.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Nou Manolín is celebrated for its exceptional Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine, particularly its legendary fresh seafood tapas and rice dishes. While many praise the exquisite food and attentive service, some diners have noted issues with service pacing and unexpected 'table service' charges.
"Great experience! We only had seafood and it was splendid—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Nice selection of wines too, which paired beautifully with the dishes."
Arthur Van Dam
"During my solo-cation, I had lunch at Nou—and it did not disappoint!
This elegant, high-end Spanish restaurant came highly recommended by good friends, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Despite the lively and bustling atmosphere, the staff made me feel genuinely welcomed and seen.
Sitting at the bar, I received excellent recommendations from the bartender, and every dish I tried was simply delicious. The flavors, the presentation, the service—everything was on point.
I’d highly recommend dining here. I’ll definitely be back!"
Georges Nakouzi
"Excellent food.
Nice atmosphere.
Service left unfortunately to desire as servers appeared to be a little distraught.
The service needs a little improvement, such as, for example, making a return visit to the customers' table after dispatching the dishes and asking them if everything is OK with the food.
The most bothering matter was about hidden service charges.
Once receiving the bill we found out that we were charged 3.36 €+tax per person as a "table service". Unless the management of this restaurant knows this practice appears to be ilegal if the customer isn't informed and does not accept the charges upfront.
Although this was a small amount compared with the bill's total, this left us with a bitter taste.
Such small details may make the difference between returning customers and and the ones left wondering."
L M
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
No, reservations are not accepted for the bar. It's recommended to arrive early or queue before opening to secure a seat.
The fresh seafood tapas, rice dishes, and unique offerings like Gilda tapas and rice with pigs trotters are highly recommended.
Yes, there's a lively bar on the ground floor and a more formal dining room on the first floor, offering different experiences.
One reviewer mentioned a 'table service' charge that was not clearly communicated upfront, leaving a negative impression.
The atmosphere is described as authentic Spanish, vibrant and lively at the bar, and classy and cool overall.
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Time-honoured and much-loved, Nou Manolín is a shoe-in for the best gastrobar in Alicante. Founded in 1971 by Vicente Castelló whose descendants still run the place a half-century later, this is a temple to local ingredients at their finest and freshest. Glass-fronted vitrines are arrayed with fish, shellfish, and vegetables destined to be fried, char-grilled, or sizzled a la plancha – highlights being the succulent red Dénia prawns and the calamares a la romana (battered squid rings), an exemplary version of a Spanish classic.
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Are you looking for a unique Mediterranean fine dining experience?. Nou Manolín has been serving it up since 1971, proving that Alicante is anything but the new kid on the culinary block in Spain. Focusing on seasonal produce, the chefs uphold this restaurant’s prestige with dishes like octopus with scallops and lemon sole tataki with seasonal mushrooms.
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An Alicante institution, this inviting exposed-brick and wood-lined restaurant is very popular with locals, who come for the excellent-value tapas, market produce, and freshly caught fish, a tribute to the city’s enduring relationship with the sea.
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For tapas, definitely Nou Manolin (Villegas 3)-the best tapas bar in Alicante. The second best is their little sibling, Piripi on Oscar Espla, 30
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Con décadas a sus espaldas, Nou Manolín triunfa desde 1971 en la capital alicantina, donde es un clásico entre sus grandes restaurantes. Su barra es legendaria, se dice que está entre las mejores barras de España, y en ella se pueden degustar las mejores tapas marineras en su versión sofisticada. Su cocina, que se mueve entre la tradición y modernidad, apuesta por la mejor materia prima del mercado local, las verduras de la huerta valenciana y el marisco de la bahía.
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The typical Alicante gastronomic experience involves a large bar filled with stunning food and a kitchen that interacts so closely with the bar that the bar staff come across as chefs. Nou Manolin and sister restaurant-cum-tapas bar, Piripi, are just such places. Try the huevos rotos (broken eggs with Ibérico ham) or, for a more traditional Alicante experience, choose from three styles of rice dishes – dry, soupy and creamy.
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A symbol of Alicante's gastronomic heritage, Restaurante Nou Manolín takes pride in serving traditional Mediterranean and Spanish dishes with a contemporary twist. With an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, their menu features exquisite seafood, tender meats, and mouthwatering rice dishes. Whether you're a seafood lover or a fan of creative tapas, Nou Manolín promises an unforgettable culinary journey.
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Nou Manolin in Alicante hosts a bar on the ground floor and a dining room on the first floor. The bar is often packed with locals looking to enjoy good-quality tapas such as cod fritters, fried anchovies, spicy potato wedges, Iberian ham with fried quail egg, and tuna tartare with pistachio. The restaurant offers beautifully presented and sophisticated dishes with plenty of rice, fish, and meat specialities.
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Ferran Adria and Juan Mari Arzak are supposedly fans of Nou Manolin, so that’s good enough for me. On both our visits we've managed to snag the last seats at the counter at their bar and there was a constant queue of people waiting for a spot. Excellent "Swarowski" crystal breads were topped with ensalada and whopping anchovies; jamon with runny-yolked quail eggs; and cured salmon with spicy guacamole.
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A typical Alicante gourmet experience includes a spacious bar stocked with delicious food and a kitchen that interacts so closely with the bar that the bartenders appear to be chefs. Nou Manolin and its new sister restaurant/tapas bar, Piripi, are two excellent examples. Try the huevos rotos or, for a more traditional Alicante experience, select from three types of rice dishes: creamy, soupy and dry.
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Nou Manolín – Extremely popular with the locals, which is always a good sign, depending on what time you arrive you may have to wait for a table but the quality of the food is worth it. This is one of those Spanish restaurants in Alicante that doubles as a tapas bar, but both main meals and tapas are delicious although prices are on the high side. Located on Calle Villegas 3.
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For dinner, I’d highly recommend making a reservation at Nou Manolin, which is one of the top places to eat in Alicante, known for its tapas and fresh seafood. The downstairs bar area is casual and always lively, while the upstairs is more formal if you’re looking for a sit-down meal. It doesn’t open until 8PM and there will most likely be a line to get in!
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Nou Manolin is located at the heart of the centre of Alicante. It's been more than 30 years since this Alicante restaurant first opened it's door and it has become a culinary reference for natives. Besides the bar that it's worth the visit in itself, it has three large spaces where it hosts diners, including a wine cellar that can be booked beforehand.
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For a more traditional experience, Nou Manolín is the place to go. This iconic tapas bar has been serving locals and visitors for decades, offering a wide range of delicious tapas made from the freshest ingredients. You’ll find classics like gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) and ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad), all prepared with care and attention.
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The bar in Nou Manolín is already a historical place in Alicante, and it’s no surprise, since they’ve been working for over 40 years with first-class product both at the bar and in the dining room. This restaurant is renowned for serving top-notch tapas at its bar and an excellent menu to taste in the dining rooms. 6 minutes on foot from Bguest!
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With more than a hundred years of history, Nou Manolín is a classic of Alicante's gastronomy. This restaurant seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, offering a wide variety of dishes ranging from classics of Spanish cuisine to contemporary creations. Its welcoming atmosphere and excellent service make Nou Manolín a must-see in Alicante.
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If it's full, try sister restaurant Nou Manolín (22) at Calle Villegas 3 (00 34 965 200 368; noumanolin.com). For a more formal experience try Alderbarán (23) at Muelle de Poniente 1 (00 34 965 123 130; www.maestral.es). Chef Roberto Jimemet specialises in paella-style dishes such as rice with cuttlefish and artichoke (€12).
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Since 1971, Nou Manolín has been renowned for its commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients and delivering exceptional dishes. This Michelin-starred gem offers impressive seafood dishes to its guests. Their extensive menu includes various seafood options, including a small assortment of delectable rice dishes.
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Restaurante Nou Manolín: Celebrating Alicante's gastronomic heritage, Nou Manolín offers traditional Mediterranean and Spanish dishes with a modern twist. From fresh seafood to creative tapas, their menu promises a culinary journey like no other. Location: C. Villegas, 3, 03001 Alicante
Alicante
The establishment has been welcoming guests since 1971, during which time it has become a favorite vacation spot for local residents. This is a classic gourmet restaurant with an expanded bar area. The terrace offers panoramic views of Alicante.
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Nou Manolin is from the same restaurant group as Piripi and is similarly split-level, with a less formal bar downstairs. Try and beat the locals to a seat at the bar there, the best place to enjoy the local seafood and rice dishes.
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There is hardly a better tomato salad in Alicante than the one they serve at tapas bar Nou Manolin. Simple and tasteful. Just a few years ago it was unthinkable to go to Nou Manolin clock 9:15 p.m., and fit in the bar.
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This is a very well-known address to locals with something of a split personality: upstairs is a chic, destination restaurant that does creative seafood dishes that are consistently bright and refined.
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Reconocida barra de tapas de productos levantinos decorada con azulejos y orgánicos salones vanguardistas. La barra ha hecho famoso al Nou Manolín. Su barra propone una forma diferente de comer.
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Nou Manolín: Known for its authentic Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist. Specialties include fish and shellfish dishes as well as traditional Spanish dishes. Price level: Medium to high.
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It is located in one of the pedestrian streets of Alicante city centre. It has a very good and varied à la carte menu and it is also considered to serve the best tapas in all of Spain.
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Restaurante en Alicante Brasas Braseria Asadoseventos@noumanolin.com | grupogastronou.com/nou-manolin | C/ Villegas, 3, 03001, | 965 616 425 | Alacant Buscar Restaurante
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Nou Manolín – Nou Manolín is a culinary landmark in Alicante, offering a quintessential Spanish dining experience infused with local flavors and traditions.
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