The 3 Best Coffee Shops and Cafés in Alicante and Surroundings

Spaniards and coffee

Spaniards are real coffee drinkers. They already start at breakfast. In fact, that’s often all they have before heading out in the morning. The true die‑hards even leave the house on an empty stomach and drink their coffee at a local breakfast bar. Regardless of the view, you pay on average about €1.10 for an espresso and around €2 for a coffee with milk. In Scheveningen you pay three times extra for the sea view. In Alicante it doesn’t matter whether you’re in a café with fluorescent lights on the ceiling or at the Costa Blanca overlooking azure water.

Types of coffee

Just like in the Netherlands, the types of coffee you can drink here are now endless. Cortado, café con leche, café solo… and then all the types of milk you can choose from: leche de avena (oat milk), bombón (sweetened milk), or regular leche. True coffee creamer as we know it in the Netherlands doesn’t really exist for Spaniards, but you can find it at Aldi or Lidl in Spain. Mercadona has small cups of coffee creamer.

Café con leche: Coffee with milk Americano: Black coffee Cortado: Espresso

With milk: con leche With sugar: con azúcar

Every year more nice coffee bars pop up in Alicante. Where previously nothing was spent on décor and service, you now see more and more cool, hip coffee spots appearing. I’ll be updating this list regularly!

1: Santa Gloria

On Plaza Portal de Elche you’ll find “Santa Gloria.” This coffee spot opened a little over a year ago. For tasty coffee, sandwiches, cakes, and even a glass of wine, you’re in the right place. Also nice when you have something to celebrate and want to take something sweet home — they pack cakes in a beautiful box (and then you just have to try not to eat it before you get home!).

This might be the coziest little square on the Costa Blanca. In summer you sit here cool under the huge ficus trees and in winter it feels a bit warmer because the trees shelter you from any wind. The square has become quite popular with locals and tourists. Going here with kids? Don’t forget to grab an ice cream around the corner at Borgonesse !

2: La Terraza del Gourmet

They’re not shy about their prices here — but hey, you’re on holiday and you want a little something! Good coffee in a nice mug, a glass of water on the side, and delicious tostadas. And the best part is simply the view — perfect for people‑watching on the boulevard!

My favorite here is a café con leche and a tostada integral con tomate — toasted bread with grated tomato and olive oil.

You’ll find this coffee spot at the beginning of the Explanada boulevard, near the large fountain.

Want even more great coffee spots and cafés? Order the Alicante Like a Local 2022 Ebook and you’ll be in the right place for a delicious cortado in no time!

Order a “Café con leche y tostada con tomate” here

3: Copity Playa San Juan

Rented a car and looking for a fun local hotspot to stop by? Definitely pull in at Copity. Coffee in the morning, a glass of wine in the afternoon, and dancing in the evening (though there are a lot of 18‑year‑olds then). Locals’ favorite hotspot is bar Simone. You can order tasty breakfasts here and have pizza in the evening. You can sit outside almost all year. Especially now, it’s a wonderful spot to catch the first rays of spring sun. No car but still want to go? Take tram line 3 and get off at “Campo de Golf” in Playa San Juan — you’ll be right at the door!

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What’s your favorite coffee spot in Alicante? Leave a comment — I always love that!