La Capella

La Capella is a rice restaurant in an old farmhouse on Carrer Sant Pau, close to the church square in Altea's old town, and it's the place to book when you want a proper paella lunch somewhere with character. The terrace is shaded and cool, with stone benches and a plant-lined walkway, and inside is cosy. Rice is the whole point. The crusted baked rice (arroz al horno con costra) is the one everyone mentions, followed by arroz a banda and seafood senyoret. Starters people like include avocado with fried cod and octopus, and the yoghurt ice cream with red berries is a good way to finish. The cooking is traditional with a modern touch. It fills up at weekends, so book. When it's slammed, service can get a bit chaotic, and one or two reviewers have flagged bread with tomato and alioli arriving unasked and then turning up on the bill. Otherwise the staff get plenty of praise for being warm and well paced.