Pelican Restaurante - Playa San Juan

Pelican is a Japanese-fusion restaurant and cocktail bar on Avenida de la Costa Blanca in Playa de San Juan, and it's the spot for sushi and a sundowner rather than paella. It's the beach branch of a small Alicante brand, with a sister restaurant on Plaza Gabriel Miró in the centre. The menu pairs quality sushi with dishes from kitchens around the world given a Japanese twist. Reviewers single out the tempura prawns, the miso pork and, a little unexpectedly, the torreznos (crispy pork belly). The drinks side does signature cocktails with Asian flavours alongside reworked classics, and one diner compared it favourably to London's Roka at a friendlier price. There's a big terrace, and later in the evening DJs take over, so it's as much a night out as a dinner. Press put the average spend at around 45 euros a head, with set menus from about 35. A few people were caught out by charges for water and bread, so ask if you'd rather not. Book online or by phone.