Manero Balmis, Alicante: review of the colonial-style tapas bar

The room comes first

Manero Balmis is the second Alicante bar from the Manero brand, and the first thing to say is that it's worth going just to see the room. It sits on Plaza Doctor Balmis in the city centre and opened in late 2022 as a homage to Francisco Javier de Balmis, the Alicante-born doctor. The design leans into the late 1700s: dark tropical woods, hand-painted murals of Alicante life, marble and mosaic floors, and painted mirrors.

The venue's own photos show the rest. A big chandelier over the bar, a green tiled bar front with stools pulled up to it, a checkerboard floor, and the Manero name lit up beside the window. It's the kind of place where you look up before you look at the menu.

What to order

The food follows the Manero formula: top-drawer product and classic tapas, with chef Carles Abellán steering the kitchen. Nothing here is trying to be clever for the sake of it.

The dishes to know:

• Manero's tomato tartare - the house dish, and a good place to start.
• The 'bikini Manero' toastie - their take on the toasted sandwich.
• Ensaladilla and tortilla - the classics you'd expect at a bar like this.
• Cannelloni and cheek - the heavier end of the menu, good on a cold night.
• Cod and red prawn tartare - the seafood picks.
• Torrija, or chocolate with bread, olive oil and salt - the two desserts. The torrija is the one we'd point you at.

It's listed for coffee and wine as well as food, so it works as a late afternoon stop too, not just a sit-down dinner.

Price feel and who it suits

This is a smart spot rather than a cheap one. You're paying for the product, the chef and the room, and it shows on the bill. If you want cheap montaditos and a caña, there are better places in Alicante for that. If you want one good night out that feels like an occasion, this is it.

It suits couples, visiting parents you want to impress, and anyone who likes eating at a bar with a bit of theatre around them. It's less suited to big noisy groups on a budget.

Google has it at 4.6 from 1,798 reviews, which is a strong score for a central Alicante bar that has only been open since late 2022.

When to go and how to book

It's popular. Book through the website or by WhatsApp if you want a table at a sensible hour, especially at the weekend. Walking in on a Friday night and expecting a table straight away is optimistic.

Listed opening hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 13:00 to midnight
• Friday and Saturday: 13:00 to 01:30
• Sunday: 13:00 to midnight

Those are the hours Google shows. Check before a special trip, because places in the centre shift their hours around fiestas and holidays.

Phone: 966 60 35 03.

Getting there

The address is Plaza Dr. Balmis, 1, 03001 Alicante. It's in the middle of the city, so walk. If you're coming in from San Juan or the beaches, take the TRAM into the centre and walk the last bit. Don't bring a car into the centre on a weekend night if you can avoid it.

The original Manero is a few minutes' walk away on Médico Manero Mollá, so if Balmis is full you've got a plan B from the same people.

For more of the neighbourhood, see our Alicante Centro area page.

How it compares to Alicante's other tapas bars

Manero Balmis is one of several smart tapas bars in the centre. Here's how it stacks up against three central Alicante bars from our directory.

Nou Manolín on Calle Restaurador Vicente Castelló is the Alicante bar counter everyone talks about. It's been running since 1971 and still feels like an institution. Google has it at 4.5 from 5,436 reviews. Go here for the classic version of what Manero does with more polish.

La Taberna del Gourmet on Calle San Fernando is where Alicante sends visitors who want to eat the city's produce properly. It's part of María José San Román's group, with a long counter loaded with tapas. Google has it at 4.4 from 7,077 reviews. More of a produce-first place than a design-first one.

El Portal on Calle Bilbao, just off the Rambla, is the one for top-end tapas and a big night out over good wine. It's held a Michelin Plate. Google has it at 4.4 from 4,094 reviews. If Manero is the dressed-up bar, El Portal is the dressed-up night.

Our take: Manero Balmis wins on the room, Nou Manolín wins on history, La Taberna del Gourmet wins on produce, and El Portal wins if you want to go big. On Google rating alone, Manero's 4.6 is the highest of the four.

Verdict

Go for the room, stay for the torrija. Manero Balmis is a good night out when you want central Alicante tapas with some theatre around it, and the rating backs that up. Book ahead and don't expect it to be cheap.

Make a night of it. Our Alicante nightlife guide covers where to go afterwards, and if you want somewhere loud and late to finish, read our review of Cromwell's, the late-night Irish rock pub.

FAQ

Is Manero Balmis the same as Bar Manero?

Same brand, second site. The original Manero is a few minutes' walk away on Médico Manero Mollá. Balmis opened in late 2022.

What are Manero Balmis's opening hours?

13:00 to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and 13:00 to 01:30 on Friday and Saturday, according to the listed hours.

Do I need to book?

Yes, if you want a table at a normal dinner time. Book through the website or by WhatsApp.

What should I order?

The tomato tartare, the bikini Manero toastie, and the torrija to finish.

Where exactly is it?

Plaza Dr. Balmis, 1, 03001 Alicante, in the city centre. See the Manero Balmis listing for the map.