L'Escaleta

The story

L'Escaleta: Two-Michelin-Starred Mediterranean in Alcoy, Spain

L'Escaleta began in a semi-basement, entered by descending a few steps. That awkward space gave the restaurant a distinct character. Today, it has long outgrown those origins, earning two Michelin stars and three Repsol suns, and standing among the elite of Spanish cuisine.

The Team

At the stove is chef Kiko Moya. The restaurant’s own site describes him as having taken “a huge qualitative leap” with his constructions, projecting them into the upper echelons of Spanish cooking. His food is rooted in the Mediterranean, drawing on the landscape of inland Alicante with a personal, refined touch.

Alongside Moya, sommelier Alberto Redrado oversees a cellar of more than 1,000 references. His passion for wine has made him one of the country’s most respected sommeliers, and the wine list is a highlight of any visit.

The Space

The restaurant is now located at Subida a la Estación del Norte, 205 in Cocentaina, near Alcoy. The interior blends modern minimalism with classic warmth: beamed ceilings, exposed brick, and wood surfaces. As the restaurant puts it, they “bet on simplicity and elegance.”

The Experience

Guests choose from several tasting experiences—Sabor, Saboer, or the top-tier Mesa 0—each a progression through Moya’s Mediterranean cooking. L’Escaleta also hosts events, offers an online shop, and even sells a chef’s apron. The restaurant is celebrating its 40th anniversary, a milestone that underscores four decades of evolution from that basement to a benchmark of Mediterranean fine dining, consistently recognized by Michelin and Repsol.