The set lunch (Menu of the day) at Nelsi restaurant costs only €11.50. The establishment offers a unique gastronomic combination — homemade Moldovan and Bulgarian cuisine at C/ Antonio Machado, 135, right in the heart of Spanish Torrevieja.
Taste of Traditions on the Costa Blanca: Review of the "Menu of the Day" at Nelsi Restaurant in Torrevieja
The Spanish tradition of Menú del día (menu of the day) has long become an integral part of daily life for both locals and tourists. Usually, restaurants offer classic Mediterranean dishes: gazpacho, paella, or baked fish. However, in the very center of Torrevieja, on C/ Antonio Machado, 135, Nelsi restaurant breaks the usual stereotypes. Here, guests are invited on a real culinary journey to Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The establishment specializes in homemade Moldovan and Bulgarian cuisine, offering a hearty, home-style warm, and incredibly affordable set lunch for just €11.50.
The menu’s slogan — 'Taste of traditions every day!' — fully justifies itself. The lunch is structured according to a classic and understandable principle: choice of first course, choice of second course, a selection of hearty side dish, and a pleasant bonus that completes the offer.
First course: Hearty homemade soups to choose from
The lunch begins with the deep traditions of Eastern European hospitality, where hot soup is the foundation of any meal. Guests are offered a choice of two completely different in character but equally hearty soups:
- Chicken soup with homemade noodles. This is a light, clear, and simultaneously restorative broth. The main secret of the dish is the homemade noodles. Tender chicken meat combined with thin egg noodles and fresh herbs creates a feeling of comfort and home warmth. This soup is ideal for those who prefer classic, mild flavors.
- Traditional Moldovan borscht. A true pride of Nelsi's cuisine. Unlike other regional variations, Moldovan borscht stands out with its piquant sourness and rich beetroot color. Thick, abundant with vegetables and meat, it is served according to all the rules — with a generous spoonful of thick white sour cream in the center of the plate, which gently reveals and balances the taste of aromatic spices.
Second course: Meat abundance and Balkan flavor
After the soup has whetted the appetite, it’s time for the main course. The menu of the day includes three items that can satisfy any preference — from street food lovers to connoisseurs of classic baked meat or fish:
- Homemade shawarma. A modern classic in authentic execution. Juicy, properly fried meat is wrapped in thin lavash together with fresh vegetables and a signature sauce. It turns out hearty, crispy on the outside and incredibly tender inside.
- Braised home-style pork. A dish for those who appreciate texture and depth of flavor. The pork is slowly braised over low heat in its own juices with spices, making the meat fibers soft, literally melting in the mouth. The thick and flavorful gravy makes this dish ideal in combination with any of the suggested side dishes.
- Fried fish. A light yet nutritious alternative to meat. The fish is fried until a crispy golden crust, retaining its juiciness inside, and served with lemon wedges. The sour citrus juice perfectly highlights the delicate taste of the fish, adding freshness characteristic of a seaside town.
Side dish: The foundation of a hearty lunch
Each main course requires the right accompaniment. At Nelsi, the choice of side dish is approached from a practical and traditional perspective, offering three classic options:
- Rice. Fluffy, neutral side dish that perfectly absorbs the juices and gravy from the braised pork or complements the fried fish.
- Homemade noodles. The same ones used in the soup but served as an independent side dish. Tossed with butter, it brings back the roots of rustic cuisine.
- Home-style new potatoes. Small tubers of tender potatoes, baked or fried whole until golden. The potatoes are sprinkled with aromatic fresh herbs on top, reminiscent of warm family meals.
Compliment from the establishment: A refreshing gift
The hot climate of Torrevieja requires special attention to drinks. As a pleasant bonus with every full lunch, Nelsi restaurant offers a signature cold drink as a gift. It is a bright, refreshing berry or fruit lemonade with ice and citrus slices. It not only completes the meal but also perfectly invigorates in the midst of a Spanish day.
Set lunch NELSI
For €11.50 in Torrevieja, it’s hard to find such a generous, diverse, and truly home-style offer. Nelsi restaurant has combined the culinary heritage of Moldova and Bulgaria in its menu, adapting it to the format of a convenient set lunch. If you’ve been missing the familiar flavors of hearty borscht, tender homemade noodles, or juicy braised meat — this address is definitely worth adding to your gastronomic checklist.