Quick answer: arroz del senyoret is a seafood rice dish where everything is already peeled — prawns, squid, cuttlefish — so you can eat it without getting your hands dirty. It's called that because the «senyoret» (little lord) didn't want to get messy. It costs between €17.50 and €20 per person, with a minimum of two. Where to try it? See rice restaurants with prices and phone numbers →
What is arroz del senyoret?
Arroz del senyoret (or "little lord's rice") is a seafood rice dish with a very practical twist: every ingredient is already peeled. Shelled prawns, sliced squid, cuttlefish, shelled mussels… everything ready to eat with a fork, no need to work through shells or get your hands dirty.
At heart it's a rice dish with the same intense sea flavour as arroz a banda, but designed to enjoy it with maximum comfort.
Why is it called "del senyoret"?
The name has a bit of a story. "Senyoret" means "little lord" in Valencian. Tradition has it that this rice was made by peeling all the seafood so that well-off gentlemen — not keen on peeling their own prawns — could eat it with no effort. Hence the name, somewhere between affectionate and mocking, which stuck for good.
Senyoret, arroz a banda and seafood paella: which is which
All three are sea rice dishes and look similar on a menu. This table clears it up at a glance:
| Arroz del senyoret | Arroz a banda | Seafood paella | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you see on the plate | Seafood, but all peeled | Practically just rice | Whole seafood, with shells |
| Peeling required | None | None | Yes, by hand |
| Where the flavour comes from | The stock and the peeled seafood | Only the fish stock | The seafood cooked inside |
| Price per person | €17.50 – 20 | €15 – 16 | €20 – 24 |
| Order it if… | You want seafood without the mess | You want the most Dénia-born flavour | You enjoy the ritual of peeling |
Prices from menus published by Dénia's rice restaurants in August 2026. See all prices dish by dish.
Arroz del senyoret vs arroz a banda
They're similar in their sea flavour, but they're not the same:
- Arroz a banda: the flavour is in the stock; it's served almost on its own, with hardly any visible bits. 👉 More on arroz a banda.
- Arroz del senyoret: has the seafood mixed in, but peeled, so you can eat it with ease.
Where to try arroz del senyoret in Dénia
It's one of the most common rice dishes on the menu at Dénia's rice restaurants. Our main guide has the best places:
See the best rice restaurants in Dénia →
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between senyoret rice and arroz a banda?
Senyoret has seafood inside, peeled and visible. Arroz a banda arrives almost on its own: its flavour is in the fish stock, and the fish was traditionally served apart. Senyoret is slightly pricier because of the seafood it includes.
How much does arroz del senyoret cost in Dénia?
Between €17.50 and €20 per person according to the menus published by Dénia's rice restaurants, with a minimum of two diners. It sits between arroz a banda (€15-16) and seafood paella (€20-24).
What is arroz del senyoret?
A seafood rice dish with all the ingredients already peeled (prawns, squid, cuttlefish…), so you can eat it without getting your hands dirty.
Why is it called arroz del senyoret?
After "senyoret" (little lord): the seafood was peeled so that well-off gentlemen could eat it comfortably, without making a mess.