Where to eat in Valencia

Where to eat in Valencia

1. Eat

   Alquería del Pou

   A favourite with locals, this hidden gem specialises in all types of traditional Valencian rice dishes and seafood, served in a garden setting.

   Daily 13:00-17:00; closed every Sun in Aug·Mains €12-20

2. Eat

   Andalus Dolç

   This restaurant-coffeeshop is a favourite with the local Moroccan community and serves a range of traditional Moroccan dishes, some of them vegetarian. It also has an excellent onsite bakery.

   Mon-Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri Sat 11:00-00:30, Sun 10:00-00:00·€9.50 set menu (Feb 2016)

3. Eat

   Bar Ricardo

   Operating since 1947, the restaurant serves traditional Valencian seafood, tapas, and sandwiches. It is also especially known for very good patatas bravas and ensalada rusa.

   Tue-Sat 08:00-00:00; closed public holidays

4. Eat

   Bodega Casa Montaña

   Established in 1836, this is the oldest tapas bar in Valencia. All classic dishes here are prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, accompanied by an enormous selection of wines. The setting is informal and friendly. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.

   Mon-Fri 13:00-16:00 20:00-23:30, Sat 12:30-16:00 20:00-23:30, Sun and holidays 12:30-16:00·€27 for a set menu

5. Eat

   Bodega La Rentaora

   Serves simple, creative and high-quality tapas, along with a full range of drinks.

   Mon-Fri 20:00-01:00, Sat Sun 12:00-17:00 20:00-01:00·€7-10 tapa + drink

6. Eat

   Ca la Mar

   This very small restaurant serves creative tapas, with a number of seafood as well as vegetarian options. Pleasant seating is both indoor and along a pedestrian-only street. They also have a decent selection of wine, as well as the local Turía beer.

   Tue Wed 11:00-01:00, Thu-Sun 10:00-01:00

7. Eat

   Cafe Madrigal

   Small cafe with outdoor seating offering tasty vegan food. On-line reservations available.

   10:00-23:00 every day

8. Eat

   Canalla Bistro

   This is the second of a trio of restaurants owned by star Valencian chef Ricard Camarena, with an eclectic menu that varies seasonally. Reservations can be made online.

   Daily 13:30-15:30, 20:30-23:30

9. Eat

   Casa Roberto

   A favourite with Valencians and those wishing to avoid the tourist traps, it serves great traditional rice dishes with a focus on paella. The place is packed at lunch, so it's best to arrive early, or even better, to have a reservation.

   Tue-Sat 13:00-16:00 20:45-23:00, Sun 13:00-16:00·Mains €18-23; 10% gratuity included in the final bill

10. Eat

    Central Bar

    One of a trio of restaurants owned and operated by famed Valencian chef Ricard Camarena, this tapas bar is a good place to sample his food without breaking the bank. The menu changes daily depending on what's available in the market. Reservations are not accepted, so if you plan to visit for lunch be prepared to wait awhile for a seat.

    Mon-Sat 06:30-15:30·Tapas €4-9 (Feb 2016)

11. Eat

    Cerveceria Alhambra

    This small sidewalk eatery is known throughout the city for its excellent tortillas de patatas in a number of flavours, many of them vegetarian. Tortillas can be eaten either with a fork (pincho) or in a sandwich (bocadillo). Meatballs (albondigas) are also served here, but main attraction are the tortillas.

    Mon-Fri 07:00-18:30; closed for the month of August·€5 for tortilla and drink (Nov 2015)

12. Eat

    El Poblet Restaurante

    Operated by star chef Quique Dacosta, the restaurant serves his most famous dishes from his eponymous three-starred Michelin restaurant in Dénia, but without the sky-high prices. This restaurant was awarded its own Michelin star in 2013. Reservations can be made online.

    Mon 13:30-15:30 20:30-22:30, Tue 13:30-15:30, Wed-Sat 13:30-15:30 20:30-22:30·Mains €21

13. Eat

    Kiosco La Pérgola

    This is a very popular lunch spot for delicious and cheap bocadillos. Their signature bocadillo is the Super Bombon, piled high with steak, jamón, lettuce, dressing, and french fries. The Bombon, which omits the french fries, is a slightly lighter version. Getting a table requires some patience, or reservations.

    Mon-Fri 08:00-16:30, Sat 08:30-16:00; closed for the month of August·Drink + bocadillo €3-4 (Oct 2017)

14. Eat

    La Más Bonita Patacona

    Good for breakfast, lunches, fresh juices, coffee and cocktails; this place is especially known for its cakes. There is seating in two areas: on the beach side with a view, or in an interior patio with garden. It is very popular, so if you don't have reservations be prepared to wait awhile.

    Daily 08:00-01:30

15. Eat

    La Pascuala

    This is a very popular place for almuerzo (late breakfast or early lunch), and is especially known for its very large bocadillos. No reservations are accepted, but it's worth the wait for a table.

    Mon-Sat 09:00-15:30·€5 for bocadillo and drink (June 2016)

16. Eat

    La Pepica

    Known for paella, this family-run restaurant has been open since 1898, and has served the likes of Ernest Hemingway as well as contemporary and modern celebrities. Reservations are recommended especially on weekends, and can be made online.

    Mon-Sat 13:00-16:00 20:30-21:00, Sun 13:00-16:00

17. Eat

    Mercat de Colón

    Mercado de Colón

    Built in 1916 as a marketplace, this excellent example of modernist architecture now houses a number of cafés and tapas bars. Every Sunday at noon there are free classical music concerts.

18. Eat

    Portland Ale House

    Owned and operated by an American from Portland, Oregon, this place serves classic American bar food and burgers, along with a good range of local beers. For those looking to improve their Spanish (or English) there is an intercambio (language exchange) open to all Wednesday evenings beginning at 20:30.

    Tue-Sun 19:00-02:00

19. Eat

    Refugio Restaurante

    Across the street from an air raid shelter from the civil war, it serves very innovative fusion cuisine. Reservations can be requested online.

    Daily 14:00-15:30 21:00-23:30·€12.50 (set menu M-F), €16 (set menu Sa and Su)

20. Eat

    Restaurante Balansiya

    A highly-regarded Moroccan restaurant which has been reviewed in the New York Times and has an extensive menu. Reservations can be made online.

    Daily 13:30-17:00, 20:30-24:00·Set menu €10-12 (weekdays only), tasting menu €20-30

21. Eat

    Restaurante La Principal

    The very popular restaurant is known primarily for traditional Valencian rice dishes, and is also a great place for tapas with a very good wine list and excellent service. It's especially busy at lunchtime – reservations recommended.

    Mon-Sat 13:30-15:30 20:30-23:30; closed for the month of August·Set menu €31-56

22. Eat

    Restaurante La Salita

    Te restaurant became famous when master chef Begoña Rodrigo won the first edition of Top Chef España in 2013. Reservations can be made by email or online.

    Mon-Sat 14:00-15:30, 21:00-22:30·Tasting menu €60+, wine extra

23. Eat

    Restaurante Lienzo

    Lienzo Gastrotapas

    This modern, creative avant garde restaurant is operated by chef Maria José Martinez, who formerly worked for Michelin-starred chef Quique Dacosta.

    Tue-Sat 13:30-16:00 20:30-23:00, Sun 13:30-16:00·Lunch set menu €20 (drink included), gastrotapas menu €30, tasting menu €60 (wine extra)

24. Eat

    Restaurante Navarro

    Serves classic Mediterranean dishes using ingredients from the Mercat Central and Mercat de Russafa, with a number of vegetarian options and a good wine selection. Paellas and other Valencian rice dishes must be reserved in advance. Reservations are required, and can be made online.

    Mon-Fri 13:30-16:00, Sat 13:30-16:00 20:30-23:00; closed Sun except for holidays·Set menu €22

25. Eat

    Restaurante Vertical

    Operated by chef Jorge de Andrés, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves innovative updates of traditional Valencian cuisine, in a setting with some of the best views of the city. Reservations can be made online; free parking (3 hr) available in Centro Comercial Aqua.

    Daily 13:30-15:30 20:30-23:30·Lunch set menu €55, dinner set menu €70; drinks extra

26. Eat

    RiFF

    Internationally-renowned chef and owner Bernd Knöller earned a Michelin star in 2009. Reservations can be made by phone or online. Occasional classes and cooking workshops are also offered.

    Tue-Sat 13:30-15:30, 20:30-23:00·Tasting menu €49-65, wine extra

27. Eat

    Ricard Camarena Restaurant

    Ricard Camarena's flagship restaurant earned him his third Michelin star in 2012, just three months after opening. Dishes are wildly creative, and guests have a good view of the kitchen to watch the master in action. Reservations can be made by email or online.

    Tue-Sat 13:30-15:30, 20:30-22:30·Tasting menu €75-105, wine extra

28. Eat

    Swagat Valencia

    Probably the best and most authentic of the few Indian restaurants in the city, Swagat serves a range of dishes from both northern and southern India. Diners can request dishes be spiced for the Indian, rather than the blander Spanish, palate. Reservations strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

    Daily 12:30-16:30 20:00-00:00

29. Eat

    Taberna Comer Beber Amar

    Serves paella, fideuà, and meat and seafood. Does not serve tapas, but does have a good wine selection.

    Daily 12:00-00:00·Set menu €24

30. Eat

    Tasca Ángel

    This tiny but very popular tapas bar is known for its sardinas (grilled sardines), served with garlic infused olive oil and white bread. Other specialties include champiñones a la plancha (grilled mushrooms) and gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns). The place only has a handful of tables with additional seating at the bar, and tends to get very packed after 21:00.

    Mon-Sat 10:30-15:00 19:30-23:30

31. Eat

    Yuk Mi

    One of only two Korean restaurants in Valencia, this family-operated restaurant is highly-regarded in the Asian community for its authentic home-style Korean cooking. Dishes can be modified to accommodate vegetarians, and diners can request how spicy (or not) they prefer their meal.

    Mon-Sat 13:30-15:30 20:30-22:30·Mains €8-12 (June 2017)

32. Eat Not mapped

    All i pebre

    A stew made of eel, a snake like fish typical from the Albufera, a lagoon near Valencia. You can drive to El Palmar and taste it there. Delicious, but a very special taste. You can find good paella, and other traditional dishes at the restaurants there too.

33. Eat Not mapped

    Arròs a banda

    arroz a banda

    A side dish of rice cooked in fish stock, usually served with alioli.

34. Eat Not mapped

    Arròs negre

    arroz negro

    Also cooked in fish stock, this rice dish is black because it contains squid ink, as well as squid or cuttlefish, peppers, and paprika.

35. Eat Not mapped

    Bunyols

    buñuelos

    Fried doughnuts, sometimes round shaped, sometimes like rings. Widely available only during March during the Falles celebration. Dip them in hot chocolate. Sometimes they are too oily, so don't eat a lot of them or you will not be hungry again for several hours. If you can choose the carabasa (pumpkin) version, you should try it. They are generally tastier.

36. Eat Not mapped

    Fideuà

    This paella-like dish, with short noodles and fish, was invented in Gandía and can be usually found in paella restaurants. It deserves a try too.

37. Eat Not mapped

    Llet merengada

    leche merengada

    A kind of milk-based soft ice cream with a cinnamon-lemon taste.

38. Eat Not mapped

    Paella

    There are several versions of this tasteful rice dish: paella valenciana, with meat (chicken and/or rabbit usually), paella de marisco, with fish or seafood, or even paella mixta, with meat and fish at the same time, the least popular among locals. It is very difficult to say which is the 'real' paella, as every person has his/her own version (though no paella that deserves this name contains sausage, ham or meat broth, for instance). If you want to eat an authentic paella, try it at the Malvarrosa beach area; you will find there are several good restaurants. The authentic Valencian paella is made only with fresh ingredients, in a special iron pan and using a fire made with wood (not gas or electricity). Vegetarian paella is called paella vegetal or paella de verduras. Authentic paella can be rather dry, it's not a soup and shouldn't look like gumbo. Don't be shy about scraping the caramelized rice from the bottom of the pan, it's delicious!

39. Eat

    La Lluna

    vegetarian

    Carrer de Sant Ramon, 23

    Mon-Sat 09:00-16:30, 20:00-00:00·Lunch menu €8-11 (July 2015)

40. Eat

    La Tastaolletes

    Vegetarian.

    Tue-Sat 14:00-16:00 21:00-24:00, Sun 14:00-16:00

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Valencia (CC BY-SA 4.0).