Valencia

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Cafe Madrigal

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

10:00-23:00 every day

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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

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.

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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