Valencia is famous for its Mediterranean gastronomy, which combines fresh and tasty ingredients to create unique and delicious dishes. If there's one thing we love about this city, it's the food: Valencian paella, fideuá, all i pebre... there is so much to choose from!
If you are looking for where to eat in Valencia, we tell you below which are the best places to enjoy the best food in the city typical valencian food as well as other more innovative options. We also recommend you the best place to taste the famous horchata or the water of Valencia. Get ready to experience a feast of flavors and emotions in this beautiful coastal city.
If you are going to spend a few days in the area, we recommend you to see our guide on what to visit in Valencia.
Best restaurants near the Malvarrosa beach
Malvarrosa beach is the most famous beach in the city, and enjoying a good meal in its surroundings is a real pleasure. Most of the articles will tell you about tasting an authentic Valencian paella at La Pepica a classic of the area with more than 100 years of history or about La Marcelina to eat rice and seafood. We prefer Carmela House which we will tell you more about later.
Also, if you are looking for something more casual, La Pascuala Winery is the perfect place to have tapas and taste some delicious Valencian clóchinas Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic experience by the Mediterranean Sea!
1. Casa Carmela
Our first recommendation in Valencia could not be any other than a restaurant specialized in Paellas. This place is one of our favorites in Valencia and we never tire of coming back every time we go. Located on Malvarrosa beach, Casa Carmela is a family restaurant that has been serving Valencian dishes for over 90 years.
If you go to this restaurant is to try some of their paellas that are made at the moment in wood-fired oven. His specialty, the Valencian paella Chicken, rabbit, green beans and rice, spectacular! It is the only one you have to order because it is one of the most demanded. They also have fideuá and a good selection of fish and seafood if you don't feel like eating rice.
The last time we went there we had a tomato salad with tuna as a starter, and for the main course we had "Senyoret" rice, which was delicious and super creamy with a touch of socarrat. We ate in their beautiful interior terrace, which had a very well cared for ambience and decoration.
We pay about 30€pp Very good food, although the service was a bit slow as the place was full to the brim. If you go in high season, it is essential to book first. They have Aguila and Aguila unfiltered on tap.
Valencian Council 🥘
If you go in high season you will have to book a few days in advance, and if you plan to try the Valencian paella you have to order it. This one has green beans, white beans, rabbit and chicken.
Restaurants near the city of the arts
The City of Arts and Sciences is another of the best known areas of Valencia, and also has a number of excellent restaurants where you can enjoy the best of Valencian cuisine.
In the vicinity of this impressive architectural complex, you will find very interesting options such as the Submarino Restaurant located within the Oceanogràfic where you can taste fish and seafood dishes while enjoying the view of the aquarium. If you go a little further, you have the La Riua Restaurant for paella lovers offering a wide variety of rice dishes, including traditional Valencian paella and arroz a banda. If you are in the mood for something quicker, nearby is the Saler shopping center where you will be able to have tapas and taste the famous "esgarraet" y "espencat"Valencian. Although our recommendation is undoubtedly the Alquería del Pou, which we develop below.
A visit to the City of Arts and Sciences would not be complete without a stop at one of these fantastic restaurants!
2. Alqueria del Pou
Restaurant located very close to the City of Arts, perfect to go for lunch after spending the morning visiting the complex. Specializing in dishes of Valencian cuisine, with fresh produce from the garden and the sea. In addition to rice they have a multitude of typical dishes such as all i pebre a dish of eels with garlic and paprika, tellinas (coquinas), or clòxines (native mussels).
In this case we wanted to try a slightly more "modern" rice and we ordered the one from duck and foie a delight. One of the best rice dishes we have ever tasted. As a starter some cod croquettes very mellow and tasty.
The restaurant is located in a "alquería", a typical agricultural farm of the region, hence its name. It is a charming place with a relaxed and quiet atmosphere that will make you feel as if you were in an oasis in the middle of the city.
The average price of the restaurant is 25-30€ per person and the food is great. A friend from Valencia recommended it to us and the truth is that it was a success. A not so well known place where you eat great.
Charming restaurants in Valencia
Are you looking for a restaurant for a special occasion? In addition to good food, do you like to be surrounded by a unique environment? Then take a look at the places we propose here:
- In the heart of the old town, you will discover places such as the Navarro Restaurant a classic Valencian restaurant where you can enjoy traditional dishes such as the "all i pebre"and the "fideuá".
- Another charming establishment is Mountain House a historic bodega in the seaside neighborhood of El Cabanyal which offers a wide selection of tapas and local wines.
- La Salita led by chef Begoña Rodrigo, is a place of reference in Valencian haute cuisine, with an innovative and creative gastronomic proposal.
- Although our top recommendation is located in the bohemian neighborhood of Ruzafa where you should visit the Canalla Bistro We have the photos of the food below, a place of fusion of Valencian and international flavors that will surprise you!
3. Canalla Bistro
Canalla Bistro is a restaurant of fusion cuisine that allows you to take a gastronomic journey through its dishes without leaving Valencia. This restaurant is the most "rogue" proposal of the renowned Valencian chef with Michelin star Ricard Camarena.
You can order from the menu and there are also tasting menu options, although we believe that the best option is to go with several friends and order everything to share. We loved everything we tried:
- Avocado cannelloni marinated bonito and "pico de gallo".
- Burrata Straciatella with shrimp-chili-garlic and pan cristal.
- Meatballs beef in Korean black garlic, Chinese chard and jasmine rice.
- Sandwich crispy lamb shoulder "kebab" style.
The decoration of the place is fun and unique as all the walls are full of pig heads of different shapes and colors. It looks small when you enter, but we were at the back and it looks like a maze!
The average price per person is 30-40€ eating quite well and depending on the drinks ordered. We found it to be excellent value for money so, if you are looking for a unique dining experience in Valencia, Canalla Bistro is a very good option.
Best Hamburger Restaurants in Valencia
Although Valencian gastronomy is known for its delicious traditional recipes, the city also offers options for those looking for a good burger. In Valencia, you will find a wide variety of restaurants serving quality burgers, from classic to gourmet.
- In the area of Ruzafa highlights The Black Turtle a modern and lively place where you can enjoy creative and delicious burgers, accompanied by its famous craft beer.
- Another place not to be missed is Soul Coffee Beer which has established itself as a benchmark for gourmet hamburgers, offering high quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
- If you prefer a healthier option, don't miss out on Copenhagen a vegetarian and vegan restaurant that offers hamburgers based on legumes and vegetables that will surprise you with their flavor and texture.
- Our special recommendation is Hundred Burger, which we will tell you about below:
4. Hundred Burger
This restaurant won the 2018 award for the best hamburger of Spain with its "Singular", a hamburger of Galician blonde cow matured between 50 and 90 days, cheddar cheese, bbq, bacon, caramelized onion and camembert cream. Perfect place for meat lovers.
Since then they have not stopped and their small place is always full, so reservations are a must! In one of our visits to Valencia we tried their delivery and the truth is that it does not disappoint:
- Singular hamburger. The winner, spectacularly good.
- Loser Burger. With a sauce with a spicy touch that we loved.
The average price of the hamburgers is 10-12€ to which you have to add 3-5€ if you want fries or a side dish. The quality-price ratio is super good and you can taste the meat flavor in the burgers, very rich and powerful!
Restaurants to eat cheaply in Valencia
If you are looking for inexpensive options to eat in Valencia without sacrificing quality and flavor, don't worry, the city has a wide variety of restaurants where you can enjoy delicious dishes at a good price.
- In the heart of the historic center, don't miss the Almudín Bar a traditional restaurant offering typical Valencian tapas and generous portions at affordable prices.
- For rice lovers, Roberto House is an excellent option that offers a wide variety of paellas and rice dishes at a good price.
- If you prefer Mediterranean cuisine and pizzas, La Finestra is an Italian restaurant that has earned a reputation for offering tasty and inexpensive dishes.
- And if you feel like enjoying a good sandwich, Central Bar located inside the Central Market, is the perfect place to enjoy a "bocadillo de escombros" or a "pepica" at a reasonable price.
- If we had to choose just one, we recommend you try the menu at Fum de Lum and some covers of the Mistela bar
Enjoying Valencian gastronomy does not have to be expensive, and these restaurants are the proof of it!
5. Fum de Llum
Restaurant of Mediterranean food halfway between the tradition and the avant-garde. You can eat a la carte or with one of the menus that they have: menu of the day, tasting menu of dinner or of weekend, varying a little the price between the same ones.
If you can, we recommend that you come and try one of the menus as they are very good value for money and the dishes are quite original and tasty. The menu of the day has three small starters and a main dish per person, so you eat deliciously. Special mention to the fideuá of Iberian secret we tasted, which was delicious.
The price of the menus varies between 18-26€ depending on the day and time, but we assure you that it is worth it. Very good value for money. The price a la carte is higher.
6. Mistela Bar
It is the typical converted neighborhood bar to the 21st century, and offers tapas and dishes varied at a good price. It is located outside the historic center of Valencia, but if you have time it is well worth a visit.
They serve breakfast and lunch, with dishes such as their famous patatas bravas its rice, grilled meats and fish or the typical raciones. They also have dishes of the day changing and seasonal options off the menu. Everything is prepared with fresh and high quality ingredients, which shows in the taste of each dish.
The average price is 20-25€ per person, always depending a little on what you eat and especially what you drink. It is an ideal place to go with friends and share the food to try different dishes. They have two terraces where you are very comfortable, and it is reservation is mandatory.
Original restaurants in Valencia
If what you are looking for is a unique and original culinary experience, we bring you our selection that will surprise you with its innovative and creative proposal.
- One of them is Carolina returns led by renowned chef Quique Dacosta, which combines Valencian cuisine with international influences in a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere.
- Another place on our list is Macel-lum The restaurant stands out for its open concept where diners can watch the chefs prepare the dishes using fresh and seasonal products.
- If you are looking for something really different, MakroLab will transport you to a gastronomic laboratory where molecular cuisine is the protagonist, with dishes that defy the laws of physics and chemistry.
- Nor should we fail to mention Almalibre Açai Bar a place that has specialized in offering delicious and nutritious bowls of açai, a Brazilian tropical fruit that has conquered the Valencian people.
- Last but not least, as cheese lovers, we could not leave out the Quesomentero which is actually our favorite restaurant on this list!
7. Quesomentero
If you are a cheese lover like us, you can't miss Quesomentero! This place specializing in cheese is a little hidden gem in the heart of downtown, and offers a unique gastronomic experience.
In this cheesebar you can try a wide variety of cheese boards from different regions of Spain and Europe. In addition, they offer different dishes where cheese is the protagonist: poached potatoes with cheese, tartiflettes melted cheeses, etc. His specialty is the "panmenteros"They're incredible! It is also one of the best places in Valencia where you can eat a good fondue.
One of our favorites is the "raclette"It is served melted on potatoes or in a sandwich. It is delicious either way. The average price of this restaurant is 20-30€ per person a la carte, or 32€ if you choose any of the tasting menus.
The variety of cheeses and creative cheese plates are impressive, and the cozy atmosphere makes it even better.
Where to try horchata in Valencia
Horchata is the most typical non-alcoholic drink in Valencia, it is made from tiger nuts and is a must try when visiting the city. Take our advice, try it!
There are several historical places where you can taste this delicious drink accompanied by some fartons the perfect sweet to dip in the horchata. One of the most famous is Horchatería Daniel located in the town of Alboraya, cradle of the horchata, where you can enjoy an artisan horchata with more than 75 years of tradition.
Another place of reference is Horchatería Santa Catalina In the historic center of Valencia, a place with a classic and cozy decor that will transport you to another era. Also worth a visit Horchatería El Siglo an establishment with more than 180 years of history that is located right next to Santa Catalina, and which is also known for its horchata and fartons.
If you prefer a more modern and environmentally friendly option, don't miss out on Horchatería Ecorganic which offers horchata made with organic 100% tigernut milk and vegan options of fartons.
As always, if we could only go to one, we would recommend you to pass the Horchatería el Collado:
8. Horchatería el Collado
It is the place par excellence to try one of the most popular best horchatas Valencia. We went on the recommendation of the guide of the free tour, Valencian of pure strain. Although we are not big fans of horchata in general, we loved this one. In addition, we accompanied it with a farton Let's merge spectacularly!
🥛 Valencian Council
If you want to be sure that the horchata you order is homemade, make sure that it is served from a refrigerator drawer with a metal spoon and not from a vending machine.
Where to taste Valencia water
On the recommendation of our free tour we went in search of a place to try one of the most famous cocktails in Valencia: the water of Valencia. It is a cocktail prepared with cava, orange juice, vodka and gin. It goes down very well, but as it is so sweet, beware that it is treacherous!
This drink is perfect to enjoy on a terrace in the sun or to start a night out. There are several famous places in the city where you can taste this typical Valencian drink. One of the most famous places is the Café Sant Jaume a charming café in the heart of the city that offers a delicious version of this drink in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for a place with a more modern proposal, do not miss Almudín Bar It has a perfect terrace to enjoy a glass of Valencia water in a lively and cosmopolitan environment. You also have, The Ice Factory a cultural space and gastrobar next to the beach that offers to enjoy this drink by the sea. Another place we were recommended to try it is the Café Madrid and of course, our favorite, the Coffee of the hours:
9. Coffee of the hours
The cafe-bar is located very close to the Plaza de la Virgenes and is one of those of all life, quite frequented by local people. The interior has an extravagant decoration in the literary café style and they also have a small terrace outside where it is very comfortable. The owner of this place claims to be the creator of the original recipe for Agua de Valencia.
If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement Where to eat in Valencia city you can visit our posts about Valencia.
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