Ideal if you’re looking to eat your way around the city.
Sometimes it can feel as though Spain’s third-largest city lives in the shadow of its two larger siblings. But Valencia has a fun loving, futuristic soul all of its own, not to be outdone by the fierce local pride of Barcelona or the cosmopolitan, cultured Madrid.
And whilst you’ll find things to do in Valencia, Spain to suit all tastes and textures, today we’re here to consider the distinctive food of the city.
Like many cities in Spain, the restaurant and eating culture of Valencia is full of vivacity and deliciousness, but with a regional identity and cherished ingredients very much unique to the place.
Whilst Valencia is home to restaurants from some of Spain’s most acclaimed chefs, most notably Quique Dacosta, holder of 3 Michelin stars in Denia, and Ricard Camarena, who has a number of eateries across the country and 2 Michelin stars to his name, it’s the city’s street food scene that we keep returning to.
If you’re visiting with an appetite to satisfy and a thirst to quench, then you won’t be disappointed. With the help of Visit Valencia, here are 7 foodie things to do in Valencia, Spain.
SHOP, STOP & IMBIBE AT THE MARKETS
Valencia’s central market (Mercado Central) is set within a magnificent Modernista building and is one of the first places you should head on your foodie tour of Valencia. It’s atmospheric, bustling and noisy – in the best possible way, of course.
Here you’ll find fresh fish from the Mediterranean, with the Mercado bringing in the best of the sea’s bounty daily. Valencia is one of Europe’s busiest ports and fish is big business here; how it shows in the sights and smells of this wonderful market.
There are a few eateries mixed within the market itself which are worth checking out. Grab a stool, if you’re lucky, at Central Bar, which is run by the aforementioned Ricard Camarena and serves up incredible bocadillo (Spanish baguettes with imaginative fillings) as well as croquettes, fritters and marinated anchovies. Delicious.
Mercardo De Ruzafa is another brilliant market and somewhat less touristy than Mercado Central. Before leaving either place, don’t forget to pick up some bits for a picnic in the park, which brings us neatly to….
HAVE A PICNIC WASHED DOWN WITH SOME CAVA
As Spanish food expert Matt Goulding told Marriott Traveller “There may be no better place in the world to build a picnic because of Spain’s pork culture. And the cheese culture is also potent — you have manchego, but also the regional cheese culture is really strong. Putting together a picnic is as good as closing your eyes and pointing. Then grab a bottle of cava.”
We couldn’t agree more. Fortunately, there are some gorgeous parks in and around Valencia, and with Southern Spain’s perennial sunshine, these green spaces are the perfect place to bask with some refreshments close to hand.
Popular for picnics is Jardines del Turia, which was once a riverbed and is now a green haven running through the heart of the city. Cabecera Park is another popular choice, boasting paths which run along the river’s side and also a bar for all your cava needs. The Valencian region has a long history of making the stuff, and it’s pretty much obligatory to enjoy a bottle whilst you’re in the city.
If you want to learn more about this famous fizz, then take a trip to Pago de Tharsys, a famous winery located in Requena (less than an hour from Valencia). The owner Vicente García is considered the godfather of Valencian cava and the winery is one of the world’s top cava producers.
Back in the city, Cafe Negrito – close to the Central Market – boasts a large terrace and serves cava by the glass. Salud!
DON’T FORGET ALMUERZO
In Valencia, eating times follow a different beat to the rest of the country and Almuerzo is taken very seriously. Almuerzo is a tradition of eating mid-morning to tide yourself over until a late lunch which rarely starts before 2 pm, and is a rigorously observed time in every Valencian’s schedule.
Come 10.30 am, Valencians all across town chow down on those bocadillos we mentioned earlier, perhaps with a coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice or even a beer, and discuss the matters of the morning.
Personally, we’re totally on board with an obligatory fourth meal of the day!
SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT PAELLA
Valencia is particularly, and quite rightly, famous for its rice dishes, namely paella, as it’s where the dish most likely originated. There’s a huge variety of this world-famous rice dish on offer; indeed you’ll find chicken, prawns and other types of seafood atop the renowned saffron rice dish.
However, if you’re up for an authentic Valencian eating experience, then make sure you head to one of the city’s restaurants still doing things the traditional way, with rabbit. Yep, the real paella Valenciana is a mixture of rabbit, snails and butter beans; and it’s bloody marvellous.
According to Visit Valencia, some of the best places to eat paella are housed down at the Malvarrosa city beach, in particular, Casa Carmela, which has been dishing out rice since 1922. Here, paellas are cooked over wood fires and the rice is imbued with a delicate smoky flavour. This one’s popular, and it’s recommended that you book your rice in advance; you won’t regret it.
If you’re keen to develop a discerning eye on your quest for the perfect paella, to paraphrase Spanish-American chef José Andrés, there are five characteristics to look for when recognising a good Paella:
- The paella should look even and spread out in the pan.
- The colour should be a beautiful golden – too yellow is for tourists.
- The texture and consistency of the rice should be soft but still have integrity.
- You should look for the “socarrat” which is the caramelised crust formed around the rice.
- It must have an umami flavour from the smoke.
MAKE SURE YOU TRY THESE DISHES, TOO
It’s not all about bocadillo and paella. Valencia has a whole host of dishes unique to the city:
Dish Arròs: The moody and dramatic looking dish arròs negre is another must try rice dish. Made from bomba rice and containing various types of seafood, namely cuttlefish or squid, the dish is dyed with a deep black colouring, which comes from cuttlefish or squid ink.
Fideuà: Yet another rice dish that will tickle your taste buds is Fideuà, which is similar to paella but made with pasta noodles instead of rice. Delicious.
Suquet de Peix : This potato-based seafood stew is said to be the Valencian version of Bouillabaisse. It’s just as good!
Esgarrat : For a snack, esgarrat, which you’ll find in many bars across the city, is just the ticket. It’s made up of salt cod, red peppers and garlic, doused in a healthy lashing of olive oil and usually served with crusty bread.
Valencian horchata: Don’t forget to try the classic Valencian breakfast option of fartons, which are long and thin iced buns washed down with a cup of horchata; a sweet, milky drink made from tiger nuts.
These nuts were originally brought to Valencia by the Egyptians and are now grown in many towns across the region. The Horchateria Santa Catalina on Plaza Santa Catalina has been serving this traditional drink for over 200 years, and they also specialise in hot chocolate, speaking of which…
Hot Chocolate & Churros: Chocolatería Valor is rumoured to have the ‘thickest and richest hot chocolate” in Valencia. This shop has been making hot chocolate since 1881 and we think it’s safe to say they’ve perfected their offering over those 140 years.
Aqua de Valencia – Valencia is world famous for its oranges, and this refreshing cocktail puts them to good use. Ideal for a mid-afternoon pick after a morning of sightseeing, it’s a mixture of orange juice, cava, gin and vodka, and it’ll both refresh you and put you on your bottom.
Flan de Calabaza: If you’re after a sweet treat, this delicious dessert is just the ticket. Made from pumpkins, eggs and condensed milk, it’s an indulgently sweet, textural delight.
TAPAS FOR YOU
Valencia doesn’t have the same tapas culture as Spain’s other biggest cities, Barcelona and Madrid. However, that’s not to say tapas don’t exist here. Indeed, there’s a wealth of top-notch tapas bars across the city. But unlike other cities in Spain where you hop from tapas bar to tapas bar, locals in Valencia are more likely to spend a longer spell in one spot, ordering a whole bunch of tapas to share and savouring in the stationary, rather than bar crawling restlessly.
For the very best tapas in town, head towards the beach, to Bodega Casa Montana, which draws a local crowd (always a good sign) and has an extensive list of the usual suspects alongside lots of tapas based around the freshest seafood.
SPLASH OUT AT…
Finally, if you’re looking to splurge (we’re impressed by your appetite!), then there are plenty of fine dining restaurants in Valencia where you can do just that. Perhaps the hippest spot in town for a sit down meal is Llisa Negra, which does refined takes on the city’s famous rice dishes with a keen focus on the region’s seafood.
Alternatively, for a truly cutting edge dining experience, El Poblet excels in their very modern celebration of the city’s food, whilst still managing to pay lip service to its traditions. Amazing!
And if you’re looking for more things to do in the City, then check out our article on 8 IDEAL things to do in Valencia.