The Valencian paella, made with rice, chicken, rabbit and greens, is the typical dish in Valencian gastronomy. Each village has its own variations and preferences because rice mixes well with so many different ingredients. However, the most popular specialities are the meat paella (with chicken or rabbit), the seafood paella and the mixed one. Among fishermen, a dish known as arroz banda evolved, so called because the rice and the fish are cooked separately, for the flavour to be taken in, and it is served with garlic and oil (all I olí).Rice done in the oven in an earthenware dish is also extremely popular among Valencian families, together with rice and beet, cuttlefish, cauliflower and spinach, among other ingredients. In the region of La Safor, a dish known as flideau is made. This is similar to rice with seafood, but noodles are used instead of rice. In some inland regions, the main dish is gazpacho (a cold soup of bread, tomatoes, garlic, salt, vinager and oil), server in a form of a shepherd´s tart made of wheat flour and cooked over the fire. This dish is found in the regions of Requena-Utiel, Valle de Ayora, Canal de Navarrés, La Costera and Los Serranos. In Los Serranos, the visitor might also like to try what is known as the olla churra, made from pieces of pork and black pudding, and gachas (a form of porridge), so as to have a taste of the region´s plentiful meat. Speaking of meat, it is custom to cook lamb chops over the fire, together with varieties of sausage such as longaniza (long and thin), black pudding and chorizo (spiced pork sausage).It is from the world of traditional home cooking that the custom of frying chicken and rabbit garnished with tomato sauce comes, as does the popular hervido (a dish of green beans cooked with potatoes and served with an oil and vinegar dressing), eaten as the evening meal.
Valencia is a land of tasty sweetmeats and bakery products. There is bread of all sizes and flavours, panquemados (toasted bread), Valencian doughnuts, turnovers, coconut cakes, anisette rolls, almond rosegons, egg-rings for Easter, Epiphany rings, and so on, all available at the many bake houses and confectioner's shops. As for drinks, a special mention must be made of orgeat (horchata), made from earth almonds, which is server as a cool refreshment, and natural orange juice mixed with cava (Catalonian wine similar to champagne) to make a drink known as agua de Valencia. Wine production is notable, as shown by the existence of 75,000 hectares of vineyards. The main cellars are to be found in Requena, Utiel, Llíria, Villar del Arzobispo and Tuéjar. Quality cava is also made in Requena.
Paella and Valencian cuisine
Albufera
P. Alameda 32, tel: 96 337 5037 (price 36-42 euros).
Restaurant parking lot and terrace.
Speciality: rice dishes (lobster paella).
Taberna Alkazar
c/Mosen Femades 11, tel: 96 352 9575. Open 12-4:30pm, 8-midnight. Closed Mon. All major c/c accepted.
Watch the bustling life of Valencia pass by from a table under the awning of this 50-year--old bar and seafood restaurant. A plate of grilled vegetables (peppers, artichokes, mushrooms, etc) is a good starter or accompaniment to any dish. Try lubina baked in salt for main course. The Alkazar has a bodega of 20,000 bottles of wine and fine sherries.
Azalea
c/Ciscar 57, tel: 96 333 0793 (price 18-24 euros). Closed Monday, Sunday.
Speciality: shellfish and fresh fish, stews and tapas.
Bobo
Paseo Maritimo, tel: 96 355 0292
Closed Tuesday and Sunday evenings.
C'an Bermell
c/Tomas 18, Barrio del Carmen, tel: 96 391 0288. Open Mon-Sat 9-4pm, 8-12pm. Closed Sun, Easter and Aug 7-Sept 6. All major c/c accepted.
This 40-seat restaurant in a 17th-century building in the old quarter prides itself on its traditional Valencian cooking. It serves some of the best caldosa - rice cooked in stock - dishes in town. Also worth trying are the setas (wild mushrooms) and truffle dishes. The establishment's eight different versions of casserole are popular among locals. The waiter breaks the pot in front of diners, extracts the bones and squeezes them through a press to extract the juices then adds cream. Menu of the day is 42 euros, without wine. Set menu 30 euros, plus IVA.
Casa Roberto
c/Maestro Gozalbo 19, tel: 96 395 1361 (price 24-30 euros). Closed Sunday August.
Speciality: Valencian paella.
El Forcat
C/Roteros 12, tel: 96 391 1213 (price 15-21 euros). Closed Monday.
Speciality: rice and fish.
L'Estimat
Paseo Neptuno 16, tel: 96 371 1018 (price 21-27 euros). Closed Tuesday from August 15 to September 15.
Speciality: rice dishes.
La Pepica
Paseo Neptuno 6, tel: 96 371 0366 (price 18-24 euros). Closed holidays nights from November 15 to December 1. Terrace.
Speciality: rice dishes and fish.
La Rosa
Paseo Neptuno 70, tel: 96 371 2565 (price 27-33 euros). Closed evenings in winter. Restaurant parking lot. Terrace.
Speciality: rice dishes.
La Sucursal
Avenida de Navarro Reverter 16, tel: 96 374 6665 (price 30-36 euros). Closed Sunday, Easter and August (15 days).
La Dehesa
Playa de El Saler, sn, tel: 96 183 0008
Closed on Tuesdays
La Murciana
Paseo Maritimo mod 9, tel: 96 355 0076
Closed on Mondays and during the month of November.
La Ruia
c/Mar 27, tel: 96 391 4571
Closed on Mondays and Sunday evening.
L'Etimat
Avenida Neptuno 16, tel: 96 371 018
Closed on Tuesdays and the last two weeks in August.
Lluna de Valencia
c/Camino del Mar 56, tel: 96 185 1086
Set in a beautiful 16th-century farmhouse just outside of Valencia. Closed on Saturday lunchtimes and Sundays.
Palace Fesol
c/Hernan Cortes 7, tel: 96 352 9323. Open Mon-Fri 1-4pm in summer. Tues-Sun 1-4pm in winter. Major c/c accepted.
Gregory Peck once ate here, as did other film stars, bullfighters and assorted luminaries as the autographed photos on the walls of the 88-year-old establishment attest. Since its humble beginnings when it was famed for its lima beans, or fesoles, the menu has become a little more sophisticated. Diners can choose from dishes ranging from a hearty Valencian paella to carpaccio of gambas with a raspberry vinagrette. Waiters in bow ties serve from an open green-tiled kitchen. The set menu is about 18 euros.
Galician and Basque cuisine
Eladio
c/Chiva 40, tel: 96 384 2244 (price 30-36 euros). Closed Sunday and August.
Speciality: Galician style fish and meat dishes.
Kailuce
c/Gregorio Mayans 5, tel. 96 374 3999 (price 42-48 euros).
Closed Saturday midday, Sunday, holidays, Easter and August.
Speciality: Basque and Navarran cuisine.
Lizarran
c/Ciscar 18, tel: 96 374 8102
Rias Gallegas
c/Cirilio Amoros 4, tel: 96 352 5111
Closed Sunday.
Castillian
Asador Aurora
c/El Bachiller 1, tel: 96 360 0979 (price 24-30 euros).
Closed Sunday midday, Holidays night, Easter and August.
Speciality: Spanish roasts.
La Montaraza
c/Olta 47, tel: 96 373 1653 (price 24-30 euros).
Closed Easter and August (1 week).
Speciality: Castilian cuisine.
El Tronco
c/Cura Femenia 17, tel: 963 742 731/fax: 96 395 6842. Open Mon-Sat, 10:30-5:30 and 7:30-midnight. Closed Sun except during May, June and December.
Restaurant owner Javier Gonsalez de la Fuente has brought the delights of Castille, specificially Segovia and its famed suckling pig to Valencia. A qualified sommelier, he also offers a splendid range of wines. The bodega contains 16,000 bottles, including vintages dating from 1880 which will set you back a mere 540 euros. Apart from suckling pig or cochinillo as it is known, which is traditionally cut with the edge of a plate to show how tender it is, the menu also features a melt-in-the-mouth roasted leg of milk-fed lamb. This is hearty fare. In addition to the entremeses Segovianos there's a filling Castilian soup made from a recipe dating from the 15th century and broad beans served with pig's ear and trotter. Those who don't eat meat can sample the freshwater crayfish with its special tomato-based sauce. A set meal for two costs 42 euros. All c/c accepted.
Los Madriles
Avenida Reino de Valencia 50
Closed on Mondays and in August.
Montes
c/Obispo Amigo 5, tel: 96 385 5025
Closed Monday and Sunday nights and during the month of August.
Ca'n Bermell
c/Santo Tomás 18, tel: 96 391 0288 (price 27-33 euros).
Closed Saturday and from August 7 to September 6.
Speciality: wild mushroom.
El Gastrónomo
c/Primado Reig 149, tel: 96 369 7036 (price 30-36 euros).
Closed Monday, Sunday, Easter and August.
Restaurant parking lot.
La Hacienda
Avda. Navarro Reverter 12, tel: 96 334 0644 (price 36-42 euros).
Closed Sunday, Easter and August.
Restaurant parking lot.
Los Madriles
Avda. Antiguo Reino de Valencia 50, tel: 96 374 2335 (price 12-18 euros).
Closed Monday, Sunday and August.
Morgado
c/Reina Doña Germana 4, tel: 96 373 3508 (price 24-36 euros).
Closed Sunday, January, Easter and September.
Speciality: seasonal products.
Italian
Paparazzi
c/Maestro Gozalbo 15, tel: 963 331 555. Open 1-4pm and 9-12pm, Closed Mon eve, Sat lunch and Sun.
Rather obviously, given the name of the restaurant, a life-size cut-out of Princess Diana greets arriving diners. The walls are laden with celebrity photos and posters of movie classics such as La Dolce Vita, Some Like it Hot and Casablanca. Scattered around are cameras old and new, minus the paparazzi behind their lenses. Irregular seating and lots of candles create an intimate atmosphere, and the food is good and very reasonable. Mostly Italian - fresh home-made pasta in creative dishes - it also sometimes offers Basque dishes, a reflection of the nationality of the chef, and lunctimes have an Argentine flavour with beef and ostrich dishes. The set meal has a wide choice and costs 7 euros. All c/c accepted.
La Mamma
Centro Comercial El Saler Locales 9 and 10 Tel: 963 954 312 and c/Belgica 30 Tel: 963 613 714. Open all year round from 12:30-5pm and 8:30-12pm.
Lose yourself in the atmosphere of Italy just across the road from the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias. This Italian restaurant cum pizzeria has been laid out on split levels, a different theme to each dining area. Cross over a wooden bridge beside the water wall and opt for an ambience of Rome, Florence, or Venice. Antipastos or carpaccio of beef or vitello tonnato or help yourself to a variety of salads from a gondola. Then it's a choice of pasta, 19 types of pizzas or veal escalopes, osso bucco, steaks or fish. Menu of the day 8 euros.
La Pappardella
c/Bordadores 5, tel: 96 391 8915
A fabulous little Italian restaurant with a fresh mediterranean feel, just off the main square, La Plaza de la Reina. The pasta is to die for and the piadinis are lip-smackingly good. Surprisingly reasonable prices, considering its location, with menu del dia at 7.20 euros. Reservations advisable.
Al Pomdoro
c/Mar 22, tel: 96 391 4800
Open daily, booking recommended at the weekend. Prices range from 10 euros a head.
Augusto c/Pedro III El Grande 10, tel: 96 373 4107
Closed on Sundays. Between 16 to 21 euros a head.
Maramao
c/Corretgeria 37, tel: 96 392 3174
Only open in the evenings. Live music on Wednesdays from 10:30pm. Prices from 16 euros per person.
Sambucco
c/Conde de Altea 57, tel: 96 395 2046
Closed on Mondays. Prices, 14 to 21 euros per head.
Tentazione
c/Jacinto Benavente 27, tel: 96 333 8591
Closed on Sunday night and Mondays.
Tito
Avda. Puerto 177, tel: 96 330 51 37 (price 15-24 euros).
Closed Monday.
Speciality: Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Trinacria
c/Conde Altea 48, tel: 96 333 3109
Closed Sunday night and Mondays.
Chinese
Shaw's House
c/Ciscar 53 Open daily except Tues eve from 1:30-4pm & 8:30-12 pm. Tel: 96 334 0926 All c/c accepted.
No life size Buddhas, dragons or wind chimes to greet you in this discreet restaurant in this smart section of town. A family run business (Shaw is the English translation of the father's name) the service is efficient and friendly and the food is authentic Shanghai-Cantonese. They'll advise you on several special dishes such as steamed fish with ginger, crabs in a special sauce, and vegetarian dishes with tofu- some to be ordered a day before. On the menu are dim sum dishes and Peking duck. The menu de degustacion is 12 euros.
Mey Mey
c/Historiador Diago, tel: 96 384 0747
Closed at Easter and the last three weeks of August.
Seu-Xerea
c/Conde de Almodóvar 4, tel. 96 392 40 00 (price 27-33 euros).
Closed Saturday midday, Sunday, Easter and August (15 days).
Speciality: oriental food.
Seafood
Ca'Sento
c/Mendez Nunez 17, tel: 96 330 17 75 (price 30-36 euros).
Closed Monday night, Saturday in August.
Casa Vicent
c/Pintor Salvador Abril 55 (corner Avda Peris and Valero), tel: 96 395 51 14 (price 39-45 euros).
Closed Wednesday (except holidays and holiday evenings).
Speciality: grilled fish, shellfish.
Felix
Avda. Maestro Rodrigo 14, tel: 96 347 49 33 (price 18-24 euros).
Closed Sunday from August 15 to September 15.
Speciality: little goat chops, tapas and shellfish.
La Marcelina
Paseo Neptuno 8, tel: 96 371 20 25 (price 18-24 euros).
Closed Monday and Sunday. Terrace.
Marisquería Civera
c/Lerida 11, tel: 96 347 59 17 (price 36-42 euros).
Closed Monday and Sunday in August.
Speciality: seafood, shellfish, tapas.
Rio Sil Civera
c/Mosen Femades 10, tel: 96 352 97 64 (price 30-36 euros).
Closed from June 15 to July 15. Terrace.
Speciality: seafood.
San Nicolas
Pl. Horno San Nicolas 8, tel: 96 391 59 84 (price 30-36 euros).
Closed Monday, Sunday, Easter, August, Christmas.
Speciality: rice dishes and fried fish.
International
Baden-Baden
c/Gran Via Germanias 33, tel: 96 357 37 59 (price 12-15 euros).
Closed Sunday, August (3 weeks) and September (3 weeks).
Terrace.
Speciality: German cuisine and beer.
Choclatl
c/Cirilo Amorós 1, tel: 96 351 52 70 (price 2-4 euros).
Closed January 1 and December 25.
Speciality: pastries.
La Pequena Cocina
c/Sorni 31, tel: 96 373 81 70 (price 33-39 euros).
Closed Saturday midday, Sunday, August (2nd week).
Terrace. Speciality: French and Belgian recipes as well as exotic meats such as kangaroo and crocodile.
Tito
Avda. Puerto 177, tel: 96 330 51 37 (price 18-24 euros).
Closed Monday.
Speciality: Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Joaquin Schmidt
c/Visitación 7, tel: 96 340 17 10 (price 42-48 euros). Closed Monday midday, Sunday, Easter and August 15-31.
Private rooms and terrace.
La Pereta en Dolc
c/Reina Doña Germana 10, tel: 96 373 10 02 (price 30-36 euros).
Closed for lunch on Monday and Sunday, Easter and August 15-31.
La Petxina
c/Doctor Snachis Bergon 27, tel: 96 392 33 14 (price 24-30 euros).
Closed Saturday midday, Sunday, holidays and August. Terrace.
Los Cuentos
c/Ciscar 52, tel: 96 334 34 22 (price 39-45 euros). Closed Monday and Sunday.
Oscar Torrijos
c/Doctor Sumsi 4, tel: 96 373 29 49 (price 39-45 euros).
Closed Sunday from August 15 to September 15.
Vegetarian
La Lluna
c/San Ramón 23, tel: 96 332 21 46.
Small, fashionable restaurant serving inexpensive meals.
The Nature
Plaza Vannes 7, tel: 96 394 01 41
This vegan-friendly restaurant does mainly Chinese and Eastern cuisine, plus a wide variety of local dishes buffet style. Buffet costs around 6 euros (drinks and dessert not included). Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Restaurant Les Maduixes
c/Daoiz y Verlarede 4, tel: 96 369 45 96
A tranquil and pleasant restaurant serving inexpensive local dishes.
Restaurant Ana Eva
c/Turia 49, tel: 96 331 53 69
Pleasant vegetarian-friendly dining with an indoor patio.
Restaurant Casa Salud
c/Conde de Altea 44, tel: 96 374 43 61
Serves vegan and Chinese cuisine plus a broad range of local dishes in a self-serve cafeteria. Also does take away.
