Must-see restaurants in Valencia

  • Ice-cream counter at Soler.

    Soler

    Valencia

    Most come for silky-smooth ice cream and sorbet but Soler also has 40-plus years’ experience making two local delicacies: horchata (a sweet drink made…

  • Seafood tapas and beers at Restaurante Llevant.

    Restaurante Llevant

    Valencia's Beaches

    A beachside restaurant in a century-old house focused on simple, traditional food. Known for its rice dishes, Llevant’s wood-fired paella is considered up…

  • Deli counter at Ultramarinos Agustin Rico

    Ultramarinos Agustín Rico

    Valencia

    On a busy corner, this spacious deli and bar is decorated with legs of jamón (ham) and shelves of wine. Perch at the bar to enjoy, or order a bocadillo to…

  • Street view of La Tasqueta del Mercat with Ruzafa Market in the background

    La Tasqueta del Mercat

    Valencia

    Asian-influenced tapas are delicious at this bustling modern eatery near the market. Options are available à la carte or through a series of sampler menus…

  • Book Restaurant

    Valencia

    Clean modern lines, quirky decor and a quiet, in-the-know atmosphere mark this little place out as something of a standout. An array of riffs on classic…

  • Street view of Panorama

    Panorama

    Valencia's Beaches

    Panorama is a sleek restaurant and bar with stunning views of the beach. The open-air terrace is a great spot for a drink, and floor-to-ceiling windows in…

  • Street view of Dulce de Leche

    Pastelería Dulce de Leche

    Western Valencia

    Always busy, this barrio patisserie-cafe does a splendid range of delicious cakes; it's pretty tough to choose. There are also decent savoury options,…

  • Vuelve Carolina

    Valencia

    Overseen from a distance by noted chef Quique Dacosta, this upbeat bar-restaurant offers style – those clothes-horse bar stools could be more comfy though…

  • Seu Xerea

    Valencia

    Two soberly handsome dining areas and attentive service make this a fine destination for inventive, high-quality fusion food that combines some classic,…

  • Casa Vela

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    Uncomplicated and likeable, this long-standing smallgoods shop has a bar and squeezes in a couple of tables at mealtimes. Sampler plates of things like…

  • Coloniales Huerta

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    Occupying a classic centenarian Valencian delicatessen-turned-wine-shop, this place offers tables among the bottle shelves and an air of benign clutter…

  • La Más Bonita

    Valencia's Beaches

    Pretty in turquoise and white, this idyllically situated beachfront place has comfy outdoor seating, a hipster vibe and a big interior and patio. It's a…

  • Bar Almudín

    Valencia

    Sweet and cosy, combining fresh produce from the Valencian market gardens with conserves to produce some fine tapas dishes. Try the delicious escalivada …

  • Bodega Anyora

    Valencia's Beaches

    An evocation of old Valencia through a modern design eye, this rehabilitated old bodega is visually lovely, with gleaming handmade tiles, a traditional…

  • La Majada Quesos

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    Queso (cheese) connoisseurs will love this bar for its events, tastings and, of course, lots and lots of cheese. Peruse the counter or enter the pungent…

  • Mood Food

    Valencia

    The harmonious interior of this feel-good place is the scene for an exquisite line in tapas and small plates, blending Spanish and Japanese influences to…

  • La Pilareta

    Valencia

    Earthy, century-old and barely changed, La Pilareta is great for hearty tapas and clóchinas (small, juicy local mussels), available between May and August…

  • Dulce de Leche

    Valencia

    Delicious sweet and savoury snacks with an Argentine twist are the stock-in-trade of this delicately decorated corner cafe. The coffee is organic, the…

  • Tanto Monta

    Valencia

    Legendary, tasty and cheap, this place absolutely packs out with students, academics and all comers jostling for a place to enjoy their delicious…

  • Buñolería El Contraste

    Valencia

    Valencians have been coming to this corner cafe since the end of the 19th century to enjoy buñuelos. Made with pumpkin, this traditional Valencian snack…

  • Que Ganeta Tinc

    Valencia

    White furniture and big windows give a luminous feel to this amiably run restaurant on a lovably bohemian square. It aims more at the university's staff…

  • Pelegrí

    Western Valencia

    A little off the centre's tourist beat, this refined spot makes a fine lunch stop. The husband-and-wife team offer a choice of three set menus (there's…

  • Saigon Delice

    Valencia

    If the all-conquering thirst and hunger for pho overwhelms, make a swift beeline for this efficient and popular Vietnamese restaurant. An ample bowl of…

  • La Lluna

    Barrio del Carmen

    Friendly and full of regulars, with walls of clashing tilework, La Lluna has been serving quality, reasonably priced vegetarian fare (including a superb…

  • Lienzo

    Valencia

    Just below street level, this modishly styled white-and-grey dining room sees some wonderful things done with seafood in particular. Lienzo means canvas,…

  • El Carabasser

    Valencia

    A very worthwhile eating option in Benimaclet is this little tapas place. It packs out – get there early – and no wonder, for the creations coming out of…

  • La Cooperativa del Mar

    Valencia

    This former fish shop has been done up beautifully into a bright and atmospheric bar that specialises in colourful tins of fish and seafood – quality…

  • La Tastaolletes

    Barrio del Carmen

    La Tastaolletes does a creative range of vegetarian tapas and mains. Pleasantly informal, it serves good, wholesome food created from quality prime…

  • La Pascuala

    Valencia's Beaches

    Now in a sizeable new, modern location, this legendary Cabanyal business is famed for its huge bocadillos (filled rolls) that come absolutely stuffed with…

  • La Murta

    Valencia

    Cafe, bar and tapas stop, this politically active bar is simple, cheap and informal. The list of tapas on the wall has some out-of-the-ordinary offerings…

  • Al Adwaq

    Valencia

    This is the pick of a few North African restaurants in these narrow streets, and its corner vibe with exposed brick is very inviting. The aromas alone…

  • Olegari

    Valencia

    Cosy and convivial, with Tibetan prayer flags fluttering, this place serves up delicious little pizzas. Order the number you want to eat, and they'll…

  • La Lonja del Pescado

    Valencia's Beaches

    One block back from the beach at Malvarrosa, this busy, informal place has plenty of atmosphere and offers decent value, specialising in traditional fried…

  • Ostras Pedrín

    Valencia

    With white tiles and a simple backstreet vibe, this pleasing little place serves up different varieties of oysters, freshly shucked to order. You can have…

  • Meat Market

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    The signature of this well-run place is excellent dry-aged beef of various degrees, which staff will show you and explain before you pick. It's seriously…

  • La Greta

    Western Valencia

    Offering an eye-catchingly original environment – all quirky retro design – La Greta has a very pleasing menu of tapas and plates designed to share, with…

  • Pata Negra

    Valencia

    It's worth heading to this unusual spot for quality portions of pasta, rices or other creations that employ succulent sauces and ingredients with genuine…

  • Mattilda

    Barrio del Carmen

    The decor is stylish, modern and unpretentious – just like Francisco Borell and his cheery young team, who offer friendly service, an imaginative à la…

  • La Finestra

    Valencia

    The bustle extends out onto the street at this popular backstreet eatery. The principal drawcards are the delicious mini-pizzas. Staff choose the toppings…

  • Racó del Turia

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    Intimate, traditional and upmarket, this classy spot is famous for well-prepared Valencian cuisine. Its rice dishes are a byword for excellence,…

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