Foodie guide to Valencia – Where to eat in the city

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Nestled in the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, Valencia is a foodie paradise, that tantalises your taste buds. From famous paella to small tapas dishes that will fill you up on your journey around the city.

As foodie enthusiasts, we are on the look for the best authentic dishes on a budget to share with you. And Valencia is a pleasant surprise, with popping flavours and mouthwatering dishes.

As we wander through narrow streets of the Old Town and explore Valencia, we uncover the hidden gems and must try dishes in this ultimate foodie guide to Valencia. Including the best places to eat in the city.

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Table of Contents

Traditional Valencian dishes and where to try them

You’re in Spain, so experiencing the true essence of Valencian food is a must. Indulge in traditional Spanish cuisine that’s rich in flavour and captivates the senses.

The famous dish of Spain is paella. We would also recommend tapas and horchata with fartons, just to name a few.

So, join us on a culinary journey as we explore some of the most iconic Valencian dishes and best places to eat them.

Paella – the iconic dish of Valencia

The iconic dish of Spain is the paella. There are other variations of paella, but the Valencians claim that it isn’t paella if it doesn’t have chicken and rabbit in the dish.

The dish is deeply rooted to Valencia and was originally a lunch time meal for the farmers and farm labourers.

The ingredients would have been gathered by the farmers around the rice fields and would have been cooked over an open fire with a shallow pan also called paella or paellera.

Influence over time and regions of Spain have changed the dish, but a traditional Valencian paella would include rabbit and chicken, although some variations include snail.

The key ingredients in a traditional paella dish are rice sourced from the Albufera region just outside Valencia, saffron, chicken, rabbit, butter beans, green beans and olive oil.

Other variations of the paella are Valencian paella, seafood paella (although Spanish call it seafood rice) and vegetable paella.

When ordering paella at a restaurant, there is normally a minimum person, as an example, minimum of 2 persons and will be priced per person.

While you’re in Valencia, paella is a must try and here are our recommendations on where to try authentic paella.

Seafood paella or as the Valencians call it seafood rice.

Casa Clemencia

Casa Clemencia offers a taste of authentic Valencian cuisine with a touch of home style comfort.

Located in the heart of Valencia and just a short walk from the metro or tram. The charming and welcoming staff, offer warm hospitality and delicious food.

While the decor is dated and basic, don’t let this put you off, as the friendly atmosphere and good food makes up for it.

We tried the octopus and seafood paella at Casa Clemencia. We both enjoyed the paella, the dish popped with all the flavours and textures.

The octopus was sliced with a good helping of olive oil and paprika sprinkled on the top. For me, I didn’t enjoy this quite as much, I believe this was because I had the overpowering taste of olive oil, Shams on the other hand enjoyed the octopus and would order this frequently during our trip.

Price: €12.50 per person for the traditional Valencia paella.

What we enjoyed about Casa Clemencia, is the good food, pleasant and friendly staff and a spot we would recommend on your Valencia trip.

Local supermarkets

Local supermarkets offer cooked food to eat in or take away. This is the best place to order affordable paella and still good quality.

We ordered a small portion of Valencian paella and seafood paella. For one small portion of paella will set you back less than €5.00. The flavours and the authenticity is still there, but at an affordable price.

For affordable paella, check out carrefour or Mercandona.

Tapas

Tapas are small flavourful dishes designed for sharing and depending on the region, can be served free when you buy a drink at the bar.

These delightful small dishes can be hot or cold and are great with a beer, wine or a cocktail.

The word tapas originate from Spain, translated to English meaning to cover. Tapas has since evolved from thin slices of bread or ham covering drinker’s glasses to prevent insects enjoying the sweet nectar.

Now tapas has become an elaborate creation of dishes for guest to tantalise their tastebuds.

Where to try affordable tapas?

Rot3ros Cocina Mediterránea

Located in the heart of Valencia and just a short distance from Serranos Towers.

This very small restaurant warmly welcomes their guests to sit inside or outside. On a warm day, sit outside and watch the world go by while enjoying hearty Valencian food.

A wide variety of dishes available from paella to tapas and all with fresh ingredients. We would highly recommend:

Patas bravas – crispy potato either covered in a tomato sauce or at the side for dipping. The sauce includes mild spices to add some flavour. A popular tapas dish served in Spain and one you should order on your trip to Valencia.

Octopus – tender octopus tentacles grilled and served with a drizzle of olive oil and paprika. A favoured dish for Shams and packed with flavour.

Salad – This was no ordinary salad; this was full of flavour and packed with a punch. The dressing was delicious accompanied with seeds to add texture and flavour, salad leaves and tomatoes.

A little on the expensive side, but located within the tourist hotspot, it isn’t surprising with the price. Although it was well worth it as the food is good.

Café La Placita

This is the best spot to eat in Valencia, not only for the friendly staff, but the food just blew us away.

This charming cafe offers a cozy ambiance, friendly and helpful staff and outstanding dishes.

Nestled within the historic old town and just a few minutes’ walk from Quarts Towers. We stumbled upon this little spot while sightseeing and so glad we stopped for a few plates of tapas.

Dishes we would recommend that are unique and full of flavour are:

Patas bravas – crispy potatoes mixed with harissa mayonnaise and a spicy sauce. While there was a very slight kick of spice, it wasn’t spicy it just enhanced the flavour of patas bravas. This was the best place to experience the signature tapas dish in Spain.

Salad – A cold salad, in a small stack contained peppers, tuna, tomatoes, onion and a quail egg. While it looked small, it was packed with colours that popped off the plate and every mouthful was a surprise. If you’re looking for a unique Spanish dish, then this should be on your foodie list.

Samosa’s – Samosa’s are not something we would normally associate with a Spanish tapas meal. But it looked like a samosa but mixed with fruit and vegetable. We ordered the leek and pear in a green plum and orange marmalade. The pastry was flaky, and the taste was mouthwatering.

Grilled octopus – The grilled octopus’ leg, came with baked potatoes, with rosemary and olive mayo. This was the top dish from all the octopus dishes we have had. The olive oil wasn’t overpowering, and the potatoes and rosemary just enhanced the entire dish.

If you have only allocated to eat one meal out in your budget, then Café La Placita should be the place you visit.

Sit outside for a relaxed experience.

Food tours in Valencia

Looking for a taster into Valencia’s culinary scene, then a food tour is an excellent way to immerse yourself into the city’s rich food scene.

Learn about the history of Spanish food, be taken to some of the best places to eat and try Valencian dishes.

Here are our recommendations on food tours in Valencia:

Etiquette for eating like a local in Valencia

Adjusting to local life and the food culture in Spain is somewhat different. For a start, many restaurants and cafes close early in the afternoon and their evening meal is often eaten after 8pm.

This is somewhat different to our routine back in the United Kingdom and you may find it different to your home country.

So, here are some tips on how to eat like a local in Valencia.

Eating times in Spain

Eating times in Spain are later than in some European countries and across the world.

Lunch is normally between 2-3:30pm and dinner is normally around 8pm onwards. This was a little difficult to get used to, but in most tourist hotspots such as Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Seville etc restaurants and cafes are normally open for tourists.

Do your research and check opening and closing times of any restaurants and cafes. During busy periods, it is recommended to book tables in advance to avoid disappointment.

It isn’t mandatory to leave a tip, although we would recommend leaving a small tip of around 10% of the bill, providing the service was good.

Simple phrases to use in Spanish to order the food

Not everyone in Spain can speak English, and learning a little bit of Spanish, and using it will go a long way.

So here are some simple phrases in Spanish to help you order a meal in Valencia:

Hello – Hola, the ‘h’ is silent and pronounced Ola.

I would like (to order) – Me gustaría

Can I have the bill please – me puede dar la cuenta por favor

Thank you – gracias

These few sentences will go a long way on your trip to Valencia. Why not learn Spanish before you go, this will help you to communicate with the locals and you may find your Spanish experience more enjoyable.

Money saving tips for dining out in Valencia

Dining out in Valencia is a great way to try local Valencian dishes, but you don’t want to be spending your budget just on food.

We share some money-saving tips, to help you enjoy Valencia’s vibrant culinary scene without going over your budget.

Set a budget

You’ll see this is our number 1 tip throughout our website. But setting a budget before you leave for Valencia is crucial.

Do some research around restaurants and cafe prices in the city and then decide how much you are realistically prepared to pay.

If you’re on a tight budget, we would recommend about €20 a day per person, a mid-range budget at around €40 a day per person and a luxury budget of €85 per person a day.

By having a realistic budget in mind, will help you make informed decisions and avoid overspending.

Avoid tourist hotspots

Restaurants and cafes located within tourist areas are far pricier compared to places off the beaten path.

Discover lesser-known neighbourhoods where locals go, as dining options tend to be more affordable.

By venturing off the beaten path, you’ll save money, yet experience authentic local cuisine without the tourist crowds.

Ask locals for recommendations

Locals are the best people for recommendations on affordable places to eat, they know the area.

Ask the receptionist in your hotel or accommodation for recommendations, residents hold a wealth of knowledge.

Check online resources such as experienced travellers like us, who have visited Valencia and discovered the best places to eat in the city.

There are plenty of ways to save money and still enjoy the foodie scene in Valencia.

Conclusion

Valencia is a culinary paradise just waiting to be explored. Savour the iconic paella, learn how to cook it and impress your friends and family back home. Embrace the tapas culture, with small plates of delight to share.

Choose hidden gems in lesser-known neighbourhoods for authentic and budget friendly dining options.

We’ve uncovered the essence of the Spanish cuisine and where to eat it in this foodie guide to Valencia.

When you arrive, you’ll want to come hungry but explore boldly and let Valencia food tantalise your tastebuds. Enjoy your meal!

Your say

Have you been to Valencia or are you planning a foodie trip soon? We’d love to hear about your favorite local spots or any hidden gems you’re excited to try! Drop a comment below and let’s swap foodie tips—We’re always on the lookout for new recommendations!

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