Viva Valencia
These are the best restaurants and bars
Really appetizing food on vacation turns out to be quite a hassle. Because we all know: without a plan, there's a good chance you'll end up at an over-touristy place in hangry mode, and that's exactly what you don't want. And okay, okay, I'll sacrifice myself again. Yes, I've also sat on laughably bad terraces in Spain. So it's time to reward the gems extra. Attention, tapas tigers! It's time for a round of divinity on a plate. Here you go:
Casa Carmela
You're heading towards the city of paella, so I assume you also want to devour a Spanish rice dish, right? In that case, there's really only one place you need to go: the traditional Casa Carmela. A family restaurant founded in 1922 where cooking is done authentically over a wood fire. The restaurant is super popular among locals and it's right by the beach too. My tip? The lobster paella. A pan as big as three footballs and what a flavor sensation, my god. And do make a reservation, girlfriend, otherwise you'll be waiting for an hour or so at the door.
Address: Carrer d’Isabel de Villena 155
Los Gómez Taberna
Aiii man, if this place were in the Netherlands, I would have found my favorite spot for the rest of the year RIGHT NOW. Also into fine dining and not wanting to think? Well, in that case, you should get the snotty burrata salad, the mushrooms with shrimp and truffle oil, the chorizo and camembert croquettes, and the tuna tartare. Sit outside, order a carafe together sangria and the party is complete. And the staff is super sweet too.
Address: Calle Correos 10
Portolito
Honestly? Most little restaurants on the boulevard are meh. My partner and I paid around forty euros for a disgusting lunch with soggy patatas bravas that had a smear of aioli on top that made you want to cry. But: Portolito is a different story. The place has only been on the boulevard since 2015 and is already a household name. Think hipness, lots of white tones, and a modern decor. Perfect for a drink, a Mediterranean snack, but also for live music. Oh, and the patatas bravas (served with dips) are top-notch here.
Address: Avenida Paseo Neptuno 34
Casa Montaña
All must-go’s aside, do you really want to eat only with Spaniards around you? This is where you want to go. Casa Montaña is located on a super quiet street where hardly any tourists come. Expect full flavors and coziness. My tips? The marinated baby squid and the stuffed peppers with tuna. Heaven. On. Earth.
Address: Carrer de Josep Benlliure 69
La Papardella
As you might guess, this is an Italian restaurant, but anything but a standard Italian with pizzas on the menu. Here you’ll find many types of authentic pasta and antipasti. The restaurant is located right in the center and has partial views of the cathedral. I actually got this as a tip from several people, so that says enough, I think. Does that food cost? You can get a main course for ten euros. A bargain.
Address: Calle Bordadores 5
La Más Bonita
If a restaurant is this. Extremely. Popular, there must be a reason, right? La Más Bonita is a super Instagram-worthy little place on the beach full of white and blue where you can have DIVINE lunches (dinners too, by the way, if you like small bites). Sandwiches, well-filled salads, pita bread with hummus dip, a whole display case full of the prettiest cakes: La Más Bonita has it all. It’s a bit of a drive to the end of the boulevard, but it’s worth the trip.
Address: Paseo Marítimo de la Patacona 11
Tanto Monta
’In the afternoon, people in Valencia eat a hearty warm meal, in the evening the Spaniards take a more modest approach. It’s quite normal to eat some small tapas with a good glass of wine around 10:00/11:00 PM. If you want to try the very best pinchos (small sandwiches with toppings), then you want to eat here. The pincho with salmon is out of this world and the sandwich with goat cheese and blackberry jam is a winner. A sensation for the taste buds! Oh, and you can easily be done for fifteen euros for two. (Good to know: this is a perfect restaurant if you've had a bit too much for lunch and want to take it a bit easier in the evening.)
Address: Calle del Poeta Artola 19
Aljuzama
Feeling like a different cuisine? A friend of mine recommended the Moroccan restaurant Aljuzama, located in the student area near Plaza Xuquer. You eat deliciously there and it’s also bizarrely cheap. The best man doesn’t serve alcohol, so you can even bring your own bottle of wine from the supermarket if that seems like a great plan. Brilliant.
Address: Plaza Xuquer 10
A vacation is not really complete for me without a day of lounging on the beach at a ridiculously luxurious beach club. And in Valencia, this is it. Now, that 'ridiculously luxurious' is not too bad: Valencia is not a very expensive city anyway, and this beach club is still quite affordable. It's really lovely to spend a day here in the sun and hang out by the pool.
Fine dining at its best by the beach. Are you a luxury lover? Then this restaurant is calling your name. Think of it as the Izakaya of Valencia. Including an incredibly good Japanese tatami menu and a very stylish restaurant. Just be aware of the dress code: flip-flops and shorts are not a good plan if you want to eat inside. Outside on the terrace, anything goes. What do you eat there? Uh, I've been there three times and all the flavors were brilliant. The salads, the super fresh sushi, the pastas, the grilled octopus... You can't go wrong here.
Address: Carrer Marina Real Juan Carlos I
Vuelve Carolina
Tapas at star level. The chef has been awarded three Michelin stars. I got the tip on Instagram and had to go there immediately. Tip: go here not too hungry because the portions are pequeña and cost quite a bit of dinero for Spanish standards. So that. By the way, order the surprise menu if you want to be surprised by the chef.
Address: Calle Correos 8
¡Buen provecho!
P.S.: Besides stuffing yourself, do you want to do cool things in the city of Arts and Sciences? Then check my Valencia for veggies guide.
