It is impossible to list all or even most of the “gastrotastic” restaurants, cocinas or bars in Valencia, or for that matter any Spanish city! Just wander about in the shade of the many tree lined streets and you will discover an unlimited number of treasures to call your own. Bar Crameat, like all the others we’ve listed here, offer value, great food and their own special ambiance. But there are thousands more! Yeah for that… Bar Crameat is that special “local’s” restaurant named after the famous Valencian after dinner drink that is a mix of rum, espresso and crema. And the food is amazing too!
In Barcelona and Madrid, it is Tapas and the smaller “Pinchos” that you will find on almost any street corner. But in Valencia, you will instead find a larger sandwich called a “Bocadillo” which are amazing too, but also quite a meal in itself. But if you are craving that traditional Pincho, look no further than the Rassafa neighborhood and the restaurant entitled Masa Madre which is right near the Rassafa Mercat and in the heart of super cool shops and bars. Sitting either inside or outside on the street, their selection of exceptional and very reasonably priced Pinchos will leave you craving more. And of course, don’t forget the Vino or Cerveza too!
The Central Market in Valencia’s Old Town or “Ciutat Vella” is considered to be one of the largest and best open air Markets in the world. The building itself is an amazing work of art, and if you wander about for a while you will run into the “Central Bar” restaurant tucked away in the top corner inside the market. Yep, get in line and wait your turn for a seat at the bar, where either side is served by a world class chef and his tempestuous staff. Just like the amazing menu like freshly picked zucchini blossoms, it’s all in good fun and great taste. Make sure to bring your appetite and your credit card, as you’ll make good use of both.
The Colon Market is situated in a building which rivals any of the most beautiful structures in the world. Surrounded by upper class condos and shops that all seem to be competing for best dressed, the Colon Marketplace and the surrounding neighborhoods should not be missed. Inside you’ll find two floors of restaurants that literally serve every type of food and drink, as casual or fancy as you would like. After the market, spend some time strolling the Gran Via del Marques del Turia and all the amazing streets, bars, restaurants, shops and nightclubs that spring up before your very eyes. Just keep your phone charged so you can use your Google maps to find your way home!
This is my special gift to you! Yep, get excited, real excited. For after you have spent all your money at high class expensive places, and you’re craving a piece of simple low cost pizza, you’ll walk around the corner from the main street, Carrer de Pere, to the Finestra Pizza joint. I call it a joint because it’s more a happening with every class of interesting low life around. But take the word of a pizza Presario, the pizza, wine, beer and anything else you can put in your mouth is amazing. And the low prices are amazing too! This is a well kept locals secret so don’t let on, but do take any seat they offer and be prepared for a super good time with great food and local atmosphere. Yep, my gift to you. For Christmas, my sweater size is a large, cashmere only! 😁
Situated on a side street between the hip “Rusafa” neighborhood and the sheek “La Gran Via” lies Canalla Bistro. Most nights reservations are a must as this hip restaurant featuring more leading edge offerings than the newest software is a fan favorite. Ask for a table either by the door if you like watching the street scene or on the other side if you want some solace. Either way, you won’t be disappointed, although the prices are not low end, they match the quality of the cuisine.
Keep in mind it is only open at night and you will usually need a reservation to get in the door, much less a table. Many of the items have an Asian fusion thing going on, and everything here from the food, to the layout to the drinks is first class.
For a restaurant with an amazing view, and surprisingly great food at a reasonable price, head towards the “Ciutat Vella” or Old Town restaurant, Atenea, located at the top of the Ateneo building. With panoramic views of the town center and three different areas to eat in, it is a must if for nothing more than having a cocktail. Day or night, it’s a worthwhile stop.
The food is very epicurious centric, so if your expecting the ho-hum you should probably order from somewhere else. You can often get in for just a drink but to eat a reservation is strongly suggested, especially for a good table with a view!
After your take a tour of the many seafood, vegetable and meat providers in the Russafa Mercado, or market, make sure to make you way to the Donna Petrona restaurant. Their outside courtyard is right in front of the scenic Parroquia de San Valero Catholic church. On a good weather day, there is no place better for people watching while you dine on awesome empanadas and sip wine or a beer.
A great place to take in the sun and people watch as this is a main walkway from Russafa to the Example and the downtown center of Valencia. The food is always consistent but on a good weather day, many of the outside tables are reserved, so stop by in advance and take a chance.
If you like awesome, and I mean awesome, Italian food then La Favole restaurant is your ticket to pasta paradise. Whether you sit out in the courtyard while watching children play in the nearby playground or inside enjoying the locale decor, you won’t be disappointed. But make a reservation for this chic eatery located in a secluded spot in old town. Our favorite is everything on the menu!
On a beautiful day or evening, I would suggest sitting outside, but it is a toss up since the inside tables offer just as much joy, especially if you reserve a table on the window. And the wine list is superb.
Right up a quaint side street from one of what we consider one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes, is a hidden gem for of all things, French food! Cafe de la Bourse is run by this larger than life frenchmen and his obliging staff. On a good day sitting outside is awesome, but the small inside is great too. Make a reservation and make a day or night of seeing and dining in this area. The french soup and escargot is to die for, but don’t, there’s still too much to see and do.
On the way back to your hotel or next stop, make sure to wander about the streets in this upper scale neighborhood and take in a drink as you marvel over the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes.
If you like the beach scene, or even if you don’t, you will love the ancient and historic Casa Montana! Located deep within the El Cabanyal beachside neighborhood, this landmark which has been around forever shows it, with its smokey wood interiors and the best Spanish food with an epicurean edge. Make sure to reserve whether its lunch or dinner. We prefer the bar, but we always do! I would suggest something to order, but it is all amazing…
Either before or after your reservation, make a point to wander about the streets of this old neighborhood on your way to the beach area where there are scores of bars, eateries and hotels on the boardwalk overlooking the beach. Great people watching, for sure!
While still at the beach, which you can easily get to by bike, we always make sure to stop and drop at the Valencia Marina Beach Club restaurant and party place. During the day and evenings it’s a wonderful outdoor/indoor restaurant with great food such as their sushi, with great views of the beach at a reasonable price. It then transforms into a late night party place, but for either happening be sure to make a reservation. As you can tell by my wife’s photo on the left, imbibing a bit too much is typical when you’re there!
The restaurant also has indoor dining and is as tony as the rest of the place. Like many spots in Spain, the restrooms are down a flight of stairs, so if you’ve enjoyed a bit too much, take the elevator!
It may sound contrite, but Maui Chicken has the best frickin’ chicken fingers I have ever had! And humus, and everything else. Hidden away on a cut through street going from Russafa to the En Corts neighborhood, it is simply irresistible. Robert Palmer song reference aside, make a reservation because this place gets packed, because it is good and it is cheap!!!!
When I say cheap, I mean the prices compared to what you get. The decor, service and ambience is anything but that, and for a place so small they serve up big time. And the owner is the best, along with great service. Did I mention that their deserts are incredible???
When trolling around the many shops, restaurants and bars in the hip and trendy, if not down right rowdy, Russafa neighborhood make a point to check out the El Almacen restaurant. One of our favs, it looks very innocuous on the outside but once inside, the magic begins. The bar is super fun where the man chef and wife everything else, make sure your time there is well spent.
Reservations are typically a must, and the back patio of the restaurant is simple a memorable event as well as the chef inspired nouvelle cuisine! It is a bit on the pricey side, but food like this should be, as you will always fondly remember this dining experience.
