The Ultimate Guide to Food in Valencia Spain: Where & What to Eat

When it comes to food in Valencia Spain, you’re in for a treat. This city is packed with incredible flavors, from traditional local dishes to modern culinary experiences. Whether you’re a foodie or just love a good meal, Valencia is a paradise for your taste buds.

Eating here isn’t just about the food – it’s about the experience. Picture yourself enjoying a leisurely meal in a charming plaza, strolling through bustling markets, or discovering hidden gems on a guided food tour. The city’s dining scene is as vibrant as its culture.

To truly savor Valencia, it helps to know where to go and what to try. From authentic local eateries to unique dining experiences, this Valencia Spain food guide will help you navigate the best places to eat and the must-try flavors that make this city so special.

The Scoop

Local Cuisine

What To Eat

Where To Eat

Culinary Activities

FAQ

Tips & What’s Next

Valencia, Spain Food Guide: a Brief Overview of Food in Valencia

Before diving into all of the best foods to try and fun culinary activities, the first part of our Valencia Spain food guide is here to share a bit about what eating and drinking in Valencia is like.

⭐️ What is Valencia Famous For For Food?

Valencia is most famous for paella, specifically Paella Valenciana, which traditionally includes chicken, rabbit, green beans, and garrofó beans rather than seafood. This dish is taken seriously, cooked outdoors, and always eaten at lunchtime. (If you see paella offered for dinner it’s a quick way to spot a tourist trap).

Beyond paella, Valencia is known for arroz (rice) dishes of all kinds, horchata with fartons, fresh oranges, and simple tapas made with local produce. Seafood rice, fideuà, and grilled fish are also staples thanks to the nearby Mediterranean coast.

eating Paella - top things to do in Valencia, Spain — **Paella is the number one dish to try in Valencia, Spain.**

🍳 What Do Valencians Eat for Breakfast?

Breakfast in Valencia is light and quick, usually something small with coffee. Many locals grab a tostada with olive oil and tomato, a pastry, or a croissant at a neighborhood café. It is more about caffeine than calories, or on the weekends, alcohol.

If you go to super local cafes, you’ll find people of all ages, particularly elderly locals drinking in the morning – we saw everything from wine and beer to shots of liquor paired with their coffee.

🕙 What Time to Eat Dinner in Valencia

Spaniards eat late – we’re talking 10:00, 11:00, or even midnight. Valencians eat a bit earlier than other cities like Madrid though, so you can definitely see people eating dinner as early as 9 PM, but not earlier than that typically.

Lunch is the main meal of the day, which is why dinner tends to be lighter. Planning your meals around this schedule will help you find better food and avoid empty dining rooms.

🥪 What is a Typical Dinner in Spain?

A typical Spanish dinner in Valencia is simple and social rather than heavy. It might include a few tapas, a small sandwich, grilled vegetables, eggs, or a light seafood dish. Rice dishes are rare at night for locals.

Dinner is often shared, relaxed, and paired with wine or beer rather than being rushed. It is common to order several plates for the table instead of individual mains, so particularly a fun place to eat, especially if you’re with a group.

💵 How Much is a Meal in Valencia?

Valencia is one of Spain’s best cities for affordable food. A menu del día at lunch usually costs between €12 and €18 and includes multiple courses with a drink. This is where you get the best value and often the most traditional food.

Tapas range from €3 to €6 per plate, while a casual dinner might cost €15 to €25 per person. High-end paella restaurants and beachfront spots can be more expensive, especially in tourist areas. The great thing about Valencia is that you truly can find something for every budget.

💸 Do You Tip in Valencia?

Tipping in Valencia is not mandatory and never expected. Locals usually round up the bill or leave small change if the service was good. A tip of 5 to 10 percent is considered generous rather than standard.

In bars and cafés, tipping is not common at all, and no one will be offended if you leave nothing. Service is more relaxed in Spain, so don’t expect quick meals, unless you specify that with the server beforehand.

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Valencia, Spain Food Guide: Foods in Valencia You Need to Try

Now that you know a bit about Valencia’s cuisine, let’s get into the next fun part of our Valencia Spain food guide – sharing all of the best dishes you should try while visiting this Spanish city.

🍹 Drinks in Valencia to Try

Horchata (Orxata) – This refreshing drink is made from tiger nuts (chufa) and is often served cold, making it a great treat on hot days. It’s sweet, creamy, and unique to Valencia.
Agua de Valencia – a classic Valencian cocktail made with fresh orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin.
Sangria – While not exclusive to Valencia, you can enjoy a refreshing glass of sangria here, made with wine, fruit, and a splash of brandy. It’s perfect for warm afternoons.

drinking Agua de Valencia - top things to do in Valencia, Spain

🥘 Dishes in Valencia to Try

Paella Valenciana – The iconic dish of Valencia, this rice-based meal typically includes rabbit, chicken, and sometimes seafood, cooked in a rich broth and infused with saffron. It’s a must-try when visiting the region!
Fideuà – Similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice, fideuà is often served with seafood like squid, prawns, and fish, making it a perfect dish for seafood lovers.
Arroz a Banda – A seafood rice dish traditionally made with fish and shellfish, served with a side of “alioli” (garlic mayonnaise).
Arroz Negro – This is a rice dish made with squid ink, giving it a rich black color. It’s typically cooked with seafood and has a deep, savory flavor.
All i Pebre – A traditional Valencian stew made with eel, garlic, and paprika. This dish is often served with potatoes and is popular in coastal areas.
La Clótxina – A variety of mussel native to Valencia, often steamed and served in their shells with a dash of olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish.

Arroz Negro - Valencia, Spain food guide

🥗 Valencian Tapas, Salads, & Snacks

Esgarraet – A typical Valencian salad made with roasted red peppers, salt-cod, garlic, and olive oil. It’s simple but packed with flavor.
Mojete de Atún – A fresh tuna salad made with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and olive oil, often served as a light, refreshing dish during the warmer months.
Pipirrana – A refreshing summer salad made with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and green peppers, dressed with olive oil and vinegar. It’s a perfect dish to pair with grilled meats.
Coca de l’Alcudia – A traditional Valencian flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, seafood, or meat. It’s a savory, flavorful snack often enjoyed at family gatherings.
Caballito de Mar – A small fried fish, typically served as a tapa, often accompanied by a squeeze of lemon. It’s a simple but delicious coastal snack.
Piquillos Rellenos de Marisco – A dish made with piquillo peppers stuffed with seafood, typically served with a rich sauce. This dish is a popular tapas option in the region.
Buñuelos de Calabaza – These pumpkin fritters are a beloved snack, particularly around fall and festivals. They’re sweet, crispy, and often served with sugar.

gambas al ajillo - Valencia, Spain food guide

🥮 Desserts in Valencia to Try

Churros con Chocolate – While churros are popular across Spain, Valencia has its own take on this sweet treat, usually served with a rich, thick hot chocolate for dipping.
Tarta de Chufa – A cake made with tiger nuts (chufa), similar in flavor to the horchata drink, this dessert is sweet, nutty, and unique to Valencia.
Turrón – A nougat-like confection made with almonds, honey, and sugar, often enjoyed during the Christmas season. The Alicante and Jijona varieties are especially popular.
Panes de Calatrava – A traditional Valencian dessert made from bread, milk, eggs, and sugar, similar to a bread pudding, often flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.
Tarta de Santiago – A delicious almond cake that originates from the region, often topped with powdered sugar and the cross of Saint James.

desserts in Valencia - Valencia Spain food guide

Finding the Best Food in Valencia: Where to Eat & Drink

Now that you know what dishes to add to your culinary bucket list, let’s dive into the next part fo our Valencia, Spain food guide – where to eat! Here are some of our top recommendations for restaurants, bars, cafes, and markets around the city.

☕️ Favorite Cafes in Valencia

Bluebell Coffee Roasters– A relaxed café known for brunch, homemade-style dishes, and a calm atmosphere away from the busiest tourist areas.
Beverly Cafe– A fun pink café popular for its aesthetic interiors, sweet treats, and photogenic coffees. They also have some incredible food!

cafe in Valencia - Valencia Spain food guide

🛒 Markets and Food Halls

Mercat Central de Valencia – The main market filled with fresh produce, local cheeses, cured meats, and traditional Valencian specialties
Mercat de Colón – A beautifully restored market with cafes, wine bars, and gourmet food options.
Mercado de Mossén Sorell – A modern gourmet market filled with food stalls, wine bars, and casual places to eat and drink.
Mercado de Tapinería – A creative indoor space with food stalls, pop up shops, and cultural events.
Mercabanyal – A laid-back food court near the beach offering a mix of local and international street food.

Mercat de Mossen Sorrel - Valencia Spain food guide

🍴 Our Favorite Tapas Bars & Restaurants in Valencia

Habitual – A stylish yet casual spot inside Mercado de Colón, known for Mediterranean comfort food and rice dishes.
La Birra de Brian – a fun bar with a unique nature-forward atmosphere and great lunch menus.
Casa Montaña – One of the oldest tapas bars in Valencia, loved for its historic wine cellar, classic tapas, and local feel.
Café del Duende – A cozy bar where drinks and light bites are paired with intimate live flamenco performances.
Tinto Fino Ultramarino – A wine-forward tapas bar popular for creative small plates and a lively local crowd.
La Riua – A long-standing local favorite for traditional paella, especially popular with Valencians.
L’Estimat – A respected paella restaurant focusing on traditional rice dishes made with quality local ingredients.
Voltereta Bali – A Bali-inspired themed restaurant known for immersive decor and a fun, social dining experience.
La Pepica – A legendary beachfront restaurant serving traditional paella in a classic seaside setting.
Sucede – A fine dining restaurant inspired by historical Mediterranean recipes, presented in a modern format.
Riff – An elegant fine dining restaurant offering seasonal tasting menus with Mediterranean and European influences.
Vertical – A Michelin-starred restaurant offering refined Mediterranean cuisine with panoramic city views.
Ricard Camarena Restaurant – A Michelin-star dining experience focused on seasonal ingredients and modern Valencian cooking.
El Poblet – A Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant that reimagines Valencian flavors through contemporary techniques.

Experiencing the Best Food in Valencia: Culinary Tours & Experiences

No Valencia Spain food guide would be complete without looking beyond restaurants and into hands-on food experiences. The best way to understand Valencia’s strong flavors and traditions it is by tasting, cooking, and exploring alongside the locals themselves.

From rice fields and orange groves to city markets and interactive workshops, these experiences help you truly immerse yourself into the food and drinks to try in Valencia, along with the strong culture that this area of Spain has to offer.

🛒 Explore the Different Markets

Markets are essential to understanding Valencian food culture and a must in any Valencia Spain food guide. There are a variety of markets you can enjoy, from the Central Market to smaller neighborhood ones. You can walk around yourself to browse the vibrant produce, spices, and local flavors offered, or for a more immersive experience you can join one of the market tours.

Missed the markets? We have a list of them in the previous section!

🥘 Take a Paella workshop

Paella workshops are one of the best tours in Valencia and a great way to learn what makes authentic Paella Valenciana different. Most workshops include ingredient shopping, hands-on cooking, and explanations of regional traditions.

It is one of the best ways to understand why paella is eaten at lunch and a great way to bring this unique recipe home with you.

🧀 Go on a Cheese factory Tour with a Wine Tasting

If you want to get out of the city and experience local food and wine in the Valencian countryside, this day trip takes you to the Utiel-Requena region, known for its vineyards and traditional goat cheeses.

You will visit a small, family-run cheese factory where you tour the caves, learn how goat cheese is made, and take part in a hands-on workshop where you create your own cheese. The visit includes a guided tasting of several cheeses with white wine, giving you a good feel for how these products are made and enjoyed locally.

After the cheese factory, the experience continues at a nearby winery surrounded by vineyards. You will walk through the vines, learn about the region’s wines, and finish with a guided tasting of local wines paired with simple sausages. Transportation from Valencia is included, making it an easy, full-day food experience without needing to plan any logistics yourself.

Cheese factory tour - Valencia Spain food guide

🍺 Join a Craft Beer Tasting

If you want to explore Valencia’s modern drinking scene, a craft beer tasting introduces you to local breweries and small-batch beers. You will sample several different styles while learning how Valencia’s craft beer scene has grown in recent years.

🥃 Learn About Valencian Vermouth

Vermouth is a popular pre-meal drink in Valencia, so trying it is a must, especially before lunch or in the early evening. A vermouth experience typically includes tasting different styles and learning how locals drink it as part of everyday food culture.

🍤 Have a Tapas Brunch

If you want to experience tapas the way locals do, this Spanish brunch takes place inside a local home in Valencia. You will be served a selection of five homemade tapas prepared with fresh, local ingredients, all paired with sangria. The setting is relaxed and informal, giving you a chance to slow down and enjoy food the way it is meant to be shared.

Alongside the food, you will spend time chatting with local hosts and learning about everyday life, traditions, and food culture in Valencia. It feels more like being invited over for brunch than attending a tour, and is an easy, social way to connect with local flavors.

Valencia tapas tour - Valencia Spain food guide

🥪 Enjoy Other Tapas Tours

Want to check out some other tapas tours? You can find everything from bar hopping to trying tapas in markets.

Here are some other local tours that include trying tapas:

🍽 Experience a 5-Course Dinner Experience

If you are looking for the ultimate culinary experience in Valencia, you can sign up for a private five-course dinner hosted in a local home. The experience brings you to a Valencian household where a chef prepares a multi-course meal using farm-grown, locally sourced ingredients, with menus built around traditional Spanish and Valencian flavors. There are vegetarian, meat, fish, and gluten-free options available too.

The dinner is served course by course in a relaxed home setting, with wine or sangria included, and feels more like a long dinner with friends than a restaurant reservation.

5-course dinner experience - Valencia Spain food guide

🍷 Do a Winery Visit

A winery visit near Valencia takes you into the surrounding countryside to see where local wines are made. You will usually tour the vineyards or cellar, learn about the wine-making process, and finish with a guided tasting. It is a relaxed day trip that adds knowledge and understanding to the wines you see on menus throughout the city.

🍊 Visit an Orange Farm

Valencia is known for its oranges, and you can actually visit working orange farms just outside the city. You will walk through the groves, learn how citrus is grown, and see what production looks like today, from cultivation to sorting and packing. From December to May, you can also pick your own oranges and take a bag home with you.

The visit finishes with tastings of orange-based products like fresh juice, homemade jams, local liqueurs, and orange blossom honey, giving you a simple, hands-on way to experience one of Valencia’s most important local products.

🚤 Enjoy a Dinner Cruise

Okay, we know paella is supposed to be for lunch, but this evening cruise is an exception, taking you out along Valencia’s coastline for dinner on the water. You will sail from the marina with a skipper, enjoy views of the city skyline, and settle in as paella is served on board with beer, sangria, or soft drinks.

The cruise is relaxed, with music playing as you move along the coast, and gives you a chance to see Valencia from the water rather than from the street. You can upgrade to a seafood paella or add a bottle of wine or Prosecco, but the main focus is the combination of a simple meal, sea air, and sunset views.

Valencia dinner cruise - Valencia Spain food guide

Valencia, Spain Food Guide FAQ

Now you know pretty much everything you need to know about eating and drinking your way around Valencia! But in case you missed anything in our Valencia Spain food guide, we’ve gathers some frequently answered questions with answers for you.

What food is Valencia famous for?

Valencia is best known for paella valenciana, made with chicken, rabbit, green beans, and rice. The city is also famous for rice dishes, oranges, horchata, and Mediterranean seafood.

Is paella better in Valencia than the rest of Spain?

Yes. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and the most traditional versions are still cooked here.

What time do people eat in Valencia?

Lunch is usually between 2:00 and 3:30 pm, while dinner starts around 9:00 pm or later.

Do people eat paella for dinner in Valencia?

Locals almost always eat paella for lunch. Evening paella is generally aimed at visitors.

What do locals drink in Valencia?

Popular drinks include wine, beer, vermouth, horchata, and agua de Valencia.

What is agua de Valencia?

Agua de Valencia is a cocktail made with fresh orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin, usually shared in a pitcher.

Is Valencia expensive for food?

Valencia is affordable compared to many Spanish cities, especially if you eat lunch menus and local spots.

Do you tip in Valencia?

Tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change is common.

Valencia Spain Food Guide: Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Valencia’s food scene is not just about what you eat, but how you experience it. From paella cooked over open flames to oranges picked straight from the tree, there is so much to enjoy when it comes to eating and drinking your way around this Spanish city. Taking part in local food experiences helps you understand why meals in Valencia feel slower, more social, and more intentional.

Whether you stick to classic dishes or branch out with food tours and tastings, this Valencia Spain food guide is meant to help you eat with a bit more context and confidence. Slow down, follow local habits, and let food be part of how you experience the city, not just something you plan around.

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👀 What’s Next?

Now that you’ve finished our Valencia Spain food guide, you probably want to know more about visiting the city! Well, right now we have a few other Valencia guides for you including:

✈️ How to get to Valencia
🚗 How to get around Valencia
🤩 24 Top things to do in Valencia
🪂 48 Unique Things to Do in Valencia
☔️ 22 Things to Do in Valencia When it Rains
🍅 Experiencing Tomatina festival

Here are also some other Spain guides we have:
💃🏻 Celebrating Feria de Abril in Sevilla
☀️ Things to Do in Sevilla
📖 Granada Travel Guide
📸 Most Instagrammable Spots in Barcelona
📖 Barcelona Travel Guide
🌊 Places to Visit in Costa Blanca
📖 Madrid Travel Guide

Here are guides we have about the Canary Islands:
🌊 El Hierro Travel Guide
🌋 La Palma Travel Guide
🌳 La Gomera Travel Guide
🌄 Gran Canaria Travel Guide
🏖 Fuerteventura Travel Guide
🏝 Isla de Lobos Travel Guide
🍷 Lanzarote Travel Guide
🤩 50 Epic Spots in Lanzarote
⛴ La Graciosa Travel Guide
🌅 Tenerife Travel Guide
📖 The Ultimate Canary Islands Travel Guide

So are you ready dive into the rich culinary scene of one of our favorite Spanish cities? We hope this Valencia Spain food guide has helped you for planning some amazing dining experiences, as well as unique tours to savor the best that this destination has to offer.

Want to learn more about Valencia or other nearby cities? Don’t miss out on our other Valencia guides or other Spain travel guides, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to be up to date with our newest articles.

Ready to start planning an incredible trip to Valencia? Well, we’re here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, that have been designed to make you the perfect itinerary and save you money too. Want to learn more? Take a look at our planning packages or sign up for your consultation!