Again, we would have liked more seafood, but with paella its really about the rice. Cafe kube's Marbella. Check out these typical Las Fallas foods. Your insight will help . The interesting thing about Restaurante Bon Aires traditional paella is theres an option to get it made with duck (plus chicken, rabbit, and snails). The national dish of Spain, paella originated in the Valencia region and it is everywhere here. Guests can choose from among 10,000 bottles of Spanish wines kept in the restaurant's cellar . It should take a long time; if your paella comes out quickly, be suspicious. And if you speak to any local about paella here, they will inevitably mention La Pepica, which has not only become synonymous with paella but an emblem of Valencia itself. Add paprika and saut. Their restaurant of choice for paella is Casa Isabel, a casual restaurant that began in 1969 as a picnic area located on Playa de Malvarrosa. 30% off the 'a la carte' menu. This makes it a good spot if you want to take a half-step off the tourist trail but still have toilets and city buses close at hand. Chop the wide beans (ferradura), into bite-sized pieces, peel the lima and white beans (garrofn) and grate the tomatoes. TIP: If youre looking for where to eat paella in Valencia with a big group (12-plus people), Alquera del Pou has plenty of room to accommodate. A few minutes later we were each given a smallish plate of paella with one langostino, one prawn, and bits of calamari scattered throughout the rice. While La Pepica has stayed true to its roots, most of Valencias restaurants now prepare their paellas on gas or sometimes electric stoves. A family-run restaurant that has been delighting customers for nearly 100 years, Casa Carmela has humble roots. Also Read: Famous Spanish Food to Eat in Spain. Did you know that Valencia is the birthplace of paella? The standard Valencian Paella recipe is considered very traditional. Today, Spains signature dish is served at restaurants from London to Los Angeles. This restaurant located in the vibrant Eixample neighborhood specializes in paella and other rice dishes. I had a blast and Im sure you will too. Restaurante Levante. Some links on this website are affiliate links. Calle Transits 3 Junto hotel Astoria, 46002, Valencia. Thanks for sharing! Valencia Tourism Valencia Hotels Valencia Bed and Breakfast Valencia Vacation Rentals . The staff here follow the tradition of cooking paella over orange wood then serving the pan in the middle of the table. One time, the artist ordered the seafood paella and had trouble peeling the prawns and deshelling the shellfish. Other important things to know: Paella is only eaten at lunch, never for dinner. Hot tip: Besides the traditional paella Valenciana (with chicken and rabbit), many restaurants also serve paella de verduras (vegetable paella). Do you think La Pepica serves Spains most quintessential paella? Hours: Daily 11am 4am, but kitchen hours vary depending on which area of the Beach Club you are eating in. Toni Montolius hospitality and traditional paella always made with fresh, seasonal produce from his farm give visitors a fantastic glimpse into what it takes to get the dish from the farm to the table. This is the tradition of the house, said Pepe. Also read: 20 things to know about paella before you orderif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'travelersuniverse_com-box-4','ezslot_1',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelersuniverse_com-box-4-0'); Hot tip: Many restaurants in Valencia serve paella with a quartered lemon on the side. Go here, and youll find yourself surrounded by orange trees, wild lavender, olive trees, and vegetable fields. Mare Nostrum 32, Playa de la Patacona. Marina Real Juan Carlos I This makes rice an important ingredient in many local dishes. Quick Valencia Travel Guide. I could taste the earthy, floral flavour of the saffron, followed by the sweet and slightly smoky paprika. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. This ensures that the rice cooks evenly and that the stock can reach the base, creating a kind of caramelised, almost burnt layer of crunchy rice on the bottom. Im willing to keep up the research. If you really want to get to know the Spanish city, its history and its culture, hit this selection of intriguing museums. Well show you some of our favorite places to eat paella in Valencia, but first, lets take a look at what paella is and how to know youre ordering one thats worth your time. Location: Carrer de Vicent Baldov, 14 (El Palmar) | Phone: +34 961 62 02 75. La Pepica is a historic, treasured beach-side restaurant that has been open since 1898 (! Reply. While there are a few restaurants by the promenade (La Murciana is a good bet for tapas and seafood), the main activities here are sunbathing and splashing in the warm sea. With so much history, there isn't a reason to skip this joint. TIP: Pasqualet is only open four days per week, Thursday through Sunday. Valencias coastline mixes great sweeps of sand with coves and sand dunes, and its popularity is confirmed by the many resorts that pepper the shore. Nowadays, youll find plenty of variations on paella, including seafood and mixed (think surf-and-turf) varieties, many of which are just as delicious as the original. It was the traditional valenciana one, made with La Pepicas original recipe of rabbit, chicken, snails, olive oil, salt, rosemary, saffron, sweet paprika, tomato, garrofon and bachoqueta (Valencian white and green beans), and, of course, rice. They just add water and stick it in the oven. The famous La Pepica is also on this stretch, but we settled on La Marcelina, where the atmosphere was elegant but comfortable. It is surprisingly difficult to find good paella in Valencia. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in Spain through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps. Even in Spain, paella is most often eaten with large family groups at the beach. Years later, La Pepica invented a second type of paella: the paella de verduras (vegetable paella) in order to accommodate the former queen of Spain, Sofa, who dined at the restaurant and is said to be a vegetarian. Casa Carmela is open: 13:00-16:00 Tuesday-Sunday. If you want to explore the nearby area, renting a car is highly recommended. Before this, it was just referred to as simply arroz valenciana (Valencian rice) and was typically cooked at home during family gatherings. 1 review. Like the other high-quality establishments on this list, paella is made to order, so it may take some time to arrive at your table after ordering. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. This Spanish city is the first to measure tourisms carbon footprint I sat down at a table, ready to try La Pepicas paella for myself. There are a handful of set menus for big groups and ample space in the two-story dining area. We initially thought that we wouldn't be able to finish it because it is just so huge but it was so good that we almost licked the plates clean! As consuming rabbits were a bit too hard for us to bear, we decided not to have it but have the seafood style instead. TIP: Casa Carmela only opens for lunch. It was great that we didn't have to peel any of the seafood as well! PAELLA IN LA HUERTA. Michelle is based in Singapore, and she started The Munching Traveller to document her love for travelling, trying delicious food, and writing. In Spain, there are about three hundred varieties of paella. Using the finest Walking along the vast sweep of Valencias Malvarrosa beachfront as the waves lapped the shore, I came to the first in a long line of restaurants, the light and airy La Pepica. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, but its a good start if youre interested in eating traditional food in Valencia. On the other hand, we couldnt have asked for a more lovely spot looking out on the beach and the azure blue Mediterranean sea; and the vino blanca was very good. The climate in Valencia is perfect for growing rice and many Valencians have enjoyed feasting on paella in one form or another for centuries. 0.1 km from Paella's y mas. Malvarrosa gets its name from the mallow flower, a sweetly fragrant shrub that used to grow here. "Nice restaurant at the beach" . The closest beach heading south from the center of Valencia, Pinedo is tucked to the other side of the port, making it more sheltered than some of the other southern beaches. Fortunately, you dont have to beg your way into a Spanish home to try the paella while in Valencia. If you only have once day in Valencia and want paella, I really suggest Casa Carmela. Their paella is really delicious and prepared only with the highest quality ingredients. Unlike most restaurants in Valencia, they also prepare paella for one. Since publishing this post, weve had some fantastic paella experiences that I have not gotten around to fully writing about yet. In Valencia, you can roll rich culture, phenomenal food, and golden beaches into one fabulous city getaway. Many locals regard Casa Carmela as the best place to eat paella in Valencia. Its home to more than a dozen different varieties of the famous rice and is at the top of many locals lists for eating paella in Valencia. Marina Beach Club for a more modern experience in one of the prettiest settings on the beach. Today, many people around the world associate paella with ingredients like mussels and shrimp, and the most common type of paella is the paella de mariscos (seafood paella). Best Paella in Valencia, Province of Valencia: Find 142,830 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of the best Paella and search by price, location, and more. The nature of the dish means that most paellas are made for at least two people, if not more. However, the pressure to find the best, most authentic paella is immense. Its one of the priciest paellas you can get in Valencia, but the paella is delicious and authentic. It was the rice farmers who actually created the first paellas, adding animals and ingredients that they would normally have raised at home or had to hand in the fields, Miana explained. Today, celebrities from all over the world have followed in the footsteps of the former king and queen of Spain, Juan Carlos I and Sofa, as well as Sorolla and Hemingway. No wonder they prepare some of the best paella in Valencia!if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'travelersuniverse_com-leader-1','ezslot_2',861,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelersuniverse_com-leader-1-0'); Address: 155 Carrer dIsabel de Villena, Valencia, 46011 | Website. Add garlic (optional), grated tomatoes, beans and saut. The beautiful beaches of Valencia have many attractions, charm, and unique flair. Outside of the paella, the patatas bravas here were also some of the best I've had in Valencia, with a rich homemade tomato sauce and aioli. Places that serve good paella dont need to come on so strong, because theyve already built up a solid reputation among locals. The Paella de pato, setas y alcachofas (duck, mushrooms, and artichokes) was deeply flavored and filled with duck. So we searched for the best and found one that overlooks the Mediterranean sea! If these same people recognize a restaurants paella as worthy, thats high praise. But the main ingredients remain unchanged: it is saffron-flavored rice, tomatoes . Just south of here is LArbre del Gos, a quieter stretch thats great for strolling. The Playa de Las Arenas on the south end of the beach near the marina is lined with classic arrocerias (restaurants specializing in rice dishes) that are frequented by tourists. For #solotravellers who aren't able to order the paella, you can also try their tasting menu that includes a choice of a starter, a paella for one, dessert and coffee for just 30.49 euros (tax included). Expats say these are the best cities to live and work in Bomba is a variety of rice cultivated in Spain that is commonly used for paella because it absorbs a lot of liquid without breaking apart. Beyond that, La Garrofera beach has long grass and rolling dunes beyond its soft sands, while La Devesa beach, just beyond the citys outskirts, is right next to the Albufera lagoon, Spains largest. All rights reserved. Their star dish is traditional Valencian-style paella, prepared with chicken, rabbit and local beans. Scraping up those yummy brown bits was a big part of the paella experience and it was missing here. ), in the unique space at La Mozaira, or at the rice restaurant Bergamonte. Sunset Catamaran Cruise With Sparkling Wine. 1.30pm 4pm & 8.30pm 11.30pm. We were amazed at the vast stretch of soft sand and the number of people enjoying the calm water off-season. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Reply Subscribe. Its always worth bringing a bottle of water and some sunblock. Add the the shrimp and cook, flipping occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes, then transfer the shrimp to a plate, leaving the meats to sear in the pan. TIP: A lot of the best restaurants in Valencia are well-known among tourists. Read about our approach to external linking. There is no shortage of opinions on the internet and everyone that we talked to had their own idea of where to get best paella, so we turned to local friends for help. La Pepica might just bethebest paella experience in Valencia. You couldhear theseabreaking on thebeachand the lights shone on the wet sand.. Best time to visit Valencia: March (15 to 19) for Las Fallas festival. This was our first visit to Malvarrosa beach, the main beach in Valencia city. For the tomatoes, you want to grate them into a bowl using a circular motion. Heading to Valencia? Because of its seaside setting, open kitchens and flame-singed socarrat, La Pepica became known as the place to eat paella in Valencia in the early 20th Century. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Like Queen Sofa, I am vegetarian, so I ordered the dish the restaurants chefs created for royalty, paella de verduras. The indoor seating is great, but if youd rather enjoy your paella al fresco, they also have a huge and comfortable terrace overlooking the sea. Heading north from Las Arenas, youll reach Malvarrosa beach, another long, wide stretch of sand with a long promenade. The rice was flavorful and firm. Its important that the rice is just cooked, not underdone and not over. Past Malvarrosa, Patacona is far enough from central Valencia that its technically part of Alboraya, a town thats been absorbed into the city suburbs. Las Arenas is a broad, sandy stretch that dips gently toward the Mediterranean. We greedily scraped up the the socarrat, the prized brown layer of caramelized rice that forms on the bottom of the pan where all of the flavors and juices have concentrated. About 20 minutes north of the city in Meliana is Barraca Toni Montoliu, a gorgeous old house where you can immerse yourself in the paella experience. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. Like Valencias early farmers who cooked rice- and meat-based dishes, the chefs at La Pepica always cooked in open kitchens on wood-fired ovens. At around 14:00, families from all over the city started gathering at La Pepica to eat paella for their Sunday lunch. The first recipes showing how to cook these rice dishes only appeared between 1750 and 1800, which describes the process less like a stew and more like the drier paella dishes eaten today. This makes paella a proud cultural institution. Located in Valencias picturesque historic center, La Riu is a family-run restaurant that has won quite a few awardsand once you taste the paella, youll understand why. Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us onFacebook, or follow us onTwitterandInstagram. Address: 5 Partida de lErmita, Meliana, 46133 | Website. Its a 30-minute drive south from Valencia city center and makes for a great day trip from Valencia. Unfortunately, as I found out the hard way, that doesnt mean every restaurant in Valencia that serves paella actually does a good job at it! For purists, the ingredients list isnt very flexible: Thats the one Valencians will call Valencian paella. Since good paella takes about 30 minutes to cook, we distracted ourselves with some tender fried calamari and a few glasses of white wine, while listening to a musician on the beach next to the restaurant. A few blocks south from Pasqualet in El Palmar is Restaurante Bon Aire, whose kitchen has a pretty extensive menu and several awards to its credit, including theConcurso Internacional de Paella Valenciana award for best paella in the world! Also Read: Cooking a Valencian Paella Recipe & Cooking Class Recommendation. Rice and saffron, the two key ingredients, were both brought to the Valencia region of Spain during the Arabic occupation of Andalusia in the 10th century. If a restaurant advertises their paella with large, bright posters outside the restaurant, run. Today, several paellas are being made, from the traditional paella valenciana to the paella de mariscos, and even lobster paella and black rice made with squid ink. In fact, in Valencia, some of the best and most authentic paella restaurants can be found just a few steps from La . However, the word paella does not appear anywhere until around 1900, when it was mentioned in an article. The best place to have valencian-styled paella is at. Bar La Pilareta is located at Carrer del Moro Zeid, 13, 46001 Valncia, Spain. Pasqualet is just down the street from El Graner in El Palmar, and its kitchen can lay claim to some of the best rice dishes anywhere in Spain. They had made a reservation in advance, as Sunday afternoon is a popular time for Spanish families to have paella and the restaurant was very crowded at 1:30 pm. In the colder winter months, you'll still be able to enjoy that experience as the glass windows elongates the restaurants and gives you that same good view! 4 Retirees Share Their Experiences, Artichokes (sometimes, if theyre in season). Additionally, you can also find seafood paella and vegetable paella throughout the city. Over the years, this Disney classic has become an essential work for several generations, and so, after its resounding success on the . La Pepica Valencia - Historic Restaurant. Read More Best Souvenirs From Valencia: 9 Unique Shops Worth BrowsingContinue. The tapas menu here features local favorites as well, including esgarraet (featuring red peppers, cod, and spices) cooked over the woodfire and grilled calamari. Casa Carmela restaurant, Valencia | courtesy of Casa Carmela. Add to Plan. Since they are so unique for Valencia Ill suggest reading about Clochinas: Pulling Valencian []. The paella de verduras has since been adopted at Spanish restaurants all over the world, catering to the growing number of vegetarians and vegans. El Graners paella has both chicken and rabbit in the recipe. If you want to have a good paella in Valencia, Casa Roberto is a great option. View from Chiriguito at Marina Beach Club, Paella with Duck, Mushrooms, Artichokes at Marina Beach Club. The kitchen serves three rice dishes: arroz del senyoret, arroz negro and Valencian paella. 3. Where to have the best Paella in Valencia, Spain? Getting to and around Valencia: Compact and flat city center. Restaurants. A drink in one hand, a paella on the table, and the sea in the background. We stopped here for lunch on the recommendation of our Valencian friends and ordered the house specialty: Paella Valencia. Read our Privacy Policy. Learn how your comment data is processed. Address: 19 Carrer del Mestre Gozalbo, Valencia, 46005. Insider From Valence. Thats great news for anyone craving a truly authentic experience. Located well off the tourist-beaten path, Restaurante Levante is hailed by locals as the home of the best paella in Valencia. Youll find volleyball courts, sun loungers and bars beachside; in the water, swimmers duck in and out of waves, while SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), sailing and windsurfing keep active types busy. Playa de Las Arenas. The nearly 100-year-old Casa Carmela in the beachside Malvarrosa neighborhood has been a local favorite for generations. Here is a preview: Raco del Turia for a classic paella in a traditional restaurant setting. Many restaurants around Valencia serve delicious paella, either made to order or as part of the daily menu (men del da). In summer, beachside restaurants serve up piles of paella, nightclub denizens party till dawn, and the . At La Pepica, the paella has plenty of socarrat due to the intense heat induced at the end of the cooking process, making a crackling sound and slightly charring the rice. It was a fantastic, moderately priced lunch. When in Valencia, you must eat paella. The restaurant is nothing fancy but they have plenty of outdoor sitting. Valencia. Check out these Spanish vegetarian tapas (and some vegan ones too) for a delicious vitamin boost. So back in the kitchen, Franciscos wife, Josefa, made him a special paella with pre-peeled prawns and de-shelled shellfish, so he would be able to eat it more easily. The dish was a riot of colour, studded with ruby red peppers, sage-coloured artichokes and wide, flat green beans, and topped with lemon wedges. Soon after, our paella came and this huge platter took up most of the space on our table. Yes, if you are looking for the best paella restaurants in Valencia this place should definitely be high on your list! View. However, the original paella, the so-called paella valenciana, does not contain any seafood at all, but is instead made with rabbit, chicken, snails and beans. Valencia's most central beach has all-around appeal. First, we needed a little understanding of the history of paella to help us to know what to look for. 8. It is never cooked in individual portions, so there should be a minimum order of 2 persons. Photo credit: Jorge Franganillo. This world-famous dish has its roots here and it really is a delicacy you must try on your next trip to Spain. There are showers, cabins where you can change clothes, umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Located in the quaint little town of Benisan is a restaurant said to have the best Paella in Valencia. 503. An influx of tourism has led to the mass production of pre-made counterfeit paella pretending to be the real thing. I could hear crackles as the spoon scraped the socarrat from the bottom. To the south lies the Costa Blanca, where Playa de Gandia features vast, resort-dotted stretches of sand and a gorgeous 16th-century quarter further inland. Pictures of yellow rice loaded with meat or seafood grace windows and menu boards all over the city. Its popular with locals and is a great place to get a sense of Valencian life expect family picnics, strolling couples, and fried fish on the beach. The Paella del Senyoret had plenty of prawns, sepia (cuttlefish) and chunks of rape (monkfish). In each Spanish province, paella is cooked in its own way: with meat, fish, seafood. It's best to check with your waiter before you order. When our paellawas ready, the waiter presented it to our table like a work of art, and then whisked it away to a serving area. Passeig de Nept, n 6, 46011 Valncia, Spain, Opening Hours: Daily, 1pm - 3.30pm ; 8.30pm - 10pm. He even wrote about the restaurant in his novel, The Dangerous Summer, stating: Dinner at Pepicas was wonderful the seafood and the Valencian rice dishes were the best on the beach, thus helping to popularise paella abroad, too. Thanks to its iconic status outside of Spain, plenty of restaurants serve subpar versions in order to cater to unsuspecting tourists. Their star dish is traditional Valencian-style paella, prepared with chicken, rabbit and local beans. So you can expect to have some of the best paellas here. TIP: El Graners daily special is a three-course meal featuring a choice of starters, a plate of paella, and a dessert, for 16 euros. Early recipes had some variations, but most paella traditionalists agree that true paella valenciana is made with chicken, rabbit, snails, green beans, and local garrof beans (similar to lima beans). Add water, saffron, snails (optional) and rosemary. Calle de Caballeros, which begins at Plaza de la Virgen, is where many nights out in Valencia will end up. Make the most of your time in Spain with Lonely Planets range of travel guides and phrasebooks. Never order paella for one unless its explicitly clear that it has been made to order. But, even if you are only in the city for a few days, I highly recommend making time to visit at least one of them! In summer, beachside restaurants serve up piles of paella, nightclub denizens party till dawn, and the hotels behind the promenade are packed with visitors. 9.2. However, some restaurants prepare it with chicken stock. One of Disney's best-known classics is coming to Valencia this Christmas. I just enjoyed it as I would with the food it self. This was a good sign, as paella is meant to be a communal dish that the family gathers around, everyone serving themselves from the same pan. Every day, a handful of paella recipes are available. Beyond that lie Benicssim, a likable resort thats beloved for its famous aqua park and even more famous alt-rock and dance festival, and Pescola, an old town with a stunning setting that overlooks a slim but lovely beach. About LauraWorld traveler with a soft spot for Spain and everything Spanish. Following a plant-based diet or simply want to up your veggie intake? Your email address will not be published. Add the chorizo and the chicken, skin side down. Today, while paella can be tasted at many restaurants in Spain, the best places to eat paella in Valencia are the same few centuries-old, family-run establishments that locals have favoured for the longest times. Valencians have very strong opinions about paella. In addition to the Valencian paella, there are 11 other rice dishes, including arroz de bogavante, made with a big, succulent lobster. Whether you spend 3 days in Valencia, a week, or a month, I encourage you to visit at least one of the restaurants below. Or take a stroll around his farm where all the ingredients come from and visit the small museum with agricultural tools on the site.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'travelersuniverse_com-leader-3','ezslot_6',863,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelersuniverse_com-leader-3-0'); What makes Toni Montolius paella one of the best in Valencia, is that he cooks it in a traditional paellero (enclosed fire pit), over an open fire fuelled by orange tree branches. El Cabanyal also belongs to the best beaches of Valencia. sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter. Subscribe to our latest news to be updated, we promise not to spam! Best for lazy people like us! Required fields are marked *. This restaurant situated in a barraca (typical Valencian farm) in Meliana is the best place for paella in Valencia if you want to have the full paella experience. Waistcoat-clad waiters carried huge pans of paella out from the kitchens to a large family of hungry diners. It gives the rice a different aroma and taste.. Casa Carmela stands out for being one of the very few restaurants in Valencia that still cooks the paella over a wood fire. And what makes this one of the better paella restaurants in Valencia is the ambiance. The further south you go from Valencia, the wilder it gets. The very last ingredient is the most important: the rice, which the cooks poured in a cross-like motion, allowing for an even spread on the bottom of the pan as it the grains fell between the other ingredients. The dining room is elegant and intimate, almost like youve been invited to a Spanish familys home for paella. Price per person for Paella Valenciana: 19.50 Euro. If what you're craving is an authentic paella or rice dish in Barceloneta, this is the spot. Address: 20 Passeig de Nept, Valencia, 46011 | Websiteif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'travelersuniverse_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',862,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelersuniverse_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Situated in the hipster Ruzafa neighborhood, Masusa Bar is best known for its unusual paellas, such as spicy red paella with beetroot juice and green paella with spirulina. Pin it! Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. This east-coast citys Mediterranean sands get the morning sun before almost anywhere else in Spain, and the sea can be warm enough for swimming as early as April and as late as November. The kitchen here has an extensive menu of various paellas and other rice dishes, plus lots of fresh seafood options. 2. These southern beaches are still easily accessible from the center (La Devesa is around a 30-minute drive), while offering the opportunity to mix quality beach time with some serious exploring. If you are able to eat that paella at a restaurant on the beach, it would be even better. We could have used a few more chunks of rabbit, but the rice was quite good. There are superb beaches further afield, too. Although Restaurante Levante is a little . We did have two fantastic meals on the beach, but didnt experience that paella revelation we were looking for. Even in Spain, paella is most often eaten with large family groups at the beach. I squeezed some lemon over the dish and took a large spoonful, straight from the pan. There is also a vegetarian paella. Check out the 3 best restaurants for Paella in Valencia by the beach. Not only do they make some of the best . One chef was in charge of preparing the sofrito an essential part of any paella dish, consisting of sauted tomatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil. Tip: if you do want to eat a good paella close to the city center Id suggest Raco de Turia in the Canovas neighborhood. It has invented two new types of paella, which restaurants across Spain and the rest of the world now replicate; and a series of visits in 1959 inspired writer Ernest Hemingway to wax lyrical about the place, helping to popularise paella around the world. Authentic paella is always made with short-grain rice. and local beans. There is a small strip of restaurants and bars on the beach ( next to the luxury hotel. Cars or taxis will save time, especially for the southern beaches; the local ride-sharing app is Cabify. Until roughly 1900, paella was simply known as "Valencian rice" (Credit: Dan Convey). Everyone knows paella is a must-try when in Spain, and especially in Valencia, where the dish was originally invented. Apart from the traditional paella Valenciana, restaurants in Valencia serve many other types of rice dishes like: I recommend you try some of these as well. Youll find a few beachfront restaurants and a 25-minute walk inland leads you to Alboraya, the traditional home of horchata, a sweet, creamy drink made with tiger nuts. This was a pretty good deal, but thePaella deMarisco(seafood paella) that we wanted was not included, so we ordered from the regular menu. Sadly, even in Valencia, youll find restaurants serving less than spectacular paella. At Patacona beach, you have two options for the best paella; Casa Navarro - Casa Navarro is situated right on the beach, so not only do you get delicious paella but you also get a sea view. Location: Carrer de Francisco Monlen, 12 (El Palmar) | Phone: +34 961 62 03 41. La Pepica is one of the oldest restaurants in Valencia, and for the last 121 years, this seaside staple has set the bar for many of the citys best paella restaurants. Though there are a lot of tourist traps, the area does have some great restaurants where you can try the real deal at a reasonable price. I too found this combination strange at first, but once I tried it, I was hooked. Why in Valencia you may be wondering? If youre looking for a modern restaurant with beautiful decor, look no further than this paella restaurant on the beach. 35 Valencia things to do. Though it can still be packed on weekends, this beach is generally quieter and more relaxed than Las Arenas, with a more local feel. We ordered the Paella Valenciana, the original paella of Valencia. Early paellas were prepared by farm workers and cooked outdoors over an open fire. The central beaches all offer restaurants, toilets, and showers, but facilities can be sparser on the more remote beaches. We have friends that have lived in Valencia for over a decade. There are many places here [that] serve excellent paellas, but La Pepica remains one of the most traditional and popular places to eat it, said Carolina Miana, a chef and teacher at the Valencian School of Rice and Paella, which is dedicated to spreading the origins and importance of the dish and teaching students the correct way of cooking it. In some pans, chicken and rabbit sizzled, while in others, pink prawns danced and spat. Saut meat after seasoning with salt. Whats a cut above is the paella, prepared by Chef Roberto himself. Quieter than either Malvarrosa or Las Arenas, it remains easy enough to reach from the center, with a nice feeling of space. Just a short distance from the city, you can enjoy . This is, in fact, one of the tastiest parts of the paella and even has a special name: socarrat (from the Spanish verb, socarrar, meaning to singe). Spring and autumn for nice sunny weather. When the moment finally arrived, the fragrant paella was placed in the center of the table. C/ del Dr. Manuel Candela, 37, 46021, Valencia. Is this the birthplace of written Spanish? Wow, it sure packs a punch! Together with this view of the beach, Marina Beach Club is our new favorite for paella. Thank you for insight about Paella. Read More 7 Best Spanish Beers To Try on Your Next Trip to SpainContinue. Finding the real thing would take some research. The rice was spot on with good bite to the grains. In summer, you can sit at the outdoor terrace, sip on Agua de Valencia and have the hot piping Paella with a great view of the beach and sea. Everyone here has an uncle or a grandfather who will lay claim to that distinction. There are several restaurants serving paella in El Palmar, and Restaurante El Graner is among the best. Best Paella In Valencia Beach - Title: Man Serving Paella, with Noodle Paella in Foreground, Central, Valencia, SpainArtist: Greg ElmsProduct Type: Stretched Canvas PrintExpertly finished and printed on artist-grade cottonStretched & Ready to HangHandcrafted in the UPC: 552379279; Color: Multicolor . The dining experience at Casa Carmela is unique in that everyone in one party eats the paella directly out of the pan it was cooked in. We walked up and down the stretch of restaurants to make our choice. Dont fall for the tourist traps while searching for the best paella in Valencia! Best Paella In Valencia Beach - Amazing quality images printed on Stretched Canvas - Just for your Home or OfficeStretched Canvas ready to be put on the wall. The kitchen just asks that anyone who wants to try a Valencian paella or a vegetable paella call in advance, as those are made to order, and theyre intended for tables of at least two people. There are few better places to enjoy this traditional dish than at the legendary La Pepica. Get off at the Meliana stop, and its just a few hundred meters walk from there. Its hard to compete with the cooking of a Spanish mother. Jardn del Turia. Chef Honorino Antn and his team soon got to work. How to live like a local in Valencia, . actually, you missed the most important one, the one everyone in Valencia (the locals describes as the best) El Embrujo de Carmen, 2022 City Experiences anchored by Hornblower - All Rights Reserved, Where to Eat the Best Paella in Valencia (And How to Spot the Good Stuff). Address: 17 Carrer del Literat Azorn, Valencia, 46006. Best Paella in Valencia, Province of Valencia: Find 143,057 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of the best Paella and search by price, location, and more. and local beans. Valencia is ideal for budget-conscious travelers. Paella, when properly prepared, is a rich, deep ochre color (not yellow . Mediterranean. It cant be explained, but theres nothing better than a paella cooked over a wood fire. If you want to have the best paella experience in Valencia, you should check out this highly acclaimed paella cooking class. I recommend you arrive early so you can watch Chef Toni Montoliu prepare the paella for you. They prepare some of the best paella Valenciana in Valencia, but their seafood paella is nothing short of amazing as well. Average price 18 Welcome. But not all paellas are created equal. In the meantime, I say that if you find a nice spot on the beach, sit down and enjoy it. Best Paella in Long Beach, California: Find 488 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of the best Paella and search by price, location, and more. Las Arenas ). Some of the best seafood paella in Barcelona comes from the beachfront Barceloneta neighborhood. Now famous the world over, paella continues to be a staple dish in Valencia. [] along Malvarossa beach and the strip of classic paella restaurants in Las Arenas (See my post on The Best Paella in Valencia.) In addition to the many rice dishes on Bon Aires menu, there are fresh seafood options and a couple of grilled steaks. In a 16-18 paella pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. International expats named Valencia as the best city in the world to live and work with aspects like finance, housing and healthcare all taken into account. This place has been a paella restaurant since 1956, so they must be doing something right. In fact, the seafood options here deserve just as much attention as the paella. How to get there: Take metro line 3 and get off at the Meliana stop, then walk a few hundred meters to the restaurant. Id arrived just before lunch service and the chefs were lighting up the wood-fuelled stoves and pulling down the heavy carbon steel pans as part of their daily hour-long prep. La Pepica is located just a stone's throw away from. To the north, the highlights of the Costa del Azahar include Sagunto, which has expansive sands and a fabulous history (dont miss the medievalcastle). Theres variety enough for everyone, though: here, youll find buzzy city beaches packed with locals, quiet spots amid wild wetlands, water sports, tapas, festivals and plenty of ice-cold beer. Meals are served from 13:00 to 17:00 every day except Wednesday. In each Spanish province, paella is cooked in its own way: with meat, fish, seafood. We appreciate your business for any questions or concerns please contact via La Pepica still prepares its paella over an open flame, like Valencia's early farmers (Credit: david010167/Getty Images), Today, La Pepica is run by Balaguers grandson, Pepe, who has stayed true to the familys time-honoured way of cooking paellas, using the exact same recipes as his grandfather and cooking them over wood-fired ovens in an open kitchen. A seafood version of the dish later became popular on the coast as paella de marisco. Farmers began cooking rice in large shallow pans called paellas over open fires in the fields by the mid-19th century. This workshop starts with a visit to a local market where youll pick the necessary ingredients for preparing an authentic paella Valenciana. Only open for lunch on Sundays. As I sat devouring my paella, I thought about the way that Hemingway famously described the restaurant: The place was run by a family and everyone knew everyone else. Clouds of paprika and steam began to fill the air, and Honorino sprinkled in saffron threads, changing the colour of the ingredients to an intense yellow. Paella is best eaten with a dash of lemon and the savoury and seafood taste soon filled our entire mouths! The city is a popular beach destination for its velvety, sandy beaches along the palm-lined promenade, with some spots receiving the blue flag award. 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