Best Restaurants in Valencia:
Where to Eat Like a Local

Tasquita del Mar

Tasquita del Mar is one of those places that gets the balance just right. It’s close to the cathedral and right in the historic centre, yet it feels tucked away enough to avoid the worst of the tourist crowds. It was the first place we ate at on both trips, and it immediately set the tone for how good eating out in Valencia can be.

The drinks here are excellent, especially the sangria and agua de Valencia, both of which were far better than the overly sweet versions you sometimes find elsewhere. The menu has a good range, including an English-language version, which makes it an easy and relaxed choice at the start of your trip.

Food-wise, the meatballs were outstanding, so good that my brother still raves about them years later. The esgarraet was fresh, full of flavour, and a must-try if you want something truly local. Add in solid patatas bravas, and you’ve got a reliable tapas spot that feels authentic without being intimidating.

This is a great option if you’re sightseeing in the Old Town, especially if you’re spending a few days in Valencia and want somewhere genuinely good without straying too far.

Arandinos

Arandinos quickly became one of our favourite places to eat in Valencia. Set on a small, pretty square with both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down and order “just one more plate”.

Everything we tried was excellent, but a few dishes really stood out. The croquetas were perfectly cooked, soft and creamy inside, and genuinely melted as soon as you bit into them. The grilled chicken was simple but done brilliantly, and the padrón peppers were some of the best we had in the city, high praise from my partner, who considers himself something of a padrón pepper expert.

The real highlight, though, was the pork. It was incredibly flavoursome and cooked to perfection, easily one of the best tapas dishes we ate across both trips. We still find ourselves turning to each other and saying, “Do you remember that pork in Valencia?” It really was that good.

Arandinos feels local, relaxed, and consistently high quality, exactly what you want from a tapas restaurant in Valencia.

Tasca Hogan La Coveta

Tasca Hogan La Coveta is a brilliant little tapas spot close to Plaza Redonda and exactly the kind of place you stumble across and end up staying longer than planned. It’s set along a narrow alley, which makes it a lovely spot to sit with a drink and watch people wander past while plates slowly arrive at the table.

Every tapa we ordered was solid, but a few stood out. The chorizo and meatballs were particular favourites, rich and full of flavour without being heavy. The pan con tomate was also excellent, and my partner proudly assembled it himself after being shown the proper technique in Sitges a few months earlier, a small detail, but one that made the experience even more fun.

This is a great place to stop if you’re exploring the Old Town and want something relaxed, authentic, and unpretentious. It feels local, comfortable, and very easy to enjoy.

Escalones de la Lonja

Escalones de la Lonja has become something of a tradition for us. It was our last stop on both trips to Valencia, and it’s easy to see why. Located right by the Central Market and next to the Silk Exchange, it’s perfectly placed for a final tapas session after a day of sightseeing.

The menu focuses on classic tapas done well. We shared croquetas, patatas bravas, chicken, and padrón peppers, and every dish was exactly what you want from a reliable tapas bar. Nothing fussy, just good flavours and generous portions.

Prices here are very reasonable, especially given the location, which makes it a great option if you want quality food without paying inflated tourist prices. It’s lively without being overwhelming and feels like a place locals genuinely use, not just pass through.

Pro tip – In Valencia, tapas are often ordered gradually rather than all at once. Unlike in many English-speaking countries, where you tend to place a full food order upfront, locals will usually start with a drink and one or two plates, then add more as they go. It keeps the meal relaxed, lets you pace yourself, and means you can stop when you’re full rather than over-ordering.

Where to Eat the Best Paella in Valencia

Valencia is the birthplace of paella, so expectations are understandably high. This isn’t a dish to rush or order casually, and choosing the right restaurant makes all the difference. These are the paella spots we tried across both trips, each offering something slightly different, but all delivering on flavour and authenticity.

Masusa Paella Bar

Masusa Paella Bar in Ruzafa is a fantastic example of how simple food, done properly, often ends up being the most memorable. It’s an unfussy, corner restaurant with a relaxed feel, friendly staff, and a clear focus on doing paella well.

We ordered the paella valenciana with chicken and green beans, and it was excellent, deeply flavoursome, well-balanced, and cooked exactly as it should be. This was my partner’s first-ever paella, and it set the bar impressively high. He loved it, which says a lot given how hyped paella often is.

Prices were very reasonable, especially for the quality, and the atmosphere felt genuinely local. If you’re staying in Ruzafa or want to eat paella outside the most tourist-heavy parts of the city, this is a superb choice.

If you enjoy eating in neighbourhoods like Ruzafa, seeking out Valencia hidden gems is a great way to experience the city beyond the main tourist areas.

Rincón 33

Rincón 33 was one of our family meals during the 2022 trip and is a great option if you’re looking for a slightly more polished paella experience without it feeling formal or stiff.

We went for the seafood paella, which was beautifully cooked and packed with flavour. The rice was spot on, and the seafood felt fresh rather than thrown in as an afterthought. Service was also excellent, attentive without hovering, which made it an easy, relaxed meal with a group.

This is a solid choice if you’re visiting Valencia with family or want somewhere reliable where paella is clearly taken seriously.

Navarro

Navarro feels a little more stylish than some traditional paella restaurants, but it still manages to feel authentically Valencian. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and the dining room was full of Spanish families, always a reassuring sign when you’re choosing where to eat.

We ordered the rabbit paella, a classic local variation, and it was excellent. Rich, deeply savoury, and cooked with real care, it felt like the kind of paella people come back for time and time again.

If you’re looking for a more refined setting without losing that local atmosphere, Navarro strikes a really nice balance.

Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Valencia

Valencia does breakfast and brunch very well, especially if you want something relaxed before a day of sightseeing. Whether you’re after a proper sit-down brunch or just a light bite and a good coffee, these spots were all reliable and well-located.

Kaffeina Brunch and Specialty Coffee

Kaffeina is a great Old Town brunch option, particularly if you’re planning to explore the area around the Serranos Towers afterwards. It’s casual, welcoming, and doesn’t feel like a tourist trap despite being in a very central location.

There’s a good range on offer, including baked goods, smoothies, juices, coffees, and breakfast bagels, all reasonably priced. I went for the smoked salmon bagel, and it was exactly what I wanted to start the day, fresh, filling, and not overly heavy. If you like easing into your morning rather than rushing, this is a very easy place to settle into.

P5 Pantalan 5, Mercat de Colón

Eating breakfast or brunch inside the modernist Mercat de Colón feels like an experience in itself, and P5 Pantalan 5 is a great option if you don’t want a huge meal.

The menu focuses on sandwiches, juices, and coffee, making it ideal if you’re not overly hungry or want something light before a bigger lunch later in the day. It’s also good value, especially considering the setting, and works well if you’re sightseeing nearby and want a quick but pleasant stop.

This is a particularly nice choice if you enjoy people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere while you eat.

Brunch Corner – La Virgen

If you’re craving something a little more international, Brunch Corner – La Virgen is a solid choice. The menu leans towards West Coast–inspired brunch dishes, with plenty of options that will feel familiar to international visitors.

There’s a wide range to choose from, making it a good pick if you’re travelling with someone who wants something different from a traditional Spanish breakfast. It’s relaxed, friendly, and a nice change of pace if you’ve already been eating tapas for a few days.These kinds of relaxed brunch spots are especially enjoyable if you’re visiting during the cooler months, something I really appreciated when travelling to the city in Valencia in November.

Sweet Treats and Drinks You Shouldn’t Miss in Valencia

Even if you’re focused mainly on tapas and paella, there are a couple of classic Valencian food and drink experiences that really shouldn’t be skipped.

Horchatería Santa Catalina

Horchatería Santa Catalina is one of those places that feels like a rite of passage when visiting Valencia. Even if horchata isn’t usually your thing, this is still worth stopping by.

The building itself is beautiful, with traditional tiled walls that make it feel properly historic. The horchata is excellent, creamy and refreshing, and while I’m a big fan, my partner found it a little too sweet, which is a common reaction if you’re trying it for the first time. Either way, it’s absolutely worth experiencing at least once.

Service was quick and friendly, making it an easy stop while exploring the Old Town, especially if you want a short break from sightseeing without committing to a full sit-down meal.

When You Want Something Different: Pizza in Valencia

After a few days of tapas, even the most enthusiastic food lover might fancy something different, and Valencia has some excellent non-Spanish options too.

Masa Madre

Masa Madre is a fantastic pizza restaurant and a great choice if you want a break from tapas without sacrificing quality. The pizzas here were genuinely excellent, with perfectly cooked dough, well-balanced toppings, and very filling portions.

Everything felt carefully done rather than rushed, and it’s the kind of place you go when you want a proper, satisfying meal. If you find yourself craving something familiar later in your trip, Masa Madre is an easy recommendation.