Where to Eat in Valencia: Guide to the Best Restaurants

Valencia is a modern, cosmopolitan city that still stays true to its traditional roots, and this is clear as day when it comes to eating out. But if you’re trying to decide where to eat in Valencia, narrowing down your options can be a tall order. There’s so much to choose from and not nearly enough time to try it all. Luckily, we’re here to help. No matter what your taste buds are craving, there’s something for everyone. This guide will help you pick where to eat in Valencia depending on your tastes and style (and by all means, try more than one).

We hope you’re hungry!

Interior of a large market hall with a glass dome above the stalls. — Valencia’s massive Mercado Central is one of the largest fresh food markets in Europe – and definitely a great place for picnic supplies! Photo credit: Juan Gomez

Contents hide

1 Traditional Valencian meals

1.1 La Riuà

1.2 Palace Fesol

2 Michelin-starred dining experiences

4.1 Tinto Fino Ultramarino

4.2 Restaurante Balansiya

5 Trendy restaurants

5.1 Vlue Arribar

Traditional Valencian meals

La Riuà

Topping our list of where to eat in Valencia are some of our favorite local establishments that specialize in cuisine unique to the region. One such place is La Riuà in the historic El Carmen neighborhood. Owners Francisco and Pilar have won several awards for their homestyle Valencian cuisine, which is unlike any other in town.

Palace Fesol

Another beloved local institution, Palace Fesol, has delighted customers with its traditional Valencian offerings since 1909. Its delicious menu includes many typical foods from Valencia, such as all i pebre and esgarraet, in addition to a wide variety of rice dishes.

Small paella dish with seafood and shrimp on a table top with white dining cloth — Freshly cooked seafood paella makes for a memorable – and photo-worthy! – meal. Photo credit: Young Shih

Michelin-starred dining experiences

Ricard Camarena

If you’re wondering where to eat in Valencia for an exclusive, unforgettable experience, look no further than Ricard Camarena. The Valencian-born chef’s eponymous restaurant is the proud recipient of one Michelin star. It uses locally-sourced ingredients to create unforgettable dishes you’ll want to come back for.

dishes on ceramic plates — Ricard Camarena was recently named the 8th best vegetable restaurant in the world! Photo credit: Jer Chung

El Poblet

Another Valencian restaurant boasting the food world’s highest honor is El Poblet. This elegant, contemporary restaurant is owned by legendary Valencian chef Quique Dacosta. It offers traditional Spanish food with a modern twist.

Casual tapas bars

Tasca el Botijo

No trip to Spain is complete without tapas! One of our favorite tapas bars in Valencia is Tasca el Botijo, a no-frills bar in the heart of El Carmen. Locals crowd its sunny terrace from 10 a.m. until 2 in the morning, washing down tasty tapas with beer.

Close up of a person putting a small piece of fish atop a chunk of bread with a fork — The seafood tapas at Tasca el Botijo are a must-try.

Casa Montaña

In addition, Casa Montaña is a historic restaurant that has served some of Valencia’s best tapas for centuries. Don’t let its low-key setting fool you. This local institution uses only the finest ingredients to create fantastic tapas. It’s also one of Valencia’s best wine bars!

Global flavors

Tinto Fino Ultramarino

Valencia’s status as one of Spain’s most cosmopolitan cities means that there is a diverse array of international cuisine! For a unique fusion of Spanish and Italian cuisine, try trendy Tinto Fino Ultramarino. Locals love this cozy spot for its unique blend of two beloved Mediterranean varieties.

wine-bottles-on-rack — Don’t leave Tinto Fino Ultramarino without trying one (or more) of their many delicious wines such as bobal or garnatxa. Photo Credit: Florent B.

Restaurante Balansiya

Looking for something a little different? The Arabic flavors at Restaurante Balansiya are a perfectly delicious tribute to Spain’s Moorish past. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time—the restaurant’s gorgeous interior and exotic food will make you feel like you’re in Al-Andalus itself!

Trendy restaurants

Vlue Arribar

If you’re wondering where to eat in Valencia for a more modern-day vibe, look no further. With its minimalist decor and sweeping views of the Mediterranean, Vlue Arribar is undeniably more than just your average seafood joint. It even includes a special kids’ area, so families with small children can enjoy a top-class dining experience.

Clay dish of diced octopus sprinkled with paprika, to be eaten with toothpicks. — In addition to plenty of local rice dishes, Vlue Arribar also serves crowd-pleasing classics such as *croquetas*, *ensaladilla rusa,* and *pulpo a la gallega* (octopus, with paprika, salt, and olive oil).

Update notice: This blog post was updated on June 6, 2023.