In a nutshell
- Valencia has so many great restaurants and cafés — but knowing where to start is half the battle. We’ve done the legwork for you!
- Here are our 9 personal favorites: every single one tested by us, from buzzy breakfast spots to laid-back tapas bars.
- Don’t leave without trying paella at least once (this is its birthplace, after all!) and sampling the local drink horchata.
- The Valencia Tourist Card gets you discounts at many restaurants in Valencia. We break down whether it’s worth it in our Valencia Tourist Card guide.
Our Café and Restaurant Tips in Valencia
Eating out in Valencia is at least as much fun as exploring Valencia’s attractions. We love tracking down cool restaurants and cafés that are off the beaten tourist path. From our time in Valencia, we’ve brought back some personal restaurant and café recommendations we’re excited to share.
Here are nine great places to eat in Valencia that we all genuinely loved.
Good to know: Many restaurants in Valencia serve lunch until around 3 PM and then don’t reopen their kitchens until the evening. And “evening” in Valencia means no earlier than 7 PM — sometimes even later.
Dulce de Leche
Dulce de Leche is a caramel cream from South America and translates literally as sweetness from milk. And if there’s one thing Spaniards love, it’s sweets — cakes, tarts, pastries. Doesn’t matter what. As long as it’s sweet.
In Valencia, you won’t be able to avoid indulging, so you might as well make your peace with that right now.
If you love cake, you absolutely have to visit the Dulce de Leche pastry shop at least once. Everything there is seriously good, seriously sweet, and seriously calorie-laden. But the indulgence is totally worth it. We promise!
There are four locations of Dulce de Leche in Valencia.
Bluebell Coffee Roasters
A hipster breakfast café right out of the playbook. You’ll find this breakfast and brunch spot in the Ruzafa neighborhood.
It’s not particularly big, but the menu delivers — think fresh juices, excellent coffee, pancakes, yogurt, and bread with poached eggs and salmon. Simple, delicious, and done really well.
We loved it and can wholeheartedly recommend it as one of the best places to eat in Valencia for a morning meal.
Cult Café
Solid, tasty breakfast in a super central location near the main train station.
Compared to the other breakfast cafés on this list, it’s also a bit more affordable. The seating isn’t quite as cozy, but we’d still recommend stopping in.
FOUR Speciality Coffee & Bistro
If we had to pick a favorite breakfast café in Valencia, it would be FOUR Speciality Coffee & Bistro. Hands down.
The food was truly exceptional — not just in terms of flavor, but visually too. It just looked really cool on the plate.
It’s about a ten-minute walk from the main train station. Our absolute top pick for breakfast in Valencia.
Portobello Horno Cafeteria
We came back here for breakfast multiple times during our stay. Partly because it was close to our apartment (you can find our best hotel tips for Valencia right here), but also because the food is delicious and affordable.
You browse the display case to see what’s available, order at the counter, and have it brought to your table. Easy and relaxed.
There was also a small play corner for kids — which was very handy for us.
La Favole
A really good, authentic Italian restaurant between the historic center and the main train station.
It’s located on a small car-free square that borders directly onto a little playground — so if you’re on a family vacation in Valencia, this one’s especially for you!
The pizza and pasta were excellent, though not exactly cheap. Pizza starts at 11 euros, pasta at 15 euros.
Oli Bar Ruzafa
A very authentic, no-frills tapas bar in the Ruzafa neighborhood, right on the Plaça de Manuel Granero. Typically Spanish — unpretentious, but simply delicious.
Tables and chairs spill out onto the square and you order inside at the counter. We had olives, cheese, mortadella, peppers, and bread — and honestly couldn’t have been happier.
La Finestra
La Finestra serves exclusively mini pizzas. The twist: you don’t know what’s on them ahead of time.
You choose between surprise, vegetarian, or vegan — and then just go with it. We loved this concept.
The restaurant has a slightly alternative vibe, but it’s really cozy — there are tables and chairs, plus low benches with cushions.
We felt right at home. The pizzas were delicious, and for six mini pizzas, a burrata, two non-alcoholic beers, a water, and two espressos we only paid 25 euros. Incredible value.
Boa Beach Valencia
Boa Beach Valencia isn’t a culinary revelation. The food is perfectly fine, but the location is simply unbeatable — the restaurant is right on the beach.
If it weren’t for the promenade between the terrace and the sand, you could practically dip your toes in while having breakfast.
The vibe: boho chic and very instagrammable. Come for the setting, stay for the cocktails.
Extra: Even More Food Tips for Valencia
We have a few more spots to add to your Valencia food guide. Some we’ve noted down but haven’t tried ourselves; others came highly recommended to us.
- Heladería Véneta – great ice cream
- Gelato Amuri – great ice cream
- Antigua Lechería – great ice cream
- Cafe de las Horas – wild bar
- Zumería Naturalia – juice bar
- The Royal Buddha – Nepalese
- Brunch Corner La Virgen – breakfast and brunch
- La Papardella – Italian restaurant in the old quarter
Typical Food in Valencia
Paella
Valencia is basically the paella capital of the world. If you love paella, you’re going to love Valencia. Traditionally, it’s eaten at lunchtime — so plan accordingly.
There are many great paella restaurants in Valencia. One well worth checking out is Arrosseria Boscà 29.
Horchata
We’d never heard of horchata before our city trip to Valencia.
So what is it? A refreshing drink made from tiger nut milk. It’s mostly sweet, since it’s usually mixed with honey. It’s quite nice, though it didn’t blow us away.
Horchata is available all over the city, including at many street stalls. If you want to try it the classic way, head to the Orxateria Santa Catalina right in the historic center.
This genuinely eye-catching shop — all colorful tiles and old-world charm — has been serving the drink for over 100 years and is said to be especially good.
Bocadillo
A bocadillo is a filled bread roll — Spain’s answer to the sandwich. It’s a classic, affordable snack you’ll find on every corner.
In theory, anything goes on the folded baguette — tuna, cheese, cold cuts. In Valencia, though, you’ll mostly find baguette with Serrano ham and cheese. Perfect for a quick bite on the go.
