Typical food of Valencia

Valencia offers high-quality Mediterranean cuisine that showcases the richness of its surroundings.

Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and here rice is cooked like nowhere else, but it also has an extensive recipe book of Mediterranean dishes that show the richness of its surroundings.

It boasts one of the best-stocked pantries in the world, thanks to the farmland that surrounds the city, recognized by the FAO as a world agricultural heritage site, and the waters of the Mediterranean that provide the freshest fish and seafood every morning. If we add the creativity of its chefs, we find an unbeatable cuisine that will delight the most exquisite palate.

Paella and Rice Dishes

Paella is the most international dish of the local cuisine. Here, you will find it faithful to the original recipe that originated around the Albufera To prepare it, chicken and rabbit meat, grated tomato, typical vegetables (garrofó and green beans), and a bit of paprika are fried in olive oil. Then, water is added and left to boil until it becomes a tasty broth. Once ready, rice is added and brought to a boil for about twenty minutes. Finally, it is kept on medium heat until the water evaporates and the characteristic "socarrat" forms.

In addition to traditional Valencian paella, you can find more than forty varieties of rice dishes. Among them, arroz a banda, arroz del senyoret, black rice, or seafood paella stand out.

Fideuá

Another very popular dish is fideuá. Legend has it that it was created by a fisherman from Gandía who thought of substituting rice with noodles in a paella. In fact, its preparation includes seafood and cuttlefish, like in seafood paella, and is prepared in a similar manner.

All i pebre

ll i Pebre is a comforting stew typical of the Albufera area. As it is a traditional recipe, it can have variations depending on the area, but the traditional way to prepare it is with eel seasoned with paprika and chili. The most famous is from Palmar, a small hamlet of Valencia that deserves a visit, as it offers postcard-worthy views.

Puchero valenciano (Valencian stew)

The Valencian stew is the most traditional dish in Valencian cuisine and is prepared in every household. Similar to cocido madrileño (Madrid stew), everything is cooked in a pot and includes chickpeas, vegetables, and beef. It is then served separately. First, a delicious soup made with the cooking broth, and then the legumes with the vegetables and meat. At Christmas, it is known as olla de Nadal and is especially hearty with more meat and the so-called "pilotas de puchero," made with pork, breadcrumbs, parsley, pepper, and pine nuts.

Cocas

Tomato and pepper cocas are a classic snack in the city. Similar to a small pizza, it is a simple savory pastry made with a base of flour dough, oil, and water, topped with a filling of vegetables, fish, or meat. It is perfect for eating on the go while strolling through the city center. There is also the sweet coca, which is a dense, fluffy cake with a crunchy sugar layer, an irresistible treat. The version with roasted pumpkin is a real delight.

Fartons

Fartons are the perfect complement to the famous Valencian tiger nut horchata. Created in the sixties in Alboraya, this elongated, fluffy, and sweet pastry can now be found in all confectioneries in Valencia, where it is also prepared in its puff pastry version. The secret of this sweet is that butter is replaced with sunflower oil to achieve a light and smooth texture.

Drinks and liquors in Valencia

Besides coffee and chocolate, there are a number of typical Valencian drinks perfect for accompanying a savory coca or the popular and delicious fartons.

Horchata

You cannot leave Valencia without trying the authentic horchata. Recommended for its properties, as it is rich in nutrients and vitamins, there is no more refreshing and tasty drink on hot days. You can have it in many forms: liquid, slush, or mixed. It is made from tiger nut, a tuber that can only be cultivated in soils with specific characteristics, so it is exclusive to Valencia and has a designation of origin.

Mistela

Mistela is a typical digestive liqueur from the Valencia area. It is made from grape juice, to which brandy, sugar, cloves, and ground or whole coffee are added. It is ideal for accompanying a traditional dessert at the end of a good meal.

Agua de Valencia

Agua de Valencia is the city's signature cocktail. Made with the star product of the land, oranges, the recipe is completed with touches of vodka, gin, and cava, preferably from the Utiel-Requena designation. The secret is to always use local fruit varieties picked at the exact point of ripeness. Finally, it should be served in a champagne coupe glass.

Wines of Valencia and Utiel-Requena

Valencia produces two major designations of origin: Valencia and Utiel-Requena. The latter stands out for its own grape, the bobal, as well as offering some of the best cavas in the country. In the city's restaurants, you can try almost all of them: single-varietal, blends, young wines, and barrel-aged reds.

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