The counters in Valencia worth queuing for: bread, pastry, and the morning ritual.
Bakery counters in Valencia worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.
Levaduramadre on Carrer de la Pau in Valencia's Ciutat Vella is the flagship Valencia branch of the Madrid sourdough chain, serving wood-fired loaves, croissants and weekday pastries.
Tip: Walk-in only; the pan de pueblo sells out by noon on Saturday. Open Sunday morning until 14:30.
Worth the queue: Pan de pueblo sourdough loaf
Horno San Bartolome on Carrer del Duc de Calabria in Valencia is master baker Jesus Machi's flagship oven, with the canonical coca de llanda (a tray-baked sweet sponge with cinnamon), long-fermented breads and Valencian pastries.
Tip: Cash preferred. The coca de llanda is best eaten same day; pair with a glass of mistela.
Worth the queue: Coca de llanda
La Petite Brioche on Carrer de Sorni in Valencia's Eixample is a French-style bakery and brunch counter, with cronuts, almond croissants and a small breakfast carte.
Tip: The cronuts sell out by 11:00 on weekends; arrive at opening or call to reserve.
Worth the queue: Cronut
Jesus Machi's Horno San Bartolome second branch on Placa del Tossal in Valencia's Carmen bakes the same long-fermented breads, pan rustico and coca de llanda as the Duque de Calabria flagship.
Tip: Quieter than the Duque de Calabria branch. Cash preferred.
Worth the queue: Pan rustico
Forn Desamparats on Carrer Guillem Sorolla feeds a traditional Moorish wood oven every morning. The smoky-crust hogaza opens before the rest of the city, with bread and rosquilletas across the counter.
Worth the queue: Smoky-crust hogaza
Dulce de Leche Boutique in Ruzafa is the Argentine pastry shop Anne and Javier run on Carrer del Pintor Gisbert. Alfajores, cakes and savouries with a Nordic-meets-Buenos-Aires fitout and a quiet breakfast counter.
Worth the queue: Dulce-de-leche alfajores