Central Bar (Mercado Central) is a budget eat in Valencia.
Central Bar inside the Mercado Central is Ricard Camarena's market-counter bocadillo bar; a calamari sandwich plus a cana for under 10 euros.
Tip: Open Mon to Sat with the market 07:30 to 14:30. Stand at the counter.
Address: Mercat Central, Plaça del Mercat s/n, 46001 Valencia
Horchateria Daniel inside Mercado de Colon pours a glass of horchata de chufa with a farton for around 5 euros, the canonical Valencian mid-morning snack.
Try: Horchata and fartons
Tip: Open daily through the day. Cash and card; the takeaway window has a quieter queue.
Bar Ricardo on Carrer del Doctor Zamenhof in Valencia's Extramurs serves esgarraet, sepia and a cana for around 10 euros at the counter, the local working-day lunch.
Try: Tapas and esgarraet
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The lunchtime counter fills by 13:30.
Tasca Angel on Carrer de la Purissima has grilled charcoal sardinas a la plancha since 1946; half a dozen plus a cana runs to around 8 euros.
Try: Grilled sardines
Tip: Lunchtime only. Arrive before 13:30 for a stool at the counter.
Bodeguilla del Gato in Valencia's Carmen serves the canonical bomba (deep-fried potato-and-meat ball) for around 3 euros, the after-cana counter snack.
Try: Bomba (fried potato croquette)
Tip: Tiny corner bar; arrive before 21:00 for a seat. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Chocolateria Valor on Placa de la Reina in Valencia serves thick hot chocolate with churros for around 6 euros, the chain that anchored the Spanish chocolate tradition.
Try: Hot chocolate and churros
Tip: Open daily through the day. The chocolate is thicker than a milkshake; eat slowly with the churros.
Kiosko La Pergola on the Malvarrosa beach paseo offers a beachfront paella-and-drink menu for 15 euros at lunch, the bargain rice plate of the beachfront.
Try: Paella menu del dia
Tip: Lunch only and seasonal (closed winter). Reserve the terrace one week ahead in summer.
