Bistros, trattorias and the everyday rooms where Valencia actually eats.
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where Valencia actually eats.
Bar Ricardo on Carrer del Doctor Zamenhof in Valencia's Extramurs is a 1947 neighbourhood bar with a long tapas counter, a worker's lunch crowd and a strong esgarraet plate.
Signature: Esgarraet, Sepia a la plancha, Bocadillo de calamares
Order: The esgarraet (salt-cod and roasted red pepper salad) and the sepia a la plancha with garlic.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The counter is packed by 13:30; arrive earlier for a stool.
Kiosko La Pergola on the Paseo Maritimo in Valencia's Malvarrosa is a beachfront kiosk paella spot, with wood-fired rices and a sand-side terrace.
Signature: Paella valenciana, Arroz a banda, Sardinas
Order: The paella valenciana cooked to order, with a glass of horchata for dessert.
Tip: Lunch only and closed in winter. Reserve the terrace one week ahead in high summer.
Rausell on Carrer d'Angel Guimera in Valencia's Extramurs is a family-run rice and seafood kitchen since 1948, now in its third generation, with a daily-changing chalkboard of fresh fish from the lonja.
Signature: Paella valenciana, Arroz a banda, Pescaito frito
Order: The pescaito frito plate of the day plus a half-portion of arroz a banda.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The lunchtime menu del dia is one of the best in the area.
La Greta on Carrer de Pere III el Gran in Valencia's Russafa is a neighbourhood modern-Mediterranean bistro with a long arroces carte and a strong wine list.
Signature: Tartar, Arroz, Croquetas
Order: The croquetas of jamon and the arroz of the day.
Tip: Russafa locals favourite; reserve weekend lunch a few days ahead.
Yarza on Carrer de Ciscar in Valencia's Canovas quarter is chef Manu Yarza's neighbourhood bistro, with daily-changing plates from the lonja, aged meats and a tight Valencian rice carte.
Signature: Cocina de cuchara, Pescado de lonja, Arroces
Order: The aged meat of the day or the rice of the day (order rice 24 hours ahead, minimum two).
Tip: Tight neighbourhood room; reserve through the website a week ahead. Rice dishes require advance order for at least two.
Ma Khin Cafe on the lower floor of Mercado de Colon in Valencia is a pan-Asian kitchen, with curries, noodles and bao under the 1916 modernista market vault.
Signature: Pad thai, Curry, Bao buns
Order: The Thai green curry or a plate of bao buns with iberico pork.
Tip: Open daily through the day. The Colon market complex hours run longer than the upstairs grocery stalls.
Racons in Valencia's Eixample is a neighbourhood arroceria with a wide rice carte, including the wood-oven arroz al horno that needs ordering in advance.
Signature: Arroz al horno, Paella valenciana, Croquetas
Order: The arroz al horno (oven-baked rice with chickpeas, pork and morcilla) for two.
Tip: Closed Sunday evening. The wood-oven arroz needs at least 24 hours notice.
Bodega Anyora on Carrer Vicent Gallart in Valencia's Canyamelar maritime quarter runs a restored 1937 wine room with a tight Valencian wines list and a daily tapas chalkboard.
Signature: Tapas valencianas, Esgarraet, Embutidos
Order: The plate of esgarraet with pickled-and-preserved vermut snacks.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The bar fills with locals from 20:30 onward.
La Tasqueta del Mercat in Valencia's Ruzafa runs a market kitchen on Carrer Maestro Aguilar near the Mercat de Russafa. The tagline is market cuisine at neighbourhood prices and the menu rotates daily with tapas and arroces.
Signature: Daily-changing menu of the day, Market-driven arroces and tapas
La Cantina de Ruzafa on Carrer Literato Azorin cooks a Tuesday-to-Friday lunch menu from the Mercat de Russafa, plus a Valencian esmorzaret slot from 09:30 to 12:30. The garden-view room runs a tight rotating slate of Valencian tapas and plates.
Signature: Menu del dia from the Mercat de Russafa, Daily-changing tapas