Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Paella valenciana is Valencia's defining rice dish: bomba rice cooked over orange wood in a flat pan with rabbit, chicken, ferraura green beans, garrofo butter beans, saffron and tomato.
Paella valenciana emerged in the 18th-century rice paddies of La Albufera south of Valencia, when farmers and shepherds cooked rabbit, chicken, ferraura beans and bomba rice over orange-wood embers for the noon-day field meal. The canonical recipe was codified by the early 19th century: rabbit, chicken, ferraura, garrofo butter bean, sometimes snails, saffron, sweet paprika, tomato, bomba rice. No chorizo. No seafood. The 2021 Paella Valenciana DOP legally defined the dish with ten obligatory ingredients. Casa Carmela on the Malvarrosa beachfront and Casa Roberto in the Eixample cook the canonical version; El Palmar in La Albufera grills paellas at source.
5 editor picks for Paella valenciana in Valencia, ranked by editorial score. All Valencia signature dishes · Paella valenciana across every city.
Casa Carmela on the Malvarrosa beachfront in Valencia has cooked wood-fired paellas to order since 1922, with a 20-strong rice repertoire and a lunch-only.
OrderThe paella valenciana cooked over orange-wood embers, ordered when you book.
TipBook three weeks ahead for weekend lunch. Lunch only Tue to Sat 13:00-16:00; no dinner.
Casa Roberto on Carrer del Mestre Gozalbo in Valencia's Eixample has cooked Roberto Aparicio's traditional paellas since 1986, with a long chef's record.
OrderThe paella valenciana ordered ahead, with the croquetas and salmorejo to start.
TipClosed Monday all day and Sunday evenings. Reserve 48 hours ahead for paella; the dining room is small.
La Riua on Carrer del Mar in Valencia's old town has run a family-tavern rice kitchen since 1978, now in the third generation, with a dozen paellas.
OrderThe paella valenciana or the arroz a banda; the house Utiel-Requena tinto is honest.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. The dining room fills with locals by 14:00; reserve ahead.
La Pepica on Passeig de Neptu in Valencia's Malvarrosa beach has served paella since 1898; Hemingway, Queen Sofia and Orson Welles all ate the rice here.
OrderThe paella valenciana with rabbit, chicken and ferraura beans at lunch.
TipBook the beachfront terrace one week ahead. Closed Sunday evenings. Hemingway's signed photograph hangs in the inner dining room.
El Encuentro on Carrer de Sant Vicent Martir in Valencia's Ciutat Vella is a neighbourhood arroceria with a strong local following, eight rice variations.
OrderThe paella valenciana for two with the canonical rabbit and chicken, ordered ahead.
TipClosed Sunday evening and all day Monday. Reserve weekend lunch a few days ahead.
Paella valenciana makes more sense with someone from Valencia explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Day trip · 8 hours
Explore Requena’s medieval charm on a private day trip from Valencia: tour a winery, wander ancient Moorish caves, and savor a selection of exquisite regional wines.
Day trip · 8 hours
Discover the street art of Fanzara and the thermal springs of Montanejos on a private day trip from Valencia. Enjoy a riverside walk to the Fuente de los Baños and rel...
Private tour · 10 hours
Discover Requena on a guided tour from Valencia. Enjoy wine tastings and Michelin-starred meal, and a visit to a local liqueur factory.
