Modern Valencian€€€leixample
Saiti on Carrer de Reina Dona Maria in Valencia's Eixample is chef Vicente Patino's modern Valencian room with two Repsol Suns, anchored on Mediterranean produce and short tastings.
Signature: Tasting menu, Arroz, Pescados
Order: The shorter tasting menu at lunch is the best-value introduction to the kitchen.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The tasting runs about two hours; book through the website or call.
Valencian rice€€ciutat-vella
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 and a daily menu del dia.
Signature: Paella valenciana, Arroz a banda, Fideua
Order: The paella valenciana for two with the canonical rabbit and chicken, ordered ahead.
Tip: Closed Sunday evening and all day Monday. Reserve weekend lunch a few days ahead.
Modern Valencian€€€leixample
Kaymus on Avinguda de Maestro Rodrigo in Valencia is chef Nacho Romero's modern Valencian kitchen, with a strong arroz carte, a Mediterranean tasting menu and a serious wine list.
Signature: Arroz, Bacalao, Croquetas
Order: The tasting menu at lunch (around 45 euros), with the chef's choice of arroz that day.
Tip: Reserve through the website. Lunch tasting is excellent value; dinner is the full experience.
Basque grill€€€leixample
Askua on Carrer del Felip Maria Garin in Valencia is a Basque-style grill founded 1994 by Ricardo Gadea, with rotating local-fish specials, chuleton from old dairy cows and a Bunol tomato carte.
Signature: Chuleton, Pescados a la brasa, Tomate de Bunol
Order: The chuleton (old-cow rib-eye) sliced at the table, with a tomato of Bunol salad on the side.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Reserve 10 days ahead. The fish-and-chuleton menu changes daily on a small chalkboard.
Argentine-Valencian€€€russafa
Fierro on Carrer del Doctor Serrano in Valencia's Russafa is Argentine chefs Carito Lourenco and German Carrizo's open-kitchen tasting room, with a counter for 16 diners and one menu.
Signature: Tasting menu, Steak, Empanadas
Order: The full tasting menu; there is no a la carte. Add the wine pairing of Spanish-Argentine wines.
Tip: Reserve through the website four weeks ahead. Two seatings per night, dress smart casual.
Valencian rice€€ciutat-vella
El Rall on Carrer dels Tundidors in Valencia's old town has cooked paellas to order in a tiled medieval-corner dining room since 1980, with one of the wider arroz cartes in the centre.
Signature: Paella valenciana, Fideua, Arroz negro
Order: The paella valenciana for two cooked over wood, or the fideua a banda with seafood.
Tip: Reserve 24 hours ahead for paella. The dining room is small but has an outdoor terrace in good weather.