Valencian Tapas€€el-cabanyalMon-Sat 12:30-16:00, Mon-Sat 20:00-23:30
Casa Montana on Carrer de Josep Benlliure in Valencia's Cabanyal fishing quarter has poured wine from oak barrels and served tapas since 1836.
Signature: Esgarraet, Anchoas del Cantabrico, Atun en aceite
Order: The esgarraet (salt-cod with roasted red peppers) and a glass of Utiel-Requena bobal from the barrel.
Tip: Reserve ahead, especially for weekends. Closed Sunday. The wine list runs deep into local Valencian small producers.
Spanish tapas€€ciutat-vellaMon-Sat 07:30-15:00
Central Bar inside the Mercado Central in Valencia is Ricard Camarena's market-counter project, serving bocadillos and tapas built from the market stalls.
Signature: Bocadillo de calamares, Carrillera iberica, Croquetas
Order: The bocadillo de calamares with squid from the market fishmongers, plus a vermut from the barrel.
Tip: Open during market hours, Mon to Sat 07:30-15:00. Stand at the counter or grab one of the few stools.
International€€russafa
Canalla Bistro on Carrer del Mestre Josep Serrano in Valencia's Russafa is Ricard Camarena's casual urban project, a globe-trotting bistro across Asian.
Signature: Bao buns, Tartar, Coca crujiente
Order: The bao bun with iberico pork and the tartar tasted with a Bobal red from the carte.
Tip: Russafa side of the city; book a week ahead for weekend nights. Tasting menu and a la carte both work.
Mediterranean€€leixample
Habitual on the lower level of Mercado de Colon in Valencia is Ricard Camarena's market food-hall project, a sit-down bistro inside the 1916 modernista.
Signature: Bocadillo de calamares, Caldo de ternera, Arroces
Order: The arroz of the day plus a glass of natural wine; the bocadillo de calamares for a lighter lunch.
Tip: Walk down the stairs at Mercado Colon to find it. Open daily, longer hours than the upstairs market itself.
Valencian Tapas€el-carmen
La Pilareta on Carrer del Moro Zeit in Valencia's Carmen quarter has run a counter-tile bar since 1917, famous across the city for its clochinas (small.
Signature: Clochinas, Esgarraet, Anchoas
Order: A platter of clochinas with lemon, salt and pepper, and a cana of Estrella Galicia.
Tip: Cash preferred. The clochinas season runs roughly May to September; out of season ask for mussels (mejillones).
Valencian Tapas€ciutat-vella
Tasca Angel on Carrer de la Purissima in Valencia's Mercat quarter has grilled sardinas a la plancha to order at the counter since 1946, on a charcoal grill.
Signature: Sardinas a la plancha, Anchoas, Atun
Order: Half a dozen grilled sardines off the plancha with a cana, plus the anchoas.
Tip: Open lunchtime only (12:00-16:00); arrive before 13:30 to find a seat. Closed Sunday.