Central Bar (Mercado Central) is a street-food stop in Valencia.
Editorially verified May 21, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Stand at the counter; the bocadillo is the noon order, with a cana or a vermut from the barrel.
Address: Mercat Central, Plaça del Mercat s/n, 46001 Valencia
Casa Montana on Carrer de Josep Benlliure in Valencia's Cabanyal has served esgarraet (the canonical Valencian salt-cod and roasted-pepper salad) since 1836.
Try: Esgarraet (salt-cod and roasted-pepper salad)
Tip: Reserve the tasting platter. The esgarraet pairs with a glass of barrel-bobal.
La Pilareta on Carrer del Moro Zeit in Valencia's Carmen has served clochinas (small native mussels) at the counter since 1917, with lemon and pepper.
Try: Clochinas (Valencian native mussels)
Tip: Clochinas season runs May to September. Out of season, ask for mussels (mejillones).
Cafe Madrid in Valencia is the 1959 birthplace of agua de Valencia, the cava-and-orange cocktail invented here, still poured by the carafe. Family-friendly.
Try: Agua de Valencia (cava + orange juice + gin + vodka)
Tip: Order by the carafe for two. The recipe has not changed since Constante Gil Rodriguez invented it.
Bunyolería El Contraste in Ruzafa is the rare Valencia bunyolería frying bunyols de carabassa (pumpkin fritters) and churros year-round, run.
Try: Bunyols de carabassa (pumpkin fritters)
Tip: Order bunyols de carabassa with a cup of chocolate caliente.
Horchateria Daniel inside Mercado de Colon in Valencia pours the family's Alboraya horchata de chufa with fresh-baked fartons since 1949. At Mercado de Colón.
Try: Horchata de chufa with fartons
Tip: Stand at the counter; horchata is served iced with a long farton for dipping.
