The Valencia Region, bathed in Mediterranean sunlight and blessed with fertile lands, is a paradise for food lovers. From its world-famous paella to delicate pastries, fine wines, and fresh seafood, this is a destination where every meal tells the story of the land, the sea, and centuries of culinary tradition.

If you’re passionate about gastronomy, Valencia offers an unforgettable journey through flavours, aromas, and local experiences that celebrate authentic Mediterranean life.

Here’s your complete guide to tasting the best of Valencia — one plate at a time.

1. The Home of Paella: More Than Just a Dish

No visit to Valencia is complete without trying the dish that defines Spain’s cuisine — paella. But to truly understand it, you must taste it where it was born: by the Albufera lagoon, just south of Valencia city.

The traditional Valencian paella is made with:

• Rice from the nearby Albufera Natural Park,

• Chicken and rabbit,

• Green beans (ferraura), butter beans (garrofó),

• Olive oil, tomato, saffron, and rosemary.

No seafood, no chorizo — just pure, authentic Mediterranean flavour.

For an unforgettable experience, head to El Palmar or El Saler, small villages surrounded by rice fields, where family-run restaurants still cook paella over a wood fire, as it has been done for generations.

2. Explore Local Markets: The Heart of Valencian Life

Valencia’s vibrant markets are temples of colour, smell, and flavour — the perfect place to discover what makes local cuisine so special.

• Mercado Central (Valencia City): One of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful food markets, with over 1,000 stalls offering fresh produce, spices, cured meats, and seafood. Don’t miss the horchata stand for a refreshing almond-like drink made from tiger nuts.

• Mercado de Colón (Valencia): A modernist masterpiece that combines gourmet shops, cafés, and restaurants — ideal for a mid-morning tapas break.

• Mercado de Alicante & Mercado de Dénia: Both brimming with local specialties, from salted tuna (mojama) to saffron and oranges.

Markets are not just places to shop; they’re where you can feel the pulse of Valencian culture and taste the region’s generous spirit.

3. The Flavours of the Sea

The Mediterranean Sea provides Valencia with a daily catch of exceptional quality. From grilled sardines to red prawns, seafood here is celebrated in its purest form.

Top dishes and experiences include:

• Arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish broth), typical from Alicante.

• Fideuà, a noodle-based version of paella from Gandía.

• Caldero, a fisherman’s stew found in coastal towns like Torrevieja.

• Dénia Red Prawn, considered one of the finest seafood products in Spain — a must-try for serious gourmets.

Visit the fish markets (lonjas) of Dénia, Santa Pola, or Villajoyosa to see the lively fish auctions, where local chefs source their daily ingredients.

4. Sweet Traditions: From Horchata to Turrón

Valencians have a long-standing love affair with sweet things, and their desserts are both comforting and full of heritage.

• Horchata and Fartons: A refreshing drink made from chufa (tiger nut) and served with light, sugar-dusted pastries for dipping. You can taste it in its birthplace — Alboraya, just north of Valencia city.

• Turrón de Jijona: A soft almond nougat made in Jijona (Alicante), especially popular during Christmas but enjoyed year-round.

• Arnadí: A creamy dessert made with pumpkin, almonds, and cinnamon — one of the oldest in the region.

• Pastissets de boniato: Small pastries filled with sweet potato and dusted with sugar, typical of local festivals.

Each sweet treat reveals the influence of Arab, Roman, and Mediterranean cultures that have shaped Valencia’s culinary identity.

5. Wine Routes and Olive Oil Tastings

Valencia is not only about food — it’s also a land of exceptional wines and olive oils. The inland valleys of the region are home to vineyards that produce award-winning bottles with character and soul.

• Utiel-Requena Wine Route: Known for the native Bobal grape, producing rich reds and elegant rosés. Visit small family wineries for tastings and tours.

• Alicante Wine Route: Famous for Fondillón, a rare, aged dessert wine unique to the region.

• Valencia DO wines: Offer fresh whites and light reds that pair perfectly with seafood.

For olive oil lovers, several estates in Castellón and Alicante offer guided tastings — a fascinating experience that helps you understand the heart of the Mediterranean diet.

6. The New Valencian Cuisine

While tradition runs deep, Valencia also embraces innovation. A new generation of chefs combines local ingredients with creative techniques, earning international recognition.

Look out for restaurants such as:

• Ricard Camarena (Valencia City): Michelin-starred and focused on seasonal produce.

• Quique Dacosta (Dénia): Three Michelin stars, known for his artistic approach to Mediterranean flavours.

• Casa Manolo (Daimús): A beachside restaurant blending tradition and sophistication.

This new wave of gastronomy highlights sustainability, respect for the environment, and the preservation of local identity — perfectly aligned with the region’s values.

7. Eat Like a Local

The secret to truly enjoying Valencian cuisine is to eat slowly, locally, and seasonally.

• Have lunch late — around 2:00 p.m.

• Enjoy tapas with friends over local wine or vermouth.

• Try the menú del día, a three-course set lunch offered in most restaurants.

• Join a cooking class to learn how to make paella the authentic way.

Food here isn’t just nourishment — it’s culture, connection, and celebration.

8. Culinary Festivals and Food Events

The Valencia Region celebrates its food with joy and pride through dozens of events every year.

• Rice Festivals in Sueca and El Palmar: Celebrating the art of paella.

• Dénia Gastronomy Festival: Recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy.

• Tomatina (Buñol): The world’s most famous tomato festival — a colourful, joyful expression of Valencian passion for food.

• Wine harvest fairs in Requena and Jalón: Perfect for tasting local vintages and traditional tapas.

If you love food, plan your visit around one of these events to experience the region’s culinary culture at its most vibrant.

The Flavour of Valencia

To taste Valencia is to understand its soul — sunlit fields of rice and citrus, the salt of the Mediterranean breeze, and the warmth of its people gathered around a shared table.

Every bite tells a story of land, sea, and time-honoured tradition. So come hungry, explore deeply, and discover why the Valencia Region is one of the most delicious corners of the Mediterranean.