If you are heading to Valencia, you need to try out the local cuisine. Here is where to get the best Paella in Valencia…
Valencia is a port city located on Spain’s southeastern coast where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean sea. Regarded as Spain’s third city, there is plenty to see and do if you head there for a trip. Visiting the attractions and beaches in the city are great ways to spend the days in Valencia. However, no visit is complete without sampling traditional paella.
There are many interesting facts about paella, including the origins of the actual word “paella”. It means “frying pan” in Valencian, which is Valencia’s regional language. This is because of the large, shallow pan people use to cook the dish in. Paella was developed in Valencia and even to this day, it is the best place in the world to try the rice-based dish. However, that’s not to say every paella in the city is good.
“Paella Valenciana” had initially been a lunchtime dish for inland Valencian farmers. They would add whatever they could find on the farm to the rice as it was cooking. This included a range of vegetables and possibly meat including rabbit, chicken and sometimes snails. This is considered to be the traditional paella recipe. Over the years the dish became increasingly popular. It is now a Spanish staple and something every visitor should try when they visit Valencia.
If prepared in keeping with tradition, paella should be cooked over an open fire, fueled by orange and pine branches together with pine cones.
Paella Valenciana Recipe
If you are looking for a traditional paella recipe that is standardised and part of the Valencian culture, these are the ingredients you will need.
- Meat
- Green vegetables
- Garlic (optional)
- Grated tomatoes
- Beans
- Paprika
- Water
- Saffron (or food colouring)
- Snails (optional)
- Rosemary.
- Rice
- Lemon to serve (optional)
Paella de marisco (Seafood Paella)
Seafood paella emerged in the Valencian coastal area in the early 1800s with seafood still in its shell replacing the meat and beans used in the Paella Valenciana recipe.
Where To Eat Paella in Valencia
As with any restaurant, if it looks like it is where the locals go to dine, the likelihood is the food is good. As Valencia has a relatively long coastline, you can find the best seafood paella at the restaurants that line the beaches in the coastal towns. With many of them using fresh seafood caught that day.
Casa Navarro
If you want to enjoy paella while the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea as your backdrop then head to Casa Navarro located at Patacona Beach. It has a large terrace, perfect for al fresco dining. This restaurant has been open since 1956. It specialises in paella and offers 27 different rice dishes together with numerous fish options.
Location: Casa Navarro, Avda. Mare Nostrum 32, Playa de la Patacona
Casa Salvador
Located by l’ Estany de Cullera, a freshwater lagoon just outside of the city, you will find Casa Salvador. This restaurant has been around for over 60 years and serves 13 varieties of paella. It is considered to be a prestigious restaurant found in a very unique setting – a typical Valencian country house. The restaurant is open 365 days a year.
Location: Av. Estany S/N – 46400 Cullera
Restaurante Levante
If you would prefer a traditional paella made using the Valenciana paella recipe then head to Restaurante Levante. Many consider it a hidden gen, especially as it is off the tourist trail. The family who owns the restaurant have dedicated 50 years to perfecting their paella and it is now considered to be some of the best paella in Valencia.
Location: Av. de Manuel de Falla, 12, 46015 València
Point To Note About Paella
It is important to note that paella is a lunchtime dish as per the farm traditions. A good restaurant in Valencia will not offer paella past late afternoon. Therefore do not expect to eat paella for dinner when you visit Valencia.
More often than not restaurants make paella for two, minimum. Therefore if you are a solo traveller, you may find it difficult at most restaurants to find paella for one.
Another point to note is that you should not turn the paella pan once it has been placed on the table in front of you. The portion of paella in front of you is for you and you only.
