Valencia is
much more than paella. With that, we don't mean you shouldn't treat yourself to an authentic Valencian paella. If you've tried it before and don't love it, give it another chance; what you'll eat here is nothing like any other. Besides, there are as many types of paella as there are families, but we can talk more about that later on
our blog.
The Valencian Breakfast: Light… But With Personality
Although breakfast is lighter than in other regions, Valencians don't give up a good bite to start the day:
- Toasted bread with grated tomato and olive oil
- Some typical sweet like fartons or ensaimadas
- And if they're feeling fancy… a cold glass of horchata
But the important part comes next…
The Holy Esmorzaret: The Most Sacred Ritual
If anything defines an authentic Valencian, it's the esmorzaret, a tradition that goes beyond eating: it's almost popular culture.
Between 10:00 and 12:00, you'll see bars full of workers, retirees, friends, or students enjoying a good mid-morning meal:
- Generous sandwiches (brascada, blanco y negro, chivito…)
- Cacaus del collaret (peanuts with their shell)
- Olives
- A good beer or a soft drink
- And the classic cremaet to finish
This ritual is so important that it even has its own “ranking” and local competitions.
If we keep talking about rice dishes, Valencia has an infinite variety: black rice,
baked rice (one of the favorites in all Valencian homes), arròs del senyoret, a banda, melòs, caldós, amb bogavant, etc. To try them, we recommend
looking for restaurants in the Marina that
use fresh ingredients like the (also classic) Casa Carmela.
Lunch: Paella, But Well Made
Unlike tourists, Valencians don't eat paella any day or at any time. For them, paella is a ritual that is respected. It is eaten only at midday, never at night, and the day par excellence is Sunday, when entire families gather at home or in a good restaurant to enjoy it. Moreover, paella is always shared; it is never ordered individually. In Valencia, rice dishes are also protagonists at midday, from Valencian paella with chicken, rabbit, and garrofó, to arròs del senyoret, baked rice, fideuà, or all i pebre, especially typical of the Albufera. Eating in the port area is especially authentic, with restaurants that combine tradition and fresh seafood.
The Afternoon Snack: Horchata and Fartons
For the afternoon, Valencians enjoy the snack as a sweet, refreshing, and very social moment. Natural tiger nut horchata, very cold, becomes the protagonist of hot afternoons, accompanied by long and fluffy fartons that are dipped without shame. In winter, the snack changes tone, and hot chocolate and churros appear, although artisanal ice creams are a classic that never goes out of style. Horchata is not simply a drink: it is part of Valencian identity.
For Dinner: Whatever You Fancy
The most typical dinner in Valencia is actually going to an area with a high concentration of bars, such as the Cabañal, Ruzafa, or Alameda districts, and having some appetizers and ending up having dinner "tapas style". What matters is a mix of being comfortable with the company you are with and being in an environment where there are people and you feel at ease.
Conclusion — Eating in Valencia is Connecting with its Soul
Discovering how an authentic Valencian eats is entering the heart of the city: tradition, produce, and customs that are transmitted in every bite. From the shared solemnity of Sunday paella to the freshness of an horchata in the afternoon, Valencian gastronomy organizes the day and social life of its inhabitants.
Eating in Valencia is not just about feeding yourself; it's participating in rituals, gathering, and savoring the Mediterranean calmly. If you're looking to live the complete experience —between the beach, market, and port— staying in a strategic location makes it easier to connect with the city and its flavors.
Sea You Hotels Valencia — Discover your gastronomic base Valencia is to be savored with time. Let each meal tell you a story.
Valencia
