Top 5 Valencia Food & Drink: A Tasty Tour
So, you’re off to Valencia, huh? Very cool. It’s almost like, preparing for a fiesta of flavors? The city seriously has this amazing food scene just bursting with tradition and also new stuff, like cool twists on old favorites. When most people think of Spain, maybe that’s tapas and sangria. In Valencia, the food thing goes way deeper. Paella? Well, that’s basically from here. Horchata? Get ready for a flavor that will surprise you, is that even a little understatement? We have got what could be your guide to the tastiest treats the area can supply. Grab a fork and perhaps loosen your belt just a bit – this will be an experience. Ready? Of course!
1. Paella at Restaurante Casa Carmela
Oh, Paella! You cannot travel to Valencia and not have some paella, seriously. Yet, if you would like the genuine experience, Casa Carmela is like your spot. The joint actually sits right on the beach, almost an attraction itself. This place has basically been cooking paella over a wood fire as a tradition since like, 1922. We are talking old-school methods, and could be some amazing results. It’s almost like they cook their paella the real Valencian method which makes it different. You could get the Paella Valenciana (with chicken and rabbit). So, it’s not really seafood. Instead, it is snails which provide very rich taste. Then there is also the seafood paella which is packed to the point of bursting with fresh catch, or maybe get the arroz negro (black rice paella) which is colorful and super flavorful. As a matter of fact, reserve your table well ahead of time (maybe like, weeks?) so that you don’t miss anything on this epic feast.
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2. Horchata and Fartons at Horchatería Daniel
Are you up for something a bit refreshing? Almost different? Could be you need to try horchata, or like, a traditional Valencian drink, prepared using tiger nuts (chufas), water, and perhaps also sugar. This can give a taste which is surprisingly refreshing with just a little nutty vibe. It’s very often consumed during summertime. It really does feel awesome. Yet, there is this specific location you would probably need to try this drink. Horchatería Daniel might actually make the real deal happen with over a century whipping up this delight. Maybe dip a farton which is a pastry built to absorb horchata, for like the proper experience. You’ll locate this place in Alboraya which happens to be where these tiger nuts get produced, more or less, so expect the best quality.
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3. Tapas at Central Bar (Mercado Central)
Could be your thing, if you feel peckish and cannot make up your mind about just one flavor, tapas can do the job. Central Bar happens to sit inside Mercado Central. It is almost this awesome place. Actually, it might just be chef Ricard Camarena’s casual spot which supplies something of the best produce offered at this legendary market. Picture it: Fresh seafood which happens to be glistening, and seasonal veggies looking colorful, and cured meats smelling awesome, and all these delicious components ending up transformed right before your eyes into small plates, or even masterpieces, really. Get some clams in sherry, tiny bocadillos, or seriously delicious croquetas. It may even make the perfect, energizing pit stop during perhaps an awesome visit to the market. Prepare, however – it probably gets really crowded, so try to be ahead.
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4. Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas
It looks like cocktails on your mind, you definitely should not skip out on trying Agua de Valencia. Could be this local drink features a mix of cava (like the Spanish bubbly wine), orange juice, vodka, also gin, all with just a bit of sugar. Cafe de las Horas actually delivers this unique mix within some over-the-top setting of paintings and also velvet drapes plus lamps, making the perfect location for a festive nightcap. This is, in some ways, an institution, serving that sweet blend for years. In general, it gets really powerful though that should not be understated at all. So, get yourself set to unwind in fashion.
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5. Orxata de Xufa at Món Orxata
It seems, getting way closer to where things start offers more charm? Món Orxata provides an opportunity to taste real, locally sourced orxata just steps away from which the chufa happens to get grown. Here, nearly every sip tells some story regarding the ground, in a manner. So, aside from getting some horchata right from its natural habitat, also see some tiger nut fields nearby and get to discover precisely the whole process to whip up this cherished drink from soil. To be honest, tours and courses come available for a thorough learning of Valencian gastronomy from its core. After this experience, maybe no horchata tastes even close.
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