Valencia’s Secret Food Scene: 16 Incredible Spanish Dishes That Aren’t Paella

While Valencia is famous worldwide for paella, this vibrant Spanish city offers an incredible array of lesser-known dishes and drinks that showcase the region’s rich culinary heritage in ways most visitors never discover. From traditional sweets and refreshing beverages to savory specialties that locals have been perfecting for generations, Valencia’s food scene will surprise and delight even the most seasoned foodie travelers.

Located on the Mediterranean coast, Valencia will blow you away with everything it has to offer. There are many reasons to visit Spain’s third biggest city, but it’s the food in Valencia that makes it one of the top European destinations.

Whether it’s your first visit to Valencia or you’re returning for the tenth time, sampling Valencian food is an essential part of enjoying this wonderful city. It’s actually one of the best things to do in Valencia.

You could try and discover Valencia’s culinary offering through a food tour, but you can easily do it independently too.

From the world famous paella and an array of rice-based dishes, to unique seafood delights and refreshing drinks, here is a selection of traditional Valencian food and drinks you must try.

Paella (It Had To Be Included Too)

People think of paella as a quintessentially Spanish dish, when it is, in fact, a traditional Valencian dish.

Located 12 miles south of the city, the Albufera National Park is a freshwater lagoon and the rice growing region where paella first originated. So there is no better place in the world to try this iconic dish.

In fact, often the paella you get outside of Valencia is not authentic paella, but a variation of this now iconic dish. Authentic Valencian paella is made with rabbit and snails. And sometimes chicken.

There is a lot of confusion around what is and what isn’t paella, so one way to try it and learn all about the real thing is by having a go at making your own at a paella workshop in the city.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Clochinas (Valencian Mussels)

Clóchinas are the Mediterranean variant of the mussel. They have been cultivated on the city’s beaches since the 19th century, and it is the Mediterranean Sea that gives this mollusc its texture and a more intense flavour than regular mussels.

They are only in season for four months a year – months without an ‘r’, May to August. So if you get offered clóchinas outside of these months, it’s worth knowing that they will not be fresh.

The traditional way to prepare this Valencian delicacy is steamed, cooked in their own juice, and seasoned with a little lemon and olive oil. They are delicious as a tapa.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Tellinas (Coquina Clams)

Another mollusc typical in Valencian cuisine is the tellinas.

They are small bivalves with golden and purple shells that are eaten as a tapa. They have been part of the local diet since Roman times, and they are one of the most popular Valencian dishes.

They are traditionally cooked in a clay pot with garlic, white whine, parsley, olive oil, and served with a squeeze of lemon.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Arroz (Rice) A Banda or Arroz (Rice) Del Senyoret

Traditionally, arroz a banda and arroz del senyoret were slightly different rice based dishes, both cooked on a paella dish. 

Arroz a banda was a rice dish that was cooked by fishermen on fishing boats with the fish that was not good enough for selling. The fish was cooked separately with the rice served on the side (a banda).

Arroz del senyoret was a rice dish that was cooked by servants to the first born of an upper class family. It was made with bone-free fish and shell-free shellfish, made to his particular specifications.

Today, both dishes are so similar that the names are interchangeable. If you see either of them on a menu, I would recommend you try it. It is often accompanied by a bit of alioli and a slice of lemon, and it’s probably one of my favourite Valencia dishes.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Arroz Negro (Black Rice)

As you may have guessed by now, when it comes to food in Valencia, rice takes the centre stage. And arroz negro (black rice) is another of those classic dishes that must be tried as part of your Valencia cuisine adventure.

It is cooked in a paella dish and it’s made with cuttlefish ink, which turns it black. Other ingredients added to arroz negro include cuttlefish, a tomato sauce base, onion, and garlic. All this with rice cooked in a fish broth.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Arroz al Horno (Oven Baked Rice)

Following the Mediterranean diet, food in Valencia is light and healthy by nature. But if you are craving something hearty, Valencian cuisine has something that will hit the spot – arroz al horno (oven baked rice). 

It’s another popular rice dish, however arroz al horno is not cooked on a paella rice. It is baked in the oven in a shallow clay pot and it was traditionally made with leftovers. Today it’s made with morcilla (blood sausage), pork belly, pork ribs, chickpeas, and potatoes.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Fideuà

The fideuà is similar to arroz a banda, but instead of being made with rice, it’s made with hollow pasta noodles. In fact, the word fideuà comes from the Valencian word fideuada, which means ‘large amounts of noodles’.

It is made on a paella pan and, aside from noodles, the main ingredients are fish, cuttlefish, and shellfish.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

All i pebre (Garlic and Pepper)

When you think of Valencian food, paella and other rice dishes come to mind as the typical local dishes. But there is one dish that is not well known outside of Valencia called all i pebre, and no visitor to the city should miss it.

It originates from the Albufera wetlands just outside the city, and the name literally means ‘garlic and pepper‘. It refers to the sauce of this hearty stew, which consists of olive oil, garlic, and paprika. It is made with eel, potatoes, and paprika.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Esgarraet

Esgarraet is a refreshing cold salad that is made with roast red pepper, salt cod, and, sometimes, black olives. It is then dressed with minced garlic and olive oil and left to soak up the flavours for at least 24 hours. It is usually eaten as a tapa.

The name comes from the way that the peppers and the fish are torn in fine strips. It is one of those Valencia dishes that are loved by locals but that are little known outside the city, so it feels like a real discovery.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Espencat

Espencat is another typical Valencian food that consists of roasted vegetables. It is very similar to esgarraet, but in addition to roasted red pepper, it also has roasted aubergine.

It is always served cold, with bread, and as a starter or side dish during the summer season.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Titaina

Food in Valencia goes way beyond paella or other rice dishes, and titaina is one of those dishes that was a real discovery for me. 

Typical from the fishermen’s neighbourhood of El Cabanyal, titaina is a sofrito made with tomato, roasted red pepper, pine nuts, garlic and tonyina de sorra (salted tuna belly).

It’s very intensely flavoured, so it’s normally served in small quantities. If you like umami flavours, you will love titaina.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Buñuelos de Calabaza (Pumpkin Doughnuts)

Buñuelos de calabaza (pumpkin doughnuts) are associated with the world famous Valencian festivities of Las Fallas.

It is during Las Fallas festival that this Valencia street food is eaten, sometimes accompanied by a cup of thick hot chocolate, and sometimes eaten on their own.

These moreish Valencian sweets can be traced back to Arab times in Spain, but it was in the 19th century when they became more popular, coinciding with the time when the Las Fallas festival started.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Pasteles de Boniato (Sweet Potato Parcels)

Pasteles de boniato (or pastissets de moniato in Valencian language) are of arab origin, and they have become a must have Christmas food in Valencia. However, they can be found in food markets and bakeries all year round.

They look like mini-empanadas coated in sugar, and they are filled with a sweet potato puree. They are absolutely delicious and you’ll want to eat a whole box of them in one sitting.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Valencia Drinks: Horchata and Fartons

Horchata is the typical Valencian drink par excellence. It is made from chufas (tiger nuts) which are grown only in a few regions of the world, one of which is Valencia.

It is a refreshing creamy white drink comparable to almond milk, and it’s usually accompanied by a fartón. This light and sweet pastry stick is delicious. Dip it into your horchata and enjoy!

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Valencia Drinks: Agua de Valencia

Agua de Valencia (literally translated as Valencia water) is a refreshing cocktail typical from Valencia that uses local ingredients such as cava, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a bit of a gin and vodka kick.

But don’t let the innocent name fool you. It’s dangerously good, and so easy to drink!

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)

Valencia Drinks: Fresh Orange Juice

Last but not least, it’s a staple of the Valencian diet – fresh orange juice. Normally consumed with breakfast, most bars in Valencia will have freshly squeezed orange juice on offer.

The region of Valencia has been growing oranges for centuries, and they are famous all over the world for their sweetness. So including freshly squeezed Valencian orange juice in your daily breakfast is a great way to start the day.

To learn more: Food in Valencia: 16 Amazing Things You Must Try in Valencia, Spain (Besides Paella)