You won’t get bored easily in the city centre of Valencia: it has got plenty of monuments, lovely squares, interesting musea, shops and restaurants. Not to mention the large park called Túria, the botanical garden or the City of Arts and Sciences! But if you like to avoid the crowd for a while, visit Ruzafa. This trendy neighbourhood is a great place to have a coffee in a cool bar, try some local dishes (cheaper than in the centre) and mingle with the locals. Here’s a short overview of places to go.
Bluebell coffee
Nice bar for a coffee or lunch. At Bluebell they take coffee very seriously and they serve super original and healthy breakfasts. All meals are homemade and there is a little terrace in the back to catch some sun rays.
El Mercat
This bodega serves typical Spanish dishes, high quality! Don’t be put off by the prices, everything is to share, which is typically Spanish too by the way 😉
La Llorona
Tired of Spanish food? This Mexican restaurant – that will remind you of Zalamera – serves small wraps (taco’s) for only 2 to 3 Euros each. Try them all, but don’t forget to save some space for a desert. Our favourites are coco-mango-cardamom and pistachio-strawberry-chocolate.
Trentatres
Quite refreshing after all the hipster bars with vintage furniture serving eco-food. Nothing wrong with that but Trentatres serves more traditional dishes like tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette), ensalada rusa (tuna-potato salad) and albondigas (meat balls). Somehow this always goes with plastic terrace chairs, but who cares: you are enjoying some Spain here. Inside there is a hipster vibe though: nice design, good wifi and an art-gallery around the corner. Also nice for early birds and breakfast lovers: it opens at 8.30 h.
Café Berlin
Wanna meet fellow travellers or practice your Spanish? Café Berlin has a language exchange night every Wednesday. They serve cheap snacks (also gluten free). Nice fact: there is a swing chair!
Mercado Ruzafa
Enjoyed Mercado Central? Here is another nice spot to try some local products. Buy some ham and cheese to take home for a true local experience. Tip from Zalamera: buy some ecological honey with chestnut (castaña) from the shop right outside the entrance.
La Osteria
My favourite in Ruzafa and probaby all Valencia is La Osteria. This Italian restaurant is ran by a lovely Italian couple travelling the world together. Check the handwritten menu or just let them bring whatever they have today.
