Hola! I am Suzie, half Dutch and half Spanish and I live in the beautiful city of Valencia. I would like to tell you more about tapas, because Spain is the land of tapas. I also really like tapas and you can eat delicious tapas in different places in Valencia. Read on for my insider tips! 😀
Spain, the country where tapas were born!
What are tapas
I’m sure that tapas are one of the first things that come to mind when you think about Spanish food. But why do we eat tapas? And what are tapas exactly?Tapas can be eaten as a starter or snack. They can be served cold (olives, cheese) as well as hot (patats bravas, garlic mushrooms). There are many different types of tapas and they can differdepending on the city. A tapa could be anything, a piece of tuna with an olive on a stick or a piece ofmeat served with sauce on a little plate. Tapas can be found in many bars and cafés in Spain, it isreally part of our culture!
The origin of tapas
The origin of tapas is a bit of a mystery. Some say that the Spanish king Alfonso the 10th had to eat small portions of food with a little bit of wine in between the meals because of his illness. Eventually, the king healed, and afterward he declared that nobody could serve any wine in Spain without offering some small snacks. This was a good solution to avoid the effects of drinking alcohol on anempty stomach.Another story tells us that tapas appeared because farmers and field workers needed small amounts of food during their working hours. It was impossible to work for a long time in the hot sun after a large meal at noon, so people ate smaller portions of food during the day. Moreover, people did not always have time to take a lunch break at that time, which is why the employees took small breaks with a little wine and of course tapas. Others say that tapas originated because of the fact that they wanted to protect wine from fruit flies and covered the glass with a piece of bread or a slice of ham…
I am sure you will hear many other stories, but the most important question for you now is: where to eat these delicious tapas in Valencia? Tapas are usually eaten in the evening, having a drink, and sharing snacks. In the afternoon we eat the biggest meal at about 14-15h. If you want to experience Valencia as a local, you should definitely try one of the many local, authentic tapas bars in Valencia!
Here are some of my favorite tapas bars to eat authentic Spanish tapas in Valencia
Tasca Angel
As a tourist, you will probably just pass by without seeing this little bar. It doesn´t look like a real
restaurant and it doesn´t have much space at all, but the tapas are fantastic!
Tasca Angel offers
delicious fresh tapas, made with simplicity to accentuate the natural flavors. If you like fish, you´re
sure to be in the right place because the bar is known for its sardines. Tasca Angel is very traditional
and popular with locals.
C/ Purisima 1,
46001 Valencia
+34 96 391 78 35
Facebook Tasca Angel
Bar Pilar (La Pilareta)
This place first opened in 1918 and is very authentic and lively. You can eat like a real Spaniard and the service is friendly and very Spanish. The restaurant is known for its Valencian mussels (clotxinas). You will soon notice when you stand at the bar, because under the bar, there are buckets filled with empty shells of mussels. They are very popular! Furthermore, the atmosphere is created by the waiters who call their orders to the kitchen. It is not a place for romance, but it is a place for fun, good food and a nice Spanish mood.
Calle del Moro Zeit, 13
46001 Valencia (El Mercat)
Website Bar la Pilareta
Las Cuevas
If you are looking for a cozy family restaurant with lots of space and a pleasant atmosphere, Las Cuevas is your place! The interior is very cozy because the restaurant is built like a cave, just like the name of the restaurant. Las Cuevas has many different types of tapas (at least 100 choices) and also good paella. You can sit both inside and outside as it is situated at a cozy square. It is really one of my
favorite places and usually we also go there during my tapastour.
Calle del Conde de Almodovar, 8
46003 Valencia
Orio
You can find another kind of tapas here, namely Pinchos. Pinchos are originally from the north of Spain and are always served on a piece of bread with a toothpick in it. They are usually eaten cold, but you can also ask them to be warmed up. There are many different pinchos and it will be difficult to not try them all! You can pick your favorite pinchos at the bar and after they will count the number of skewers to know how much you have to pay. I can assure you that these snacks at Orio are delicious and the service and location is also very good. They are part of the Sagardi group.
Calle del San Vicente Martir, 23
46002 Valencia
Website Orio
Mmmmmmm I start to get hungry writing all of this, don’t you? If you want to have a great eveningand discover some typical tapas bars with a guide, I can take you on my tapas tour so you can reallytaste Valencia! Hopefully we will meet soon and enjoy some delicious tapas together!
Don’t have the opportunity to travel to beautiful Valencia? Then bring Spain into your home with the online tapas workshop, a pleasant evening where you bring Spanish cuisine into your own kitchen. We bring the taste and smell of Spain to your home!
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