The kebab was not born to satisfy midnight hunger. The night and infinite hangovers have pigeonholed him in this time slot, probably the most banal of all gastronomy, but it must be recognized that a good kebab goes well at any time of day.
Although its most primitive recipe, on a plate and without bread, has been a part of the gastronomic culture of Turkey(kebap) and the entire Persian area (kebab in Syria, Iran or Afghanistan), the kebab we know in Europe emerged from the streets of Berlin.
Mehmet Aygün and Kadir Nurman came up with this ingenious idea of filling a pita bread to bursting between 1971 and 1972 in West Berlin. That is the most widely accepted official version, even though the British claim that the first kebab restaurant opened in London 6 years earlier.
In the German capital today we find the Kaaba of kebab: mustafa’s kiosk. A long queue in the middle of one of the streets in the Kreuzberg district gives him away. Tourists and locals wait patiently mesmerized by the sound of the electric knife cutting the meat.
could this happen in Valencia someday? It would not be far-fetched because there are already several places competing for the title of “Best Kebab in Valencia” and these are the ones.
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Kebap Bolsería
One of the kebabs preferred by the Valencians opens the list and, as a good Turkish place, here kebap is written with a p. The superior quality of its meat is accompanied by a selection of homemade sauces that make this kebab one of the best in the city. They use fresh vegetables and tell us that their falafel is on another level.
📍 Calle Bolsería, 39.
Master Dōner Kebap
This small Turkish restaurant prepares both the Berlin version kebab and the original kebab served in the streets of Istanbul, in skewered format. It is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Valencia to approach the Turkish cuisine.
📍 C/ de l’Escultor Josep Capuz, 33.
Iñaki’s Kebab
It looks like a burrito, but it is one of the best kebabs in Valencia. This small restaurant on Conde Altea street in Valencia has become one of the best rated kebabs in the city due to the friendly service of Iñaki, the restaurant’s manager, and its quality.
📍 Carrer del Comte d’Altea, 57.
The Divan
Just to see how they make the meat roll for the kebabs makes you want to order one. This small restaurant in Florista street (they have another one in Doctor Nicasio Benlloch) stacks one after another the steaks of veal to get a homemade kebab that is not indigestible and perfectly combined with sauces and salad.
📍 Carrer Florista / Doctor Nicasio Benlloch.
Farhan
If you inquire at Benimaclet for the best kebab, 99% of the time people will refer to this one. On weekends it is usual to see a small queue at the ticket, which almost fills the place due to its small size. Good symptom. You will find it just outside the Machado metro station. If you’re hungry you’re in luck because they tend to be quite filling.
📍 Carrer Emili Baró, 81.
The Bosphorus
By popular university acclaim, this kebab has earned a spot on this list. People come here for beers, to smoke sisha and when the going gets tough they end up ordering one of the most special kebabs in town: al plato. Although they also prepare it in durum or pita bread, their specialty is to serve the whole kebab on a plate for you to eat it with a knife and fork.
📍 Plaza Honduras, 4.
Dede Turkish Kebap
Vegetarians, we have not forgotten about you. The kebab offers multiple possibilities and in this place of Ruzafa have chosen to offer them all. If you order the vegetable option, in addition to a great falafel, you will get hummus as a sauce, which gives it a healthy and spectacular touch.
📍 Calle Donoso Cortés, 2.