The undisputed queen of Valencian cuisine will always be paella, but anyone with a deep understanding of our cuisine knows that it goes far beyond rice dishes, horchata, and sandwiches. Valencian culinary identity is built around hundreds of recipes, but among them all, there is one so ancient and influential that some historians claim it is the precursor to the famous pizza: the Valencian coca.
Joking aside, the coca is one of the most iconic dishes in the local culinary tradition, and since last May, it has been celebrated twice a year with the Ruta de les Coques by Ambar. This year’s event will take place from Friday, November 13, through Monday, November 30, at 17 restaurants in Valencia and the surrounding area.
How much does each coca cost, and how can you participate?
All participating restaurants offer a combo where you can order their special coca plus a beer or glass of wine for 10 euros. An exclusive coca that will only be on the menu for the duration of the competition.
In addition, this year’s special offers will be available for a longer period: two and a half weeks spanning three weekends in November, giving participants time to visit several participating establishments—a request made by both the public and restaurant owners.
Voting closes on November 25, and you can vote by scanning a QR code provided at participating establishments. One ticket to attend a LALIGA game will be raffled off among all voters.
The five recipes with the most votes will advance to the final, which will be held behind closed doors on Monday, November 30. An expert jury will select the winner, who will be announced that same day. Only that coca will remain on the menu for a few more weeks.
15 different recipes to try
The 15 restaurants participating this time around offer very different takes on the dish: many focus on tradition and cured meats, others feature vegetables and locally sourced ingredients as the stars, and some seek innovation and fusion with other cuisines.
Below is a list of all the offerings so you can choose the order in which you’d like to try them:
- Alenar – Bell pepper jam, eggplant sautéed with garlic, sobrasada with honey, Caty goat cheese, onion, pickled bell pepper, and thyme.
- Borgia Wine Bar – Artisanal longaniza sausage, Idiazábal cheese, stewed cauliflower leaves, and smoked cauliflower purée.
- Conde Gastrobar – Cheese, artichoke candied in tempura, and crispy Iberian ham.
- Valoo – Crumbled blood sausage, grilled pear, and blue cheese.
- La Latería del Carmen – Valencian Coca: mojama, slices of fresh fig, a crunchy almond and pistachio topping, and horchata gel.
- Beirut (3 locations) – Coca Beirut Mediterránea: Lebanese-style stewed octopus, creamy tahini and lemon sauce, sumac, fresh herbs, and crunchy pomegranate seeds.
- Fets: Grilled coca with aspenkat and capellà.
- Laturra: Roasted pumpkin, Iberian ham, mushrooms, and vermouth, topped with freshly grated aged cheese.
- La Cantina de Ruzafa – Local Coca (vegan): Florencia Aurora flour, locally sourced vegetables (chard and squash), and homemade pepper salmorra.
- Zalamero—Ontinyent sausage, dates, Gorgonzola cheese, and arugula.
- Maruxiña – Coca with zorza, Padrón pepper jam, cheese, and pickles.
- Miracle – Artisanal gluten-free coca: smoked eggplant baba ganoush cream, pork, onion, tahini sauce, and pomegranate reduction.
- Bar Marvi – Roasted eggplant pâté, braised guanciale, and goat cheese.
- Camiri – Coca de la Marina: Pork, vegetables marinated in orange juice, goat yogurt cream, and fresh cheese.
- La Fonda de Cove (La Eliana): Artichoke, blue cheese, sweet onion, and honey.
