There are few places in the world where you can eat as well as in Valencia—especially when it coincides with the València Cuina Oberta food festival. This year, in the largest edition in its history, 81 restaurants are offering special menus from November 5 to 15, with Valencian cuisine and locally sourced ingredients taking center stage.
The price remains the same as in the last edition: the standard menu costs 28 euros for lunch and 36 euros for dinner, with drinks sold separately. What has changed, however, is the selection of dishes, which is more extensive and varied than ever—ranging from traditional rice dishes from the Terreta to signature recipes and innovative fusion cuisine.
The eight Michelin-starred restaurants (Arrels, La Salita, Riff, Lienzo, Fierro, Fraula, Flores Raras, and Simposio) are participating with menus priced at 80 euros for lunch and 100 euros for dinner. In addition, eleven other gourmet restaurants—recognized in guides such as Repsol, Michelin, and the We’re Smart Green Guide—are offering special menus for 48 and 56 euros, respectively.
Tours of the huerta and workshops on how to make paella
And if you’re looking for more than just sitting down at a table and enjoying a meal, 23 establishments are organizing 32 gastronomic experiences: paella workshops, visits to vegetable gardens to learn about tiger nut cultivation and horchata production, chef-led tastings, tours of organic vineyards and wineries, coffee tastings, and creative activities.
A festival that seeks to champion a culinary tradition rooted in local, seasonal, and regionally sourced ingredients, and to convey to the public that “it’s not just about eating well,” but about understanding the origin of the products and learning from those who grow and prepare them.
This fall’s edition features eleven new participating restaurants: Amancaes, Arrocería L’Estibador, Clem Café, Colmado de la Lola, Félix Chaqués Restaurant, La Ferrera, Las Tenerías (MYR Hotels), Linaje, No Bar, Pago de Tharsys, and Pasqual & Sheila.
You can check out the full schedule, menus, and experiences on the event’s official website, where reservations are now open. It’s best to book in advance, especially if you want a table at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants or a spot in one of the experiences.
