One of our go-to local places in Valencia was Pelayo Gastro Trinquet. I love the culture of getting smaller “tapas” dishes that come out quickly and give you variety.

Pictured: jamón ibérico (with bread and roasted tomato), alcachofas (artichoke), croquetas (with pancetta), and Basque cheesecake.

Thin slices of glossy, marbled jamón ibérico arranged in a fanned, overlapping pattern on a round wooden plate.Crisp pieces of rustic bread served beside a brass bowl of grated tomato topping with a spoon, prepared in the style of pan con tomate.Fried artichoke hearts served over a bed of bright red romesco sauce and sprinkled with coarse black seasoning in a dark ceramic bowl.Two golden-brown croquettes topped with translucent slices of cured ham, plated on a wooden board with a touch of sauce underneath.Slice of Basque-style burnt cheesecake with a caramelized top, served with a streak of dark berry sauce on a white plate with black rim.

2025-05-16

The Mercat Central de València is the largest market in the city. A sign said “if you can’t find it here, it might not exist.”

Not pictured here: we went to Central Bar (the wait was shorter than expected and totally worth it) and had delicious albóndigas, croquetas de pollo, alcachofas, and more.

Interior view of the central dome of Mercat Central de València, featuring an ornate circular skylight with floral frescoes and radiating decorative patterns, framed by metal latticework and large arched windows allowing natural light.Front facade of Mercat Central de València, showcasing a symmetrical Art Nouveau design with two domed towers, arched entranceway, and decorative stonework under a partly cloudy sky.Close-up of a market stall inside Mercat Central de València displaying rows of hanging cured jamón legs with labeled tags and black or red rope ties, arranged on a metal rack.Fruit stand at Mercat Central de València with a vendor slicing watermelon behind a colorful display of fresh produce, including bananas, grapes, melons, citrus fruits, and mangoes, under bright market lighting.Nighttime view of the main entrance of Mercat Central de València, illuminated from within, with closed shutters, stained glass windows, and decorative tilework beneath a cloudy night sky and a partially visible moon.

2025-05-16