The Region of Valencia’s traditional recipes

A foodie getaway spent discovering the Region of Valencia’s traditional recipes is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Tuck into dish after dish and take an exploration of the very best our land, sea and traditions have to offer.

Along the way, you will discover stews and dishes for winter, summer and Lent. As well as recipes for rainy days, celebrations and everyday cookery in the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante. Come with us to explore the gastronomy of our destination.

What to eat in the province of Castellón

The province of Castellón is home to so many of the Region of Valencia’s traditional dishes that it would be impossible to list them all. We’re going to start, nonetheless, with a comforting bowl of olla de la Plana (a type of stew) and arrocito, a rice dish from El Grao, the seaside district of Castelló de la Plana. 

Celebrations in the inland of the province are sealed with tombet, a quality lamb stew cooked over a low heat, or arroz al horno (oven-baked rice) cooked in a pumpkin, which you can try in Vilafamés.

Morella will delight your palate with its sweet flaons and typical sopa morellana while Fiestas de la Magdalena is renowned for ximo, a tasty sandwich, and the delicious figues albardaes (fig doughnuts). There are countless traditional recipes from the province of Castellón. 

What to eat in the province of Valencia

Traditional recipes from the province of Valencia include globally renowned dishes like paella, which has its very own international competition held in Sueca. Allipebre (a stew made with eels) is another must-try recipe, which is typical of the El Palmar area and other parts of L’Albufera Natural Park. 

If you’re strolling around the El Cabañal, València’s seaside district, make sure you try titaina, a delicious dish made of peppers, tomatoes and tuna. In destinations in L’Horta Sud, such as Meliana, you’ll want to try arrós amb fesols i naps (rice with beans and turnip) while in Gandia you can sit down to fideuà (a noodle dish cooked in a paella pan). In La Safor, try coques de dacsa, a sort of wrap, which you’ll also find in parts of the province of Alicante, and are traditionally eaten on rainy days, 

And, of course, we simply have to mention one of the best-kept gastronomic secrets of the province of Valencia: arroz al horno (oven-baked rice). As well as the delicious gazpachos from Enguera and the simply yet delicious dish of arroz con acelgas (rice with Swiss chard). 

What to eat in the province of Alicante

Our exploration of the Region of Valencia’s traditional recipes leads us to the province of Alicante, which is where some of our most popular dishes are from. To start, Alcoy will treat you to a taste sensation with dishes like borreta (potato, cod and spinach stew) and pericana (a spread), not to mention anouetes, sweet treats eaten at Christmas. 

In many municipalities in the province of Alicante, like Elche and Orihuela, there is a dish that is typically eaten for celebrations: arroz con costra (rice with a crust), an aromatic and nutritious dish. Meanwhile, on the coast, you can enjoy arroz a banda (rice with seafood). 

In places like Benimantell you can enjoy olla de blat, a typical dish that shines the spotlight on wheat, and then, not far away in Callosa d’en Sarrià, you can dig into minxos, a delicious sort of pizza topped with locally sourced veggies. Last on our incomplete list is a recipe that is eaten during Fogueres, coca de Sant Joan (a pastry dish) and olla viuda, a tasty stew from La Vega Baja del Segura. It’s impossible to name all of the Region of Valencia’s traditional recipes but you can always put together your own list and then set about ticking them all off.