Do you like to be beside the seaside?
Pro You're by the sea! It's warm! There's a very decent drink or two to be had!Con However you do it, the beachfront is always a bit of a trek from town.
Valencia Travel
Numerous rail options now present themselves to Valencia, all from Madrid Chamartin. We used Iryo's rather smart red Italian trains, at around €44 per person return. We booked a couple of weeks ahead, at the cheapest available rate. The journey's a shade under two hours, with morning and evening trains easily allowing you a whole day's wandering, eating and drinking in Valencia.
Eat | La Marcelina
Per Person €€€ Food ★★★☆ Service ★★★☆ VFM ★★★☆
Website https://lamarcelina.com/
Access Stepfree throughout.
Dietary You'd need to ask.
Hopes? A drink that defies easy description. And leaves you challenging the laws of spacetime.
Reality? The Agua de Valencia at Lisboa Restobar (which felt a lot classier to visit when it was called Cafe Lisboa) is not going to disappoint, but do make sure there's enough ice. Four cubes isn't enough per very large glass. Classic cocktail characteristic? Check. For the uniitiated this is orange juice and cava. So far, so mimosa. Now add vodka. Ahhhhh. Now you see it. Those three together mean you probably won'r notice it's not a soft drink until you find out how hard standing up afterwards can be. So stop at two, or you might warp your own universe.
First Impressions? You can see La Lonja from the outdoor tables, so it should be a very picturesque square. It's absolutely safe, but just the wrong side of rundown to be attractive. Trees and a fountain would make all the difference, If you sit inside, clock the decor. You might be risking orange overload.
Story
Hopes? Its Valencia. There's the sea! Give us fishy, ricey stuff!
Reality? Decent value, impressive portions.
First Impressions? Busy bustling place, not quite as cavernous as the enormous Pepica next door
The offer in three words? When in Valencia....
Service? Paella took a while to arrive, but starters, drinks, bill all came reliably.
Reality? Decent value, impressive portions.
First Impressions? Busy bustling place, not quite as cavernous as the enormous Pepica next door
The offer in three words? When in Valencia....
Service? Paella took a while to arrive, but starters, drinks, bill all came reliably.
Eat me! We chose the €26.50 menu.
 |
| Timbal de Bacalao |
 |
| Fritura |
Fritura was the best dish of the day. Ideally sized as a starter for two - and feeling just a bit on the generous side, the calamar was absolutely spot on. We had to ask for lemon, but don't mind if that's a policy to avoid it getting wasted. Roasted pepper and Bacalao Timbal is another generous one. I liked it a lot, with some obvious contrast between sweet and salty elements. Odd choice of crackers over, say, some toasted bread which didn't feel quite right.
 |
| Paella Marcelina |
 |
| Surtido de postres |
Paella Marcelina is tje seafood option, very heavy on the well-cooked prawns, but with slightly underdone rice with the very occasional chalky grain and, worse, cardboardy sepia. A dessert selection for one serves well as a sharing plate for two. Order that plus a coffee and you'll just need one more coffee. There are no chupitios or aperitifs of any kind on offer, though.
Rating for dating? Probably. Paella preferences permitting.
Change one thing? Those cardy calamares.
Revisitability? It's fine. The generous starters and dessert were good. But for the all round full-on experience, see if La Pepica's got a table first.
Drink | Lisboa Restobar
Per Person Agua De Valencia €8.50 (Terrace) Service ★★★☆ VFM ★★★
Website https://lisboarestobar.com/
Access Stepfree inside. Not to toilets.
Access Stepfree inside. Not to toilets.
Story
 |
| Agua de Valencia, |
Reality? The Agua de Valencia at Lisboa Restobar (which felt a lot classier to visit when it was called Cafe Lisboa) is not going to disappoint, but do make sure there's enough ice. Four cubes isn't enough per very large glass. Classic cocktail characteristic? Check. For the uniitiated this is orange juice and cava. So far, so mimosa. Now add vodka. Ahhhhh. Now you see it. Those three together mean you probably won'r notice it's not a soft drink until you find out how hard standing up afterwards can be. So stop at two, or you might warp your own universe.
First Impressions? You can see La Lonja from the outdoor tables, so it should be a very picturesque square. It's absolutely safe, but just the wrong side of rundown to be attractive. Trees and a fountain would make all the difference, If you sit inside, clock the decor. You might be risking orange overload.
The offer in three words? Drink, drink, drink!
Service? Efficient and quick,
Service? Efficient and quick,
Rating for dating? Well yes. Obviously.
Change one thing? The cruise-ship traveller friendly prices make Valencia centre less appealing than it used to be.
Revisitability? We're occasional regulars already.
Revisitability? We're occasional regulars already.