Beach view from La M谩s Bonita, Valencia
While in Spain breakfast typically means a hair-raising coffee and sugary pastry, brunch is when the day鈥檚 eating really begins. In Valencia almuerzo is especially sacred 鈥 a cherished mid-morning meal that is about more than just satisfying hunger.
From traditional bars serving toasted bread with tomato and tombstone-sized hunks of potato tortilla, to bacon and eggs by the beach and bakeries offering croissants bursting with chocolate, tuck into Valencia鈥檚 best spots for brunch.
Brunch by the beach at La M谩s Bonita
Queues of people vie for a table overlooking the sand at La M谩s Bonita by Patacona Beach in Valencia. Even inside the place feels breezy, with a white and sky-blue colour scheme that invites relaxation. An extensive menu offers everything from smoothies and home-made granola to the stomach-busting 鈥楨nglish Breakfast鈥 (or 鈥楽panish Breakfast鈥 鈥 for those who prefer 箩补尘贸苍 to bacon). Still hungry? Take away a giant piece from the eclectic selection of homemade cakes. La M谩s Bonita also has a summer chiringuito (beach bar) a stone鈥檚 throw away and another cafe in the trendy Russafa neighbourhood.
Behemoth bocadillos at Bodega La Pascuala
For most Valencianos, a bocadillo 鈥 sandwich made from a baguette 鈥 is the perfect brunch snack. The competition for the city鈥檚 best is fierce, but the super-sized baguettes at are legendary (if your appetite isn鈥檛 as huge as the sandwiches, share one between two). Filled with everything from fried eggs and tortilla to 箩补尘贸苍 and goats cheese, the sandwiches at this faded blue-tiled bar near the beach attract a steady crowd. Follow the locals and order a cold 肠补帽补 (small beer) to wash it down with. Who cares if it isn鈥檛 midday yet?
A taste of home at Caf茅 ArtySana
Wherever you鈥檙e from, Caf茅 ArtySana feels like home. One of numerous brunch options in Russafa, ArtySana鈥檚 friendly staff help it stand out. It offers an excellent value brunch menu, including fruit, a sandwich and slice of cake, with a focus on tasty, homemade food. Mismatched furniture and an open kitchen give the cafe an unpretentious vibe and the feeling of having brunch at an old friend鈥檚 house. Working with local artists, ArtySana doubles as a gallery and live music venue.
Hang out with hipsters at Federal
Housed in a historic building with high ceilings and kitted out with a Scandinavian chic interior, is one of Valencia鈥檚 coolest cafes. It lures a mixed crowd of locals, travellers and digital nomads with excellent coffee and hearty brunch options, including eggs benedict, shakshuka and morning burgers or veggie burgers. Named after a small town in New South Wales, the Australian founders have captured the open, laid-back atmosphere their homeland is famous for. Federal also has cafes in Barcelona and Madrid.
Almuerzo culture at Puerta del Mar
When a place claims 鈥榩ossibly the best almuerzo in the world鈥, it has to deliver. A couple of blocks back from the Plaza de Ayuntamiento, serves up a huge range of local produce 鈥 laid out on its long bar 鈥 to squeeze between a baguette. Promising patrons an authentic almuerzo experience, there are three brunch menus to choose from, the most popular including peanuts, olives and patatas bravas alongside a bocadillo, drink and coffee.
A slice of Paris at La Petite Brioche
is somewhere between New York City corner cafe and Parisian boulangerie. Allow the smell of freshly baked bread to lure you inside, then sit between wood-panelled walls displaying old maps while reading the day鈥檚 specials written in white chalk on a blackboard. Or take a street-side seat and people-watch in C谩novas, one of the city鈥檚 ritziest suburbs. As well as crepes, croissants, muffins and an impressive range of homemade tarts, the airy pancakes don鈥檛 disappoint.
Coffee with the cool kids at Bluebell
Another that attracts an expat crowd, takes coffee seriously. Started by two sisters with an appreciation of the finer points of coffee, the speciality roastery uses some of the best beans from around the world. Bluebell has plenty of varieties to choose from (57 at last count) and also organises coffee tastings. The brunch menu is smaller but just as ambitious. As well as toast with mackerel and beetroot, and kale pancakes with smoked salmon, the waffles loaded with truffle, ham, mushrooms and a poached egg leave you satisfied.
The sweetest treats at Dulce de Leche
Much-loved in Argentina, dulce de leche is a caramel sweet enough to make Willy Wonka blush. Drawing on the Argentine roots of one of the founders, Dulce de Leche is a bakery and cafe serving a mouth-watering range of sweet and savoury treats. With black-and-white awnings outside and natural light shining into the sleek interior, it gets busy on weekends (as does the second branch in Russafa). While there is plenty for those without a sweet tooth, it鈥檚 hard to go past the croissants loaded with chocolate. Remember to pick up a napkin.
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