Restaurants

If you gravitate to hotel dining, you will find that some of the best cuisine is served at the Hilton Valencia at its two superb restaurants, Azahar and at Bice, the latter with its Italian cuisine being far superior. Another winning choice is the restaurant Almudi, serving one of the city's fine cuisines at Vincci Lys.

Insider's Tips on Drinks & Tapas

To be a true Valenciano, you have to head for the increasingly chic Barrio del Carmen to visit a cafe, Sant Jaume, Carrer Cavalleros 51 (tel. 96-391-24-01), and have a drink of agua de Valencia. It's a mixture of orange juice, Cointreau, and cava. The drink is said "to cure all that ails you," so it's appropriate that the building itself used to be a former apothecary. An easy-to-miss tapas bar, beloved by local foodies, is Ca'n Bermell, Santo Tomas 18 (tel. 96-391-02-88). The city's most famous drink, horchata, made with ground tiger nuts, is best at Horchatería El Siglo, Plaza Santa Catalina 11 (tel. 96-391-84-66).