Whether you are a die-hard Valencia CF supporter or a football tourist ticking a La Liga match off your bucket list, the area surrounding Mestalla Stadium offers more than just ninety minutes of adrenaline. The streets radiating from Avenida de Suecia and Avenida de Aragón are a culinary playground where the pre-match nerves and post-match debates are fueled by ice-cold beer and perfectly portioned snacks.
Unlike the tourist traps clustered directly around the main gates, the true soul of Valencia’s tapas scene lies just a few blocks away. Here, you will find century-old bars where the marble counters are worn smooth by generations of elbows, standing alongside modern gastro-bars pushing the boundaries of Valencian cuisine.
Knowing where to eat near the stadium is essential because match-day crowds are relentless. The best spots fill up with locals hours before kickoff, and if you do not have a plan, you risk eating a mediocre bocadillo on the curb while watching the masses stream past.
This guide focuses on venues that offer the perfect balance of quality, atmosphere, and proximity to the ground. We are looking for places that serve authentic Spanish tapas quickly enough to get you to your seat on time, but with enough quality to make the meal memorable regardless of the final score.
Whether you are looking for a quick caña and a montadito, or a leisurely feast of jamón ibérico and patatas bravas after the final whistle, this list has you covered. We have factored in walking distance, local reputation, and the ability to handle the beautiful chaos of a match day.
From traditional Valencian esmorzaret culture to Andalusian-style fried fish, the neighborhood around Mestalla is a microcosm of Spain’s diverse tapas heritage. Let’s dive into the top spots where you can eat like a local before cheering on Los Che.
Laturra Barra Valencia
| Address | C/ de Polo y Peyrolón, 3, El Pla del Real, 46021 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 1:30 – 4:00 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 1:30 – 4:00 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 1:30 – 4:00 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 1:30 – 4:00 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 960 54 52 90 |
- Family friendly. We went at 7.30pm which is when they start serving dinner.
- Lovely and patient waitress
- Everything we ate was delicious!!
- Would highly recommend for a family dinner with young kids - they loved the meatballs, cheese plate, bread with aioli and croquettes.
- Highly recommend.
I ordered the red prawn croquettes, the sobrasada focaccia and the french toast pain au chocolat for dessert. Overall the food was good but not necessarily great. I thought the croquettes were abit oily and small and the focaccia was also pretty salty. Definitely more suited for sharing rather than an individual main (which is my bad). The dessert was very unique and my first time trying something like this but felt that it was let down by the ice cream (which tasted like basic supermarket ice cream). Price was about €20 for everything which is not expensive but not cheap. Service was helpful and note that the kitchen opens at 1930 for dinner.
The food was delicious.
Amazing experience at Laturra! The food was delicious, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The atmosphere was lovely, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. Everything made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Definitely a place I’d recommend and come back to!
A great place with a bright future. We started with their pickled mussels with potatoes. We tried the original and delicious torreznos (fried pork belly), the croquettes, and then came the main course: a very good pizza, an oxtail sandwich with egg yolk, a pringà croissant (admittedly, the pringà was a bit bland), and the tuna belly, which is a fantastic dish. It's worth going to this new restaurant, which has a very promising future. Although there was a wait because it was full, the service was very quick. There were four of us, and we ordered a lot, but we'll be back.
Tapas time (tt)típicas tapas de pescado
| Address | Carrer dels Sornells, 31, L'Eixample, 46006 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 4:00 – 11:30 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Phone | 667 02 03 85 |
Absolute gem of a place. I don’t even have words to describe the experience.
Having travel across Spain for the last year, I can honestly say that this place is what would bring me back to Valencia.
20/10.
Do yourself a favour and come explore the flavours!!!
Absolutely loved Tapas Time! 😋 We ordered Zamburinas, Camarón Rojo, Chipirones, Calamares a la Andaluza, and Pan tostado con tomate y alioli — everything was delicious. The staff were super friendly, and the food came out so fast we didn’t even get a chance to take selfies, just photos of the food! Highly recommend for seafood lovers in Valencia.
Service was friendly and the drinks were good. We also enjoyed the atmosphere. The grilled sardines were not really to my taste, mainly because they were served with a lot of internal parts and tissue still attached, which made them less enjoyable for me. I understand this may be a traditional style of preparation, but I personally would have preferred them to be cleaned a bit more carefully.
Very tasty tapas and really good drinks. Definitely a place worth visiting in Valencia.
The staff was nice and everything overall was great, although the waiter forgot part of our order. Still, the food was delicious and we had a very good experience.
Our favorite restaurant when we were in town, best fresh sea food, and welcoming service. (this is not very common in this city, we’ve been to quite a few high rating restaurants and deterred by the service or the rude face ) But this one is totally different, genuine and warm service. Highly recommended
Bar Mestalla
| Address | Calle Poeta, Carrer de Misser Mascó, 25, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM Friday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 963 60 19 32 |
Please do Not est the hamburguer menú! Worst menú ever eaten ! Worst hamburguer , too noisy, the waiters do the best effort to attend but food not recommended ! The fries too oily , the meat had such bad quality! If you want a better Burger you better go home !
Really local and authentic southern spain bar and restaurant. 11 euros for a full menu during lunch is a steal and everything was delicios. The portion sizes were big too.
I arrived around 1pm. It was really quiet: I went to sit at a table in part of the restaurant but I was directed to another area yet others sat in that area not long after. There was no menu provided but I saw others with different meals and then with menus. The waitress didn’t have any English but tried hard to help which was really good - both of us trying to use Google Translate. In the end I asked for a Coke Zero, agua and a jamon y queso sandwich which looked like it came out of my sandwich maker at home. It cost €6 in total. I’d have spent more as I really wanted something half decent at lunch had I got a menu. The waitress was lovely though but I would never go back there.
I am sat in here now before a Valencia game and have had amazing service in a packed bar, they are geared up and know what they are doing! Pint San Miguel €4 wings €7 Bravas €5 no wonder they are busy great value !
An outstanding experience at Bar Mestalla! The food was delicious and fresh, and the atmosphere was authentic and welcoming — but what impressed us the most was the service. The waiter was extremely friendly, professional, and attentive — a true example of great hospitality. We felt welcome from the very first moment. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a real local experience with excellent service!
Cerveceria Erajoma
| Address | Pl. de Reyes Prosper, 7, El Llano del Real, 46010 Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:50 PM |
| Phone | 963 60 10 75 |
An excellent place for authentic local cuisine. The food was outstanding, and the atmosphere felt genuinely local with virtually no tourists, which made the experience even more special.
The only downside was that we were traveling with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and dogs are not allowed inside. The staff were still kind enough to offer us a table by the entrance, which we appreciated, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re visiting with a dog, even a well-behaved one.
Other than that, everything was excellent. I would definitely come back and highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a true local dining experience.
Excellent food. We had some tapas (Ensaladia Russa, Croquetas) which were excellent and we had the grilled entrecote. Service was a bit quirky, we came in as the first guests of the night at around 7:30 PM, and the first question of the waiter was if us 2 gentlemen would like 2 beer (it is a Cervecería after all). We kindly refused and asked for two coke zero instead, and he seemed really dissapointed and slunk away. This wasn’t an unpleasant interaction at all, it was a rather amusing reaction from him. The rest of the night, he didn’t say a word while serving us, still seeming a bit disappointed in us.
Excellent service and excellent food. The prices are high but the quality of the food makes it worth it. No reservations by phone accepted but they can put you on a list, that means that when you come in, the first table that opens is for you. Make sure to be there before 2PM if you son' want to wait. The vegetables a la plancha are great, make also sure that you taste de "Canaillas". Totally recommended, they're up and running since 1978, that means something to me.
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About 30-40€ per person without wine.
This restaurant was recommended by the hotel and was just a short distance walk for us. This is an authentic tapas place with quite a variety of tapas plus entrees. We had only tapas and everything was delicious as well as reasonably priced. I’d recommend the oysters, goat cheese croquettes and sirloin. They also have a good wine list.
Excellent food! The steak, croquetas, gambas, pan, ensalada all where very good. Will visit again.
Bar Cremaet
| Address | Av. del Port, 20, El Pla del Real, 46021 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM Friday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM Sunday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Phone | 960 83 52 21 |
Amazing, had a creative twist on the classic Valencian mid-morning esmorzaret.
Staff were excellent and very helpful. Food was superb, my sandwich, the peanut & pickles whilst waiting - all part of the experience, and to finish with a traditional Cremaet (signature drink made with strong espresso layered over sweet rum flambéed with lemon rind and cinnamon) was just fantastic.
Headed back that evening for tapas with the family and again throughly enjoyed the whole experience - food, drink and service 😋
Booked for the evening but walk in during day for esmorzaret, around 11:00
We had an early reservation, and Maicol made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived with his warm and friendly service.
The pork belly was exceptional—perfectly crispy skin with tender, juicy meat. The aged beef paella was absolutely delicious, packed with flavour and finished with a fantastic socarrat. A few bites were slightly salty due to the finishing salt flakes, but it was still an outstanding dish overall.
We ended the meal on the perfect note with the chocolate cake, which Maicol recommended—and we’re so glad he did. It was absolutely incredible, rich, indulgent, and easily one of the best chocolate desserts we’ve ever had. I’ll be dreaming about that chocolate cake for years to come!
We went here after a recommendation from our hotel and it was okay. Firstly, we wanted a paella as we could see it on the menu. To be told that rice is only allowed in AM. Since looking we can see that this is the traditional Spanish way to not have paella in the evening but it would have been good if the menu had stated this or there was a separate AM / PM menu. Instead we got tapas dishes to share and they were okay, not the best food or value we had during our trip. The terrace is nice to dine in and felt full of locals enjoying a pre-dinner drink. However, the location is out the way unless you are staying nearby.
I visited Bar Cremaet for a beer and some tapas and had a pleasant experience overall. The place is very nice, clean, and feels quite new, which adds to the comfort of the visit. The service was good and fast, so we didn’t have to wait long for our order. The tapas were tasty, though I found the prices a bit high compared to the portion sizes. Still, it’s a great spot if you’re looking for a modern and well-kept bar with efficient service in Valencia.
The pork belly saved the experience.
We walked 40 minutes to get to Bar Cremaet - it’s a Monday evening 19:50 pm and on arrival there were 6 tables occupied outside and 4 tables inside and one couple sitting at the bar. This is a large restaurant with lots of tables inside in two floors and at least 6 spaces at the bar.
It’s end of March, still a bit too cold to eat outside.
Because we did not have a reservation we couldn’t sit inside - the waitress blankly refused. Take it or leave it.
We walked far and came on recommendation for the pork belly so I agreed to stay - shivering outside.
When I went to bathroom the place upstairs and downstairs were empty.
I thought the service was mean.
The pork belly was super delicious - crispy crackling and the brined meat had a great flavour and was succulent. Even enjoyed the artichokes wrapped in ham.
The poor mean service made us eat the two plates, each have a drink and left. It’s a shame.
La Cantina Gastrotaberna
| Address | Carrer d'Amadeu de Savoia, 28, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:30 – 4:00 PM, 7:30 – 11:30 PM Wednesday: 12:30 – 4:00 PM, 7:30 – 11:30 PM Thursday: 12:30 – 4:00 PM, 7:30 – 11:30 PM Friday: 12:30 – 4:00 PM, 7:30 – 11:30 PM Saturday: 12:30 – 4:00 PM, 7:30 – 11:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 609 04 21 48 |
I came here with 3 friends guided by the good reviews. A few dishes were good.
The papada de bellota we were served was so tough it was basically inedible. When I pointed it out and asked the owner to try it himself, he reacted defensively and became confrontational instead of resolving the issue. He said the papada should be chewy. False.
We were still charged for the dish, which is unacceptable given the quality. Service was also lacking — empty plates left on the table and an overall dismissive attitude.
Would not return.
also beers are served in half empty glasses
This place was fairly small so we felt crowded. It was loud and you had to speak over other people. The staff was insufficient, they had a bar tender, a waiter and one cook, so service was slow. The food lacked presentation, in fact it didn’t appear to be appetizing, but it was actually pretty good. Overall it was an okay place to eat.
Amazing service! Highly recommend the Broken Eggs with Iberian Ham & Truffle — absolutely delicious. One of the best meals we had in Valencia!
A little cosy place serving freshly prepared tapas. The food and service were excellent.
We called in for a glass of wine and some Tapas. The charcuterie board was very nice and the wine perfect! On the evening we visited the barmen/waiter was on his own but really looked after everyone amazingly well.
Mientras Tanto - restobar • tapas • drinks
| Address | C/ de los Cordellats, 6, bajo izquierda, Ciutat Vella, 46001 Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 660 64 98 62 |
I visited this restaurant several times during my stay in Valencia, and it quickly became one of my favorite spots.
I tried a variety of their tortillas and sandwiches, and everything was consistently amazing. My personal favorite was the sandwich with Serrano ham and cheese — absolutely delicious.
What really stood out to me was the quality of the products, as well as the friendly and welcoming staff who always made me feel comfortable.
I also really appreciated their wide variety of non-alcoholic drinks, which can be surprisingly hard to find. It made the experience even better.
Overall, a fantastic place that I would definitely recommend and return to!
What a lovely little tapas place. We just had the Goats cheese tortilla, the local Turia beer and a lemon beer, all lovely. There are only a few tables outside, but a lovely find, the Agua de Valencia is popular here, will come back and try tomorrow !!
Really nice place in a quiet street. Tapas and drinks - perfect mix for a quick bite / lunch or a bit longer stay withe friends.
Always have the nicest time here. The staff are very friendly and attentive. The tapas is high quality and delicious - the tortilla options are my favorite! They say they have the best Agua De Valencia … and they might be right 😉 .. oh and very dog friendly.
Very yummy sandwiches and toasts.
Nice atmosphere, friendly staff and a food location.
MANOLO EL DEL BOMBO BAR CERVECERÍA.
| Address | Carrer del Naturalista Rafael Cisternas, 5, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
It was super busy and the guy (owner?) was working his butt off, but service was relatively fast and attentive. €5 for a massive tasty bocadillo and coffee and it was so cool to venture inside and see all the football memorabilia, especially about Manolo. Recommended and thank you!
Great bar, real football supporters bar. The bar owner is a legend
I know many think this bar is closed but it's still open and a must visit if you're heading to Mestalla
If love football you MUST GO there! Located conveniently near the Mestalla stadium this place is a temple of futbol
Scarfs, news articles and shirts all over the walls.
Lovely food at great prices
And then Manolo... The living legend!
Just said hello to mr Manolo himself serving ice cold beer. 🤗
La Gilda Bar
| Address | Carrer de Felip Maria Garín, El Pla del Real, 46021 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | 682 39 88 05 |
Best jamon croquettes! Other standoutndish was the smoked anchovy on a slice of butter on a finger of brioche...amazing! The fresh calamari was super fresh and sweet, although a little too salty for our taste. Worth the visit!
The taps were amazing and everything was delicious. Recommend it 💯!!
Popped in for a drink and sat on the terrace outside. Efficient service with Mahou on draught. Clean toilets on the ground floor.
Our best tapas experience during our stay in Valencia! No brainer.
Nice place and generous quantities. Food was tasty!
La tapadera de Ayora
| Address | C/ dels Sants Just i Pastor, 103, Algirós, 46022 València, Valencia |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:30 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:30 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 644 04 53 11 |
I went to La tapadera de Ayora twice, and the experience was absolutely amazing both times. The service was excellent, very friendly, and the food was of outstanding quality. There is no dish that I would not recommend. Great value for money. I will be back for sure!
Fantastic restaurant! The food was absolutely incredible, and our server was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. I would highly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a great meal.
What a wonderful place to come and enjoy delicious and imaginative tapas as well as other larger dishes! The food is wonderful, but it's also a super inviting atmosphere and all of the staff are really friendly and clearly enjoy working there.
Solo diners are just as welcome as groups, and they have translated menus in to English which helps a lot. Personally, the smoked sardines and the anchovies with membrillo were among our favourites, but there are many great options.
Prices are really reasonable, and we loved everything about it. To the Burgos duo and team, muchas gracias from Oxford!
Good tapas from the north of Spain, some thing different from the rest of the tapas places u find in Valencia. Everything we tried was good. The service was very good, they are nice. Prices are very affordable. I Will go back
Welcoming and wonderful people, great food (interesting combinations of flavours). Their tapas are worth recommending.
Staff speaks English.
Tips for Enjoying Tapas Near Mestalla
Navigating the tapas scene on a match day requires a bit of strategy, especially if you want to avoid hunger and frustration. The rhythm of a Valencian football day is specific, and aligning your eating schedule with local customs will drastically improve your experience. Here is how to master the pre-game and post-game tapas crawl like a seasoned local.
Arrive early or plan for a late lunch. If you are attending a typical evening match, the prime tapas window is between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Do not expect to walk into a top spot at 8:45 PM for a 9:00 PM kickoff and find a table; you will be fighting for standing room at the bar, which is actually perfect for a quick bite.
Stand at the bar for faster service. In Spain, sitting at a table often implies a longer, more relaxed meal. If you are in a rush to get to the stadium, head straight to the bar. Not only is service faster, but you will also avoid the "mesa" surcharge some places apply for table service. Order one or two items, pay, and move to the next stop.
Master the art of the "caña" and "cortado." You do not need a full pint. A caña is a small draft beer, perfect for keeping you hydrated but not sluggish. If you need a caffeine boost to get you through the second half, ask for a cortado (an espresso with a splash of milk) after your meal.
Do not skip the "montaditos" on match day. These small, topped bread slices are the ideal stadium fuel. They are cheap, prepared instantly, and easy to eat while standing. Look for ones topped with smoked salmon, codfish, or the classic sobrasada with honey.
Embrace the post-match "sobremesa." When the final whistle blows, do not rush to the metro. The traffic is terrible, and the platforms are packed. Instead, find a bar a few blocks from the stadium, order a digestive or a glass of local wine, and wait for the crowds to thin. This is when the real football analysis happens.
The beauty of the area surrounding Mestalla is that it is not just a pre-game stop; it is a destination in itself. The energy of the neighborhood on a match day is infectious, and the food is a reminder that Valencia is one of Spain’s most underrated culinary capitals. Even if you are visiting on a non-match day, these bars offer an authentic slice of local life that is often lost in the city center.
So, whether you are celebrating a last-minute winner or commiserating over a defeat, you can do it with a fork in your hand and a plate of something delicious in front of you. Salud, and Amunt Valencia.
