Paella and rice dishes in the Region of Valencia: variety meets flavour

Savouring the finest paellas and rice dishes in the Region of Valencia is an unforgettable and delicious gastronomic experience. It’s also ambitious, as a huge variety of dishes exist. There’s nothing better if you love foodie tourism.

Although Valencian paella is an internationally renowned dish which has achieved symbol status, there are countless other rice dishes featured in the Region of Valencia’s traditional cookbook that you are going to love tasting. Come with us on an exploration of rice in our destination.

Eating paella in the Region of Valencia

More than a recipe, Valencian paella is an institution and symbol of germanor, which is the feeling we get when we sit around the table together. It’s the most popular dish when celebrating with friends and family and when it’s made with veggies from the huerta, or agricultural land, and Designation of Origin rice from Albufera, it tastes even better.

The significance of the dish is such that has its very own day, World Paella Day. At the event, chefs from around the world who have learnt how to prepare the recipe come together to cook up some of the best paellas in the Region of Valencia. 

The best rice dishes in the Region of Valencia 

The time of the year and the part of the Region you are visiting will help you out on your search for delicious rice dishes. In Benidorm, you simply have to try arroz de boquerones y espinacas (rice with anchovies and spinach) while in the seaside area or El Grao district of Castelló de la Plana, you should order arrocito de sabor marinero (rice with seafood). 

Alicante is the city of rice so make sure you try arroz del senyoret and arroz a banda, both of which feature seafood, during your time here. In the province of the same name, arroz con costra (rice with a crust) is the star of countless celebrations.

In the province of Valencia, arroz al horno (oven-baked rice) with chickpeas and sausages, is one of the area’s greatest gastronomic treats. A good place to try it is Xàtiva, for instance. In Vilafamés, the dish is prepared inside a pumpkin.

During Lent, it is typical to prepare rice dishes without meat throughout the Region. Some of the most popular variations of this feature Swiss chard, and cauliflower and cod. Winter is the high season for a strong and flavoursome rice dish: arroç amb fesols i naps combines veggies and pork in a very tasty recipe that is also known as caldera or perol junt, depending on where you are.

And the list goes on and on, including surprises like paella de bou, a dish made of liver and escarole that has a long history in Horta Nord. Come and try our paella and rice dishes and start writing your very own expert guide. Enjoy the flavours of our Region.