Almuerzo in Valencia has a historical, almost religious significance in the Valencian way of life. Find out about the history of ‘el almuerzo’, and some of our favourite places to eat. Daniel Hazelhoff reports…
I grew up with the almuerzo, so it’s in my blood. From the schoolyard to working in construction, to writing for Valencia Life. It’s not just a break, or a meal, its rich history dates far back and it’s a sacred ritual. For some it’s the most important meal of the day. From around 9:00 – 12:00 in the morning Valencianos and Valencianas from all walks of life take their morning break and fuel up for the remainder of the working day. It’s intrinsically embedded within the Valencian DNA.
Its Valencian roots are deeply rooted into the life of the labourers of the land. Our Huerta wouldn’t be what it is today without it, therefore Valencia wouldn’t be what it is today without it. Intense labour for hours on end in the unforgiving Valencian heat is hungry work. The need for rest and respite under the shade of an almond or olive tree, refuelling the body with a meal was well deserved and fought for. Almuerzo has now become so deeply ingrained into Valencian life that it is a meal that workers are legally entitled to.
The Holy Trinity
In the beginning, the almuerzo took place at the worksite. A piece of bread, salted meats, sausage and wine, were the holy trinity. Initially it was only bread, the idea of the bocadillo would come later.
Today one of the staples of a traditional almuerzo is the bocadillo. A meal between bread, about half an arm’s length. Bocadillos contain only traditional and local ingredients. A potato tortilla, bacon, chicken, pork, eggs, calamari and more fill up the crusty bread. The combinations are endless, and their soulful combination leaves one satisfied. For those that understand the history, it’s an appreciation and a gaze into the past of that which makes Valencia truly special.
But that’s not all. A true almuerzo always comes with olives or small pickled onions and assorted nuts or other nibbles. Along with a caña (a small beer) or a vi amb limoná (wine with soda), and a coffee, however in my case, preferably a carajillo. A carajillo is a coffee with a dash of liquor, usually cognac, or rum. All this for a total of around five euros. As a result the almuerzo is surely the best value meal of the day!
The almuerzo is a labour of love, whether you’re having your morning break, or you’re enjoying your weekend with some friends and family, drinking and eating in the sun, be sure to familiarise yourself with one of Valencia’s greatest traditions. All hail the almuerzo!
Our Top Three Almuerzo Spots In Valencia
Although most bars supply an almuerzo, and most of them hit the right notes, here are a few places we at Valencia Life think stand out from the crowd, in no particular order.
Cafeteria Pizcueta 14
Cafeteria Pizcueta follows the Valencian tradition at its finest, and provides one of the top 10 best tortillas de patata in Spain. Well brewed coffee and fine examples of how olives should be served for an almuerzo, Pizcueta is certainly not one to miss.
- Carrer de Félix Pizcueta, 14 46004, València, Valencia; 963 94 24 00; Monday from 6:30 – 19:45; Tuesday to Friday from 6:30 – 19:30; Saturday and Sunday closed.
Alhambra
This small, but extremely traditional spot hides wonders behind its simple façade. Rated a solid four out of five on trip advisor, take our word for it, their tortilla de patata is to die for. You can even regularly see customers eating standing up. The place is small, and you’re lucky if you can get a table, it’s that good.
- Carrer de Calixt III, 8 46008 València, Valencia; 641 26 75 26; Monday to Saturday 8:30 – 16:30; closed on Sunday.
Bar Nuevo Oslo
Rated at a deserved four-point nine out of five Bar Nuevo Oslo serves one of the most elaborate bocadillos you can find in Valencia. Amstel held a competition to see who could make the best “quart de poblet” bocadillo, where almost 300 bars and restaurants competed. Bar Nuevo Oslo was one of the finalists with their take on a “figatell” with beef, Amstel and plum sauce, tender sprouts, fried onion, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Carrer del Doctor Sanchis Sivera, 7 46008, València, Valencia; 963 85 04 93; Monday to Friday from 7:00 – 18:00; closed on Sunday
These are just a few of some of the best places in Valencia to enjoy a traditional almuerzo. Truth be told, it’s hard to find a bad one. Always remember, when you partake in an Almuerzo, you’re not just biting into a succulent bocadillo, but you’re taking a bite into time and history itself.
I am helping some friends get their shop on the map and noticed. They have a web site. One of the ways in my research to optimize a web site is to use a blog. I am not blog savvy and neither are they so need a little help as to good sites to place there blog so that they get noticed..
illo fuga amet non qui et cum qui adipisci nihil neque voluptas nostrum ullam recusandae voluptate autem est. atque non provident id dolor porro eos fugit dolorem odio commodi in vel et et dolores enim. a aspernatur sapiente cum et dolorem quo enim. commodi velit ducimus non blanditiis qui quo qui voluptatem et dignissimos neque voluptatem modi. commodi mollitia laboriosam nulla harum et sed dicta possimus in inventore et esse unde.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.
How do you fill out a horse hip bone area?
It’s laborious to search out educated folks on this topic, but you sound like you recognize what you’re talking about! Thanks
Hey there, Could I export your own picture and usage that on my personal blog?
polo shirts are very casual and stylish indeed, most of the time i use polo shirts*
Hey, what kind of anti-spam plugin do you use for your blog.*”~,*
Read the full written content. There is quite a few definitely informative information here. thank you. “Oh, you know. I am secretary of state. My trips aren’t successful. I just talk to people.” by George Pratt Shultz..
Many people feel, mission coupled with dream fantastic produce legitimate Ji.
You have got some really beneficial information written here. Excellent job and keep posting superb stuff.
I wish to express my passion for your kind-heartedness for individuals that should have help with this important area. Your real commitment to getting the solution up and down had become remarkably powerful and has specifically empowered individuals much like me to achieve their targets. This invaluable hints and tips signifies a lot a person like me and substantially more to my colleagues. Warm regards; from each one of us.
It’s not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site,
i am browsing this web page dailly and take fastidious facts from here every day.
Dude.. I am not much into reading, but somehow I got to read lots of articles on your blog. Its amazing how interesting it is for me to visit you extremely often.
I discovered your blog internet site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the extremely good operate. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for forward to reading much more from you later on!…
The way you write, you are really a professional blogger.:.–~
I dont think Ive read anything like this before. So good to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. nice one for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality. Good job for bringing something new to the internet!
Whats up very nice site!! Man .. Excellent ..
Superb .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I am glad to search out so many useful information here in the post, we want work out more strategies on this regard, thank you for
sharing. . . . . .
Every weekend i used to go to see this website, as i wish for enjoyment, as this this web
page conations truly nice funny data too.
It’s nearly impossible to find experienced
people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how could we
communicate?
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank
for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
If you know of any please share. Thank you!
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing.
The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this
subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintains the image of a
user in his/her brain that how a user can know it.
Thus that’s why this piece of writing is outstdanding.
Thanks!
Incredible story there. What occurred after?
Thanks!
Good way of telling, and fastidious paragraph to
obtain facts regarding my presentation topic,
which i am going to convey in institution of higher education.
This design is steller! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains the image of a user in his/her brain that how
a user can understand it. Therefore that’s why this paragraph is perfect.
Thanks!
Hi there to every one, it’s really a nice for me to pay a quick visit this site, it contains valuable Information.
Great blog here! Also your website loads up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate
link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of information on your site.
Im really impressed by it.
Hi there, You have done a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.
I’m sure they will be benefited from this site.
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious know-how concerning unexpected feelings.
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful
and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & aid other users like its aided me.
Good job.
I always used to read post in news papers but now as I am a user of
internet so from now I am using net for content, thanks to web.
Hello everyone, it’s my first go to see at this website, and
paragraph is genuinely fruitful in support of me, keep up posting
such articles or reviews.
I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found
any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you
did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Its like you learn my mind! You seem to understand a lot
about this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something.
I think that you simply can do with a few p.c. to power the message house a bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog.
An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
Thanks , I have recently been looking for info approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the
best I have discovered so far. However, what about the bottom line?
Are you certain about the supply?
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very smartly written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your helpful information. Thank you for the post.
I will definitely comeback.
bookmarked!!, I love your web site!
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and
engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy that I came across this in my search for something regarding this.
I visit everyday some websites and sites to read content, but this
website gives feature based writing.
Thanks for finally talking about > The Tradition Of Almuerzo In Valencia, Much More than Brunch –
Valencia Life < Liked it!
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as
with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one
nowadays.
I always emailed this website post page to all my contacts,
for the reason that if like to read it after that my friends will too.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have take into accout your stuff prior
to and you’re simply extremely fantastic. I really like
what you’ve got here, certainly like what you are stating and the
way during which you assert it. You make it entertaining
and you continue to care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to learn much more from you.
That is actually a tremendous website.
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.
Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one
nowadays.
Hey there are using WordPress for your site platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
It’s going to be finish of mine day, but before ending
I am reading this impressive paragraph to improve my knowledge.
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is fundamental and all.
However just imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
Your content is excellent but with images and videos,
this blog could undeniably be one of the best in its niche.
Great blog!
For hottest information you have to pay a quick visit world wide web and on web I found this website as a
most excellent website for most recent updates.
Wonderful work! That is the type of info that are supposed to be shared
across the web. Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this publish higher!
Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =)