Valencia is a stunning and vegan-friendly city in Spain. Personally, I think the best time to visit is in February and March. The city is quieter with fewer tourists, and the sun can be pleasantly warm. My favourite part of this season is the fresh oranges growing on trees all around the city.
Valencia’s centre is filled with vibrant, colourful buildings, and it sits right on the gorgeous Mediterranean coast.
WHERE TO STAY?
THE MYR MARQUÉS HOUSE HOTEL VALENCIA
In Valencia, we stayed at the Marqués House Hotel. Its location is perfect—right in the heart of the city, yet on a quiet street, so there’s no noise at night. The hotel is new, and our room and bathroom were beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean. There’s also a bar, and when we arrived, they welcomed us with a complimentary drink.
I can’t forget to mention the rooftop terrace. Unfortunately, we only discovered it on our last day, but if we’d known earlier, we would have spent a few hours enjoying the warm winter sun up there.
->You can check out the hotel here.
As for vegan breakfast options, I’m not sure, as breakfast wasn’t included in our stay. However, there are plenty of great plant-based cafes and restaurants nearby for breakfast.
WHAT TO SEE IN THE CITY OF VALENCIA?
Valencia is renowned for the City of Arts and Sciences, a strikingly modern architectural masterpiece that’s well worth a visit. If you’re more interested in historic architecture, La Lonja de la Seda, a Gothic building once used for the silk trade, is a must-see.
For a lively atmosphere, take a stroll through Barrio del Carmen, a charming area filled with boutique shops, bars, and restaurants.
Don’t miss the Jardí del Túria, a nine-kilometre park that was once a riverbed. It’s the perfect spot to see locals relaxing or working out.
->To find out about the best sights, take a hidden gems tour with a local!
Valencia’s Central Market is where locals buy fresh food. Unlike some touristy markets, this one feels authentic. I really enjoyed it, and there are even some vegan food stands.
A visit to Malvarrosa Beach is a must, especially for its beautiful palm-lined promenade. If you prefer not to walk long distances, I recommend renting a bike. Valencia also has good public transport options, along with taxis and Uber.
->Check out the best-rated bike tour to the beach.
Here are the vegan restaurants I tried during my visit in Valencia:
CAFE MADRIGAL
Café Madrigal offers a unique gastronomic experience in Valencia, blending tradition with a modern twist. They serve delicious vegan breakfasts, including a variety of toast with different toppings.
For lunch or dinner, you can sample traditional dishes, and don’t forget to try their mouth-watering desserts!
LA LLUNA RESTAURANT
La Lluna Restaurant is a fantastic option if you’re looking for vegan food in Valencia. Located in the heart of the city, this cosy spot focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients to craft nutritious and flavourful meals.
The menu features creative tapas, hearty mains, and tempting desserts. They also offer a selection of organic wines, perfectly paired with their dishes.
LA TASTAOLETTES VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Located in a trendy part of Valencia, La Tastaolletes serves both vegan and vegetarian dishes made with local ingredients. Their menu includes tapas like homemade croquettes and Vietnamese rolls with satay sauce.
You can choose from healthy Buddha bowls, wraps, and plates for mains. And of course, don’t forget to try their desserts!
ALMALIBRE ACAI BAR VALENCIA VEGAN
Almalibre Acai Bar in Valencia serves the best acai bowls in the city. You can even buy frozen acai to take home. You can either create your own bowl or pick one from the menu, just be sure to check that your chosen toppings are vegan.
They also offer plant-based croissants, avocado toast, hummus toast, and cakes. For lunch, you can enjoy dishes like patatas bravas with vegan mayo, various burgers, hot dogs, and wraps. While the place isn’t fully vegan, there are plenty of options. The service was great, and our waiter was very friendly!
VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN RESTAURANT OSLO
Valencia is home to three vegetarian and vegan restaurants owned by the same group: Oslo, Malmö, and Copenhagen. All are well worth a visit.
Oslo, located in the El Carmen neighbourhood in a building from 1850, is a spacious and beautiful restaurant. Plant-based dishes are clearly marked on the menu, and everything we tried was delicious.
For starters, you can choose from options like crispy puff pastry potatoes with homemade sauce and croquettes. Mains include vegan burgers, quesadillas, spicy pasta, and more. They also offer a tasting menu and a children’s menu. I was particularly impressed by their selection of vegan wines.
KHAMBU VALENCIA VEGAN
Khambu is one of the top plant-based fast-food restaurants in Valencia. They focus on sustainability while ensuring their food is both nutritious and delicious.
Their mouth-watering burgers are packed with vegetable protein, and you can also enjoy salads, nuggets, or sandwiches. They offer gluten-free options too.
BEGREEN SALAD COMPANY – VALENCIA VEGAN
I stumbled upon BeGreen Salad Company by accident. Although it’s not fully vegan, most of their dishes are vegan, with some vegetarian options. We went there for breakfast, and both my boyfriend and I ordered smoothie bowls, along with a hummus toast to share.
Everything was delicious. Next time I’m in Valencia, I’ll definitely try their lunch menu.
DEMPANADAS VALENCIA VEGAN
I must mention Dempanadas Valencia, where they serve fantastic plant-based empanadas. While not all of them are vegan, you can easily ask which ones are. They’re incredibly tasty! The fillings include tofu and wakame algae, vegetables and legumes, seitan and mushrooms, soy, and humita with almonds.
Valencia is truly a city worth visiting. It has a unique, vibrant energy and so much to explore. You can easily spend several days there and not run out of things to do. I’d recommend staying at least four days to fully experience the city’s charm, stunning architecture, palm trees, friendly locals, sunshine, and of course, the fantastic plant-based food. What more could you want?
SEE ALSO:
Vegan Barcelona: 10 Must-Try Restaurants for Plant-Based Foodies