Vegan Valencia: Top 5 Fully Vegan Restaurants
- Rachelle Darr
- Sep 6, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 28, 2018
Want a restaurant where you can eat EVERYTHING on the menu? Valencia is blossoming with restaurants dedicated to plant-based food both traditional and international. These are five of the best.
You don't normally associate Spain with vegan or even vegetarian food. So I was surprised to find such a broad selection of dedicated vegan restaurants in this meat-loving country. I made it my mission to attempt to try as many as possible in my time there with the help of Happy Cow. These are the ones I kept coming back to.
As the name suggests, Nomït serves no meat! Located in the Gran Via area, the minimalist inspired space was inviting with more seating in a room at the back and a small selection of ethical fashion to peruse in the front. The menu consisted of veganised tapas, burgers and old favourites like lasagne, pizza and mousakka, making it difficult to choose just one thing for this meal. Each of the burgers had a different burger patty and the ones we chose were super tasty and generally held together when we ate them. The perfect accompaniment to these was the patatas bravas with both potato and sweet potato. This was probably the best one we had in Valencia! The meal would not be complete without a bottle of cava and the restaurant had a good selection of vegan and organic wines. This is a great choice for a date or a group of friends, with something to please everyone.
Don't be mistaken by the unassuming door of this restaurant in the trendy Russafa district. The changing set menu, or menu del dia, is filling and tasty while also being a healthy, macrobiotic choice. The chef and owner Mavi, has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to nutrition and embraces the healing properties of food. We had the choice of two soups and a main with a variety of seasonal bits and pieces (pictured), all delicious. Two desserts were on offer so we, of course, tried both: a chocolate cake and a panna cotta. We washed it all down with an organic beer. If you are health conscious and also want great tasting food, this is your place to go!
If you are craving something of the fast food variety then this is the place for you! This food truck has upgraded to a bricks-and-morter store right in the city centre. Tropical themed decor makes you feel like you've walked into a trendy chip shop. You order at the counter, just like any fast food chain, and wait for the buzzer they give you to beep before collecting your food. The burgers were fresh, crisp and just what you would expect of great vegan junk food. We tried the sweet potato chips as well as the regular fries and were not disappointed! If you need something on the go or want to hang out in comfortable outdoor seating, this should be your go to. Great for a little break while exploring the city.
This place was a great find for a tasty vegan breakfast and a quality coffee. They are open longer hours than most places so this is certainly a plus! Located centrally, we decided to head back to try their menu del dia. We were not disappointed! Gazpacho to start, followed by a beautifully presented hummous on bread with mixed greens and sprouts. Next, just the right amount of paella and then topped off with a silky chocolate mousse. If a set menu is not your thing, there is a large a la carte menu to choose from. They also provide a great range of fresh smoothies and juices to give you that extra bit of energy. Comfortable outdoor and indoor seating is available with a very chilled out vibe.
A leafy cafe with an artistic feeling and friendly staff, Jardin Urbano is a great spot for a relaxed lunch or some snacks and beverages after exploring. We started our long lunch with a delicious assortment of dips with a variety of crackers to compliment. The winner for us was the calzone and the seitan bocadilla complete with house vegan cheese sauce. Quality draught beer is an added bonus here. Food can suffer a bit when the place is super busy as we discovered on a Friday evening, but it is still a fun place to hang out.
Ones still to try...
In spite of being in Valencia for two weeks, we were still unable to sample all the restaurants we wanted to in that time. Checking opening hours is essential as some places are only open for lunch and many restaurants are closed for Monday and Tuesday. Here are the ones we missed that are still on the list to try...
Loving Hut: a vegan mainstay internationally. I've tried it elsewhere in the world. Give it a go!
The Nature Restaurant: an Asian buffet with dessert. A good change if you are done with tapas for a while.
La Mandragora: described as a "gastronomic cultural association" with a set menu. It requires free membership but you pay the amount you think is fair for the food.
What fully vegan places would you recommend in Valencia?
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