Valencia offers a distinctive take on tapas that sets it apart from Madrid or Barcelona. While you'll find classic Spanish favorites, Valencian tapas often incorporate local ingredients like fresh seafood from the Mediterranean, vegetables from the fertile L'Horta region, and the region's renowned rice.
The best tapas bars are often found off the main tourist routes. Look for places with paper tablecloths, locals crowding the bar, and handwritten daily specials. Many establishments serve montaditos (small sandwiches) alongside traditional tapas, and it's common to order several rounds as the evening progresses.
Valencian specialties to seek out include esgarraet (roasted red peppers with salt cod), clóchinas (local mussels in season), and patatas bravas with the distinctive local alioli. Wash it down with a caña (small beer) or a glass of local wine from nearby Utiel-Requena.