Enjoying vegetarian food in Spain has become much easier in recent years. The number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants is growing in Spanish cities and they now tend to offer different options too, including gluten-free or lactose-free recipes.
Barcelona is currently at the top, proclaiming itself ‘Veg-Friendly’, but Valencia more to the south doesn’t want to get left behind. We explored the vegetarian scene in the centre of this sunny coastal city, after Madrid and Barcelona the third largest city in Spain. Staying in one of our holiday rentals in Valencia city gives you easy opportunities to save money you can then spend on lovely, healthy meals out in the city.
1. Nature Bistro
Nature Bistro is a restaurant in the central and lively Cánovas neighbourhood. On the menu you can choose from vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and organic options, great for a nice meal out during your Valencia holidays.
If you have a sweet tooth, you will be tempted by their delicious cakes. At the same time, Nature Bistro boasts that 80% of the menu contains no sugar.
The restaurant serves a Menú del Día (menu of the day) at €11.80 Monday to Friday. It includes a starter, main course, homemade dessert and an organic drink. Starters have local, fresh and organic ingredients and the main course is free of choice, regardless the price it has on the menu.
Address: C/ Ciscar, 49
Opening hours: Monday: 13:30 - 15:30. Wednesday to Saturday: 13:30 -15:30 / 21:30 - 23:30. Sunday: 13:30 - 15:30.
Contact: Phone: 619231874 / 961001367. Email: info@naturebistro.es / reservas@naturebistro.es
Website: http://naturebistro.es
2. Oslo (Grupo Copenhagen)
Oslo is located in the Barrio Carmen district in the old town, near the Cathedral of Valencia and the cosy little square of Plaza del Negrito. The building, which dates from 1850, has two floors, a terrace and a Scandinavian avant-garde interior, in which vegetarian and vegan dishes are served. Ingredients are bought fresh every day from the nearby Mercado Central, the beautiful Central Market of Valencia.
You can have a three-course menu for €11.90 at Oslo (only at noon, Tuesday through Friday). Drinks are not included, although you can opt for coffee instead of dessert. The bar offers a wide range of drinks to choose from, such as wine, gin and tonics and craft beer from Valencia.
This restaurant opened its doors in 2014 and is part of the Grupo Copenhagen (there are three in Valencia, see more below). At each of these restaurants, the starter consists of three vegetarian tapas. Plenty of flavours for you to try and to enjoy!
Address: Carrer Catalans, 8
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 13:30 - 16:00. Tuesday to Saturday: 20:30 - 23:30.
Contact: Phone: 960 91 07 22
Website: http://grupocopenhagen.com/restaurante/oslo/
3. MIOBIO
MioBio is located in the upcoming Ruzafa district and claims to be ‘the first vegan restaurant in Valencia, 100% organic’. Everything in this restaurant is aimed at a healthier lifestyle, including the bright Feng Shui-based interior.
MioBio offers a vegan buffet for lunch Monday to Friday between 13:00 and 16:00 (On Saturday you choose from the menu). You can pay according to your needs, as your plate is weighed after you make your selection from the buffet.
It is possible to refill your plate and have it weighed again at the cash desk. You pay extra for desserts (€3 to €3.50).
Address: Carrer de Cadis, 67 bajo
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 13:15 - 16:00. Friday and Saturday: 20:30 - 00:30. Closed on Sundays.
Contact: Phone: 606 01 41 21
Website: You can follow MioBio on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miobiovalencia
4. Tarta de Zanahoria
This colourful restaurant in the Ruzafa neighbourhood is based on macrobiotic cuisine. All ingredients are organic and all dishes are vegan or free from animal products. This restaurant is also good for those avoiding gluten, lactose or eggs.
Tarta de Zanahoria ( ‘Carrot Cake’ in Spanish) is only open for lunch on weekdays, offering a daily menu of €10 which includes tea and dessert.
Address: Carrer del Pintor Salvador Abril, 3
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 13:45 - 16:00.
Contact: Phone: 620 11 24 65. Email: tartadezanahoria.valencia@gmail.com
Website: http://tartadezanahoria.com/
5. Malmö (Grupo Copenhagen)
Malmö, also in the Ruzafa district, aims at vegan cuisine with a Japanese and Mediterranean touch. It offers healthy food in a Scandinavian-style interior.
Here you can also taste more than 25 types of Valencian craft beer. As with any Grupo Copenhagen restaurant, the food is based on locally grown ecological produce.
Address: Carrer de Sueca, 46
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday: 13:30 to 16:00. Tuesday to Saturday: 20:30 to 23:30.
Contact: Phone: 963 28 54 28
Website: http://grupocopenhagen.com/restaurante/malmo/
6. La Tastaolletes
Tucked away in the historic Carmen district, La Tastaolletes serves vegetarian versions of Moussaka and Curry Lasagne. It also has vegetarian tapas on the menu. How about, for example, some Croquettes, Organic Cheese or Patatas Bravas with Tofu Mayonnaise and Homemade Ketchup?
You can opt for a three-course lunch menu including bread and coffee or tea for €12 euros (other drinks not included) from Tuesday to Friday.
Address: Calle Salvador Giner, 6
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 13:30 - 16:00 / 20:00 - 23:30. Sunday: 13:30 - 16:00. Closed on Mondays.
Contact: Phone: 963921862
Website: http://www.latastaolletes.com/
7. La Lluna
8. Les Maduixes
Les Maduixes has been around since 1986, which is impressive for a vegetarian restaurant in Spain. Because of its enduring reputation, we’ve decided to include it on this list, even though it is located in the university area a bit further from the centre, more towards the Malvarrosa beach of Valencia.
‘Nutritious and delicious’ is what Les Maduixes aims for in the kitchen. Healthy alternatives such as natural sweeteners come first. Fresh juices and so-called ‘superfoods’ play a prominent role as well.
The Ensalada Maduixes may be worth a try, as it has been popular since the very beginning. The homemade Moussaka is another classic. Other dishes on the menu with high scores are the Tofu Croquettes and the White Chocolate and Strawberry Cake.
Address: Calle Daoíz y Velarde, 4 (Near No. 100 on Blasco Ibáñez Avenue.)
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 13:30 - 16:00. Thursday to Saturday: 13:30 - 16:00 / 20:30- 23:30. Closed on Sundays.
Contact: Phone: 96 369 45 96 / 686 915 880
Website: http://www.restaurantelesmaduixes.es/
9. Ana Eva
10. Kimpira
Kimpira is the place to be for vegetarian, macrobiotic and vegan recipes in the heart of Valencia, as it is very close to the most important and most central square of the city, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
‘Kimpira’ is a Japanese expression which means something like ‘Golden Peace’. According to oriental mythology, one can only achieve this condition by eating well. This is why Kimpira aims to use, for example, unrefined sea salt and local, organic and seasonal ingredients. They also avoid using the microwaves and chemical refined sugars, among other things.
Popular dishes on the menu include Chocolate Cake and Carrot Cake. They specialize in healthy breakfast menus and fresh juices.
You can enjoy a lunch menu for €13.90 Monday to Friday. It includes soup, a main course, coffee and dessert. On Saturday and Sunday this menu costs €15 without dessert. You can also opt for an express menu for €10. A gluten-free menu is available on Thursday. For children there are separate options on the menu.
Address: Calle Convento San Francisco 5, Valencia.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 - 16:00, except on Saturdays, when the restaurant is open only in the evening: 20.30 - 24.00.
Contact: Phone: 963 923 422.
Website: Kimpira.es
11. Copenhagen (Grupo Copenhagen)
The final restaurant on this list is the third and last Grupo Copenhagen restaurant in Valencia, in the heart of the Ruzafa district. It focuses on vegetarian cuisine for a broad audience: Mediterranean, modern, creative and beautifully presented.
The healthy meatless cuisines of Japan and Thailand have been integrated as well, always with an emphasis on fresh organic products. Everything is served in a minimalist Scandinavian-style interior.
Address: Carrer del Literat Azorín, 8,
Opening hours: Every day, Monday to Sunday: 13:30 - 16:00. Thursday to Monday: 20:30 - 23:30.
Contact: Phone: 963 28 99 28
Website: http://grupocopenhagen.com/restaurante/Copenhagen/
As you can see, there is plenty of choice! Valencia is also fun to visit as a day trip during your stay in one of our Valencia short term rentals at one of the great local beaches around the city of Valencia.