Valencia | Giardino del Carmen Italian cuisine
đ Giardino del Carmen: A Cozy Italian Gem in El Carmen for Birthdays & Gatherings Tucked in Valenciaâs historic quarter (surrounded by bars and eateries), this spot has been on my âto-tryâ list for ages. With rich, retro decor and a warm vibe, itâs perfect for birthdays, dates, or group mealsâand portions are generous enough to leave you stuffed (we four polished off 2 starters, 2 pastas, 2 mains, and 2 desserts with zero room left). đ The Standouts Gambones Marinados sobre Panzanella đŠ A starter highlight. Plump, fresh shrimp over a zesty mix of cucumber, carrot, and crispy bread cubes. Bright, light, and full of summer vibesâideal for sharing. Espaguetis cuadrados con frutos del Mar đ The table favorite. Square spaghetti loaded with huge shrimp, mussels, and clams (my personal favorite). Briny, garlicky, and packed with seafood flavorâno wonder itâs a staple here. Entrecotte đ„© Galician steak cooked to âpuntoâ (medium-rare) perfectionâtender, juicy, and full of meaty flavor. Served with cheesy potatoes and peppers, itâs a carnivoreâs dream. Cannolo siciliano đ° Dessert MVP. A crispy pastry shell filled with sweet ricotta, topped with pistachios. Itâs rich but not cloyingâexactly how a cannoli should taste. Porchettone đ· Slow-roasted pork belly with that signature Josper oven char. The skin is crispy, the meat tender, though the sweet BBQ sauce feels a little offâswap it for the house salsa if you can. đ Solid but Not Stellar Caponata y panelle đ Stewed eggplant and celery (slightly salty) with chickpea fritters. It works, but the eggplant skin is a touch tough. Still, worth a try for eggplant lovers. â The Miss Fusilli del Giardino đ A creamy pasta with almonds, cheese, and basil. The textures clashânutty, cheesy, and herbaceous in a way that feels muddled. Even pasta fans at the table were underwhelmed. đ§ Honorable Mention Tarta de queso con frutos rojos đ„§ A small glass jar of creamy cheesecake with berry compote. Itâs simple, sweet, and satisfyingânothing groundbreaking, but a safe bet. đ Details Price: ~âŹ25 per person (generous portions mean you wonât overspend). Vibe: Retro, cozy, with friendly serviceâgreat for celebrations. Location: El Carmenâs restaurant district (easy to pair with post-dinner drinks). Giardino del Carmen delivers a solid Italian feastâstick to the seafood pasta, steak, and cannoli, and youâll leave happy. Perfect for marking a birthday (or just a good day). #ValenciaItalian #ElCarmenEats #BirthdayDinner