Valencia shop visit-come and go to the birthplace of Paella-Nou Raco
đ Paella in El Palmar: Taste Valenciaâs Iconic Dish Where It All Began Everyone knows paella hails from Valenciaâbut the tiny town of El Palmar is where it truly shines. Nestled near the Albufera lagoon (famous for its rice fields, the very grain that makes paella special), this area is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic paella. And after exploring, hop on a boat to watch the sunset over Albuferaâpure magic. With friends in town, we headed straight to Nou RacĂł Restaurante to dig into the good stuff. Hereâs how it went: đ Nou RacĂł: A Paella Staple in El Palmar Vibe: Busy on weekends (book online in advanceâthey require a credit card, and no-shows get charged âŹ22 per person! Worth avoiding that). Location: Carretera del Palmar, 21, 46012 Valenciaâright in the heart of paella country. đœïž The Meal Breakdown Pre-Meal Bread đ„ âŹ2.75/pp Served with three dips: mayo, tomato salsa, and olives. The mayo was incredibleâcreamy, tangy, and perfect with the crusty bread (which comes in 2â3 varieties). Warning: Donât fill upâyouâll need room for paella! Ensalada de la huerta đ„ âŹ20.7 A mixed salad with four veggiesâfresh, but overpriced for what it is. We only ordered it because paella takes 30â40 minutes to cook (pro tip: use the wait to chat, not to overeat salad). đČ The Star: Paella (Minimum 2 People) Paella here starts at 2 servingsâwe had 6 people, so we split two kinds: Paella Valenciana con caracoles đ°đ âŹ22.7/pp Traditional Valencian paella with rabbit, chicken, and caracoles (snailsâthink texture). The rice is chewier (al dente, with a slight crunch in the center) and saltier than seafood versions. Authentic, but our group preferred the other option. Cangrejo y galeras đŠđŠ âŹ23.9/ppl The favorite! Packed with seafood: spider crab, langoustines, squid, and shrimp. The broth is richer, with layers of briny, sweet seafood flavorâless salty than the Valenciana, and more balanced. A hit with everyone. đ€ Bonus: Boat Rides on Albufera The restaurant has its own boats, but weekend prices are steep: âŹ50 for 1â5 people, âŹ125 for 6+ (a huge jump!). We skipped it since weâd done a cheaper ride beforeâcheck other local boatmen for better deals. Rides last 25â30 minutes, and the sunset views are unbeatable. đ Getting There Bus 24 runs hourly (40 minutes from Valencia), but the walk from the stop is along a narrow roadâtricky! Driving is way easier. Total per person: ~âŹ30+ For authentic paella with a side of Albufera charm, Nou RacĂł deliversâespecially that seafood version. Pair it with a boat ride, and youâve got a perfect Valencian day. #PaellaOrigins #ElPalmar #ValenciaEats