Barraca Toni Montoliu — Restaurant in Meliana

To say Barraca Toni Montoliu is a culinary revelation would be a gross understatement. Situated in the bucolic outskirts of Valencia, Spain, this restaurant transcends the ordinary dining experience with a seamless blend of tradition, taste, and authenticity.

Let me preface this by saying, I am not easily impressed. My palate has a discerning taste and my son, much to my amusement, has followed suit. Yet, Barraca Toni Montoliu managed to impress us both. From the moment we stepped in, we felt transported back in time to when paella was born on the traditional farms of Valencia, using whatever ingredients the land provided.

We had the pleasure of savoring their slow-cooked paella, an experience worth the journey in itself. Here, there are no shortcuts; no modern culinary conveniences like gas stoves. Instead, the paella is cooked in the traditional way over woodfire, just as it was centuries ago. The ingredients—snails, chicken, duck, and rabbit—were tender and succulent, each bite steeped in layers of flavor, a testament to the chefs’ deft skill and expertise. It was, without a doubt, the best paella I have ever had.

The dishes kept coming. Each course was beautifully presented, each mouthful a delightful surprise. It was a never-ending carousel of culinary delights, and we savored every moment.

The fact that Barraca Toni Montoliu has graced the screens of MasterChef Spain comes as no surprise. The quality, authenticity, and taste speak volumes about the meticulous efforts that go into the preparation of each dish. It’s an experience that transcends the typical tourist fare, with precooked paella coming nowhere close to the mastery displayed here.

If I could, I would give Barraca Toni Montoliu a dazzling 12 stars. Their commitment to the culinary tradition, the quality of ingredients, and the sublime taste of their dishes have left an indelible impression. To the chefs at Barraca Toni Montoliu, I take my hat off. This isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a pilgrimage for anyone seeking the true taste of Valencia. If you find yourself in this enchanting city, missing out on this place would be a...

Our visit to Barraca Toni Montoliu on January 1st was a major letdown, far from the authentic Spanish culinary journey we anticipated. Expecting to savor real paella, we instead found ourselves in what felt more like a tourist trap.

The dining experience began with a round of tapas. These were not unpleasant, but clearly not fresh; they seemed designed for quick service to large groups rather than being made-to-order. The paella, a critical aspect of our visit, was also a disappointment. Served on plates instead of in a traditional pan, it lacked the authenticity and flair we craved.

Adding to the letdown was the seating arrangement. As tourists, we were placed in an area separated from the main restaurant. This division made the experience feel even less authentic and more commercialized. Also, the owner comes to the table a bit too much to ‘sell’ his authenticity.

The final blow was the billing. Expecting to pay €30 per person, we were surprised with a bill of €45 each. Upon friendly querying this, the owner's demeanor was shockingly hostile. His response to our legitimate concern was to shout and insist we didn't understand the value of his food. Even when we agreed to pay a higher amount, his attitude only worsened.

Other customers noted that this was typical behavior from the owner, and they too were caught off guard by unexpected price increases. It was disappointing to learn that our experience wasn't an isolated incident.

Overall, our experience at Barraca Toni Montoliu was underwhelming. The food was mediocre at best, the presentation of the paella was inauthentic, the seating for tourists was segregating, and the owner's behavior was appalling. We cannot, in good conscience, recommend this establishment to anyone seeking an authentic...

It’s a 3.5.

We came here when visiting as tourists during early summer 2023. We came due to all the recommendations from YouTube bloggers. I wanted to write this review because we felt that there are some information missing from the bloggers that tourist may find pertinent if driving out of their way to eat here.

First, you need reservations! This is a must. And they only take reservations over the phone. We showed up without it but were able to charm our way in. But others were not so lucky. We saw at least three parties (looked like tourists) that were turned away because they didn’t have reservations.

Most everyone arrives before the bell is rung by Toni—and most everyone seemed to be locals. Once Toni rings the bell, everyone goes inside the dining room. Be aware, once you are sat you will be there at least 2 hours. They serve a 5-6 course meal at a leisure pace. This to us was a very positive thing. Most the people were in groups of family. It seemed to be their place to go to celebrate family happenings or just to be with family. Very good atmosphere.

With this said, the paella is just one of many courses. The food was not bad but not super either. The paella rice was a bit uncooked. However, as tourists we enjoyed it because we got to try some new dishes. It’s a set menu, no choosing or picking. You get what they are serving. It’s also a set price per person. If I remember correctly it was about $50 per person, no drinks included.

If you are visiting and staying in Valencia, go here. Otherwise, not sure it’s worth a day visit.

Lastly, it will be hard to communicate if you don’t...