Arrosseria El Rek — Restaurant in Valencia

I really hate leaving bad reviews – I’m not someone who badmouths businesses – but I feel compelled to warn others about this place.

As vegetarians, my husband and I were so excited to try a proper paella de verduras in the birthplace of the dish, especially from a restaurant that’s part of the association for traditional Valencian cuisine. We’d already had a couple of paellas while staying in Valencia, but we were still holding out hope for that standout, authentic experience. El Rek looked promising, especially as a few veggie reviewers had left decent comments and the menu had clear labels.

We arrived around 12:30 and were the first ones in, though the restaurant did fill up quickly. The menu is accessed via a QR code and states clearly that paella takes about an hour, which we were more than happy to wait for – it’s a good sign if it’s made fresh. We ordered patatas bravas to tide us over, but what arrived was literally just plain potatoes with a squirt of cheap ketchup. Not a good start.

Then our paella arrived after just 20 minutes – a full 40 minutes earlier than expected. It arrived without a serving spoon, so we had to chase one down. The rice was undercooked, the very few beans in the dish were hard and the broth was extremely salty – inedible really. There was none of the lovely caramelised crust you expect in a well-made paella – it had clearly been rushed.

The service didn’t help matters. The staff were completely inattentive, and no one came to check on us during the meal. I ended up leaving most of mine after picking out a few of the vegetables, and my husband – who is never fussy and usually eats everything – felt sick afterwards. That pretty much says it all.

To top it off, we had to ask multiple times for the bill before giving up and going to the front desk ourselves. We felt forgotten about, and honestly, we briefly considered walking out without paying – it was that bad.

Perhaps this place is a bit of a tourist trap? Either way, with so many other restaurants in El Palmar, there’s absolutely no reason to settle for something this...

We drove up from south to visit the area and to have paella . At first we wasn't that welcomed in one bar close by. As we drove towards the large car park of Arroceria El Rek the car park was quite full but we managed to fine a space. We hadn't booked either (recommended) and luckily the lovely lady found us a table inside as it was quite hot outside. We ordered our food with the help of the staff, first course we had potato bravas that were excellent and plenty for the three of us. Next I asked if they had garlic prawns and what was served was a dozen fresh large prawns and a potato and leak cake, the dish was superb. Next up was the foi gras and duck breast with wild mushrooms paella. It took approximately one hr to serve but the wait was most definitely worth it. The food all well worth it, the staff very pleasent and helpful. We ate inside but would have loved to be served outside next to the water. I'd definitely go back if in the area. The cost was 102 euro which included a glass of red a beer water ( paella 22 euro...

If you're looking for a great place to enjoy authentic Valencian cuisine with friends, family, or even a large group, this restaurant is great for the occasion.

Despite the restaurant's constant buzz—especially on weekends and holidays—the service is impressively smooth and attentive. The staff is friendly, efficient, and clearly well-trained to handle the high volume of guests. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a night out, you're in good hands here.

One word of advice: make a reservation. The restaurant is popular for a reason, and walk-ins are rarely lucky, especially during peak times.

The only drawback is the parking situation. While the restaurant does have its own parking lot, it's not nearly large enough to handle the crowd it draws. If you're driving, plan to arrive early or be prepared to look for street parking nearby.

All in all, it’s a top-notch spot in Valencia that delivers on food, service, and atmosphere—just don’t forget to book ahead and consider taking a cab...