La Ferrera — Restaurant in Valencia

NOTE: the menu was in Spanish and I do not speak Spanish, therefore I ordered four dishes quite randomly. This may be why I didn't find all the food to my liking!

Friendly staff, mixed thoughts on the food.

We had a very friendly host. She didn't speak much English and I do not speak much Spanish, but together we got through the process just fine.

The food, however, was hit and miss. The ensalada rusa was was superb and I wish I had their recipe so that I could recreate it at home. We also had two different types of croquettes and one of them was quite average. I'd say it was simply under seasoned. The langoustine croquettes were very tasty with the sweet chilli sauce.

The fried squid and baby octopus was the biggest disappointment. It came with some aioli/mayo but it didn't cut through the fried nature of the food. It needed some lemon wedges for squeezing over. As a result, we just had a large dish of fairly bland fried seafood. Not particularly good.

The selection of Mahou beers here was a pleasant surprise. I opted for the Radler which is very refreshing.

All in all, I think my menu selections could have been better, but I can only comment on what was put in...

Stumbling upon La Ferrera during our beachside stroll in Valencia was a holiday highlight! Despite our large group and pets, and without a reservation, they warmly welcomed us in. Situated with a mesmerising sea view, this place set the stage for an exceptional dining experience.

The service was outstanding, making us feel thoroughly attended to. We were lucky to get a last-minute chance to savor their famed Valencian paella, usually requiring 24-hour notice, and it was sensational. The starters, particularly the octopus torreznos and bravas, were delightful, setting a high bar for what followed.

The homemade desserts like the caramelized mille-feuille with custard cream, a dulce de leche tiramisu, and a standout gorgonzola cheesecake ended our meal on a high note. Highly recommend booking in advance, especially during holiday seasons, to secure a spot at this sought-after venue. La Ferrera is a must-visit for an unforgettable culinary journey...

EDIT: The food and service are back! Went back with friends over the holidays and everything is perfect again. Kudos to the staff and management of the restaurant!

This restaurant used to be one of, if not, my favorite restaurants in Valencia. But after the head chef, Chabe Soler, left the restaurant, everything seems to be on steady decline except the view.

The paella that I always ordered tastes nothing like how it was; the place is disorganized; the toilet ran out of toilet paper, the online reservation shows the restaurant is closed when it was open; and many familiar faces in the service crew are not seen around anymore too.

I'm not sure what's going on internally. But I hope the management will pull itself together. The restaurant still offers a great view at a great location. I'd like to come back for the paella if it goes back to the quality that it...