Finally! After years in Europe, we finally found a great Mexican restaurant which can stand up against our favorites in the States. El México de María is a small, popular place on C/ Denía in Ruzafa (location), serving excellent, authentic Mexican food.

The decór is simple & charming and the staff is friendly, but we really fell in love upon the arrival of our supreme nachos. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever eaten better nachos. Fresh tortilla chips, all the ingredients which one should expect, and a generous abundance of cheese. I tried to eat with my fingers first, but quickly switched to the fork. A far cry from the heartless, microwaved “shredded cheese on Tostitos” standard at most Mexican joints in Europe.

We both ordered entrées based on a mole sauce. Mine was called The Volcano and pretty much consisted of multiple layers of tortilla and cheese, baked and then covered with sauce. It was delicious, and helped me meet my cheese quota for the next 2 months.

The margaritas, too, were phenomenal — finally a proper margarita! The last time I ordered one, at a place in Berlin, the clueless bartender dumped a spoonful of salt into the drink. I couldn’t believe it. But at María’s, they were perfect; large and fairly priced at €4,50.

There’s no menú del día special offer during the day, so you have to order off the menu. This might make the restaurant more recommendable for dinner. Prices are reasonable and the quality of the food is excellent. Highly approved.

C/ Denia nº20
46006, VALENCIA
Tel: 96 332 80 78
Location on our Valencia Map

-Valencia’s Roman Origins

Near Ángel Guimera metro station is one of Valencia’s few authentic Peruvian restaurants, La Totorita.

Peruvian cuisine is one of the most varied and highly praised in the world, thanks to a unique blend of Incan and European heritages. Native foods like quinoa and yuca root combine with traditionally Western foods to provide meals that simultaneously feel novel and comforting.

We had a great experience at Totorita — a small, family run place on Calle Calixto III (location). We both loved the yuca fried up like potato wedges, and our meals were excellent. After eating, we stayed to enjoy coca mate tea, which actually contains cocaine! It’s not enough to get you high, but it is enough to be banned in the States, which was sufficient reason for me to give it a try.

Spain really benefits from the infusion of South American culture brought by its immigrants. XXX is a great and highly recommended restaurant for menú del día.

La Totorita
C/ Calixto III 35
46008 Valencia

963 231 281‎

Location on our Valencia Map

-Fireworks – Engraellat at Almirante Cardoso

Looking for something a little different than paella and bravas, we decided to check out La Lluna — a vegetarian restaurant near the Pl. de Mossen Sorell in Carmen (location).

La Lluna is small, and offers a non-smoking eating area in the downstairs. The menu is completely vegetarian and all-natural, and everything we had was delicious.

Although it was a Wednesday, every table in the restaurant was occupied — owing perhaps as much to the quality of the food as the excellent value. The menú del día gets you a soup, two plates and dessert for just €7,50. Drinks were extra, but we still ended up paying just €9 per person.

And the food really is fresh and natural. I decided to sample the selection of juices, and almost spit out my first gulp as I realized that the “Lemon Juice” I ordered was exactly that. Maybe it’s the American in me, but I expect my juices to be sugary, watered-down approximations of the fruit they claim to contain! I’ve never drank a glass full of actual lemon juice, and I think I liked it. I think.

La Lluna is currently on its summer schedule, closed from August 14th until September. But when it re-opens, make sure to check it out!

La Lluna – Restaurante Vegetariano
San Ramón 23
46003 Valencia
963 922 146
Location on our Valencia Map

- Great Place to watch Flamenco in Valencia