
Recognized for its seashores and laid-back rhythm, Valencia has quietly emerged as a pressure in Spain’s espresso scene. Then two years away, we’re again with extra cafés significance visiting within the coastal town.
BY ISABELLE MANI
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Featured picture via Chimo Garcia-Menacho de Vargas, courtesy of Valencia is Espresso
Mixing native attraction with world affect—and a crowd that values stability over buzz—Valencia’s cafés mirror a espresso scene nonetheless taking condition: unpretentious, considerate, and inviting. We presented four coffee shops in the coastal city back in 2023, and lately, we’re again to spotlight extra spots significance visiting.
Exploring Valencia unwanted, with native espresso execs, or even with households gave me a layered sense of the way espresso suits into day-to-day time right here. Fernanda Cascione, a chum of mine who moved to Valencia lower than a yr in the past from Santos, Brazil, works in promoting and is the mummy of a full of life 3-year-old—and she or he shared her ideas at the town’s specialty-coffee scene with me. “I love coming to cafés with my family—and sometimes on my own, too. Cafés here are easygoing, welcoming to families, with lots of outdoor seating and full of personality,” she says.
Valencia Is Coffee, the town’s detached specialty-coffee pageant, drew round 1,500 attendees over its two days this while June: double the turnout of its inaugural version in 2024. In step with a town espresso map curated by the festival, there are actually 90 uniqueness cafés around the town—a 20% build up in only one yr. For a town of underneath 800,000 citizens, the place maximum cafés nonetheless related for siesta and ceaselessly wrap up via 6 p.m., the espresso store way of life has obviously change into a part of many other folks’ day-to-day rhythm.
Alfajores and Argentinian Affect at the Town

One of the crucial best possible surprises all through my consult with to Valencia used to be recognizing alfajores—dulce de leche–stuffed Argentine cookies that occur to be one in all my favourite goodies—in café then café. (And bonus issues for the occasional empanada.)
Incessantly dusted with coconut, alfajores mirror the flow of Argentinian immigration that helped condition portions of Valencia’s cultural and culinary terrain then the 2001 financial emergency. Some cafés additionally handover yerba mate and conventional cuías: a quitness nod to this enduring connection.
3 Espresso Retail outlets to Take a look at Out in Valencia, Spain
It’s by no means reasonably honest to call the “best” cafés in a town—espresso is private, and discovery is a part of the enjoyment. However for curious guests and specialty-coffee fanatics, right here’s a little, up to date information to Valencia’s rising scene.

A little kiosk similar the pretty Mercado Central, Information & Espresso is strictly the type of spot I search for once I’m exploring a town. I choose sitting outdoor every time I will be able to, and because the Mediterranean summer time began to clash, I ended via for a chilly latte and browse one of the vital many indie zines to be had.
The kiosk is a little cultural gem on the subject of revealed magazines: You’ll in finding native titles along world ones like SOLO, Relatives, and Apartamento. It’s a handy guide a rough prohibit with persona, and a window into Valencia’s ingenious aspect.


“News and Coffee has been bringing back to life a piece of our cities which little by little has been disappearing: the newsstand,” the store writes on their website. “We wanted to show that it doesn’t have to (disappear), and that by giving the idea care and passion, it was possible for it to find a new place in our daily lives.”

Situated within the full of life group of Ruzafa, Off Series Café blends a powerful focal point on sustainability with admirable espresso and a considerate menu. The field feels lived-in and eclectic, with antique furnishings and a vinyl assortment environment the temper.


Once I visited, I had a clear out espresso from native roaster Rebeldes, and I liked the menu, which drew inspiration from cultures around the globe and featured must-try pieces just like the miso-honey butter toast. The café additionally ceaselessly hosts cultural happenings like closed-door dinner occasions, DJ units, and art exhibitions, including to its id as a blind hub for locals and creatives.

Situated similar the College of Valencia branch, Retrogusto Coffeemates is a compact field with a rotating number of uniqueness coffees and a low-key, welcoming state. The store ceaselessly hosts cuppings and crowd occasions, and the workforce favors seasonal coffees with blank profiles. I attempted their space cold brew with a twist of orange peel and cardamom—refreshing, layered, and good for the early summer time warmth.
Particular Mentions
You probably have remaining moment life visiting Valencia, underneath are a couple of extra espresso retail outlets significance trying out.
Los Picos (Ruzafa group): Herbal wine meets uniqueness espresso on this ingenious native favourite, with a powerful following and laid-back vibe.
Borja Coffee (Benimaclet group): A real crowd café recognized for forged coffee, just right track, and a devoted native community.
Clem Café (Ruzafa group): Female, floral, and playful, this spot is a comfy hangout with stunning internal, must-try matcha lattes, and a full of life community.
Be aware: Maximum uniqueness cafés in Valencia related via 6 p.m., recess all through siesta hours, and are typically closed one hour a month. You’ll want to test working hours ahead of visiting a espresso store.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabelle Mani (she/her) is a scribbler, journalist, and communicator focusing on the world espresso trade. Since 2017, she has desirous about writing articles and contours for diverse world espresso information shops. Isabelle has traveled to coffee-producing nations comparable to Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, China, and Brazil to check and analysis espresso. She holds coaching certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (Arabica Q Grading).
Subscribe and Extra!
As at all times, you’ll learn Barista Booklet in paper via subscribing or ordering an issue.
Learn the June + July 2025 Factor for isolated with our digital edition.
For isolated get entry to to greater than 5 years’ significance of problems, consult with our digital edition archives here.
Escape from it all while still enjoying the comforts of home. Discover Expedia's array of vacation rental options—from cozy city apartments to picturesque beachfront villas.
Source link