The Best Spanish Cities for Paella
Spain is a great country to visit and if you love your Spanish food then you’ll probably be a fan of Paella. Paella is a delicious medley of ingredients and has become one of the most popular dishes found throughout Spain.
When traveling to Spain it’s always nice to visit some smaller cities that still boast some amazing Spanish cooking, but where can you find the best Paella in Spain?
Today we’ll be sharing the top Spanish cities for Paella in Spain, so you can get the most out of your food experience while on holiday.
What Is Spanish Paella?
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If you’re wondering What is Paella? then it helps to understand a few key ingredients first. Paella is a combination of rice, vegetables, meat and seafood cooked in a pot. It’s believed that Valencia was the original home of Paella but now it can be found throughout Spain.
Now we will share the best places to buy Paella in Spain, according to a study by Spain-Holiday. If you’re not drooling yet, you will once we’ve shared with you the best cities for Paella in Spain.
The Best Cities for Spanish Paella
If you’re looking to find some amazing paella dishes then some of the best cities to visit are hands down Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Alicante and Valencia. Each of these cities boast some amazing restaurants that specialize in this dish.
Best Paella in Valencia
The most popular Spanish city for Paella is by far Valencia.
Valencia still boasts the original version of this dish that consists of chicken, rabbit meat and vegetables such as red peppers, artichokes and green beans.
Valencia has been the International Paella Competition Winner over 15 times and is still the home of this amazing dish. Whilst there, you’ll be sure to find some great paella restaurants that serve up their traditional version of the dish. Valencia has over 49 restaurants with a 4.9 Rating or higher for Paella.
After dining out in Valencia you can enjoy the city by taking a walk along its beautiful beaches and take in the amazing scenery of this coastal city.
Best Paella in Barcelona
Barcelona is known for its great tapas dishes but Paella is also very popular here as well. You’ll find some great restaurants that specialize in serving up their own version of Paella with modern twists including the super popular restaurant La Paella De Su, which serves many different variates of Paella.
Barcelona is popular for it’s amazing architecture. You can visit Barcelona, explore the amazing architecture of Gaudi and other great iconic buildings and then end your day dining out on popular Spanish dishes.
Barcelona has 32 restaurants with a 4.5 star rating for Paella and over 62,000 reviews. No matter where you stay in Barcelona, yo’ll be sure to find a mouthwatering Paella dish packed with flavor and the best ingredients.
Best Paella in Seville
Seville is a great city to visit for people who love Spanish cuisine and especially fans of Paella. Here you’ll find some amazing restaurants that specialize in serving up traditional Paella. Try out the famous La Paella Sevilla, which is just a few streets away from one of the famous Seville Museum of Fine Arts.
With over 24 4.5 star ratings and 37500 reviews, Seville is one place you’ll want to visit for the best food Spain has to offer.
Best Paella in Madrid
Madrid is home to some amazing restaurants that specialize in paella but if you’re looking for something a little bit different then why not try La Paella De Las Siete.
This restaurant serves a special seven vegetable paella that is delicious and unique to Madrid. After you’ve filled up on some amazing Spanish food, be sure to visit the Prado Museum or take a stroll in El Retiro Park.
Is Paella Better in Madrid or Barcelona?
It’s difficult to say which city makes the best paella as it generally depends on personal preference. Madrid is known for its traditional version of paella, whereas Barcelona has some unique modern twists that make it stand out from the crowd. However Madrid is the second most popular place for Paella in Spain and once won the International Paella Competition on one occasion.
Best Paella in Alicante
Alicante is known for its vegetable paella which includes mushrooms, bell peppers and tomatoes. Alicante is a great holiday destination and after dining out on some delicious Spanish cuisine you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and historic old town.
Alicante has 34 restaurants with a 4.5 star rating for Paella and over 27,000 reviews so there’s plenty to choose from!
Best Paella in Malaga
Malaga is another great city to visit in Spain if you’re a fan of delicious seafood paellas.
Malaga is known as a great hot spot for serving up seafood paella which includes mussels, squid and prawns. With over 48 restaurants with a 4.5 star rating for Paella and close to 55,000 reviews, you’re sure to find something that will please your taste buds in Malaga.
After dining out you can visit the famous Picasso Museum or take a walk along its beautiful beaches, to enjoy some of the best views that Malaga has to offer.
What to Eat With Paella?
Paella is usually served with a side dish or salad. Popular choices include an ensalada mixta (mixed greens), calamares (fried squid) and albondigas (meatballs).
The sides can vary from region to region, but these will usually be some of the most popular options.
Whether you’re having a chicken Paella, a seafood Paella or another type of Spanish Paella, these sides will go perfectly with your meal.
- Mixed Greens
- Calamares
- Albondigas
- Spanish Tortilla
- Patatas Bravas
- Garlic Bread
- Jamón Serrano (cured ham)
No matter what type of side dish or salad you choose, make sure to enjoy it with a good glass of Spanish Red Wine! There is nothing better than the combination of great food and wine.
Enjoy Paella in Spain
Traveling to Spain is always an exciting adventure and exploring the different types of cuisine should definitely be on your list. Paella is a great dish that you can find throughout the country and each region has its own unique version.
If you’re looking for some amazing paella dishes then make sure to visit Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Alicante and Valencia. You’ll be sure to find some delicious paella in these cities!
Happy eating!
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