If you’ve been to Spain before, you know they’re famous for their notoriously late meals. Lunch isn’t until 2pm. Dinner can be as late as 9 or even 10pm (which can be rough if you, like me, are a foodie with a bedtime).
But in Valencia, there’s a foodie tradition that fixes the meal-time problem—in the most delicious way possible.
What is esmorzaret?
This tradition began years ago, when Spaniards who worked in the fields near Valencia—cultivating tiger nuts for horchata, rice for paella, oranges for fresh-squeezed zumo de naranja—got hungry.
Since they would start working at sunrise and have only a small breakfast before starting the work day, around 9 o’clock their stomachs would start growling. So they’d take a break, wander down to the local bar, and order an energizing “brunch” to hold them off until lunch.
That famous “brunch” is called esmorzaret, a word that comes from Valenciano (a regional variety of the Catalan language). Directly translated, it means breakfast. But it’s technically the meal in between breakfast and lunch.
The Four-Part Valencian Brunch
And this isn’t just any meal. It’s a hearty, filling, and very social experience. A typical Valencian esmorzaret has four components:
The picoteo (pre-meal appetizers): Typically olives (of course!) and peanuts.
The drink: Traditionally, it was a caña (beer) or vi amb llimonà (wine with soda). But today esmorzaret can be enjoyed with or without alcohol.
El bocadillo (the sandwich): Spain knows how to do sandwiches. You’ll find delicious combinations like pork chops, bacon, and cheese, traditional tortilla de patata sandwiches, or seafood sandwiches.
El café (the coffee): To finish this hearty meal and get ready to go back to work, a coffee.
Where to Experience Esmorzaret in Valencia
As I was planning my trip to Valencia, I was intrigued by this foodie tradition and knew I had to try it. There are a lot of spots in Valencia that offer esmorzaret, but after a bit of research, I found one of the best ones…
Bodega La Pascuala
At this traditional esmorzaret diner in Valencia’s El Cabanyal neighborhood, they don’t mess around. Here, you either end up full or really full (not my words, but theirs). And after experiencing it myself, it’s the truth.
We wandered into Bodega La Pascuala around 9:30 on a Thursday morning and it was already full—and there wasn’t a tourist in sight. This spot is filled with locals who still come during their work break to enjoy a filling bocadillo (sandwich).
Speaking of bocadillos, they have 32 sandwiches on the menu, and they are HUGE. They come in either half or whole portions—but trust me, you only need the half. The half sandwich is a foot long, and it’s packed to the brim. (Unfortunately, we didn’t see anyone order the whole sandwich, but I can only imagine it’s a beast.)
The “Pepe” Bocadillo
Flavorful marinated pork loin, bacon, a few slices of cheese, crispy french fries and mayonnaise inside a huge baguette. That was my choice, and it was fantastic.
Pork, bacon, and cheese is a classic Spanish bocadillo combo that I fell in love with years ago when I lived in Spain. And french fries inside a sandwich? YES, please. This bocadillo does not disappoint.
The “Elenca” Bocadillo
This one is a twist on the classic tortilla de patata sandwich. It’s got the traditional potato omelet, but with bacon, cheese, and garlic oil mixed in. It’s juicy and packed with flavor, and definitely filling.
My husband, who loves eggs and all things breakfast food, was in foodie heaven.
Other Sandwich Options You Might Like:
The menu can be a little overwhelming if you’re new to bocadillos. Here are a few that caught my eye that you might enjoy:
El Bravero—Pork tenderloin, baked potatoes, poached onion, special “El Bravero” sauce. (You know I love house sauces, so this one was tempting).
Calamares—Madrid’s famous squid sandwich, with alioli (garlic mayo) of course.
David—Grilled sobrassada (soft, spreadable sausage meat), chicken breast, fried onions and honey.
➡️ Check out the full menu in English here.
A 9€ Foodie Experience You’ll Never Forget
Less than 10 euros? Yep. At Bodega La Pascuala, you’ll get the entire esmorzaret experience for just 9€ per person. Their esmorzaret menu deal comes with the olive and peanut appetizers, a drink, and a sandwich—all for just 9€ (if you want coffee, it’s 9.50€).
And if you get your sandwich to go, it’s even cheaper.
Really, does it get any better than that?
Didn’t finish your sandwich? (We didn’t either.) You can ask for aluminum foil to wrap your sandwich and take it to go. They also have a roll at the cash register, where you’ll pay before you leave.
Things to Do in Valencia, Spain
A bike tour of Valencia’s city center! One of the best things to do on your first day in a new city is a bike tour. Valencia is a very bikeable city—you’ll love riding through Turia Garden, the biggest and most famous park in the city! You can rent a bike on your own here or do a guided tour like this one.
Take a day trip to Montanejos hot springs! Just about 1.5 hours outside of Valencia, there’s an absolutely amazing lagoon with waterfalls, turquoise water, and incredible landscapes. It’s called Fuente de los Baños, and it’s a must-see if you’re near Valencia. You can rent a car and visit on your own or do a day-trip tour like this one.
Enjoy Valencia’s beaches! One of Valencia’s biggest beaches, Cabanyal Beach is just a 5-minute walk from Bodega La Pascuala. Grab your swimsuit and your sandwich leftovers and enjoy the sand, sun, and fun.
Take a day trip to Cala del Moraig! This stunning beach cove is the perfect spot to swim, snorkel, and hike through the sea caves. This tour from Valencia takes you on a stunning panoramic coastal hike over this picturesque beach.
Visit Valencia’s famous Hemisfèric & Science Museum. Those cool, dome shaped buildings surrounded by water that you’ll see in all the Valencia photos? They’re actually museums! Get your tickets here.