With an already established location in the seaside area, the Valencian firm is moving closer to the city centre, opening a larger space focused on Mediterranean cuisine. Sharing plates, grilled meats and fish, and paellas cooked in a traditional Valencian dish are the main offerings of a restaurant that also offers a daily set menu at a competitive price. The Valencian countryside as a defining element of Valencia, and the barraca (traditional Valencian farmhouse) as one of its symbols. With the aim of bringing the Valencian countryside to the city centre, ‘La Barraquita’ is opening its second restaurant in the Avenida  Aragon zone, following its established presence by the sea in La Marina de Valencia. Specifically, the new establishment is located at Plaza Periodista Ros Belda, 6, on the corner of Calle Antonio Suárez, in what is considered the Mestalla neighborhood, one of the most vibrant gastronomic areas. In this sense, La Barraquita clearly aims to position itself as the place to enjoy lunch or dinner with friends and family, focusing on classic Mediterranean cuisine.

Uncomplicated, yet honest: at La Barraquita, you can enjoy tapas to share, grilled meats and fish, or paella cooked in a llanda (a traditional Valencian rice dish). The restaurant features Valencian recipes, as the brand champions the essence of local ingredients and recipes. In the words of José Vicent, the restaurant’s manager, the new establishment was created with the goal of “bringing our identity and offerings to a much wider audience. We’re not trying to stand out with a highly original menu, but rather to do what we’ve always done, but well-executed and even better served.” That’s why the restaurant will also offer a simple menu for local workers at a very competitive price (€17.50 per person), which will include several appetizers to share, a main course, and a dessert, all in keeping with their cuisine and seasonal offerings.

This is La Barraquita’s second location in Valencia. Since May 2023, La Barraquita Beach has established itself as one of the leading restaurants in the city’s seaside area. Located at Camí del Canal, 91, it is very popular during the spring and summer months, when the good weather draws diners to the shore. Proud of the success of his first restaurant, José Vicent decided to move La Barraquita closer to the city centre to reach new customers: “We have more and more people visiting and returning. That’s why we thought about opening near the centre, and then this opportunity suddenly arose in the Aragón area. We’re very excited, and we hope this growth is just the beginning of new projects for the future.”

What’s on the menu at La Barraquita?

The Valencian restaurant’s cuisine is designed to be enjoyed in company, whether with family or friends, sharing dishes to share. That’s why the menu is divided into two sections: one for starting with a few small dishes, and another focused on grilled dishes, where meats and fish take centre stage.

Highlights include the spicy potato waffle and classic croquettes, such as the Iberian ham and the spider crab and red prawn croquettes, which perfectly encapsulate the restaurant’s cuisine: traditional tapas with a modern twist. Examples of this include the homemade ravioli with pancetta and porcini mushrooms, or the version of the fartón (a type of pastry) with Camembert cheese, sobrasada (a type of cured sausage), and caramelized onions. Furthermore, for more substantial dishes cooked on the grill, La Barraquita boasts its one-kilo aged beef ribeye steak with fried bonito and caramelized peppers. When it comes to rice dishes, La Barraquita is committed to cooking them in a llanda (a traditional Asturian dish), such as the Senyoret rice, a popular choice at their seaside location, which can now be enjoyed at their Mestalla neighborhood restaurant.

The Senyoret rice cooked in a llanda and the bravo potato waffles are two of the restaurant’s most enticing offerings. ‘La Barraquita’ is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with varying hours. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, lunch is served between 1 pm and 5 pm; On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, La Barraquita maintains its regular lunch hours and also serves dinner from 8 pm to 1 am. On Sundays, it reopens for lunch from 12 pm to 5 pm. The new La Barraquita location in the Mestalla neighborhood also reflects this relaxed and open culinary philosophy, in a bright and airy setting with a distinctly Mediterranean-inspired décor. Large windows connect the interior with the exterior, creating a sense of spaciousness and warmth.

So, here at ‘La Barraquita’ diners can enjoy familiar flavours with a contemporary twist… remembering that the essence of Valencian cuisine lies in its simplicity.

 Report by Will McCarthy

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’