The first establishment of ‘Grupo Gastro Trinquet’ adds a new milestone to its trajectory, by being included in the hitherto category of recommended restaurants, given its commitment to Valencian gastronomy and identity. The recognition of Pelayo adds to other achievements obtained by the Valencian hotel group, such as the Repsol Solete and the Cacau d’Or of Casa Baldo in 2024, or the award for the Best Tapa of the Valencian Community 2025 in Pelayo. The restaurant’s dining room has a sculptural wooden ensemble, which is the work of fallero artist Manolo García.

The popular restaurant Pelayo, belonging to Grupo Gastro Trinquet, has been included as a Repsol Restaurant, within the new edition of the Guide for 2026. This category is equivalent to what was previously known as ‘recommended restaurants,’ which changes its name as of this year. In this way, the national publication recognizes its commitment to Valencian gastronomy, as well as the defense of the identity and customs that make it possible, adding another milestone to the first concept of the local gastronomic group. Pelayo thus enters the list of 1,605 Repsol Restaurants, spread throughout Spain and Andorra – an unprecedented territorial expansion as well – which in this edition has been increased with 242 new additions.

The complete list of Soles and Repsol Restaurants was announced on Monday, February 16, after the gala held at the Tarragona Trade Fair and Congress Palace. As the organization itself points out, the Repsol Guide Restaurants are characterized by “the warmth that is contagious and the cuisine with heart, which is felt in dishes and tapas. That restaurant in which the loyalty of the clientele and the sincere product foreshadow a pleasant experience, which is complemented by a simple but adequate wine selection,” qualities that the reputed publication has taken into consideration when recognizing Pelayo. It should be remembered that the national guide has been published since 1979, and already has 70 inspectors.

“For Pelayo, for Gastro Trinquet and personally for me, this is a very important recognition,” says executive chef Pablo Margós, who is in charge of the kitchen of all the group’s establishments: “Being a Repsol Restaurant means belonging to one of the most prestigious guides in Spain. It is an award for the entire kitchen team, the dining room team, the dishwashing team, and, above all, it is an award for Chimo Faubell, our head chef, and also for his second chefs, who are there with him through thick and thin.” Of course, Margós has also emphasized the relevance of the achievement for the Grupo Gastro Trinquet as a whole, “since it reaffirms us in the path we wanted: that the diner knows Valencian cuisine through our proposal. We hope that more will come in the future,” he confides.

The aforementioned Chimo Faubell, Pelayo’s head chef, also expressed “great excitement” at the inclusion in the Repsol Guide. “We are very, very happy, because it is a recognition of the effort of a long time and many people. Without each and every one of us who work here, this would not be possible,” he insisted.

Philosophy and cuisine: the Valencian character of Pelayo

The opening of Pelayo marked the starting point of Grupo Gastro Trinquet. The restaurant is located in the iconic Trinquet de Pelayo, opened in 1868, and considered the oldest active covered sports venue in Europe. In 2017, the group took on the challenge of bringing this space back to life, integrating into its anteroom a gastronomic proposal that paid homage to its historical and cultural legacy. Since then, tradition, gastronomy, culture and sport coexist in the same place, turning Pelayo into a meeting point for Valencians and visitors alike.

The menu focuses on local products and the reinterpretation of traditional Valencian preparations. Highlights include its rice dishes, both dry and creamy, and dishes so typical of the terreta as titaina marinera or pilota de puchero a la brasa. In the sweet section, current versions of Valencian desserts complete a gastronomic experience that connects roots and innovation. This recognition by the Repsol Guide endorses a proposal that respects the essence of the Valencian recipe book, without renouncing a contemporary vision, by young chefs who are proud of their roots.

Identity, design and recognitions of the group

Pelayo not only stands out for its gastronomic proposal, but also for its strong commitment to design and local talent. The sculptural wooden ensemble that presides over the salon, the work of fallero artist Manolo García, and the Manises ceramic murals created by the Gimeno family, which exalt the figure of Paco Cabanes ‘El Genovés’, reinforce the identity of the space. Grupo Gastro Trinquet’s commitment to supporting Valencian design in all its disciplines – architecture, interior design, furniture design, illustration, fallero art or ceramics – was recognized with the Design Award, granted by Hostelería de Valencia, in October 2024.

The recognition of Pelayo adds to other historical milestones of the gastronomic group. Casa Baldo 1915, the latest restaurant to be inaugurated, was distinguished with a Repsol Solete a year after its opening. Also in 2024, Casa Baldo 1915 received the Cacau d’Or Award for Best Esmorzar for its country chicken thigh sandwich, Iberian sobrasada omelet, brie cheese and orange blossom honey aioli, chosen from more than 200 proposals. Last year, Pelayo won the Tapas d’Ací award for the Best Tapa in the Valencian Community, with the Albufera de València bunyol, a reinterpretation of the classic all i pebre, which highlights one of the most indigenous products of the region.

The Bunyol de l’Albufera de València, the best tapa in the Comunitat 2025, is offered at Pelayo

Thus, this latest recognition of Pelayo by Guía Repsol reaffirms not only the quality offering of the Valencian restaurant, but also the solid trajectory of Grupo Gastro Trinquet, which will continue its gastronomic ascent in Valencia. Some new developments are expected this year, which could bring the firm closer to the city’s neighbourhoods, with proposals that will follow the same line that has been worked on to date.

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

Restaurante Pelayo Gastro Trinquet

Calle Pelayo, 6

46007 Valencia

963514156

Sunday to Thursday

9:30 AM – 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM – 12:30 AM

Friday and Saturday

9:30 AM-00:30 AM

Web: https://grupogastrotrinquet.com/restaurantes/pelayo

Instagram: @pelayogastrotrinquet