A jury of gastronomic experts chooses this dish from a selection of five tapas, in the restaurant of the Los Gómez group. The ‘torrezno de Gran Mercat’ stands out for its flavour and texture, as well as for its ability to revive the best gastronomic tradition, as well as for its simplicity too. In Spain, the tapa is not just food, but a way of life. It is a symbol of good company, pleasant conversation and the pleasure of enjoying authentic tapas. If there is one restaurant in Valencia where the culture of tapas makes sense, it is undoubtedly ‘Gran Mercat’, an establishment in the heart of the city.

Gran Mercat is an establishment belonging to the Los Gómez gastronomic group. It is in a privileged location: next to the emblematic ‘Mercat Central’ in Valencia. Throughout this summer, the establishment has launched a unique initiative, with the aim of crowning the best tapa. To do this, it has invited different gastronomic journalists to taste and evaluate a selection of tapas in order to select the best. The torrezno (slice of bacon) has been crowned as the king.

Let’s just say that the panel of judges, with experienced palates, did not have it easy. They had to choose from a selection of tapas, which included the restaurant’s iconic dishes: bravas, calamari (squid), the restaurant’s icons sautéed red prawns, ‘la oreja’ (pork ear) and the finally crowned torrezno. Specifically, the voters were Vicent Marco (Hedonista Guide), a great connoisseur of Valencian tapas; Elena Fernández (Hello Valencia), an expert in local trends; Vicente Gil (GastroTurista), a passionate gastronome; and Marta Pascual (À Punt), a journalist committed to authenticity.

And in relation to torrezno, most of them highlighted “its capacity to revive tradition”, the “crunchy texture of the meat” and “its unique flavour”, which ended up winning over the diners. “What really makes our torrezno special is the quality of the product. We work with the original recipe and, in addition, we add our ‘magic touch’, a secret of the Gómez Group”, says Irene Dávila, head chef at Gran Mercat.

The restaurant’s entire gastronomic offering is designed to represent the most emblematic Spanish gastronomy, without artifice and with honesty, because in the city centre you can also opt for quality and avoid the tourist traps. This philosophy accompanies Los Gómez in each of its businesses, since under its umbrella are brands such as ‘Los Gómez Taberna’, ‘La Picaeta’ or ‘Puerta del Mar’, with various locations in the city centre and in some of Valencia’s neighbourhoods too.

Do you know Gran Mercat?

With a terrace that offers unbeatable views of the Mercat Central de Valencia and an aesthetic that evokes the customs and manners of the 70s, this restaurant has rescued the soul of the traditional bars of days gone by. Since its opening in 2022, ‘Gran Mercat’ has set out to recover and pay tribute to traditional recipes, especially those that we should not forget.

For this reason, its menu is made up of classic and common tapas such as cuttlefish, grilled prawns or bravas; although it is also possible to enjoy rice dishes, which are offered in different versions for lunch and dinner. Under this premise, it has managed to at locals and tourists alike who are looking for an honest experience.

And now, after an intense competition between the most traditional tapas of the house, the verdict is clear: their tortilla is wonderful but the torrezno is the winner. This is a perfect excuse to visit Gran Mercat for the first time, or even revisit it to try this dish. There is attention to the classic style, with waiters in waistcoats and a good atmosphere. Their terrace is an essential meeting point in the centre of Valencia, since there is also a need for places like the ones where the most classic cuisine is praised and the art of the tapa is celebrated. That little slice of happiness that has been part of our culture for generations and whose legacy is more alive than ever.

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

GRAN MERCAT

Av. de María Cristina, 12

Ciutat Vella

46001

València,

Web: https://www.granmercatvalencia.com

/ – Instagram: @granmercat