We knew we had to go here when our friend, who is a native Valencian, recommended this spot and even called it "the best Paella in Valencia". The biggest snafu that we ran into was that we assumed that this place did not require reservations. We quickly learned that we were not the only ones who knew about this jem and we had not made reservations. We tested our luck and got to the restaurant early so that we would be there right when it opened. There was a small line of people who had the same idea, but to our delight, they had a handful of tables that were not reserved and we got one of them.
We were seated inside which had a slightly dated style but was clean and upscale. We were dressed nicely - a casual cotton dress and my husband wore khaki shorts and a button down shirt. They did let people in who were dressed more for the beach but those people did stick out quite a bit and the servers did not seem happy about it.
The menu has an English section which made ordering easy. We went with a traditional Valencian tapa of esgarret and we were also given slices of garlic bread. We really liked the house red wine, Sericis and ordered a bottle. We chose the mixta paella rather then the traditional Valencian paella since I am not a fan of rabbit. All of the food was absolutely delicious and there was more than enough of it. Our friend was right, best paella we had in Valencia!
Had a fantastic meal here for lunch on American Thanksgiving Day. Paella Pepica, sangria, jamon y queso, calamari, cappuccino, bailey's tarte and tiramisu - todo maravilloso! We especially loved the paella, the fish flaked perfectly and the seasoning was perfection. The cappuccino was creamy and needed no sweetener. We recommend!
Items Selected:
Toasted Bread with Tomatoes and Garlic Butter
Jamon de Iberico Croquettas
Paella Pepica with Shrimp, Mussels, Squid, Octopus and Cod
Apple Pudding Cake with Sherry and Raisins
Turron with Espresso Sauce, Whipped Cream and Raisin
Known as the birthplace of Paella, every local or tourist in the region seemingly with an opinion regarding which Restaurant serves the best pan of Rice in town, it seemed only appropriate that even as a solo diner the dish should be sought out during a brief stay in Valencia, the hotel's concierge well-utilized in making a reservation nearly a month in advance for a sought after table on the outdoor patio of La Pepicia.
Favored by the likes of royals, writers and artists for both the location as well as the history, a sprawling space of more than 400 seats looking onto Playa Malvarrosa since 1898, La Pepica serves diners from 13h00 until 17h00 seven days a week with dinner service added on Fridays and Saturdays, parking near Paseo Neptuno limited thanks to beach access and nearby competition, though an underground garage about two-hundred meters inland is available for just under €3.50/hr.
Sprawling in its layout with servers buzzing about, patrons arriving from the beach frequently walk-ins and thus relegated to an indoor seat beneath sky-blue walls, old photographs and tile murals, those with the foresight to book in advance will typically approach La Pepica from the opposite side where doors are flanked by a bar adjacent the enormous open kitchen, more than a dozen cooks maneuvering pans of various sizes filled with no less than a dozen combinations of Saffron, Starch, Protein and Produce.
No doubt a tourist-friendly sort of place, at least a quarter of the diners plainly heard speaking English to bow-tied waiters who are fluent, it is after seating that guests are invited to peruse a sizable carte of Starters, Entrees and Desserts in addition to the restaurant's signature, the €28.50 per person Tasting Menu a perfect choice with Bread, one Appetizer, one Dessert plus a pan of Rice typically meant for two easily accommodated for even single diners.
Said to have adapted much of its menu based on the likes and dislikes of famous guests of the past, the eponymous Paella of peeled Seafood originally created as an alternative to tradition in order to prevent the rice from becoming "dirty," it was with a basket of toasted Bread paired to crushed Tomatoes and Garlic Aioli that the meal began, a follow-up of eight Croquettas filled with Bechamel and Iberico initially raising eyebrows as relates to portion sizes, though the crispy exterior and creamy insides quickly saw them made short work of as sounds of the tide rumbled in the distance.
Arriving shortly after the restaurant's opening, the space subsequently filling to capacity over the course of perhaps 45-mintues, it was just past 13h35 that the first Paella emerged from the kitchen followed by a second, the third landing on a two top and nearly filling it to capacity with steam still rising and edges still sizzling, the first spoonful going from center to edge collecting Shrimp, Fish and Squid plus a generous bit of the crisp and salty Socarrat.
No doubt a lot of food, the minimum portion for two still offered as a matter of feasibility despite only being charged for one tasting, it was with good speed that nearly all of the tender rice was enjoyed with a focus on the edges and fresh chunks of Seafood, a few spoonfuls sent back in order to preserve stomach capacity for later, though the two-sided Dessert card immediately rendered that idea moot, the more expensive Turron Sundae with Espresso Sauce, Whipped Cream and Raisin texturally wonderful and counted as part of the tasting with a €4.95 wedge of Apple Bread Pudding added on proving equally compelling beneath a warm sauce of Butter and reduced Sherry.
A step into history and a great meal at the same time. With Hemingway and Orson Welles on the wall, it's obvious Pepica has stood the test of time. And considering the service and the meal, it's clear why. We had a delicious salad, a cheese plate and Paella Pepica. Bottle of rosé. Of course my companion was the best part, but that's the way it should be. We opened and closed the restaurant. Viva la Pepica!
Food: 4.0/5.0
Service: 2.0/5.0
Value: 3.0/5.0
Decor: 3.0/5.0
Overall: 3.5/5.0
I am kind of shocked that Pepica's average rating as of June 2016 is only 3.5 stars. Glancing at past bad reviews, my [admittedly arbitrary] guess is that those reviewers either caught the restaurants on really bad days, showed up completely uneducated about what to order/expect, or are literally talking about a different restaurant/making sh*t up as some other reviewers accused.
First, there are usually 1-2 waiters who speak some amount of English, so yes you'll have trouble getting access to them if the restaurant is really busy (which unfortunately it constantly is outside of perhaps opening time). You're in Spain - you need to some serious inner reflection time if you think staff members' fluency of a non-local language should be key to your assessment of a restaurant. Second, the menu literally comes in 10 different languages. Order a starter or two and the paella marinera (seafood paella)... which is technically seafood rice and not a paella per se for you nit pickers. The stuff is also supposed to be a bit salty - get over it.
The paella was quite good, but the quantity left a bit to be desired. We were a hungry group of four and felt like a pan for four contained a bit less than two pans for two -- we could have just tried two different paellas instead.
Pepica feels like it could totally be tourist trappy, as it sits right on the beach and passersby will stop to glance at an open menu on the boardwalk. But a tourist trap this is not. A reservation is going to be important especially during peak times. The website asks you to book two days ahead, though I was able to book the day before by calling.
Our cab driver recommended this place for paella when we arrived by train. We were looking for a spot on the beach and were able to snag a table right as they opened for lunch at 1pm. The restaurant was completely packed on the patio by 1:30, however there was a lot of room inside. I would recommend getting a RSVP a couple days in advance.
We had the patatas bravas, paella pepica (traditional seafood), bread and a bottle of vino blanco. Overall, I would rate the overall experience a 4.5*, food 4.5*, the service was 5* and the ambiance was 5*. I would agree with some other reviews that the paella was a little salty, but we didn't mind it. Also, it took at least 30 minutes for the paella to come out, so I believe that the paella is cooked fresh and not frozen. The weather was amazing in October and a patio in Valencia is a must.
All in all, the history of this restaurant and food were worth the price of admission. While it was the most expensive meal we had during our trip to Spain ($62 Euro - traveled to Barcelona & Valencia), we did not feel like it was overrated or overpriced.
Excellent Paella! Probabbly the best one I out here. The garlic bread with butter and tomato / olive oil is also delicious.
After multiple disappointments tasting Paella at an assortment of touted restaurants in Valencia central, we decided to taxi out to the Marina to try the version at La Pepica. I pre-empted our visit by ordering Paella Negro, made with squid ink, ahead of our luncheon.
The decor is old school Valencia in the cavernous space, but with a pleasant view of the beach. The Matre D acknowledged our reservation and graciously sat us at a nice table with view of the Mediterranean. Surrounded by local families all speaking Spanish, we were encouraged after reading that La Pepica might be a tourist trap. This was no tourist trap on a December 31st afternoon. It was fun watching Valencians of all ages celebrate the impending new year. After perusing the extensive menu in English, we ordered a white Ribera, salads and awaited the quintessential black pan of Paella. After a short wait, the Paella arrived with a flourish and we dove into the best Paella ever.
I asked for the bill, and for approximately $70 for two including wine, salad, dessert and bread, paid with a smile. As we left, the charming Matre D thanked us for coming. Arm and arm, we strolled down the beach's promenade knowing we had experienced a taste of authentic Valencia.
After enjoying a delicous paella meal and reading the yelp reviews for La Pepica I can't help but wonder if they ate at the wrong place or I did. I guess I didn't because the plates are stamped as you can see in these pictures so clearly these other reviews are for a different place or maybe just fake reviews from competitors. Believe the travel guides and locals alike when they tell you if you that if you want the best paella come here. Excellent service and delicious food at prices worthy of a fine dining world famous institution. Believe the hype.
We try to stay away from tourist trap like places, such as restaurants on the beach front, as most of them tend to be disappointing. La Pepica did not disappoint.
We entered from the street side, and to get to the dining hall, you see huge pans of paella being made. The aroma of the food put us in a spell and we couldn't wait to feed our stomachs. We visited on a Sunday for lunch, which locals tell us is the traditional day to feast on this delight. It was only 1pm (opening time) and many of the patrons who had lined up already had reservations in the coveted areas outside overlooking the beachside. We didnt call ahead, but we were seated promptly and without hesitation.
The menu offers a variety of seafood, but the prime star is the paella. They offer the traditional Valencia paella which consists of chicken and rabbit as well as other versions. We opted for the Paella pepica and as a recommendation from a local friend that we had, we asked for the bottom to be a little burnt.
For starters, We ordered the mussels that were bathed in a lemon sauce that tasted wonderful with the toasted garlic bread. Paella can take anywhere from 30-40 min to prepare, so patience is key. The paella was so flavorful and the slightly burnt part of the bottom
Of the pan was our favorite! It added more flavor. We were too full for any dessert but our dining experience here was fabulous.
The inside decor is nice and this place is said to be about a century old. Look around at the various pictures posted as well as one of the walls dedicated to Ernest Hemingway, who is said to have come here quite
I was skeptical of coming here because the reviews were very mixed, but I am glad we did. Our Service and food were amazing. Definitely recommend if you are in the beach area and wanting to try paella.
Excellent paella! Most definitely worth the price! The ambiance in the outdoor area was phenomenal, and the waiters were very attentive.
I had a fun morning at the beach and have been looking forward to having lunch at La Pepica. They were supposed to open by 1pm so I was there but the doors were still closed. The chef was still taking a smoke break. I'm on vacation...in Valencia...on a beach - so no worries since the best paella in the world comes from Valencia. This was one of Hemingway's favorite restaurants.
Sure enough I was the first diner of the day and one of the servers was singing to me as he was opening the door to let me in. It smelled delicious already as soon as I walked in. Every single person that works here is very friendly. My server was great!
I had a table with a very nice view of the beach. They'll give you some bread and a cup of garlic butter. It was very garlicky and I loved it. I got a pitcher of Sangria and paella. It had shrimps, langoustine and chicken. It was well-seasoned, flavorful and wasn't too fishy. Delicious! Make sure you scrape the burnt rice at the bottom for some crispy goodness. It was one of my favorite meals while I was in Spain.
Also, the bathroom was clean. You'll see pictures and newspaper articles of Hemingway and other important people all over the restaurant.
We decided to come here for a lunch after driving from Barcelona to Valencia. It is right on the beach and seating arrangements are in a way where you can see the ocean from where you have a meal. We ordered a couple of appetizers, of which the Fried calamari was the best. They also had very good croquettes and octopus. For our entrée, we shared a paella that was very good and plenty for the three of us that we're having lunch. Service was quick for everything they had to do. We asked for the payout to be clean so all the seafood was out of the shell.
Restaurant shows as is closed on Feb 22nd but it is not .The information on Yelp is wrong . Will give my rating after dinner.
Stopped in for lunch during day two in Valencia. This was the second time that I've eaten here. It's fun to watch them prepare paella as you enter.
I started with Pulpo. It was delicious and tender. We added Sangria which was OK but not as good as we had in Barcelona. I had the cod for my main dish which was delicious. The menu must change seasonally as I was hoping for Chipperones.
A bit tourist with the whole "Hemminway ate here" but very good nonetheless.
Sobre todo destacar la atención del camarero y el haber podido comer a pesar de no tener reserva.
La comida muy buena, y su calidad, salvo porque se les quemó el centro de la paella. Por suerte el sabor no pasó a los alrededores y pudimos disfrutarla bastante, pero fue algo que me llamó la atención en un sitio con tanta reputación, ya que el sabor cambiaba de forma estrepitosa desde un punto central a otro punto externo de la paella.
Restaurante ubicado en el mismo paseo marítimo, en nuestro caso pedimos 2 entrantes: tomate con atún (correcto) y calamar de playa a la andaluza con romesco (mejorable, estaba un poco duro). El punto fuerte de este restaurante son los arroces nosotros pedimos la paella La Pepica de gamba roja y perfecta, buen sabor, buen punto y la gamba muy buena. Postres un poco flojos, pedimos tiramisú de pistacho (nada especial) y crema mediterránea (este si estaba mejor). En cuanto al ambiente un salón bastante masificado con ruido y el servicio un poco lento debido a esta masificación. En general volvería por el arroz pero tienen puntos a mejorar
Restaurante al lado de la playa ideal para pasear después de la comida. Sitio bastante amplio y con terraza, pero aún así , es recomendable hacer reserva. Nos gustó mucho la cocina, un concepto abierto en el que ves en todo momento lo que hacen los cocineros. La atención nos pareció correcta y la comida rica. Comimos paella y calamares. Muy recomendable.
El ambiente del restaurante es espectacular, muestra toda la historia desde sus inicios, el servicio del chico que nos atendió de 10 muy atento y muy querido.
En cuanto a la comida hemos pedido de entrantes croquetas de jamón y calamar en salsa todo muy bueno. De principal paella para 6 personas y ha estado bien.
Una maravillosa experiencia como siempre en una de las carrocerías mas antiguas de Valencia. El servicio ha sido excelente de parte de don Xavier y todo el equipo. Pedimos una arroz negro que estaba muy gustoso y a punto de cocción. Sin duda volveremos.
Lucia Hernandez Varela
+5
Nos atendió Yolanda y no hemos podido comer mejor!! Nos aconsejó perfecto tanto para comoda como para postres. Es la tercera vez que vengo a este restaurante y nunca defrauda. Seguiremos repitiendo siempre que vengamos a Valencia
Wir kamen zu zweit abends um 20:00 Uhr und hatten keinen Tisch reserviert, trotz allem haben wir von Ramon einen sehr schönen Tisch am Fenster zugewiesen bekommen und wurden sehr aufmerksam bedient. Ein sehr schönes traditionelles Restaurant mit einem ansprechenden Ambiente. Meine Tochter isst vegetarisch, hier war leider nur ein warmes Gericht auf der Speisekarte zu finden. Wir haben uns trotzdem sehr wohl gefühlt, vielen Dank Ramon
(Traducido por Google)
Llegamos los dos a las 20:00 de la tarde y no habíamos reservado mesa, a pesar de todo, Ramon nos asignó una mesa muy bonita junto a la ventana y nos atendieron con mucha atención. Un restaurante tradicional muy agradable con un ambiente atractivo. Mi hija come vegetariano y lamentablemente solo había un plato caliente en el menú. Aún así nos sentimos muy cómodos, muchas gracias Ramon.
Nos encantó la paella, superó nuestras expectativas y lo que sobró nos lo llevamos en tupper. Nos atendió Ugo y todo fue perfecto, muy rápido y servicial. El sitio muy bonito y amplio, frente a la playa. Los precios correctos.
La comida está bastante buena y calidad precio genial.
Fuimos dos días a comer y nos atendieron personal diferente y todos muy amables.
Tardan relativamente poco y todo genial.
Lo único que al haber tanta gente se genera mucho ruido pero por lo demás todo estupendo.
Tuve una experiencia maravillosa en el restaurante junto a mi familia por el día de la madre. La comida estaba deliciosa y el trato que recibimos por parte de Juanvi fue excepcional. Sin duda, volveremos en el futuro.
Traditionelles Speiserestaurant direkt am Strand gelegen. Spezialisiert auf alle Arten von Paella, aber auch sonst sehr typische, schmackhafte Speisen. Lokal hat viel Charme und sehr guten Service. Valencias beste kulinarische Seite, sehr empfehlenswert. Unbedingt reservieren oder bei Öffnung Vorort sein.
(Traducido por Google)
Restaurante de comida tradicional situado directamente en la playa. Especializado en todo tipo de paella, pero también otros platos muy típicos y sabrosos. El lugar tiene mucho encanto y muy buen servicio. El mejor sitio gastronómico de Valencia, muy recomendable. Asegúrese de reservar o estar allí cuando abra.
Pablo nos recomendó estupendamente los platos a elegir y nos quedamos muy contentas. La ración de paella es contundente y nosotras, que somos de buen comer, nos llevamos tupper para casa.
Recomendado.
Un clásico en la playa de Valencia con más de 120 años de historia.
Los que nació como un puesto ambulante de bocadillos y bebida para dar servicio a los trabajadores del Puerto se ha convertido en un enorme restaurante especializado en arroces y mariscos.
Prueba de su fama son las fotografías que cubren sus paredes, con personajes ilustres que han de gustado sus arroces: Hemingway, Sorolla, los miembros del grupo U2, actores, cantantes, deportistas, periodistas,..y hasta los mismos reyes.
A pesar de que el local es enorme y siempre suele estar lleno el servicio es bastante rápido y el trato muy amable.
El lugar es muy acogedor y servicial . El servicio era inmejorable , sobretodo por parte de Alejandro, un chico muy agradable y atento… Nos sentimos muy bien atendidos y la comida nos impresionó. Volveremos sin duda .
Gracias Alejandro por tu atención y carisma .
Miguel Ángel Contreras
+5
Una gran elección para comer una buena paella de verdad. Lugar muy agradable y espacioso, es conveniente reservar ya que suele estar siempre bastante concurrido. El servicio muy profesional y agradables. Especialmente gracias a Micaela, por el buen trato que hemos recibido.
La historia y el lugar de la Pepica es un privilegio.
La comida fue muy buena, en este caso el arroz senyoret no fue de 10 peor estaba bueno, el servicio fue algo desordenado no sabemos si de manera puntual o es habitual, tuvieron varias confusiones, pero tuvimos muy buen servicio.
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