What do you really know about the Spanish mid-morning snack and what does an almuerzo in Valencia look like? Whether you plan to be an expat in Spain or simply want to make the most of your travels across the country, learning more about Spanish mealtimes is a must. Let me share with you an insider look at the Spanish mid-morning snack or almuerzo in the region of Valencia.

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Table of Contents

Spanish Eating Habits in Valencia

Almuerzo Culture in Valencia Region

Popular Spanish Eating Habits

Nothing makes you look more like a tourist in Spain than not following the local mealtimes and eating habits. Asking for paella at dinner immediately gives you away, as in Spain, it is typically a lunch dish. My parents, when visiting me in Spain, often stress out local waiters by ordering fresh-squeezed orange juice for dinner. Yes, Valencia is famous for its oranges, and you will find fresh-squeezed orange juice in many local cafes. However, dinner is traditionally accompanied by a glass of wine or water, while beer and soft drinks are consumed before the meal or separately with snacks. Fresh-squeezed orange juice is a great choice for breakfast in Valencia’s cafes. I could continue with countless examples showing that Spanish habits are often not as straightforward as they may seem.

An essential difference between a tourist and a traveler is that the latter arrives in a new country with an open mind and an interest in blending in, simply to experience everything the way locals do. So, let’s begin exploring the Spanish food scene with a tour of the traditional mid-morning snack – almuerzo in Valencia, known locally as Esmorzaret.

What is almuerzo?

While almuerzo means a mid-morning snack, for many Spaniards it actually replaces breakfast. Since a late dinner is one of the most common Spanish habits, locals barely feel hungry when they wake up. They often start the day with a morning coffee and make almuerzo their first meal.

Typically, it takes place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., but in some bars, they serve it as early as 9 a.m. Valencia has plenty of cool modern cafes where you can enjoy any kind of breakfast or almuerzo you might look for. However, the most authentic almuerzo experience is much more unique for international visitors than any trendy city meal. Outside of the big Spanish cities, almuerzo is more than just a mid-morning snack- it’s an important social ritual. So let’s find out how it looks and feels.

almuerzo bar spain — *The traditional bar serving almuerzo*

Breakfast in Spain vs Esmorzaret in Valencia

A traditional almuerzo in the Valencian Community is called Esmorzaret (in Valencian). The tradition dates back to the region’s rural past, when locals worked long hours in the fields early in the morning. After hours of hard work, a substantial breakfast was a logical necessity. Nowadays, the working routine has changed for most Valencians, but the tradition persists. I see it being literally passed down from father to son. So, if instead of going to one of Valencia’s popular cafes, you chose a local bar focused on a traditional almuerzo in the Valencia region, what would you see?

Traditional almuerzo in Valencia Region

Almuerzo is a Spanish social ritual

The first thing you will notice during almuerzo in most traditional Spanish bars is large groups of men sharing a meal. No women around, except for the waitresses. This might feel natural to the locals, but not for a stranger. It can be baffling at first glance. The first time my husband (then my boyfriend) invited me to a traditional almuerzo near Valencia City, I honestly felt a bit uncomfortable. Seriously, how would you feel being the only woman in a bar completely full of men? – I secretly felt like I was breaking some unspoken rule. As my husband explained back then, women mostly used to go out for coffee with pastries at a local cafeteria-pastelería. To me, this didn’t make sense at all. Going out and having a mid-morning snack with your partner seemed more reasonable. But with each year as an expat in Spain, I began to understand that the traditional almuerzo was not just a simple meal. It was more of a social ritual to gather with friends outside the usual work/family routine.

If you´d like to experience the authentic almuerzo culture this local website LaCulturaDeAlmuerzo offers a wide list of traditional bars across the Valencian Community.

barra almuerzo banicassim — *Bar display during almuerzo*

la brasa bar spain — *Meat and sausages for almuerzo*

My almuerzo

For me, almuerzo in Valencia is still all about food, since I enjoy substantial breakfasts and love sharing one with my husband. Especially, as I usually do not eat past 6 p.m., except when we go out for dinner. Sometimes, my husband and I drop off the kids at school and meet up with his dad for an almuerzo at one of the local bars. My mother-in-law would never join us, as she’s into light breakfasts.

1. Already on the table

aceitunas cacahuetes almuerzo — *Olives and peanuts*

The best bars serving traditional almuerzos in Valencia always have la brasa (grill or barbecue) to prepare meat (panceta, lomo, etc.) and Spanish sausages (longaniza, morcilla, etc.). Most places serving traditional almuerzo have a few things already prepared on the table for visitors before you even order: peanuts, olives, and wine & soda (or vino con gaseosa in Spanish). I’m not into wine & soda or beer, so I usually order a bottle of water with my almuerzo. Some bars might even offer different types of olives or a salad on the table, so you can start with your mini-entrees right after being seated.

2. Ordering bocadillo vs el plato

For the food, you usually order at the bar by asking for either a sandwich or a plate (normally with 3 tapas, small portions of something of your choice). The key is the size of the sandwich, or “el bocadillo” in Spanish. The essence of a traditional “almuerzo” is substantial. So, in some bars, a full portion might be huge. If that is the case, you should order a “medio bocadillo” (a half-sandwich) or a “mini” (a quarter of a sandwich).

bocadillo almuerzo valencia — *Sandwich with cuttlefish and aioli*

The most typical types of sandwiches in the region of Valencia are blanco y negro, sepia, and la brascada. When ordering, you are almost always asked whether you’d like to add grated tomato or aioli (also called ajoaceite – a cold sauce made with garlic and olive oil). As I am personally not into pork, my top picks are usually sepia (cuttlefish), calamares a la romana (fried squid), torraeta de anchoas (anchovies), tortilla a la francesa (omelette) with cheese, or simply tortilla de patata (Spanish omelette with potatoes). Of course, I always add aioli everywhere, as I love it.

plato tapas almuerzo — *An Almuerzo plate – fried squid, tortilla, and meatballs with tomato sauce*

3. Coffee or carajillo

After your meal, it’s time to enjoy a coffee. Although many locals in Valencia prefer a carajillo every once in a while. A carajillo is a hot coffee drink with added rum, brandy, or whiskey. Many claim its origins can be traced back to when Cuba was a Spanish colony. While not many places follow the original recipe, a carajillo is at its best when flamed and served with lemon wedges and cinnamon.

cafe carajillo — *Carajillo and coffee (cortado*)

Map of popular bars to enjoy authentic almuerzo in Valencia

9 Comments

Marga on October 5, 2022 at 8:15 PM

I never had almuerzo in Valencia specifically but I love love love Spanish food! I’ll try this next time I visit!
Brianna on October 5, 2022 at 8:39 PM

Wow I had never heard of almuerzo before! I could definitely get into having a big breakfast like that. The variety of olives and the coffee both look so yummy, it’s making me think I should book a trip to Valencia!
Anja | Anja On Adventure on October 5, 2022 at 8:58 PM

All I can say is yum! I love paella and those look just as delicious! And that coffee! I must try it!
Lisa on October 5, 2022 at 11:45 PM

I haven’t had breakfast yet, and this blog entry made me very hungry
Would love to visit Spain some day!
Samantha on October 6, 2022 at 9:24 AM

It’s so true – the Spanish have a specific way about eating (timing, etc) and you look like such a tourist if you don’t go along with it! Good advice!
Personalizeornaments on December 8, 2022 at 7:32 PM

The Spaniards really knew the taste of the mouth.
jamonessinfronteras.com on July 14, 2023 at 10:10 AM

Having breakfast in Spain is a delightful experience, and the importance of jamón cannot be overstated. Savoring a slice of this flavorful cured ham alongside a cup of café con leche is a true taste of Spanish gastronomy. It’s a must-try!
MicheleinPlaya on January 4, 2024 at 4:08 PM

We live in Mexico and people are always surprised when we take them for breakfast at a taco place for tacos de guisados. I love that every country has their own breakfast foods. Almuerzo in Valencia looks like just the kind of thing we would love!
Faith Coates on June 8, 2024 at 2:39 PM

Loved learning about this I adore Spanish food and I see it has overtaken French food in the most popular food in the world stakes. Which I totally agree with.

Spanish Eating Habits: Almuerzo in Valencia

Spanish Eating Habits in Valencia