Bocadillo Bliss. Our Journey Through some of Valencia’s Best Bocadillo Cafes!
There’s something universally comforting about a sandwich. No matter where you are in the world, sandwiches have a way of wrapping you up like a warm, familiar hug. In culinary school, I fell madly in love with the “Reuben sandwich,” due to the strategic flavor balancing that I became super keen to, even before I whole heartedly began studying tastes. The corned beef of the Reuben is savory, salty & slightly spiced. The sauerkraut adds a tangy punch & crunchy texture that helps balance out the richness of the meat and cheese. Topped off with Russian dressing which brings in the sweet kiss of perfection that brings it all together. It’s my all-time favorite sandwich, due to the beautiful balance of flavors & textures.
Sadly though, I didn’t eat sandwiches very much before recently. No matter how much I loved them. I’ve learned a lot about how my body responds to food since moving to Spain. Like the fact that I was basically intolerant to most breads in the States. But in Spain, I can eat a sandwich & feel no ill effects afterwards. This has been a fascinating observation, and one that I’ve found many people have when comparing foods in different countries. I have some thoughts around this for you. But we’ll chat about that a different time.
Valencia introduced us to a whole new world of sandwiches, or as the locals call them, bocadillos!
It would be impossible to be a self-proclaimed “Food Critic” living in Valencia & not write about Bocadillos.
Here in Spain, sandwiches have their own distinct personality, deeply rooted in tradition yet brimming with local flavors. Our love affair with sandwiches has taken a new turn when we discovered the bocadillo.
The bocadillo or “bocata,” as many often call it, is more than just a sandwich. In Spain, it’s a simple pleasure. A crusty loaf, often a baguette or something equally rustic, sliced lengthwise and filled with the essentials of life. (Things like Jamón (cured ham), Tomato, Eggs & Potatoes or what’s called “Tortilla” here in Spain) *Search “Tortilla Espanola” online to see what this dish looks like. Such a humble meal. As someone who moved to Spain, not with a bazillion dollars in her pocket, but as someone who truly has to stretch the dollar on many days, the low cost and unpretentious nature makes it a staple on our Spanish table on any day, while out and about, as well as at home while sitting on our terrace.
When you come to Spain, you’ll find bocadillos everywhere. From sunlit cafes to bustling tapas bars, each one offering its own interpretation of this iconic Spanish bite.
The bocadillo doesn’t shout, it doesn’t need to. It doesn’t need to be fancy pants the way my beloved “Reuben” shows off. It’s the kind of sandwich that speaks softly but leaves a lasting impression, a quiet companion in the day-to-day rhythm of Spanish life. On days when I feel a little lost, days when I may be questioning if I’m on the right path, a Bocadillo with my babe, shakes off all the fears & curiosities. It just seems to make everything better.
Exploring some of Valencia’s Bocadillo Cafes
Bocadillo cafes aren't usually what you'd call "fancy" (not that I’m the fancy type anyway). I just want to set that expectation upfront. There’s no need. We've found them to be wonderfully real, raw, and beautiful in their own right. A place doesn’t have to be upscale to make you feel good, and that's the truth.
There’s a place called “La Masia Cafeteria” in which we love.
On a sun-kissed day, my husband Eddie headed out to enjoy a bocadillo & some cafe con leche for brunch. Without me, because I had decided I wanted to stay in my soft cozy sheets & not move a muscle for as long as I could. Ever since moving to Spain, I’ve been teaching myself how to be less “in a hurry” as It’s always been a struggle for me to slow down. I’m happy to say, I’m getting there! Although, turns out; this wasn’t the day to rest in bed.
What seemed like not long after he left, I get a phone call. It was Eddie.
Eddie: “Babe, you awake?”
Me: “Umm, kinda. I guess now.”
Eddie: “You’ve gotta get up! You’ve gotta come eat with me!”
I rub my eyes, still half-asleep.
Eddie: “They’re so used to you coming with me, that they’ve brought your order too.”
Me: “WHAT? They served food for me and I’m not there?”
Eddie: “Yeah, they probably think you’re just running late or something.”
Eddie: “Hurry! Your food is here on the table.” He giggles in disbelief.
Me: “OMG, okay… let me brush my teeth, and I’ll head that way.”
Let’s just say I had wine wayyy earlier than I should ever have wine & a good laugh to start that day.
Know that the bread is fresh, and the ingredients change daily. It's best to arrive around 11 am for a good selection for your bocadillo but they serve them until about 1pmish (1300 hours.) You must enter the café to let them know what you’d like, even if you plan to eat outside. At a small window, tell an employee what you want for your bocadillo. They will quickly list the options, but don’t worry if you feel rushed; they are patient and will help you choose. After that, they will ask you, “y beber?” (what would you like to drink). Find a seat, they won’t give you a number because they remember your order. Again, note that they stop serving bocadillos around 1 pm and switch to the “Menu del dia.”
P.S. If you’re planning for the Menu del dia meal instead, you don’t have to go inside to order. Just sit down at a table & the owner or another server will greet you & get you taken care of.
Overall, La Masia definitely has some regulars & I’m beginning to think we’ve become part of the crew.
Bar Restaurante Ana 3
Well that’s the name that shows up on Google Maps. Just an FYI, the Cafe sign is a bit different.
It says Cerveceria ANA III.
“Ah, ‘California’!! Good to see you.” the owner exclaimed as we walked in the door (obviously remembering my husband’s face & story) because this was my first time visiting. How could she know we’re from California? My husband had been there three times beforehand. That’s how. That’s what you call Hospitality. My heart lit up. I LOVE this so much, I thought. At Ana’s, again, nothing super fancy here. It’s definitely casual, local energy. When you order a bocadillo, you walk up to the glass display, choose what ingredients you’d like to have added to your sandwich (bocadillo), let them know what you’d like to drink from the fridge & they pass you a number for your table.
Off to the side of the ordering station, you’ll find a table with a serve-your-self section for all the peanuts & olivas (olives) you want! I’ve never desired to eat peanuts more in my life. TBH, I typically don’t even eat peanuts. In the states I didn’t touch them. They’re actually not the healthiest choice. I much rather prefer almonds, walnuts & pistachios, but it’s a really common thing to find a little bowl of peanuts placed on your table at cafes in Spain, so I will enjoy a few, time to time. At Ana’s though, it’s actually quite hard to just eat a few because the kind they have are just decorated in such beautiful crystals of sea salt that glimmer in the fluorescent lighting that it’s practically irresistible. Let’s just say I enjoyed more than I’d like to admit.
My daughter is the one in the photo enjoying her own special selection of ingredients. She likes ordering a large bocadillo, eating half & taking the rest home for later ;)
Nuevo Oslo
We were tight like sardines on the bus ride to Nuevo Oslo. Busy day, I guess. Didn’t really know what to expect with this place nor even where it was located. The barrio is in an area we’d never been before. When we hopped off the bus, I had a little pit in my stomach because right on the corner was a bocadillo place. “This can’t be the place” I mumble to myself, scanning some tables & chairs that looked dusty & questionable.
I glanced over at my husband as he had maps open & I felt a sense of relief as I could see he was still trying to figure out what street we needed to wander down next. “Great! I told myself. It’s not this one!” With relief setting in. We began to walk a few streets down & found ourselves in a location that had such a different vibe than some of the other barrios we’re used to. “This feels a bit “New Yorkish” doesn’t it?” I tell my daughter. She agrees & says, there’s something about this area that feels like a combination between the States & Spain. With a large school in the middle of the area & basketball courts open to view, lots of trees in between the streets & buildings that just felt more “city” like. We couldn’t exactly put our finger on it, but we noticed we could “feel it more than see it” regardless. We both giggled and agreed that we liked it & vowed to figure out exactly what neighborhood we were in so we could look it up again later.
What lead us to this place? Well, I bought a book earlier this year called “Almuerzos Valencianos” (translates to Valencian Lunches.) This book showcases many good “hotspots” in Valencia. So, we’ve known that we want to explore each one, as time goes on. Today was the day for this spot & it did not disappoint!
We found it! Time to go in and eat! Once we sat down, I immediately noticed the cool wall behind us. MICHELIN shrine! Ha. I couldn’t stop scanning each piece on the wall with my eyes. I really want that blue hat on the left. (just for fun) Wonder where I could buy one?
We really enjoyed this place! The staff was nice. It was a cool vibe & well taken care of. Nice & clean, which always makes me personally happy. They do ask you if you need a menu in Spanish or English (know the menus are practically the same as it’ basically” Spanglish” on the Spanish one) I don’t know why we selected the English ones at first. We’ve been around long enough to use the Spanish versions. Got caught up in the moment, I guess. Funny enough, after the server gave us the English menus, I discovered that it almost felt foreign to me. Reading Bocadillos written as “Sandwiches” just felt wrong. I promptly asked the server for the Spanish version. ;)
I personally selected the Bocadillo with patatas y cebolla + pulled pork. My hub got a hodge podge of ingredients & my daughter selected patatas + the crispy pork with sauce. Her & I ended up cutting each of ours in half & sharing with each other. She has decided that every time she orders something, she likes mine better. Maybe next time she’ll just say “I’ll have what mom’s having” — Although, I’d prefer that not to be case, as it’s fun to have more variety on the table for everyone to explore!