Known for its beaches and laid-back rhythm, Valencia has quietly emerged as a force in Spain’s coffee scene. After two years away, we’re back with more cafés worth visiting in the coastal city.
BY ISABELLE MANI
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Featured photo by Chimo Garcia-Menacho de Vargas, courtesy of Valencia is Coffee
Blending local charm with international influence—and a community that values balance over buzz—Valencia’s cafés reflect a coffee scene still taking shape: unpretentious, thoughtful, and welcoming. We introduced four coffee shops in the coastal city back in 2023, and today, we’re back to highlight more spots worth visiting.
Exploring Valencia alone, with local coffee pros, and even with families gave me a layered sense of how coffee fits into daily life here. Fernanda Cascione, a friend of mine who moved to Valencia less than a year ago from Santos, Brazil, works in advertising and is the mother of a lively 3-year-old—and she shared her thoughts on the city’s specialty-coffee scene with me. “I love coming to cafés with my family—and sometimes on my own, too. Cafés here are easygoing, welcoming to families, with lots of outdoor seating and full of personality,” she says.
Valencia Is Coffee, the city’s independent specialty-coffee festival, drew around 1,500 attendees over its two days this past June: double the turnout of its inaugural edition in 2024. According to a city coffee map curated by the festival, there are now 90 specialty cafés across the city—a 20% increase in just one year. For a city of under 800,000 residents, where most cafés still close for siesta and often wrap up by 6 p.m., the coffee shop lifestyle has clearly become part of many folks’ daily rhythm.
Alfajores and Argentinian Influence on the City
One of the best surprises during my visit to Valencia was spotting alfajores—dulce de leche–filled Argentine cookies that happen to be one of my favorite sweets—in café after café. (And bonus points for the occasional empanada.)
Often dusted with coconut, alfajores reflect the wave of Argentinian immigration that helped shape parts of Valencia’s cultural and culinary landscape after the 2001 economic crisis. Some cafés also serve yerba mate and traditional cuías: a quiet nod to this enduring connection.
Three Coffee Shops to Check Out in Valencia, Spain
It’s never quite fair to name the “best” cafés in a city—coffee is personal, and discovery is part of the joy. But for curious visitors and specialty-coffee lovers, here’s a small, updated guide to Valencia’s growing scene.
A small kiosk near the beautiful Mercado Central, News & Coffee is exactly the kind of spot I look for when I’m exploring a city. I prefer sitting outside whenever I can, and as the Mediterranean summer started to hit, I stopped by for a cold latte and read one of the many indie zines available.
The kiosk is a small cultural gem when it comes to printed magazines: You’ll find local titles alongside international ones like SOLO, Kinfolk, and Apartamento. It’s a quick stop with personality, and a window into Valencia’s creative side.
“News and Coffee has been bringing back to life a piece of our cities which little by little has been disappearing: the newsstand,” the shop writes on their website. “We wanted to show that it doesn’t have to (disappear), and that by giving the idea care and passion, it was possible for it to find a new place in our daily lives.”
Located in the lively neighborhood of Ruzafa, Off Line Café blends a strong focus on sustainability with great coffee and a thoughtful menu. The space feels lived-in and eclectic, with vintage furniture and a vinyl collection setting the mood.
When I visited, I had a filter coffee from local roaster Rebeldes, and I loved the menu, which drew inspiration from cultures around the world and featured must-try items like the miso-honey butter toast. The café also regularly hosts cultural happenings like closed-door dinner events, DJ sets, and art exhibitions, adding to its identity as a casual hub for locals and creatives.
Located near the University of Valencia area, Retrogusto Coffeemates is a compact space with a rotating selection of specialty coffees and a low-key, welcoming atmosphere. The shop often hosts cuppings and community events, and the team favors seasonal coffees with clean profiles. I tried their house cold brew with a twist of orange peel and cardamom—refreshing, layered, and just right for the early summer heat.
Special Mentions
If you have extra time while visiting Valencia, below are a few more coffee shops worth checking out.
Los Picos (Ruzafa neighborhood): Natural wine meets specialty coffee in this creative local favorite, with a strong following and laid-back vibe.
Borja Coffee (Benimaclet neighborhood): A true community café known for solid espresso, good music, and a loyal local crowd.
Clem Café (Ruzafa neighborhood): Feminine, floral, and playful, this spot is a cozy hangout with beautiful interior, must-try matcha lattes, and a lively crowd.
Note: Most specialty cafés in Valencia close by 6 p.m., pause during siesta hours, and are usually closed one day a week. Be sure to check operating hours before visiting a coffee shop.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabelle Mani (she/her) is a writer, journalist, and communicator specializing in the international coffee industry. Since 2017, she has focused on writing articles and features for various international coffee news outlets. Isabelle has traveled to coffee-producing countries such as Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, China, and Brazil to study and research coffee. She holds training certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (Arabica Q Grading).
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