5 Must-Visit Spots in Spain for Authentic Paella in 2026
There’s something almost sacred about a well-made paella. The sizzle of the sofrito hitting the hot pan, the scent of saffron-infused rice wafting through the air, the way the socarrat—the crispy, caramelized bottom layer—cracks under your fork. It’s not just a dish; it’s a ritual, a story, a piece of Spanish soul served on a wide, shallow pan. But here’s the thing: not all paella is created equal. Tourist traps in Barcelona’s La Rambla might slap together a sad, overpriced plate of yellow rice with a few limp mussels, but the real magic happens where locals gather, where the rice is cooked over orange wood fires, and where the recipe has been passed down through generations.
In 2026, Spain’s paella scene is thriving more than ever, with a mix of time-honored classics and innovative new spots that stay true to tradition while adding their own flair. I’ve eaten my way through countless plates of paella—some forgettable, some transcendent—and these five spots are the ones that have left an indelible mark on my heart (and my stomach). Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Spain traveler, these are the places where you’ll taste authentic paella as it’s meant to be: bold, unapologetic, and bursting with the flavors of the land and sea.
1. Restaurant La Pepica – Valencia
Address: Paseo Neptuno, 6, 46011 Valencia
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 1:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Website: lapepica.com
If paella has a birthplace, it’s Valencia, and if Valencia has a paella temple, it’s La Pepica. This iconic restaurant has been serving paella since 1898, and its walls are lined with photos of famous patrons, including Hemingway, who reportedly adored their seafood paella. But don’t let the celebrity lore fool you—this place is no museum. It’s a living, breathing institution where the rice is still cooked over firewood and the recipes are sacrosanct.
The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by the warm hum of conversation and the unmistakable aroma of garlic, paprika, and seafood. The dining room, with its vintage tiles and nautical touches, feels like stepping into a bygone era, but the real magic happens on the terrace, where you can watch the Mediterranean waves lap against the shore as you eat. I’ll never forget my first bite of their Paella Valenciana here—a symphony of rabbit, chicken, snails, and green beans, all perfectly balanced with the smoky depth of the rice. The socarrat? Crispy, nutty, and just shy of burnt, exactly as it should be.
But what truly sets La Pepica apart is their Paella de Mariscos (seafood paella). The rice is cooked in a rich fish stock, and the pan arrives heaped with plump prawns, mussels, clams, and squid, their briny sweetness seeping into every grain. The waiters, who’ve been here for decades, will tell you to squeeze a little lemon over the top and then leave you to your bliss. Pro tip: Order a glass of horchata (a Valencian tiger nut drink) to sip alongside—it’s the perfect sweet counterpoint to the savory rice.
La Pepica isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every euro. This is where you come to understand why paella is more than food—it’s heritage.
2. Can Solé – Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Sant Carles, 4, 08003 Barcelona
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Website: cansole.es
Barcelona is a city that knows how to eat, but it’s also a city where paella has been diluted by tourism. Can Solé, tucked away in the barrel-vaulted streets of Barceloneta, is the antidote. This family-run restaurant has been serving authentic Catalan seafood since 1903, and their paella is the stuff of legend.
The first thing you notice when you walk in is the huge copper paella pans hanging from the ceiling, polished to a mirror shine. The second thing? The smell of garlic and seafood so intoxicating you’ll want to hug the chef. The dining room is cozy, with wooden tables and nautical knick-knacks, but the real action is in the kitchen, where the same family has been cooking for over a century.
Their Arroz Negro (black rice) is a must-try—ink from cuttlefish turns the rice jet black, and it’s studded with tender squid, shrimp, and aioli for dipping. But the star is their Paella de Pescado y Marisco, a masterclass in balance. The rice is cooked in a fumet (fish stock) so rich it could make a sailor weep, and the seafood—monkfish, prawns, mussels—is so fresh it practically jumps out of the pan. The key here is the bomba rice, a short-grain variety that absorbs liquid like a sponge but stays firm to the bite.
I once watched an elderly Catalan couple argue over who got the last bit of socarrat. The waiter, amused, brought them a fresh pan to share. That’s the kind of place Can Solé is—where food is love, and love is food.
3. Casa Roberto – Madrid
Address: Calle del Doctor Castelo, 65, 28009 Madrid
Hours: Monday to Friday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM (Closed weekends)
Website: casaroberto.es
Madrid might not be on the coast, but Casa Roberto proves you don’t need an ocean view to make incredible paella. This no-frills, family-owned spot has been a local secret since 1925, and it’s the kind of place where the menu is written on a chalkboard and the wine comes in carafes.
The specialty here is Paella Madrileña, a hearty version with chicken, rabbit, and sometimes even duck, all cooked in a deep, smoky broth. The rice is slightly drier than Valencian paella, with a firmer bite, and the flavors are robust and earthy. But the real showstopper is their Paella de Verduras, a vegetarian version that’s so flavorful even meat lovers will swoon. Artichokes, peppers, and beans soak up the saffron-infused rice, and the socarrat is so perfectly crisp it could be a snack on its own.
The best part? The price. A full paella here costs about half what you’d pay in Valencia or Barcelona, and the portions are generous enough to feed a small army. The waiters are gruff but kind, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a table near the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs work their magic over the fire.
4. El Paladar – Seville
Address: Calle Mateos Gago, 45, 41004 Seville
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Website: elpaladarsevilla.com
Seville is famous for tapas, but El Paladar is where you go for paella that’s as vibrant and passionate as a flamenco performance. This modern yet traditional spot is run by a young chef who trained under some of Spain’s best, and his paella is a revelation.
The Paella de Choco (cuttlefish paella) is a standout, with tender cuttlefish and a rich, ink-infused rice that’s both briny and sweet. But the real star is their Paella de Conejo y Caracoles (rabbit and snails), a dish so deeply flavored it tastes like the countryside itself. The rabbit is fall-off-the-bone tender, the snails are plump and garlicky, and the rice is cooked to perfection.
The best time to visit is at sunset, when you can sit on their rooftop terrace and watch the light turn the cathedral gold as you eat. The staff are warm and knowledgeable, and they’ll happily walk you through the menu (and the wine list, which is excellent).
5. Restaurante Navarro – Alicante
Address: Calle de San Francisco, 11, 03001 Alicante
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Website: restaurantenavarro.com
Alicante is where the mountains meet the sea, and Restaurante Navarro captures that magic in every paella. This family-run spot has been a local favorite since 1972, and their Paella Alicantina is a masterpiece of simplicity: rice, fish stock, garlic, and whatever the sea offered that morning.
The dining room is modest, with checkered tablecloths and photos of the family fishing boats, but the food is anything but. Their Paella de Bogavante (lobster paella) is a splurge, but it’s worth it for the sweet, succulent lobster meat and the rice that’s been cooked in its shell. The socarrat here is legendary—crispy, caramelized, and just a little bit smoky.
The best part? The view. The restaurant is just steps from the beach, and if you time it right, you can watch the fishermen unload their catch as you eat.
Final Thoughts: The Soul of Paella
Paella isn’t just a dish—it’s a story. It’s the story of Valencia’s rice fields, of fishermen’s early-morning hauls, of families gathering around a fire to cook and eat together. In 2026, these five spots are keeping that story alive, one perfect bite at a time.
So, when you’re in Spain, skip the tourist traps. Seek out the places where the rice is cooked with love, where the socarrat is crispy, and where the paella tastes like home—even if home is halfway across the world.