Jaime Hayon’s Valencia
Published on 19 July 2019
Jaime Hayon works alongside the Mediterranean sea in the Spanish city of Valencia. He chats about what else the city can offer besides its world-famous paella…
How long have you been living in Valencia?
I’ve been living in Valencia for 9 years.
Where would you say is the ultimate spot to get a real feel for Valencia?
There are many Valencias within Valencia. I love the city centre with its amazing market and wonderful alleyways, churches and different vibes. I also love the more rural side of Valencia with its small villages, calm sea and lovely landscapes.
Which places do you find most culturally inspiring?
I love the Luis Adelantado modern art gallery and the Centro del Carmen Fine Arts Museum, housed in an old royal monastery dating back to the XIIIth century.
Which restaurant or cafe would you say best captures the Valencian vibe?
Valencia has many incredible places to enjoy, ranging from simple to sophisticated. Even some of the most informal places serve amazing quality food. Ostras Pedrín, for example, is the best oyster bar and fish restaurant in the city. Origen Clandestino is a tiny little place that serves up fusion food, and the dishes there always surprise me. In the central market, there’s a little market café called UNO, whose bar I designed. Then there’s the Mercado de Tapinería, a place that combines culture with gastronomy and has bars set out in several little courtyards. Establiment, in the village of El Palmar, serves traditional paella overlooking the rice fields. And you really should head to Habitual to try Ricard Camarena’s gastronomic cuisine, and to Bouet to try the sophisticated tapas. When I want to eat Japanese I always go to Tora Taberna Japonesa and Nozomi, which serve the best tapas in Valencia in extremely refined surroundings. For pastries, Dulce de leche is always a winner, and my go-to for anything Italian is Lambrusqueria.
Do you have any secret addresses you’d care to share?
The El Saler beach to the south of the city with its huge dunes – enjoying a stroll there on a quiet afternoon is always relaxing and magical.
Which neighbourhood has the best buzz?
Probably the old Ruzafa neighbourhood. It’s been totally reinventing itself over the past ten years and is now bursting with loads of cool places, including cafes, restaurants, galleries and shops.
Which design piece can only be picked up in Valencia?
An authentic ceramic water pitcher.
