Valencia de Don Juan is a small town located on the banks of the Esla River in the Leon province. A visit here only takes a morning, and it is imperative to see the Coyanza Castle. The tapas bars and restaurants in Valencia de Don Juan will not disappoint. Here you can try typical Castilian cuisine and its excellent wines with certificate of origin.
The richness of the land that surrounds the Coyanza offers us the opportunity to taste an extensive variety of typical dishes. If you want advice about what to eat in Valencia de Don Juan, try the different variations of the cod: “a la molinera” (large slices of cod with a lemon and garlic sauce) or mixed into a stew with legumes from the region- Alubia de la Bañeza-León or Lenteja Pardina de Tierra de Campos, both with I.G.P.
Another typical dish is called “batallón”, a potato stew that is accompanied with different ingredients like oxtail, rabbit, hare, pork chop or cured cod.
The roasted lamb, with a very particular taste thanks to the wood burning oven, and the pigeon stew with Pimientos de Fresno-Benavente– a variety of peppers with a sweet flavor- are other dishes that you can choose.
Lentil stew, beans and potatoes with rice complete the options for what to eat in Valencia de Don Juan.
However, the most popular local dish is the Valencia cheeses including the amanchegado, pressed and mature; cured or semi-cured, from lamb meat, cow meat or a mixture of the both. Don’t forget the regional wine, originally made with a variety of grapes: Bierzo wine and Tierra de León, both with certificate of origin. And to finish, order a homemade dessert: custard, arroz con leche, French toast, fried milk or a donut.
If you want to eat tapas in Valencia de Don Juan we recommend the following places.
To start your route through the bars, you can go to Bar Guerrilla, near Town Hall, where you will find delicious tortilla de picadillo. They also offer to-go service and delivery. You can continue with Bar El Encanto where they will bring a free tapa of León sausages with your drink. Then, Valjunco to taste the famous Valencia de Don Juan cheeses. Other options include Casa Justi and Bar Oasis. Finally, El Español is recommended to stop in the afternoon and eat the best churros with chocolate in Valencia de Don Juan.
Among the different establishments to eat in Valencia de Don Juan, there are several that stand out. Casa Alcón, in Plaza Mayor, offers traditional cuisine with a creative touch. They have a terrace above the entrance. The restaurant and cider bar in the El Palacio hostel (located in the old quarters) combines León, Asturian and Basque cuisine with the incorporation of new dishes.
At Roxy, you will find homemade food and an excellent wine menu. Finally, we recommend El Pesebre with an extensive menu that highlights its meats and León sausages.
