One of the dishes par excellence, which is part of the gastronomic DNA of our country, is paella. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest since last year, due to its popularity, there are a large number of versions of this preparation, always having rice as a common ingredient. And it is that paella, although it is a dish that was born in Valencia, adapts to the ingredients and preferences of the various regions of Spanish cuisine.
Thus, in addition to the traditional Valencian paella, whose origin is found in the rice-growing area near the Albufera lake, and in which the carob bean, the ferradura bean, the rabbit and the chicken cannot be missing; it is possible to taste other variants: the seafood paella based on fish and/or shellfish; the mixed one with meat and fish or the mountain paella cooked with chicken, rabbit or rib. These are some of the ways to enjoy this delicious dish, which is undoubtedly one of the most international of our gastronomy and which no longer knows borders.
For these reasons, and because this September 20th marks World Paella Day, Yescapa proposes a gastronomic route in a motorhome or camper van to discover some of the best restaurants in Spain to savor a delicious paella.
El Madrileño Restaurant (Guadarrama)
Located in the Sierra Norte of the Community of Madrid, the town of Guadarrama has the privilege of hosting this restaurant, which in 2021 was the winner of the Sueca International Paella Valenciana Contest (Valencia) for preparing the “best paella in the world” . A family business that is now in its third generation and that, despite being specialized in more traditional food from the area such as ears, Madrid-style tripe, pig’s trotters or oxtail, have managed, learning from the best Valencian chefs, win this valuable award for their Valencian paella. To do this, they cook it in a paella, which is what the Valencians call the paellera, with orange tree firewood and always with native ingredients such as rabbit, chicken, green beans and snails.
Pepe Sanchis House (Cordoba)
With more than 40 years of experience in Valencian and Cordoba gastronomy, at the Casa Pepe Sanchís rice restaurant in Córdoba it is possible to taste an authentic Valencian paella, cooked respecting the original elaboration of this dish. Respect for authenticity has made this restaurant worthy of multiple awards over the years, as well as being part of the ‘Wikipaella’ platform, responsible for recognizing restaurants around the world where traditional Valencian paella is made.
At the foot of Es Bol Nou beach and a few meters from the fishing port of Sa Caleta, we find this small and cozy restaurant. Run by the Pujolet family, since 1988 they have been preparing delicious fish, shellfish and, of course, rice dishes. To do this, they use the island’s raw material: sea products fished in an artisanal way, as well as vegetables from their organic garden and other local producers. Along with the bullit de peix and the lobster stew, one of its star dishes is the seafood paella. An essential if you visit the Pitiusa island.
Restaurant Venezuela (Murcia)
In the Puerto Deportivo de Lo Pagán, in San Pedro de Pinatar, we find this establishment, which is one of the most prestigious and recognized in Murcia. Their house paella, along with fish and the traditional Murcian cauldron, are their star dishes, so if you decide to make a getaway through the region, this is a mandatory stop. Of course, we recommend you book before you go.
When it comes to Valencian paella, this gastronomic route would not be complete without a restaurant in Valencia. Nou Racó is, without a doubt, a mandatory stop if you want to try the best version of traditional paella. Located in one of the most special spaces in the community, in the heart of the Albufera Natural Park, this restaurant offers traditional flavors combining tradition and avant-garde. But the Nou Racó experience goes beyond gastronomy: you can contemplate the flora and fauna of the area from its chill out area and enjoy the sunset by entering the lake with a boat.
In Spain, free camping is regulated depending on the municipality or place of the night, which is why it is very important to plan our getaway so as not to get unpleasant surprises.
Overnight simply refers to sleeping inside your motorhome or van. Camping, on the other hand, involves deploying the vehicle’s equipment outside, including the awning, tables, chairs and all other types of furniture. Point out that free camping is illegal in Spain but overnight is not. So if we want to spend the night in our motorhome or camper van on the beach, we must try to do it in the areas designated for it.