VALÈNCIA - BODEGA CASA MONTAÑA

Oct 20

2 min read

CASA MONTAÑA Michelin Guide

Casa Montaña València is a historic, delightful old-fashioned tapas bar and bodega in the traditional fishing neighbourhood of El Canyamelar, near València’s port.

Established in 1836, it is one of the city’s oldest surviving bodegas. The current building dates from 1880, and much of its historic character remains, including the old wine barrels behind the bar. The interior has a wonderfully traditional atmosphere, with wooden fittings, barrels, and the unmistakable smell of wine greeting you as soon as you walk through the door.

They have left the interior of that period intact, keeping original barrels behind the bar.

Beyond the lively bar area, a separate restaurant sits at the back, accessed by ducking under the bar counter. Fortunately, less athletic visitors can also enter from the side street.

The restaurant offers a slightly more elaborate dining experience, and booking ahead is advisable.

The food is traditional, prepared using good-quality ingredients rather than elaborate Michelin-style presentation. This is very much a place where the produce does the talking.

We tried: Anchoas (anchovies).

Gildas (the classic combination of anchovy, olive and pickled pepper).

Patatas bravas (potatoes with a spicy sauce).

Jamón Ibérico (Spain’s famous cured ham).

Torta de La Serena (a rich, creamy sheep’s milk cheese from Extremadura).

Txistorra (a thin, paprika-seasoned sausage).

Sopa de cebolla (onion soup).

Other traditional dishes include tuna, cuttlefish with onions, broad beans with jamón, padrón peppers, grilled artichokes, cod croquettes, and cod with potatoes and alioli.

Casa Montaña is particularly well known for its extensive wine cellar, with a strong emphasis on Valencian wines alongside bottles from elsewhere in Spain and around the world.

Casa Montaña has traditionally offered vermut by the glass and a wide selection of individual tapas. On our original visit, vermut cost €2.30 a glass and many tapas were around €2.75. Prices have since changed, with tasting menus now costing approximately €39–€50 per person.

It’s not a particularly large establishment, and its popularity means you may have to wait for a table. However, having a glass of wine or vermut at the bar is hardly a hardship in surroundings like these.

Casa Montaña is away from the main tourist areas of central València, in a neighbourhood that still retains much of its traditional character. It’s approximately a 10–15-minute taxi journey from the city centre, depending on traffic.

For anyone who enjoys historic Spanish bars, traditional tapas and good wine, Casa Montaña is well worth seeking out. Beware: like most restaurants in València, they don’t serve fish or shellfish on Mondays.