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A guide to where to eat the best paella in Málaga, southern Spain
If you are planning a trip to a beautiful citymálaga, you just have to put the tasty delicious paella on your to-do list!
Whether it's authentic seafood or vegetarian paella, this beach town has some of the best in all of Spain.
Get ready for an unforgettable meal as we tell you about our top 5 picksbest paella in Malaga!
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Top 5 Food Tours in Malaga with Paella
1.Food tour
A Malaga food tour is a budget tour and a great way to sample typical Spanish food and drink.
During the tour you will have at least 4 stops and you will have the opportunity to try some of Malaga's popular tapas such assardineswhich is basically anchovies or you can have fried squid.
This trip is also the perfect opportunity to try one of the most famous Spanish products - Jamon Iberico. –Check prices here
2.Evening Wine and Tapas Tour, Malaga
This tour, as the name suggests, is a scheduled evening tour that will give you an authentic Malaga experience.
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to taste 5 types of wine and 8 types of food.
Your guide will give you an insight into the importance of food in Spanish culture and urban and rural lifestyles.
The tour includes a visit to a traditional tavern, a family shop, a small bar to try cheeses and sausages and finish in one of the most famous bars in town.–See the reviews here.
3.Tapas tasting
The tapas tasting tour is also designed for a small group of tourists. It includes culinary tastings in downtown venues, as well as sightseeing toursAtarazanas Central Market.
You will have the opportunity to see and taste fresh ingredients characteristic of the area, as well as tapas at 4 popular stops in the area and the old town. –Check prices here
4.Private Half Day Walking Tour with Tapas
If you prefer a private tour to a group food tasting, this half-day tour may be the option for you.
The tour starts atmarina squareand includes a historic district,Afternoon, central shopping street, ulacropolis, Roman theater and many other attractions.
Malaga will not disappoint you when it comes to its historical and architectural heritage. –Check prices here
5.A food tour of the Atarazanas market in Malaga
Culinary tourshipyardsThe market begins in a 200-year-old vineyard in Malaga. This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the city's wine history as well as taste it.
Your guide will take you through the history of the area and you will have time to taste typical local products such as sardines and olives. –Check prices here
6.Tapas and Wine Tour with flamenco show
Food and dancing - is there a better combination? This tour allows you to enjoy some of the best flamenco shows in Málaga while sampling some of the region's authentic food.
Local gastronomy and available options are explained in detail by professional food guides. –Check prices here
Where to eat the best paella in Malaga
1. Rice
Although it started operating in 2016,make riceIt quickly became one of the places that both locals and tourists like to visit and the place where you can eat the best paella in Malaga.
The menu offers a variety of typical Spanish dishes, but above all a large number of paella varieties.
Riceit is the place where you will eat the bestPaella from Valenciain Malaga. The food is prepared in a Spanish Levantine style as described by the restaurant.
This is a paella restaurant where you can order venison paella, mushroom paella and many other paella flavors besides traditional paella.
Here you will find many traditional dishes with a twist. It should also be noted that there are vegetarian options.
Dry paella is the vegetarian paella to reach for if you're craving a combination of fresh, caramelized vegetables and perfectly cooked rice.
Working hours: 13:30–18:00
Address:Av. Juan Sebastian Elcano, 5, 29017 Malaga, Spain
2. Gastronauts
senseGastronautait is a combination of gastronomy and art. The restaurant is located in the center of Malaga and has a modern design as well as modern touches to the food.
The ingredients are fresh and there is no shortage of vegetarian options in addition to the traditional food.
When it comes to paella, the chicken paella is a mustGastronautabut also stuffed eggplants and mushrooms.
The restaurant is considered by many to be the place where you can eat the best paella in Malaga.
Offer of local wines inGastronautait's really good, but make sure you try one of the best wines they serve in Malaga -Pedro Ximenez. Make room for dessert too, you won't regret it.
Working hours: 12:30–16:30, 19:30–00
Address:C. Echegaray, N. 3, Local 2, 29015 Malaga, Spain
3. Restaurant Maria
Although not directly on the tourist trail,MARYThis is a great restaurant with many specialties.
Marii's paella is made daily and can be eaten in the restaurant or taken away.
They prepare all kinds of paella, from the traditional to the less traditional, but the ones worth looking out for are the shrimp paella and the spinach paella.
MARYthe restaurant gives an intimate feel and if you want to try meat make sure to order the roast lamb as a spanish dinner, they prepare it beautifully.
Working hours:13:30 to 16:30, 20:30 to 23:00
Address:Av. del Pintor Joaquín Sorolla, 45, 29016 Malaga, Spain
4. Buenavista Gastrobar & Tapas
buenavistagastrobarit's a nice and friendly spanish restaurant located in a walking street and with a cute little terrace.
They specialize in seafood paella, so you might want to try thatrice with lobster, paella powder, paella ribna, etc.
However, the most famous and one of the best paellas in Malaga is the black rice paella, recommended by many guests.
Two things should be notedbuenavistagastro bar. First, they have gluten-free and vegetarian options, important for those with special dietary requirements.
Second, the portions are large, so you might want to consider ordering a half portion.
Working hours: 13:00 to 16:00, 19:30 to 23:45
Address:C/ Gaona, 8, 29012 Malaga, Spain
5. Proa dos Teatinos
Proa dos Teatinoslocated on the Costa del Sol. The interior of the restaurant is modern and stylish and cheap.
As it is very close to Malaga beach, it is no wonder that it is often called the best Spanish restaurant to try seafood tapas and paella.
The fun fact about this place though is that they only serve black rice with paella.
No other dish served here has black rice and it is one of the tastiest dishes on the menu. Other specialties worth trying are the mussels or coquinas.
They make excellent appetizer before starting the main meal.
Working hours:13:00 to 16:00
Address:C. Andromeda, 11, 29010 Malaga, Spain
6. El Cabra Restaurant
With more than half a century of tradition, a restaurant on the beachSkinit was a family restaurant.
Later it was bought by a group of young people who tried to keep the same spirit. The environment and the sea view are wonderful.
What you might be interested in is that they prepare sardines in front of the restaurant, on the beach.
Since they mainly cater to fish-based dishes, the paella they serve has similar main ingredients.
What you should try if you decide to book a seatSkinIt is a lobster paella as the lobsters are fresh, which makes it one of the best paellas in Malaga.
As for the typical tapas associated with beach restaurants - don't miss this sardine on a skewer!
Working hours:13:00 to 17:00, 20:00 to 12:00
Address:P.º Marítimo el Pedregal, 17, 29017 Malaga, Spain
7. Beluga Malaga
belugait's insideflower square, in the heart of the city. The concept of the place is simple - they combine Mediterranean culinary traditions with their own, modern approach.
It is the perfect place if you want to enjoy a less crowded and quieter part of central Malaga. They have a large terrace decorated with taste and a relaxed atmosphere.
Beluga is also a place to visit if you want your paella served properly - in a paella pan, making it a great choice for the best paella in Malaga.
They have a variety of paellas to choose from and really pay attention to providing not only the taste but the whole purpose of the paella dish.
The desserts are also amazing. Apple pie combined with vanilla ice cream is something you can't wait for.
Working hours:13:00-1:00
Address:pl. de las Flores, 3, 29005 Malaga, Spain
8. Plates
Daniait is just a few meters away from the famous Picasso Museum. It is a very chic place with many variations on the menu and possibility to share plates.
It is worth noting that among the classic paellas,legume paellais one of the best of them.
Paella portions are large, so you might want to consider this as an option for two. The D’platos menu includes interesting cuts of pork with green peppers, served with hand-cut fries.
The bao bread they serve is super delicious too!
Working hours:11:30–1:00
Address: C. Granada, 51, 29015 Málaga, Spain
9. Acacias
acaciasit is located a few meters from the sea. The concept of food preparation is similar to other beach restaurants - there is a beach grill on the beach where the fish is prepared.
You can watch the food being prepared at any time. Many locals visitacaciasbecause here you will find the best paella in Malaga in terms of ingredients.
Since the restaurant's main ingredient is fish (they even offer "hake daily"), fish paella is served.
However, be prepared to wait for the paella to be prepared, as one of the restaurant's rules is that all dishes are prepared when you order them, so it will take around 45 minutes to arrive at your table.
Consider ordering a local wine or glassSpanish sangriauntil you wait.
Working hours:10:30 to 18:00
Address:P.º Marítimo el Pedregal, 90, 29017 Malaga, Spain
10. Tawerna The Liar
This is a tavern in the city center, beloved and popular with tourists.Liarit has excellent service and average prices.
This is a great place to order delicious seafood paella. It is flavorful and delicate and the portions are perfect.
Apart from the paella, you must try itIberian hammwild potatoesif you like tasty tapas and hot recommendations for grilled sea bass, very well grilledMeet The Liar.
Working hours:12:30–1:00
Address:C. Sánchez Pastor, 12, 29015 Malaga, Spain
11. Vegetarian from Alcazabilla
He is in the shadow of the famousacropolisThis small restaurant with a beautiful terrace offers vegetarian/vegan paella dishes in Malaga.
Vegetarian from AlcazabillaIt has delicious dishes for both options and serves good vegetarian kebabs and hummus, and at a reasonable price.
One of the specialties, apart from the vegetable paella, is the moussaka, served hot and right for a good dinner.
It's also worth trying a detox cocktail to cool you down before exploring the city further.
Working hours:13:00 to 16:00, 19:30 to 23:00
Address:C. Pozo del Rey, 5, 29015 Malaga, Spain
12. Chiringuito El Cachalote
If you are looking for a beach restaurant with a warm atmosphere where the prices are good and the portions are generousCachalot Beach Barthere is a restaurant to check out.
This is another fish-based restaurant, so the best paella in Malaga they make is obviously the seafood one.
There were mixed opinions about the quality of their paella as there were instances where the rice was not cooked properly.
However, the general and personal impression is that it is a nice place with a fantastic opportunity to try typical food with a Malaga flavor.
Working hours:23:00 to 23:30
Address:P.o Maritime Pablo Ruiz Picasso, s/n, 29016, Cairo, Spain
13. Blessed are the Carpenters
This restaurant offers an open kitchen concept that raises the bar for the full Spanish cuisine experience.
Blessed are the MarangsIt is located on the corner of the old town and has a lovely terrace. Plus you have a chef explaining how your dish is made.
The atmosphere is nice and intimate and the menu is different from more central cuisines like e.gSpanish pork stewin seaside specialties such as octopus.
The seafood paella is excellent and is prepared in front of you so you can see first hand how it is prepared by professionals.
Working hours:12:00 to 23:30
Address:C. Beatas, 23, 29008 Malaga, Spain
14. Amadora Restaurant
amateuris a classic and elegant restaurant in a residential area, located on the hillside. It has a great view of the city and a large comfortable terrace.
In fact, Amador operates next to a boutique hotel that is considered by many tourists as an excellent place to eat the best paella in Malaga.
Guests can enjoy typical and very tasty tapas such as croquettes. Their paella is one of the best in town, but their specialty is also slow-roasted lamb or Peruvian crab.
Working hours:Closed
Address:Flag Street, No. 6, 29190 Malaga, Spain
Paelli history
The first recipe for paella is said to be over 2 centuries old and comes from Valencia.
Rice is one of the main ingredients of paella, and as the eastern region of Spain is known for the rice fields that have been cultivated in these parts since the arrival of the Moors in the Iberian Peninsula.
So it should come as no surprise that rice, a staple food of the working class, combined with the various fresh ingredients available at the time, became what we know today as Spanish paella.
Paella from Valenciais a traditional paella and is known as one of the most famous Spanish dishes.
However, paella has become a dish made throughout Spain, receiving authentic twists depending on the region where it was introduced and the ingredients available.
If you want a "paella definition", it would be: a dish prepared in a special pan also known as paella, which is a combination of rice, spices and different kinds of vegetables, meat or seafood, depending on the region or station.
Some of the most traditional meats in paella are chicken, smoked sausage or rabbit. Originally, paella without seafood was just plain paella.
Currently, seafood paella is one of the best paellas you can try in Spanish restaurants and can include clams, shrimps, lobster, clams and many other varieties of seafood.
Since one of the authentic characteristics of paella is that it is traditionally eaten in groups and straight from the pan (paella), this simple dish is not difficult to try at home.
The easiest way to do this is to heat oil in a paella pan, add vegetables and meat, season with salt and pepper and fry and finally add some water and rice and cook until everything is cooked. .
Although it may seem simple to make at home, real paella, according to many foodies, is only eaten in Spain.
Check out our recipe for traditional Spanish paellaHereand read about paellaone of the best facts about Spanish food.
A quick FAQ on where to eat the best paella in Malaga
Which city in Spain has the best paella?
Paella is probably the most famous Spanish dish in the world and is on the wish list of many tourists visiting Spain.
Since Paella Valenciana originates from Valencia, you can say that Valencia is the place to go for the best traditional paella.
Does Malaga have good food?
Yes, in Malaga you can enjoy a great seafood paella as well as other delicious dishes in some of the best Spanish restaurants.
The city has trendy tapas bars, each offering their own version of famous Spanish dishes.
What food is Malaga famous for?
Málaga is known for its amazing tapas like sardine skewers, great vegetarian/vegan paella options and generally well-prepared food from all over Spain.
Some of the two most famous dishes are Fritura Malaguena, Gambas al Pil-Pil, Rabo de Toro, Porra Antequerana, Ajoblanco.
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FAQs
What part of Spain has the best paella? ›
Even in Spain, paella is most often eaten with large family groups at the beach. In fact, in Valencia, some of the best and most authentic paella restaurants can be found just a few steps from La Pepica by the sea, such as La Marcelina, L'Estimat and Casa Navarro.
Is there paella in Malaga? ›Yes, you can have a great seafood paella in Malaga, along with other delicious dishes in some of the best Spanish restaurants. The city has modern tapas bars, each with its own take on Spain's famous dishes.
What food is Malaga known for? ›- Gambas al Pil-Pil. When prawns are flash-fried with fresh chilies, garlic, paprika and a little white wine, they take on true Spanish flavor. ...
- Carne en Salsa. ...
- Gazpacho. ...
- Ajo Blanco. ...
- Aceituna Alorena (Alorena Olives) ...
- Paella. ...
- Albondigas en Salsa de Almendras. ...
- Boquerones.
Paella is a rice dish originating from Valencia, one of Spain's most picturesque cities. It was created in the 18th century by a fisherman on their day off, and they cooked up a delicious dish from what they had at hand. This recipe spread around Spain, but it's still most closely associated with Valencia today.
What is the most popular type of paella? ›Although paella originates from Valencia, it's recognized as the national food of Spain and there are several different varieties. The most common types of paella are chicken paella, seafood paella, or mixed paella (a combination of seafood, meats, and vegetables).
What is the most traditional paella? ›Paella valenciana is the traditional paella of the Valencia region, believed to be the original recipe, and consists of round-grain rice, bajoqueta and tavella (varieties of green beans), rabbit, chicken, sometimes duck, and garrofó (a variety of lima or butter bean), cooked in olive oil and chicken broth.
What is paella rice called in Spain? ›The most commonly used rice in paella in Spain is called Bomba. It's a short-grain rice cultivated in the eastern parts of Spain. It absorbs liquid very well, but stays quite firm during cooking. In supermarkets, it's often labelled as Paella rice.
Is paella expensive in Spain? ›The main reason why paella is so expensive is because of the ingredients. The dish requires high-quality rice, saffron (a spice that is native to Spain), and seafood. These ingredients can be difficult to find and are often expensive. In addition, the dish takes a long time to prepare, which adds to the cost.
What is paella called today? ›That's right, Paella is a dish created by Valencian peasants and farmers, formerly called Arroz a La Valenciana (Valencian Rice) and today Paella Valenciana. The dish carries many typical ingredients, but none of them come from the sea.
What time do people eat in Málaga? ›Malaga eats late
Last but not least, if you're going to eat here in Malaga, you need to start adjusting your schedule. We tend to enjoy meals later than most of the rest of the world, which means most malagueños won't sit down for lunch until 2 p.m. at the earliest, and dinner won't be served until at least 9.
What is breakfast in Málaga? ›
Forget your cereal, boiled eggs, sausages and yoghurts. Breakfast in Malaga centres around coffee and toasted bread, usually in the form of a bread roll known as a pitufo (also the word for Smurf!). Pitufos come in a variety of bread types including gluten-free and even more fillings.
What drink is Málaga famous for? ›Malaga is a sweet fortified wine originating in the Spanish city of Málaga made from Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grapes. The center of Malaga production is Sierra de Almijara, along with Antequera, Archidona, San Pedro Alcantara, Velez Malaga and Competa, in the Spanish wine region of Málaga DOP.
Which country makes the best paella? ›Paella is probably Spain's most famous cuisine. It is basically a traditional Spanish rice dish, often made with chicken or seafood, can be found everywhere in Spain and almost every restaurant has paella on the menu, but the best place to eat it has to be where it was first invented, in Valencia.
Does real paella have seafood? ›A truly authentic paella does not contain any fish or shellfish, according to Valencians. The rice dish, which is widely regarded as a national dish of Spain, is officially recognised as a symbol of Valencian culture.
What American food is similar to paella? ›Jambalaya
The sweep-up-the-kitchen cousin of Spanish paella, jambalaya comes in red (Creole, with tomatoes) and brown (Cajun, without). Made with meat, vegetables (a trinity of celery, peppers, and onions), and rice, Louisiana's signature dish might be most memorable when made with shrimp and andouille sausage.
Saffron Stamens 0.5g
Buy Saffron Stamens online. The most expensive spice in the world has long been used in the Moorish influenced south of Spain. Each stamen is still picked by hand and it takes 250,000 flowers to produce 1kg of saffron stamens. This spice is used for many recipes in the Spanish cuisine as Paella.
Bomba is the best rice for paella. It's not only authentic to the dish, but the results are almost always perfect. Calasparra rice is an excellent substitute if you can't get your hands on bomba rice. Arborio Rice can work if you can't get bomba or Calasparra.
What is the secret to a good paella? ›The broth, together with saffron and sofrito, a mix of olive oil, tomato, garlic, and paprika, are responsible for the paella's flavor. Lledo says that a cook should not overload the paella with ingredients, either meat or vegetables. He says limiting ingredients and letting each element of the dish shine is key.
What are the rules for paella? ›The ten permitted ingredients are: rice, water, olive oil, salt, saffron (or food colouring), tomato, flat green beans, lima beans, chicken and rabbit. No fish or shellfish. Ever. The research was carried out by social scientists at the Universidad Católica de Valencia at the instigation of local chef Rafael Vidal.
What soup goes well with paella? ›Gazpacho. A chilled Spanish tomato and vegetable soup is a wonderful dish to serve as an appetizer to paella. It is a delicious food that fits into your Spanish paella theme.
What is the national dish of Spain? ›
Many consider Paella as the National dish of Spain, that has as many variations as there are cooks! One thing every variation of paella has in common besides the rice and saffron is that it is a very social culinary occasion.
How healthy is paella? ›Paella is rich in essential vitamins and minerals necessary for human health. If paella is made with fish or shellfish, it has a high concentration of vitamins such as vitamin A, omega-3, and fatty acids. It also includes minerals such as zinc, selenium, and iron.
Does paella have chorizo? ›Authentic paella does not contain fish, chorizo or peas, say Valencian cooks.
What do you eat for breakfast in Spain? ›Typical Spanish breakfast includes coffee (cafe con leche or cafe cortado) with some pastries (churros and croissants are the most popular), cookies (Maria galletas), cakes (most typically bizocho), toasted bread (various tostadas), sandwiches (bocadillos), or potato omelet (Tortilla Espanola).
What is Spain most expensive food? ›Homemade angulas recipes
Before you dash off to buy elvers for your homemade angulas, know that they're one of the most expensive foods in Spain (per BBC), selling for hundreds of dollars a pound.
Cost of living in Spain vs the USA
On average, the cost of living in Spain is 123% cheaper than in the USA. The biggest differences in cost are in rent, utilities, groceries, daycare, and health insurance.
Another theory suggests that, because Thursdays were often given as a day off to household staff — including cooks — restaurants would serve paella to give dining patrons the feel of eating at home.
What is paella famous dish? ›paella, in Spanish cuisine, a dish of saffron-flavoured rice cooked with meats, seafood, and vegetables. Originating in the rice-growing areas on Spain's Mediterranean coast, the dish is especially associated with the region of Valencia.
What time do they eat breakfast in Spain? ›A typical Spaniard eating schedule is as followed:
– Desayuno (breakfast): anywhere from 7am to 9am, depending on how early you start your days. – Almuerzo (mid-morning snack): roughly 10am to 11am. Most Spanish schools have a patio time where the students are given this time to eat their almuerzo.
Dinner: 9–11 p.m.
Dinner in Spain may be late, but as with all Spanish mealtimes, it's definitely worth waiting for. Cena, or dinner, is usually much lighter than it would be in many other countries.
What time do you eat lunch in Spain? ›
First, they place very little importance on breakfast and lunch is their biggest meal of the day, followed by a large dinner. Their day starts at 8:00 am and lunch is at around 2:00 – 3:00 pm.
What is a famous breakfast in Spain? ›The Mediterraneo Breakfast
Complete breakfast in Spain is called the Mediterraneo and it is one of the most popular breakfast foods among locals. It consists of a combination of a hot drink such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, a natural orange juice, toast with olive oil and tomato, cold cuts, fruit, and yogurt.
Tostada con tomate, aceite, y jamón
One of the most traditional Spanish breakfast foods is a tostada -- a piece of toasted bread. A tostada is always served at least two ways, topped with either butter and jam (con mantequilla y mermelada) or olive oil and tomato (con tomate y aceite).
pensión f (con desayuno)
What do locals drink in Málaga? ›La Tranca is a Malaga favorite, so this little hangout is always packed with locals having a drink over tapas and good conversation. Specialty drinks of La Tranca include various types of wine, vermouth, and local beers.
What is the main alcoholic drink in Spain? ›Sangria is an iconic Spanish drink loved around the world. There are heaps of versions, but the classic recipe is made with red wine, brandy or vermouth, sliced apples and oranges, and sparkling soda. A crowd-pleasing pitcher of sangria is the perfect drink to share with friends over tapas.
What is Málaga drink? ›Málaga, sweet, usually red, fortified wine that originated in the southern Spanish Mediterranean coastal province from which it takes its name. The term may also be applied generically to any of a variety of heavy, sweet red wines, including certain kosher wines served at Jewish celebrations.
What salads to eat with paella? ›- House Salad. Romaine and mesculon mixed lettuce, tomatoes, juliene cut carrots and red sliced cabbage. ...
- Caesar Salad. ...
- Mediterranean Salad. ...
- Basque Salad. ...
- Levante Salad. ...
- Ibiza Salad. ...
- Gazpacho. ...
- Vichyssoise.
Carbon steel is the traditional material for paella pans in Spain and boasts the highest thermal conductivity of the three types, which enables rapid and even heating. Their design, which includes a dimpled bottom, aids in the even distribution of heat, contributing to the development of the desired socarrat.
Why is paella so important in Spain? ›Paella is a symbol of belonging to a family and the dish carries the important Spanish value of family in the day to day life. Families meet around a table to eat this tasty dish, and as such, families make their own Paella using ingredients that are easy to source.
Do you eat paella with a fork or spoon? ›
- The most appropriate utensil for eating paella is a spoon.
Do you eat the full prawn in paella? ›Devein the prawn's entire body.
At this point, you can eat the prawn. While the intestinal tract is not dangerous to eat, it will change the texture of a cooked prawn. Be sure to place the prawn's vein among the other inedible parts.
Can I Keep Paella in the Fridge? For any leftover non-seafood PAELLA (like chorizo and chicken), transfer it to an airtight container until it has completely cooled. Cover and place in the fridge for up to 3-5 days or freeze up to a month.
Is paella better in Madrid or Barcelona? ›But if you're looking for a truly authentic paella experience, Madrid is the clear winner. Paella is regarded as one of the best Spanish dishes. Pans are named after the Latin phrase patella, which means frying pan. It is located on the Mediterranean coast near Valencia in Albufera.
What part of Spain is paella? ›Paella is a rice dish from Valencia, Spain. One of the most well-known dishes in Spanish cuisine, paella is popular worldwide. It gets its name from the Valencian word for frying pan.
Which Spanish region is known for type of paella rice? ›Valencia produces virtually all of the rice in Spain. Growing in still water by the Mediterranean Sea, the rice commonly used for paella stretches out for miles in enormous fields.
Why is paella famous in Valencia? ›Valencia's climate is perfect for growing rice, and locals have enjoyed paella in one form or another for centuries. It all started when laborers working the fields in Valencia's inland areas would cook rice in a flat pan with whatever vegetables and meat they could find.
What is the best quality paella rice? ›Bomba is the best rice for paella. It's not only authentic to the dish, but the results are almost always perfect. Calasparra rice is an excellent substitute if you can't get your hands on bomba rice. Arborio Rice can work if you can't get bomba or Calasparra.
What is Spain's most favorite dish? ›1. Paella Valenciana. Paella is perhaps the most famous Spanish dish of all, and certainly one of the most abused. Authentic paella originates from the region around Valencia, and comes in two varieties: Paella Valenciana, with rabbit and chicken; and seafood paella.
What is paella rice called? ›The most commonly used rice in paella in Spain is called Bomba. It's a short-grain rice cultivated in the eastern parts of Spain. It absorbs liquid very well, but stays quite firm during cooking. In supermarkets, it's often labelled as Paella rice.
What's the difference between paella and fried rice? ›
Unlike paella, this fried rice is made with precooked rice (you can use short or long grain), but like paella, it's seasoned with saffron (and smoked paprika) and laced with cubes of chorizo and plump shrimp.
What's the difference between Mexican and Spanish paella? ›The difference between Spanish and Mexican paella is that the Mexican version is spicier and soupier. It also does not have saffron, so you don't need to worry about purchasing the most expensive spice in the world. Mexican paella is cooked using parboil rice.
Is paella always with fish? ›A truly authentic paella does not contain any fish or shellfish, according to Valencians. The rice dish, which is widely regarded as a national dish of Spain, is officially recognised as a symbol of Valencian culture.