Catarroja is a gastronomic paradise, particularly known for its rice-based dishes, thanks to the fertile lands around the Albufera. The town is one of the key locations for the production of arroz, the rice used in Valencia’s famous paella. Visitors must try the authentic “paella valenciana,” made with chicken, rabbit, and local vegetables, as well as “arroz a banda,” a dish featuring rice cooked in fish broth.
Seafood is also a staple in local cuisine, with fresh catches from the Albufera lagoon and the nearby Mediterranean Sea appearing in many dishes. Other traditional foods include “all i pebre,” a spicy eel stew, and “fideuà,” a seafood dish similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice.
The city is dotted with local markets, where visitors can sample fresh produce, regional cheeses, and homemade desserts like “bunyols,” a type of sweet doughnut. For an authentic dining experience, visitors should explore the town’s many family-owned restaurants and cafés, which offer a taste of traditional Valencian cooking.