El Contraste Valencia

Churros can be a topic for debate in Spain, as much as Paella or "tortilla de patata". Some regions claim to have the original recipe or may call them differently. Others sprinkle sugar on top or eat them dipped in hot chocolate.

Wherever you stand in this debate, you should try churros at least once in your life, and in Contraste you will get the best ones in Valencia.

This is a traditional shop with a lot of history behind it. Four generations of the same family have been making artisan products for more than 60 years and selling them all year long. This is important because churros are commonly consumed during street fairs, carnivals, and festivities all around Spain. You can also find them at some cafeterias as breakfast, but it is rather a street stall kind of snack.

So, having a specialized traditional shop that sells them fresh all year long is worth mentioning. “Buñuelos”, a dip-fried doughnut of some kind, are my favourites. Although they are mostly common during regional festivities, Contraste offers freshly cooked pumpkin buñuelos all the time.

There is only one thing I don’t like about Contraste: it closes on weekends. So, come during the week, and make time for it because a churros/buñuelos breakfast on a Sunday is not possible. Take them to go or sit on the terrace, you will find local neighbours enjoying their favourite snack.