We are in the Valencia area with more university students per square kilometer: Between the Blasco Ibáñez Avenue and Tarongers campuses lies Plaza Xúquer, years ago leisure area par excellence, always populated by teenagers who have now entered their forties. Those who drank cubaliliters of calimocho enjoying the atmosphere of the square, They had to move to other neighborhoods of the city when Xúquer was declared an Acoustically Saturated Zone (AGAIN) in 1996, with the blow that this meant for the hospitality industry. At the moment, Some survivors of those years share a now quieter plaza with fast food franchises, pizzas, burgers and more options for the tight pockets of students, but also with some new gastronomic proposals that continue to see the potential of an area that, far from being what it was, It has charm and an audience eager to enjoy what is delicious, the new and the classic.
Xúquer Bookstore
— Pl. Shuker, 3
The first corner of this well-known square is occupied by the Xúquer bookstore. We like to start like this, diving through books, fishing for hidden treasures in novels, essays and children's stories. This is one of the businesses that has survived all the changes that the square has undergone, because perseverance and love of the written word characterize this marriage that has been going on since 1985 dedicating his life to books. They confess to being grateful for not finding empty glasses at their door in the morning, Although now his business is going through great difficulties — in a neighborhood populated by young people who do not buy from local businesses, it is difficult to continue moving forward., they comment—but, curiously, the months are saved by the sale of children's books: parents who don't read want their children to read, so we can only wish them from the bottom of our hearts that they succeed in their endeavors., for the good of all.
La Vitti
— Pl. Shuker, 4
Paying tribute to Monica Vitti, the famous Italian actress of the seventies cinema, This small alternative concert hall was born that, before the pandemic, had an incessant schedule: on mondays, jams of jazz; on thursdays, soul; on saturdays, bands, and on sundays, acoustic or classical music. Here they don't hate anything, nor its owner, Marcos, nor the sixty people that fit in the small but tremendously cozy interior, where silence is contagious when music plays. Now the capacity is very small and it is not worth pulling all the strings that are necessary to continue with the frenetic pace that the room was going through.. We cross our fingers that circumstances change and music returns to La Vitti, always accompanied by a sangria, an agua de València or a gin and tonic with pomelo, juniper and special tonic.
Salamander
— Pl. Shuker, 6
The Salamandra bar is one of the classics in the area, one of those that opened more than forty years ago, who has lived through the golden years in which the square was packed every weekend to the point of almost not being able to cross it. There is no shortage of mojitos on the terrace., the caipirinhas, margaritas or special beers, nor a fixed clientele that enjoys the cocktails and the musical atmosphere. Regular customers confirm that the interior of the store has not changed since it opened., whose roof simulates the sails of a ship. This faithful crew is now joined by a renewed and young, who is beginning to find a taste for this Xúquer classic.
Feathered Serpent
— Vinalopó, 3
The feathered serpent is one of the most important deities of Mesoamerican culture., so much so that every year, the day of the equinox (in March and September), They meet in the Mayan city of Chichen Itza lots of visitors to watch the descent of the snake, an optical illusion that allows you to see how, The body of a serpent crawls sinuously from the top of the pyramid to the head of the feathered serpent at the base.. This and many other curiosities Alfonso tells us, who came from Mexico City to run this mezcalería that exudes charm with its decoration and its menu. From its location on the surrounding Vinalopó street, offers more than fifty references of Mexican liquors, so that we can see that there is life beyond tequila. The menu is short, but it is full of delicious and special dishes: along with the usual nachos and tacos (It is worth highlighting those from cochinita pibil, that Alfonso learned from his grandmother, and the one with giant ants, for the novelty), we can also taste a octopus in love, that Acapulco recipe with cilantro mayonnaise, lima, onion and tomato, as well as melted cheese with huitlacoche mushroom, shrimp cocktail or fresh ceviches. The impressive murals in the entrance and interior, The overwhelming friendliness of the staff and the rich and affordable gastronomic offer make it a perfect place for a more than pleasant evening.. In Feathered Serpent many of us will learn a little more about the Aztec country, while many Mexicans will feel back in their land.
Amivega
— Vinalopó, 4
The feathered serpent looks curiously at the place in front of him. Your door is open. Maria welcomes us, the owner of Amivega, this small bakery whose kitchen only bubbles with vegan recipes prepared to take home.. Every week he carefully prepares a different menu for nine euros, consisting of two vegan dishes and a dessert, always without sugar and, in many cases also gluten-free. Among the main ones we find the fingers de tofu, millet cake with carrot, mushroom or eggplant croquettes, various salads and soups. To finish a healthy and delicious meal we cannot pass up the carrot and apple cake or the coffee or hazelnut flan.
Allusions
— Pl. Shuker, 10
Many consider this small place in Plaza Xúquer the best Arab restaurant in the city, and it's no wonder: Moroccan recipes, tunisian, Libyan or Jordanian women make up a letter in which one debates between the tagines and couscous, falafel or tabbouleh, the hot pitas… To finish we cannot doubt, homemade cakes like baklava or the nests are too inviting, and combined with a Moroccan tea, cardamom or ginger, even more. Yes indeed, We must be aware that today we will not drink alcohol, Well they don't offer it, but there is so much to choose from that we may not miss it.
Carajillo
— Pl. Shuker, 11
Companion to the Salamandra bar in antiquity, Carajillo is another of the classics of this very popular square. With a privileged terrace, always sunny, and an interior that preserves the aesthetics of when it opened, Carajillo continues serving the traditional Cremaet or cold coffee with cinnamon and sugar to your long-time customers. It has not gone unnoticed by the new residents of the neighborhood either., university students or Erasmus students who have not ignored the charm of a place with the experience of a lifetime, with the always effervescent cultural atmosphere that its monthly exhibitions transmit to us and a careful musical background that welcomes us with its warm embrace.
