Author: atikaetc

Thanksgiving in Valencia: Where to Celebrate and How to Get All the Fixings

For Americans—and anyone else—craving turkey and pumpkin pie, Valencia offers a variety of options to make this Thanksgiving special. Whether you prefer dining out, hosting your own feast, or mixing traditions, here’s a guide to help you celebrate.

Dining Out: Enjoy a Stress-Free Turkey Dinner

Skip the kitchen this year and check out these venues serving Thanksgiving meals:

Hi VLC Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

  • What: A classic turkey dinner with all the trimmings, plus two drinks included for 45€ (+2€ service fee). A children’s menu is available. Prices increase after Nov. 22, so book early!
  • When: Thursday, Nov. 28, at 20:00
  • Where: Portland Ale House
  • Contact: David at +34 633 609 55 or Visit their website

Democrats Abroad Thanksgiving Dinner

  • What: A traditional Thanksgiving meal served in a Valencian casal, featuring turkey, sides, desserts, and unlimited wine and beer for 27€. Children’s menus available. Proceeds will help casals recovering from recent floods.
  • When: Saturday, Nov. 30, at 15:00
  • Where: Casal del Pilar
  • Contact: Democrats Abroad

Metropolis Bistro Ruzafa

  • What: A three-course Thanksgiving menu with options for turkey, roast beef, or salmon. 29.95€ per person.
  • When: Thursday, Nov. 28, from 13:00 to 21:00
  • Where: Metropolis Bistro
  • Contact: +34 648 697 574 for reservations or Check them out on Instagram

Hard Rock Café Thanksgiving Menu

  • What: Roast turkey with pumpkin pie and a twist: a cranberry mojito! Enjoy live music while you dine. Prices and menu details on their website.
  • When: Thursday, Nov. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 1, from 21:00 onward
  • Contact: Hard Rock Café Valencia

Cooking at Home? Here’s Where to Find Ingredients

Planning to host your own Thanksgiving feast? Valencia’s markets and specialty stores can help you gather the essentials.

  • Municipal Markets: Places like Mercado Central offer fresh, locally sourced poultry, including turkey. Be sure to order your turkey in advance to ensure availability.
  • Taste of America: Stock up on canned pumpkin purée, graham crackers, marshmallows, and ready-made pie crust.
  • El Corte Inglés Food Hall: A great spot for imported items like cranberries and pumpkin purée.
  • Mexican Food Stores: Add a Southwestern twist to your meal with fresh jalapeños, poblanos, and canned green chilis. Some options include Tropicalmente Herbasana, La Despensa de Frida, and Teqila.

Looking for Pumpkin or Pecan Pies?

Save time (and effort) by ordering pies in advance from these bakeries:

  • Guava Bakery: This Venezuelan bakery does seasonal pumpkin pies.
  • La Más Bonita: a Valencian classic that offers a range of seasonal desserts, including pecan and pumpkin pie.
  • Abbey Jo Bakes: You can also join the WhatsApp group of chef/pastry chef Abbey Jo Eans.  An excellent resource for American treats and sourdough breads with weekly menu options here in Valencia.

Share Your Tips and Events

Have a Thanksgiving event or tip to share? Let me know, and I’ll update this post to include it.

Valencia Flood Recovery: Latest Updates on Schools, Transport, Environment, and Upcoming Events

Good Morning, Bon Dia, and Buenos Días ??

Here’s a roundup of the latest news from the weekend and what to expect in the week ahead. Don’t forget to check back on Thursday for a list of weekend events to look forward to!

Flood Disaster Updates

The aftermath of the recent floods continues to dominate the headlines:

  • Tragic Incident in Massanassa
    Over the weekend, the roof of a flood-damaged school in Massanassa collapsed, tragically killing one worker and injuring another. The workers were inside the building clearing mud and debris when the accident occurred. The incident sparked anger among residents, who protested against officials during their visit. Read more from Las Provincias.
  • Protests Against the Government
    Thousands of residents gathered to protest the handling of flood recovery efforts, focusing particularly on the delays in reopening schools. El País reports on the backlash here.
  • School Reopenings
    Progress is being made in some areas, with at least 10 flood-affected schools reopening this week, according to À Punt Media. However, schools in severely damaged areas, such as Benetússer, remain closed until further assessments confirm their safety. More details on Valencia Plaza.

Political Fallout

Generalitat President Carlos Mazón faces mounting pressure amid the crisis. Despite calls for his resignation, Mazón has opted to reshuffle his cabinet, which will be installed this week. Additionally, the Generalitat will face a critical vote on whether to launch an investigation into its disaster response. Find the latest political updates from El País.

Transportation Updates

Flood recovery continues to disrupt transport across Valencia:

  • Metro and Bus Services
    MetroValencia has introduced three new bus lines to connect flood-affected suburbs while repairs to the rail network are underway. Route maps and schedules are available here.
  • Traffic Restrictions
    Most road restrictions have been lifted, but the CV-400 and CV-407 remain closed to private vehicles until Friday at midnight. Details from Las Provincias.

Environmental Concerns

The flood has also raised significant environmental challenges:

  • Albufera Lagoon at Risk
    Debris swept downstream is threatening the ecosystem of the Albufera lagoon, with concerns over potential long-term damage. Read more on À Punt Media.
  • Fire Hazards
    Accumulating waste and debris pose fire risks, adding another layer of urgency to recovery efforts. El País has the details.
  • Volunteer Efforts
    Environmental volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure debris disposal does not harm the environment further. Learn more from Las Provincias.

Urban Planning and Recovery

Flood recovery has paused several major projects in Valencia, including the reform of Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Parque Central, Las Provincias explains. Additionally, towns are rethinking urban planning to mitigate future flood risks. Ontinyent serves as a model, having removed an entire neighborhood in a flood zone and converted it into a park. À Punt Media shares more on this transformation.

Cultural News

Looking ahead, the Valencia Marathon on December 1 marks a bright spot on the city’s calendar. Hospitality businesses are optimistic the event will signal the start of Valencia’s economic recovery. Cadena Ser reports.

Thousands of runners will take to the streets, with a portion of proceeds going to flood recovery charities. For the route and event details, check out our feature on the Valencia Marathon. Click here.

Stay safe, and as always, check back for updates on developments throughout the week.