
Llisa Negra
RESTAURANT SUMMARY

Where orange wood embers meet culinary mastery, Llisa Negra València transforms the ancient art of fire cooking into contemporary fine dining through Quique Dacosta's visionary approach to Mediterranean gastronomy. This fashionable restaurant in València's historic center showcases the celebrated three-Michelin-starred chef's dedication to ingredient purity and flame-kissed perfection.
Named after the grey mullet his son first caught, Llisa Negra represents Dacosta's most personal culinary expression. The restaurant emerged from the acclaimed chef's desire to strip away artifice and focus entirely on Valencia's exceptional produce, cooked over open fires with modern refinement. Having earned international recognition through The World's 50 Best Restaurants and Spain's Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts, Dacosta brings his innovative philosophy to this intimate temple of fire cooking, where traditional Valencian techniques meet contemporary gastronomic artistry.
The cuisine centers on open-fire cooking using orange tree wood, creating signature dishes that achieve near-perfection through flame and ember. Dacosta's famous rice dishes, including various paella styles, develop their distinctive socarrat over glowing coals, while grilled Dénia prawns arrive crowned with spicy sea urchin gratin. The menu showcases modern flourishes like red tuna belly cured for five months in salt, perfectly grilled cuts of meat and fish, and baby broad beans that capture Valencia's seasonal bounty. The restaurant's legendary cheesecake, considered among Spain's finest, provides a memorable finale to this fire-focused journey. Each dish emphasizes product-centric philosophy, with no artificial flavorings masking the pure intensity of flame-kissed ingredients.
The dining experience revolves around the theatrical open kitchen, where flames dance and ingredients transform before guests' eyes. This central fire station creates warmth and visual drama while maintaining sophisticated ambiance throughout the elegantly casual space. Service strikes the perfect balance between refined professionalism and relaxed charm, with knowledgeable staff guiding diners through the leisurely-paced tasting menu. The carefully curated wine program emphasizes Mediterranean varietals that complement the smoky, intense flavors of charred dishes, while welcome cava sets the tone for an evening of culinary discovery.
Llisa Negra offers València's most distinctive fine dining experience, where Quique Dacosta's mastery transforms simple fire cooking into gastronomic art. Reservations require advance planning for this sought-after destination, where each meal becomes a celebration of Valencia's culinary heritage refined through contemporary innovation and unwavering commitment to ingredient excellence.
CHEF
Quique Dacosta
ACCOLADES
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(2025) Michelin Plate
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(2024) Michelin Plate

(2025) Opinionated About Dining Casual in Europe Ranked #84
