BLACK MARKET BBQ, DENIA — Restaurant in Dénia

An Unmissable Gem A Feast for the Senses and the Soul

From the moment we stepped through the door, we knew we were in for something special. Greeted warmly by both owners a genuine, down to earth couple the atmosphere immediately felt like home, with a twist of rock 'n' roll magic. Queen playing in the background set the tone perfectly, and as our eyes adjusted, we were swept away by the sheer creativity of the space. Tables covered in CD cases, menus printed on vinyl records, and nostalgic treasures from decades past brilliantly placed throughout the restaurant every detail screamed personality and passion.

This isn't just a place to eat. It's an experience. The vibe is unmatched: vibrant, warm, and bursting with character. The husband, a culinary craftsman, runs the kitchen with the heart of an artist, while his wife, once a full-time teacher and now an inspiring part-time educator, brings hospitality to life with effortless grace. Her ongoing work in the community, including leading students in creating a virtual library about Denia, speaks volumes about the kind of love and intention poured into this place.

Now, let’s talk about the food – because WOW.

Pulled Pork: Absolutely to die for. Tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned it's the kind of dish you close your eyes for, just to savour it properly.

The Ribs: O.M.G. Fall off the bone perfection. Smoky, rich, and slathered in a sauce that hits every note.

Mac and Cheese: A 10 out of 10. Creamy, cheesy comfort food bliss that would make any Southern grandma proud.

The Beef: Wow. Just… wow. Deep, bold flavours, cooked to melt-in-your-mouth excellence.

In short, this place is a rare find a fusion of heart, history, and unforgettable food. Whether you're here for the music, the atmosphere, the story, or the meal and trust me, come for all four , you're in for something truly special.

Oh and if you love dogs like we do! They have a doggy who is 17 years old and is so precious and to say his age, happy as a box of frogs, he was an emotional support worker, when they were in the US!

A must-visit....

★★★☆☆ – Solid concept, but not authentic BBQ. As an industry professional with BBQ expertise, I was curious — but left underwhelmed. BLACK MARKET BBQ has potential but lacks execution, technical depth, and flavor authenticity.

Hot Wings were correctly fried but small, low on meat, and underseasoned. No classic dips like Ranch or Blue Cheese — just herb mayo and a cocktail-style sauce. Acceptable, not memorable.

Kids' plate (sliders, fries, wings) was fine but uninspired.

BBQ platter for two: Pulled pork was the best item — juicy and well-seasoned. Ribs were overcooked, no bark, no crust. Possible dry rub, but not evident. Sausages were fully cooked but had zero browning or smoke character. No finish, no smoke, no fire — this felt oven-cooked, not barbecued.

Sides: Coleslaw and mac & cheese lacked seasoning; pasta overcooked. Only standout: the Cody-Flower salad — fresh and well-balanced.

Service was friendly but disorganized — table wasn’t reset, cutlery came late.

Bottom line: No smoke, no crust, no depth. Recommendation: Invest in proper BBQ equipment — Cook & Hold smokers (e.g., Alto-Shaam) or combi ovens with smoke boxes. These can deliver real BBQ flavor even in urban kitchens.

Right now, it’s a decent spot for casual visitors — but for true BBQ lovers,...

The best bbq and burgers in Denia 😋 and the service and atmosphere incredible! It’s our family’s favourite 🥰

Also wanted to add (after reading the few poor reviews left by people that clearly have never been to an authentic bbq restaurant) that this is a small family-owned restaurant - run by only 2 people! 💪🏻💗

You don’t come here expecting fine-dining food and service. What is great about this place is the chill, non pretentious vibe, delicious, inexpensive food (you gotta try the ribs bandeja 😋).

They also play good music and have a cool little outdoor area. No other places in Denia are THIS kid friendly - it’s been a struggle for us coming from AU. The options in Denia is kids run around in the concrete plaza or watch movies on a phone. Marc and Mary have tons of games, our kids ask to come here every time we say we are going out for dinner… because they know they’ll get real food and a lovely experience playing board games or Lego! Keep up the amazing work and don’t let keyboard worriers ruin this amazing thing you’ve created - we are very lucky to have...