La Llimera Cabanyal — Restaurant in Valencia

Never before have I written a restaurant review, but then, never before had I eaten at La Llimera (Calle Sueca, 6, Valencia). Dinner there last night proved to be a fabulous experience for my wife and me.

We shared hummus calabaza, oh baby patata, empanada carne argentina, empanada cabrita, carrillada ebria, and NY cheesecake, accompanied by David & Goliath Bobal wine for my wife and Bodega Estrella Galicia cerveza para mi. Everything, absolutely everything, was amazing. Taste is personal, of course, but I wouldn't expect anyone to try any of the dishes mentioned and not agree that they were all exceptionally delicious. It was apparent to us that a lot of care and attention to gastronomic detail went into the cooking process. For example, we learned that the carrillada ebria was cooked for twelve hours, which probably explains why it simply melted in our mouths.

The various dishes were delivered to our table with perfect timing, to match our pace of consumption. Wait staff wasn't hovering, but was certainly attentive and easy to summon. With respect to the overall level of service, Ivan was an absolute standout. Professional, affable, and easily competent. Polite, very pleasant, and proper, with just the right amount of interaction, the right amount of distance. Reliable in his recommendations, prompt with his service. Clearly focused on our dining experience. He has the right amount of everything.

All of that for just 56 euros. In a five-star system, La Llimera rates six stars, in my opinion.

Visit #2

Last Friday we made our second visit to La Llimera, this time as a party of three, and as was the case the first time, we were totally impressed with everything.  It's a fantastic restaurant that delights the palate and keeps a smile on your face.  Everything about La Llimera works, from food quality and taste to service and price ... they all combine to make for a wonderful dining experience, from start to finish.  And the serving sizes are generous, which is icing on the cake.

As we did on our previous visit, we accepted Ivan's excellent recommendations, and completely enjoyed tomatun, cesta de pan, hummus calabaza, cecina buey, carrillada ebria, and NY cheesecake, with a little Estrella Galicia, Aperol Spritz, vino David e Goliath, vino AZ Crianza, and Cremaet to round things out.  (That was in total, not per person!).  My dining partners have quite refined and discriminating tastes, often leaning toward the critical side, but they had nothing but superlatives for every plate that graced our table.  I've never heard them be so positive about every aspect of a meal.  That's high praise!

I want to single out Mareia for her excellent table service.  She easily accommodated our unfortunately-English-only communication.  She was prompt and attentive, ever so polite, and super pleasant, the kind of person you would want as your BFF.  She added to the evening in a very positive way.

Our bill totalled just 94.20 euros, making the value proposition a no-brainer.  When in Valencia, La Llimera is an unqualified must-visit...

La Llimera Cabañyal is a hidden gem that perfectly captures the charm of Valencia’s local dining scene. This spot offers a warm, bistro-style atmosphere that feels both inviting and effortlessly cool.

The menu is a celebration of flavors, with dishes bursting with freshness and unmistakable house-made touches. Each plate feels thoughtfully crafted, balancing creativity and comfort. The staff add to the experience with their friendly, attentive service, making you feel like a welcomed guest rather than just a customer.

It’s the kind of place you find yourself thinking about long after the meal is over, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. Highly recommended for anyone exploring the Cabañyal...

Disappointed in the lack of welcome that is usually felt in the restaurants here in our beloved city of Valencia. Tonight at La Llimera, we were barely spoken to, hardly even looked at. We sat outdoors at a high top, because we were only getting drinks while waiting for the Teatre de el musical to open. When I asked a question in Spanish (correctly!) the server replied in English, wouldn’t even look at me. I suppose she thought we were tourists. I don’t know. We waited another 5 minutes to order our drinks, while the servers stood nearby, avoiding eye contact. Then we left. I usually don’t write negative reviews, but felt I should voice my experience and hope the owner will encourage the servers...