Restaurante RiFF — Restaurant in Valencia

A Culinary Symphony: Riff Restaurant Valencia Review

Nestled in the heart of Valencia, Riff Restaurant beckons with an invitation to embark on an unforgettable culinary journey. From the moment you step through its doors, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that seamlessly blends sophistication with warmth, setting the stage for an exquisite dining experience.

The first thing that captivates the senses is the elegant décor, where modernity meets tradition in perfect harmony. The ambiance is refined yet inviting, with soft lighting casting a gentle glow over the tastefully appointed interior. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the sleek furnishings to the artfully arranged table settings, creating an ambiance that is both intimate and upscale.

But it is the culinary offerings at Riff that truly steal the show. Helmed by Chef Bernd Knöller, the kitchen is a stage where creativity knows no bounds and every dish is a masterpiece in its own right. Drawing inspiration from both local ingredients and global influences, Chef Knöller crafts a menu that is as diverse as it is delectable.

Each dish is a symphony of flavors, meticulously composed to delight the palate and ignite the imagination. From the delicate balance of textures in the seafood ceviche to the bold, aromatic spices of the Moroccan-inspired lamb tagine, every bite is a revelation, leaving you eager to savor the next.

Complementing the culinary delights is an extensive wine list curated to perfection, featuring a selection of both local and international vintages handpicked to enhance the dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or simply enjoy a good glass of wine, the knowledgeable staff at Riff are on hand to guide you through the offerings and help you find the perfect pairing for your meal.

But what truly sets Riff apart is the impeccable service that ensures every guest feels like royalty from the moment they arrive. The staff exude professionalism and passion, going above and beyond to ensure that every need is met and every expectation exceeded. Whether it's a special dietary request or a personalized recommendation, no detail is too small when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience.

In essence, Riff Restaurant Valencia is more than just a place to eat – it is a destination for culinary connoisseurs and discerning diners alike. With its impeccable cuisine, elegant ambiance, and unparalleled service, it is a testament to the artistry of fine dining and a must-visit for anyone seeking a gastronomic adventure...

Me and my girlfriend both chose the Excellent Menu and absolutely loved every moment of it. The meal was a perfectly curated journey from start to finish.

We began with fried pancake, pickled vegetables, and marinated olives — a smooth and inviting start. Personally, I lean towards gazpacha or alinadas, so maybe adding them to the selection of olives next time would be a delightful touch. :)

The “bloody” Mary was an exciting and creative twist — honestly better than the original in my opinion! A playful and delicious experiment that really set the tone for the evening.

The “cuttlefish - koji - malosol caviar” was well-balanced, with an outstanding sauce. However, the standout for us in this course was the “fried egg - shrimp - kale - sheep butter” — a truly unique and flavorful combination that we’re still thinking about.

From there, we moved to “white asparagus - Iberian bacon - sunflower oil”, which seamlessly led us to the beautifully prepared “tatomato rice - black garlic - basil” — each dish building perfectly upon the last.

And then… the star of the night: “monkfish - lemon in salt - mullet roe - seaweed”. This dish simply left us speechless. The flavors were so well-balanced and elevated that we struggled to put the experience into words — just pure palate pleasure.

Dessert continued the magic: “spaghetti” - tomato - parmesan — yes, it’s a dessert! Yes, it includes tomato and parmesan! And yes, it’s absolutely brilliant. A wonderfully playful and delicious end to a phenomenal meal.

The service was impeccable throughout and the atmosphere warm and elegant. The wine pairing was also on point and very well organised. A truly 5-star experience — we will most definitely return. Highly...

Dined on New Year’s Eve, when the chef was featuring a special tasting menu (at 2x the price of the standard tasting menu). While the experience was fine, I’d rate Riff as average against its 1* Michelin peer group.

Menu - both food and wine - has some Germanic influences (eg, a sauerkraut side, lots of bread) while the wine list is heavily drawn from Germany and Austria, with some Spanish selections thrown into the mix. Wine pairing was quite pricey, and I noted that few of the dozen or so tables were going that route. We had a 14 year-old bottle of Riesling, which was outstanding.

Dishes were hit and miss. I thought the spaghetti with oysters and caviar were outstanding. The raw truffles on bread, raw shaved mushrooms with risotto, and coffee ice cream with pumpkin didn’t work for me. Also found risotto and spaghetti as back to back courses to be unusual. Combined with the numerous breads brought to the table, this is a carb intensive menu. Many of the dishes (especially the proteins) were oversalted while the risotto was bland.

Presentation wasn’t notable, and clearly underwhelming vs Riff’s Michelin peer group. Several dishes arrived cool to borderline cold.

My water and wine glasses were left empty for extended periods (10 minutes) without being refilled. I asked for the check twice, and it still wasn’t being delivered until I got up and approached one of the servers for what would be my third ask of La Quenta, por favor. That was a bubble buster to cap off the evening.

Chef’s New Year’s eve celebration (countdown with grapes, champagne toast) was fun and memorable.

Value wasn’t there for me. Given the numerous service hiccups, I wouldn’t return if in...