San Juan is not just fire and wishes thrown into the sky. But let’s be honest—making wishes is nice, eating your favorite dish is better. Some write down what they want to let go of and burn it. In Grupo Dani Garcia, we prefer to grill whatever needs grilling. The important thing is gathering with your people, sharing some laughs, and making sure the table is full—of food, not problems.
Between grilled meats, seafood, cocas, and rice dishes, San Juan feels more like a feast than a ritual. If you’re in Marbella or Madrid, any of these restaurants is the perfect meeting point. If you’re in Barcelona, watch out: at Leña Barcelona, tradition is taken seriously. Try the coca de llardons and raise a glass of cava, just like the night calls for.
Fire, sea breeze, and a well-served Coca
San Juan night is the perfect excuse to light a bonfire—or a grill. At Leña, for instance, the fire is controlled, but the vibe is anything but. Steak doesn’t need a ritual, just appetite. And ribs have more power than any spell.
But if the sea is more your thing, you don’t need to hit the beach and jump waves. At Lobito de Mar, in both Marbella and Madrid, summer is served by the portion. With a ceviche that awakens even the deepest desires and a rice dish that’ll make you forget there’s no bonfire.
And if you’re celebrating in Barcelona, the perfectly crisp coca de llardons is served with a glass of cava that goes down easy. You might not make a wish out loud, but chances are you’ll be thinking, “I hope this never ends.”
Wishes you can taste
Making three wishes in front of the fire sounds lovely, but at Tragabuches, it’s more about ordering off-menu. Here, wishes are something you chew on. Something you mop up with bread. Something served in a clay pot.
Traditional cooking has a touch of magic—especially when it’s made with depth, time, and love. On San Juan, it’s perfectly fair to ask for a stew, a rice dish, or a classic ensaladilla and feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. No fireworks—just great food and even better wine.
At BiBo, on the other hand, San Juan is all about music, cold drinks, and eating without overthinking. Brioche, freshly made guacamole, something Japanese, something Andalusian. There are no rules here. Just improvisation, bold flavors, and sharing. Which is also a way of wishing for something new.
No bonfire needed when the meal lasts all night
People get serious about San Juan. Midnight swims, no looking back, handwritten wishes on recycled paper. We think you don’t need all that. Just a good table, friends nearby, and a long, lingering meal that stretches into the night.
And if you’re wondering where to book, remember: Leña, Lobito de Mar, Tragabuches, and BiBo are more reliable than any ritual. In all of them, the most basic wish comes true: eating well and having a great time.
Sometimes, the fire is in the kitchen. The magic is in the first bite. And new beginnings? In a good glass of wine—or cava, if you’re in Barcelona.
So this June 23rd, don’t throw your wishes into the sea. Lay them out on the table. And celebrate San Juan the right way: no rush, no rules, and with a full stomach.
