Blog Leña | Grupo Dani Garcia Blog Leña | Grupo Dani Garcia

Leña, the culinary concept that revolves around the grill, technique, and top-quality ingredients, with meat as the star of the show and nods to Catalan gastronomic culture, arrives in Barcelona.

The renowned chef from Málaga, Dani García, will make his debut at the 5-star Grand Hyatt Barcelona hotel with the flames of Leña. The restaurant’s concept centers on the grill—meat and its various cooking methods take center stage—alongside the finest products, refined techniques, and references to Catalan culinary traditions.

Leña embodies the high culinary spirit of chef Dani García (recently awarded as the first Spanish chef to receive a Michelin star in Dubai with his restaurant Smoked Room). It aims to become a new haven for meat and grill enthusiasts, offering them the full experience of fire as the origin of everything, while integrating identity-defining elements and values (wood, charcoal, flames, smoke, and smoked foods) as the backbone of the concept.

The interior design maintains Leña’s essence, featuring a carefully curated, elegant, and avant-garde décor with stone and wood as the primary materials, evoking a sense of the primitive and primal. In 2021, Leña in Marbella was awarded the “Most Beautiful Restaurant in the World” by the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. The opening of Leña in Barcelona marks the fourth iteration of this concept by Grupo Dani García, following launches in Marbella (2020), Madrid (2021), and Dubai (2023). In 2025, the brand will also arrive in Miami.

Excited about this new project, Dani García states: “We want Leña to ignite in Barcelona. I love being in this special city, which fascinates and excites me so much.”

The Essence of Leña

Various cuts of meat, Dani García’s iconic burger, internationally inspired dishes, grilled vegetables, and classic recipes executed with high precision. Leña offers diners an unparalleled sensory experience in a sophisticated and elegant space located in the 5-star Grand Hyatt Barcelona hotel, just a few meters from Camp Nou.

Leña upholds the high culinary spirit of chef Dani García (recently awarded as the first Spanish chef to earn a Michelin star in Dubai with his restaurant Smoked Room). It aims to become the new destination for meat and grill enthusiasts, ready to embrace all the rituals where fire is at the core of everything, while integrating key elements and values (wood, charcoal, flames, smoke, and smoked foods) as the foundation of its concept.

The interior design preserves Leña’s essence with a meticulously crafted, elegant, and avant-garde décor, using stone and wood as the primary materials to evoke a sense of the primitive and primal. In 2021, Leña in Marbella was awarded the “Most Beautiful Restaurant in the World” by the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. The arrival of Leña in Barcelona marks the fourth opening of the concept for Grupo Dani García, following Marbella (2020), Madrid (2021), and Dubai (2023). The brand will also expand to Miami in 2025.

This October 5th and 6th, Madrid will be the epicenter of gastronomy with one of the most exciting events of the year: Chefs on Fire, where Leña and Smoked Room will have their own space. At the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII, more than 20 chefs will come together to create a unique culinary experience, where fire will be the true star. Under the flames, these masters will transform ingredients into gastronomic masterpieces, all in an environment that blends art, live music, and nature.

Where will it take place?

The chosen venue, the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII, is a gem of the Spanish capital. With its vegetation and tranquil atmosphere, it provides the perfect setting for this festival that combines the sophistication of fine dining with the great outdoors. Over the course of these two days, visitors will enjoy not only the aromas rising from the grills but also in the opportunity to watch chefs in action, preparing dishes right before their eyes.

Leña and Smoked Room

Among the participants of Chefs on Fire are Leña and Smoked Room. Leña has solidified itself as a temple for grill lovers, its concept revolving around intense flavors and the tradition of cooking over embers.

On the other hand, Smoked Room, with its Michelin star, is an ode to elegance and precision cooking, where smoke plays a crucial role. This space, renowned for its exclusivity and very limited capacity, has earned international acclaim for its meticulous attention to detail and its ability to transform ingredients through smoking.

Award-winning chefs, live music, and more

In addition to Leña and Smoked Room, the festival will feature over 20 renowned chefs, all celebrated for their talent and creativity in the culinary world. From standout Spanish chefs to international figures, each will bring their unique vision of fire-based cuisine. The result? A feast of flavors where respect for raw ingredients and technique is fundamental.

Chefs on Fire is not just a food festival; it’s a celebration for all the senses. While the chefs transform ingredients into exquisite delights, live bands will provide the perfect soundtrack to the experience.

Chefs on Fire is more than a festival; it’s a celebration of gastronomy, art, and music in a one-of-a-kind setting. It’s a place where fire comes alive in the hands of exceptional chefs and where flavor is elevated through passion and technique. If you’re a lover of fine food and looking for a unique experience, you can’t miss this event. Come and enjoy two days of culinary creativity, in an atmosphere where embers, music, and nature come together to offer something truly unforgettable.

At Leña, the art of grilling meat over fire is a constant celebration. A fundamental part of this experience lies in the cuts of meat, which are served with utmost respect for the product, making each visit a unique culinary journey. We invite you to discover three of the most special cuts on our menu: the old cow ribeye, the veal porterhouse, and the veal tomahawk.

Old Cow Ribeye: Unique Flavor and Texture

One of the most cherished treasures for meat lovers is the old cow ribeye. At Leña, we treat this cut with almost reverential respect. It comes from cows that have lived long and healthy lives, which translates into much more intense flavor, thanks to the time the fat has had to infiltrate the muscles. The ribeye is known for its marbling, that intricate network of fat that, when melted, infuses the meat with an unparalleled flavor. Its texture is juicy, tender, yet with character. This cut is ideal for those seeking deep, authentic flavor.

Veal Porterhouse: Two Cuts in One

The veal porterhouse strikes the perfect balance between two worlds. It’s a cut that combines the best of two pieces: the tenderloin and the sirloin. In the center, a small but firm portion of bone separates both cuts, adding extra flavor during cooking. At Leña, we grill the porterhouse with precise care to highlight the unique characteristics of each part. The tenderloin, soft and delicate, melts in your mouth, while the sirloin, slightly firmer, maintains that bit of resistance that makes it even more satisfying. This cut is perfect for those who want the best of both worlds on one plate.

Veal Tomahawk: The King of the Grill

Impressive in size and presence, the veal tomahawk is much more than a cut of meat—it’s a sensory experience. This cut is named after the Native American tomahawk due to its long bone, giving it a rustic and primitive appearance, yet with an unmistakable sophistication in flavor. The tomahawk is essentially a bone-in ribeye, and at Leña, each of its attributes is enhanced. Here, the slow fire and expert technique transform this piece into a masterpiece: meat with an incredibly juicy texture, deeply flavorful, and an invitation to enjoy it with all your senses.

The Art of Fire at Leña

At Leña, each of these cuts is carefully selected and treated with the respect it deserves. It’s not just about serving high-quality meat but bringing it to its full potential through fire, an element as primal as it is sophisticated, which Leña masters to perfection. Each ember adds a smoky touch that enriches the meat, while the technique controls the precise cooking point to elevate the experience with every bite.

Whether you prefer the intensity of the old cow ribeye, the versatility of the veal porterhouse, or the majesty of the tomahawk, at Leña, you will find the perfect cut for every palate.

Dubai, a jewel in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, is a city that has captured the imagination of the world. With its stunning architecture, luxurious shopping malls and vibrant nightlife, Dubai has become a must-see destination for travelers from around the world. But there is one aspect of this city that is gaining attention: its dining scene, especially with the arrival of Leña and Smoked Room.

Upon arriving in Dubai, the first thing that captivates is its futuristic skyline, dominated by the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. This skyscraper is not only a testament to the city’s ambition, but also a symbol of what Dubai represents: a blend of tradition and modernity. The city offers experiences for every taste, from desert safaris to shopping at the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

Dubai’s beaches are also a major attraction, with golden sands and crystal-clear waters of the Persian Gulf. Places like Jumeirah Beach and La Mer are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sun. For sports enthusiasts, water activities, golf and skiing at Ski Dubai, located at the Mall of the Emirates, offer thrills galore.

Luxury and gastronomy

However, beyond the skyscrapers and beaches, Dubai has been emerging as a gastronomic paradise. Here, the flavors of the world meet, offering visitors an unparalleled culinary experience. And it is in this vibrant setting that renowned Spanish chef Dani Garcia has made his mark with his restaurants Leña and Smoked Room.

Leña, located in the heart of Dubai, is a restaurant that celebrates the magic of charcoal-grilled cuisine. Here, Dani Garcia combines traditional techniques with a modern approach to create dishes that are true works of art. From exquisitely prepared meats to vegetables grilled to perfection, every bite at Leña is an explosion of flavor. The restaurant’s décor, with its warm and sophisticated ambiance, perfectly complements the dining experience, making every visit a special occasion.

Smoked Room, recently awarded a Michelin Star, is more than a restaurant; it is an intimate and exclusive culinary experience, where smoke is the protagonist of each dish and every detail is designed to surprise and delight. With a sophisticated ambiance and impeccable service, Smoked Room redefines the concept of haute cuisine in Dubai.

The presence of Leña and Smoked Room in Dubai not only enriches the city’s gastronomic offerings, but also reinforces Dubai’s position as a global epicenter of luxury and culinary innovation. Dani Garcia, with his vision and talent, brings a touch of Spanish excellence that perfectly complements Dubai’s vibrant and diverse dining scene.

Kylian Mbappé arrives in Madrid to join Real Madrid, and as he prepares to charm the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu, we want to make sure he also enjoys the best gastronomy the city has to offer. So, Kylian, here’s your personal guide to the Dani García Group’s restaurants in Madrid. Each one of them is a unique experience, prepared especially for a champion like you.

Live Madrid

Kylian, we know that after an intense match, there is nothing better than a good grilled meat. At Leña, fire and smoke are the protagonists, creating intense and succulent flavors. As in the countryside, where your every move is precise and full of passion, at Leña every cut of meat is treated with the same dedication and perfection. An ideal place to recharge your batteries with the best flavors of the grill.

If you prefer something fresher, like the goals you score with precision and speed, then Lobito de Mar is your destination. Here, seafood is prepared with an authenticity that will make you feel like you’re on the coast. From quick and delicious tapas to seafood that will surprise you, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the flavors of the ocean without leaving Madrid.

For those days when you want to savor the essence of Andalusia, we recommend Tragabuches Madrid. This restaurant rescues and reinterprets the traditional flavors of southern Spain. It is as if each dish takes you on a culinary journey through the Andalusian countryside and villages. Perfect for when you need a touch of home and tradition after conquering the countryside.

And if you’re looking for something more alternative and cosmopolitan, BiBo is the ideal choice. Here, every dish is an adventure, a combination of flavors and cultures that will surprise you with every bite. Like your dribbles in the countryside, BiBo is innovative and full of surprises, making every visit unique and exciting.

If you’re in the mood for a more exclusive dining experience, Smoked Room is the perfect place. With two Michelin Stars, it offers a selection of smoked dishes with innovative techniques and attention to detail that will make you feel like you’re in a culinary masterpiece. It is the ideal place for an intimate and sophisticated dinner after a victory on the field.

Restaurante Dani Garcia Leña Madrid

Discover Marbella with Renfe

But the experience doesn’t end in Madrid, Kylian. We know that, as a world star, your travels are not limited to a single city. Thanks to Renfe, you can travel comfortably to Marbella and continue enjoying.

In Marbella, BiBo Supperclub awaits you with a proposal that fuses gastronomy and fun. It is the perfect place for a cosmopolitan and casual experience in a vibrant and sophisticated atmosphere.

For a continuation of the freshness of the sea, Lobito de Mar Marbella offers you the same authentic flavors of the sea that you can enjoy in Madrid, but with a special touch of the Marbella coast.

And if you want more of the delicious grilled flavor, Leña Marbella continues the experience of the best meat prepared with the mastery that characterizes Dani Garcia.

For an authentic Andalusian flavor on the Costa del Sol, you can’t miss Tragabuches Marbella. With its cuisine celebrating the traditional flavors of southern Spain, every visit is a journey through the rich Andalusian heritage.

Restaurant Dani Garcia Lobito de Mar Marbella

A journey of flavors for a star

Kylian, your arrival in Madrid marks the beginning of a new era in soccer, and we want it also to be the beginning of an incredible gastronomic adventure. We invite you to visit our restaurants, enjoy the best flavors and live unique experiences, both in Madrid and Marbella. See you at the table!

San Juan is one of the most eagerly awaited festivities of the year. This celebration marks the summer solstice and the arrival of the shortest and most magical night of the year. In Spain, we love to gather on the beach, light bonfires, jump over them and make wishes while the waves caress the shore. This ritual is a symbol of purification and renewal, leaving behind the old and making way for the new.

San Juan and Dani García

Make your wishes to the water with Lobito de Mar

Make a wish and let the water make it come true.

If there is one restaurant that captures the essence of the sea and the beach, it is Lobito de Mar. Located in Marbella Madrid and La Finca, this restaurant is paradise for fish and seafood lovers. After dinner, strolling along the beach, feeling the sea breeze and jumping in the waves is the perfect way to complete the night of San Juan. This year we want to celebrate the magic of San Juan in Dani García Group with you.

Burn the bad and let the good happen with Firewood

Ask for what you want to leave behind and let the fire burn it.

For those who prefer intense flavours and charcoal-grilled cuisine, Leña is the ideal choice. This restaurant combines the tradition of the grill with modern techniques, offering meats of the highest quality in a sophisticated atmosphere. Celebrating San Juan at Leña means enjoying a culinary experience that enlivens all the senses. Feel the warmth of the bonfires that mark this special night.

Manifest new beginnings with Tragabuches

Plant your pot with intention and you will see the fruits of what you have sown.

Tragabuches, located in Marbella and Madrid, is a tribute to Andalusian cuisine with a touch of innovation. This restaurant is perfect for those who wish to celebrate the Noche de San Juan in a more intimate setting, but without losing the essence of the festivity. Enjoy dishes such as potato omelette or cherry gazpacho, which combine tradition with modern creativity.

Shine with BiBo

Glow with fire and make your wish this San Juan.

For those looking for a vibrant and cosmopolitan experience, BiBo is the perfect choice. This restaurant, located in Marbella, Tarifa and Madrid, offers international cuisine that fuses flavours from around the world. Imagine celebrating San Juan with a creative cocktail in hand, enjoying dishes such as oxtail brioche or sea bass ceviche, while bonfires light up the night. At BiBo, fun and gastronomy go hand in hand, creating the ideal atmosphere for a magical evening.

We want your wishes to come true, celebrate San Juan with Dani García Group.

Time flies! This month, we celebrate the third anniversary of two jewels of the capital: Leña Madrid and Smoked Room Madrid. Three years have passed since these restaurants opened their doors, offering diners a sensory journey through intense flavours, innovative techniques and a welcoming atmosphere.

Leña Madrid: A tribute to the charcoal grill

Leña Madrid has conquered the hearts of meat and grilled cuisine lovers. Founded by our chef Dani García, Leña has stood out for its focus on the grill, where each dish is prepared with impeccable precision and high quality ingredients.

Since its opening, Leña has offered a unique experience that combines traditional grilling techniques with a modern and sophisticated touch. Meat cuts, meticulously selected, are cooked to perfection, bringing out their natural flavours and the essence of the grill. Leña doesn’t stop at meat; its menu also includes fish and vegetable dishes, all infused with the unmistakable aroma and flavour of the grill.

Restaurante Dani Garcia Leña Madrid

Smoked Room Madrid: An Oasis of Smoke

Right in the heart of Leña, Smoked Room Madrid, which holds two Michelin Stars, offers a completely different experience where smoke is the protagonist in every fish, vegetable, seafood or meat dish. This restaurant has become a haven for those seeking a more intimate and experimental culinary adventure. With its focus on smoking techniques and flavour fusion, Smoked Room has redefined what it means to enjoy an exceptional meal.

In these three years, Smoked Room has proven to be a laboratory of flavours, where the main ingredient is smoke, transforming each dish into a work of art.

From Madrid to the sky

The celebration of Leña and Smoked Room’s third anniversary not only marks a milestone in its trajectory, but is also a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of its teams. No anniversary would be complete without thanking those who have been part of this incredible journey.

As we celebrate these three years, we continue to look to the future to continue to be part of your dining experiences. Leña Madrid and Smoked Room Madrid will continue to innovate and offer gastronomic experiences that delight and surprise.

Here’s to many more years of success and incomparable flavours!

This is the perfect excuse to discover what makes Leña and Smoked Room so special, we are waiting for you to share this celebration and give you an unforgettable experience!

See you at Leña y Smoked Room Madrid!

After a period of exciting openings for Dani García, mainly focused on his hometown, the chef from Marbella now starts with a new international double opening, this time in Dubai: Smoked Room and Leña, which will be located in the exclusive hotel The St. Regis Garden, on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island.

This exclusive enclave will host two new concepts signed by the Andalusian chef who, after his time in Doha, where he has the restaurants BiBo and Lobito de Mar, is once again betting on the Middle East as a destination to take Spanish gastronomy beyond its borders, now with Leña and Smoked Room. Thus, the Dani García Group’s expansion and growth process continues with the aim of promoting Spanish brand cuisine around the world.

These two proposals, although markedly different, have the same common thread: smoke. Thus, Leña, which will open its doors on December 18, and Smoked Room, which will open a few days later, will share location, but not space or equipment, and will be located in Al Nakheel Mall, connected through a green esplanade with the St. Regis Gardens Hotel, in the heart of the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai.

Leña, the redefinition of grilling

On the other hand, and as in Marbella and Madrid, Leña Dubai will be a steakhouse that goes a step further and comes to offer locals and visitors an irresistible duality: the balance between Dani Garcia’s technique and honesty and respect for the product. Thus, it proposes a menu very focused on the raw material and its versatility in front of the embers, but with a very personal touch and a marked international influence, the result of the chef’s travels and experiences around the world.

His gastronomic offer has fire, embers and smoked flavor as a common thread. Thus, the menu of Leña Dubai will maintain dishes that have gained popularity around the world as the Burger bull, meatball yakipincho, Burgos lamb roasted with fine herbs, grilled lobster with sherry beurre blanc and fries with caviar, roasted leek with gribiche sauce and hazelnuts with black truffle or his famous foie gras in the form of apple with grilled garlic and lemon. Among the novelties, Dani García will present elaborations such as his famous grilled avocado from Málaga, this time with coriander pesto and feta cheese splash, 300 g of juicy grilled picaña or A5 Japanese wagyu loin tomahawk. To finish, sweet bites such as the new chocolate donut, mille-feuille with diplomatic cream or its emblematic tarte di rose.

Firewood in Dubai features an impressive bar and lounge area, a spacious indoor dining room for 150 guests and a stunning terrace overlooking Palm Jumeirah. In addition, its outdoor terrace seats 140 guests, with an additional 40 seats at the bar.

Smoked Room, elevating haute cuisine on the grill

Only a few months after its opening in Madrid, Smoked Room managed to enter the prestigious Michelin Guide directly with two stars. With this space, Dani García translates his passion for haute cuisine, embers and hospitality into an exclusive space with embers and smoke as the main pillars of the proposal. Thus, the technique becomes an indispensable part of each dish, turning the smoke into a dressing and a unique touch of each fish, vegetable, seafood or meat.

In this space, Smoked Room will offer the Fire Omakase tasting menu, a proposal that consists of letting yourself be carried away by the chef and enjoy, and will change according to the products of the season. As with the Madrid restaurant, the Dubai restaurant will have only 14 seats in a unique space where you can enjoy an unparalleled culinary spectacle in an incomparable location.

In this exclusive setting, the chef invites you to welcome the year with the New Year’s Eve experience, which promises an unforgettable evening in a cozy atmosphere, offering an exclusive and personalized culinary journey. Dinner will begin at 8:00 pm with a special “Fire Omakase” menu and will end at 11:30 pm with a delicious dessert that will mark the transition to the outdoor terrace. As the clock approaches midnight, diners will enjoy a reserved space on the terrace with breathtaking views of Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis The Palm. Strategically located, this area offers the best panoramic views of the city and is the perfect place to witness the mesmerizing New Year’s Eve fireworks display over Atlantis The Palm.

Thus, with the exciting launch of Leña y Smoked Room in Dubai, chef Dani García takes another step forward in his mission to bring Spanish cuisine to all parts of the world and captivate palates through the flavors of his homeland.

NYE, Leña Dubai

Brugal rum and renowned chef Dani García have joined forces to create a unique culinary experience at Leña restaurant, where the magic of Brugal rum and the chef’s cuisine merge in an exceptional dessert.

The Brugal rum house, with its rich Dominican heritage dating back to 1888, has been a benchmark in the world of premium distillates. Its rum is distilled and aged in the Dominican Republic, under ideal conditions for maximum quality and flavour. The Brugal distillery uses traditional methods and a blend of copper and oak stills to create exceptional rums with a smooth and complex character.

Leña restaurant, run by renowned Spanish chef Dani Garcia, is known for its focus on charcoal-grilled cuisine and creative use of local ingredients. Its menu is a celebration of bold flavours and innovative culinary techniques.

The collaboration between Brugal and Dani Garcia at Leña focuses on the Savarin dessert that pays homage to Ducasse with Brugal 1888 rum. Initially it was made at the Babá al Ron de Leña made at the table. The combination of flavours is a symphony of sweetness and notes of oak and spices that blend harmoniously on the palate.

To complement this dessert, Leña offers a selection of creative cocktails made with Brugal rum that you can also pair with this dessert for even more flavour potential. 

The union of Brugal rum and Dani García in Leña is a culinary and cocktail experience that combines Brugal’s distilling expertise with Dani García’s culinary creativity.This dessert with Brugal rum is a showcase of the passion for haute cuisine and this benchmark, and is a testament to how flavours can converge to create something truly exceptional.

The good thing about the arrival of the good weather is that the days get longer. The outdoor get-togethers with friends begin. And the long weekends also begin, like the Easter long weekend. A perfect time to enjoy, travel and get out of the house with no curfew. 

In between plans such as going to see museums, musicals, shopping or spending a few hours on the beach, you always have to make time to eat. During these days there are many gastronomic options. Whether you are in Marbella, Madrid or Tarifa. You may fancy a pizza from Alelí, the best embers of Leña, enjoy the best Japanese cuisine at Kemuri, sail the sea at Lobito de Mar or the trips of BiBo Dani García. Cuisine and menus for all tastes and days of the week. There are no excuses, only desire. 

Tragabuches Marbella’s Andalusian late-night snack.

Togetherness is strength. And enjoying yourself with friends and family revitalizes everyone. These days of Easter with public holidays and a very special weekend, the terrace lounge of Tragabuches has prepared  the best after lunch or pre-dinner evening for you . 

Music, special atmosphere and the best company to enjoy a fun evening in Marbella. 

By the way, don’t forget that you can also have breakfast in Dani García’s most Andalusian space from 9:30am to 11:30am from Monday to Sunday. 

Thursday and Friday start the day with brunch in Madrid

Holidays are for enjoying and celebrating. Go for a walk, go to the cinema or have a drink with friends. In the Dani García Group we don’t forget the start of the day and we suggest you start the day in style, with brunch at Leña or BiBo Madrid.

The first of them inaugurated just over a month ago and with embers as a nexus of union throughout its menu. For €45 per person, enjoy Leña’s best-known starters, choose a New York-inspired main course and finish with the sweetest touch. A unique and fiery experience for an unforgettable long weekend. 

BiBo is well-known in Madrid. A success that every week makes the people of Madrid enjoy the start of the day in style. For 39€ per person, very BiBo starters, a main course to remember and the best ice cream in the world for dessert.