Karak

Our second visit. Excellent food. Inventive presentation. Very comfortable and welcoming. The staff is top notch. Chef is delightful.

We chose Karak to celebrate my partner’s birthday and went for the medium tasting menu with wine pairing - and wow, the experience went above and beyond our expectations. The food was exquisite, and the service was equally outstanding. We truly appreciated the variety of dishes, the creativity behind the concept, and how the whole evening felt special without ever being overdone or pretentious. It struck the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. Already counting down the days until we can come back next year!

Dinning at Karan was a wonderful experience. We recently had our long-awaited Michelin dinner at Karok, and it was nothing short of memorable! We were the only ones who chose the kitchen seating, giving us a front-row view of the chefs at work. There was no dress code for patrons, which helped make the experience feel relaxed and approachable. The service was warm, personal, and deeply accommodating. There was a mix-up with multiple dietary restrictions specifically around the meats my partner and I eat, which we had specifically flagged. The team handled it with grace. Chef Rakel herself stepped in, remade dishes, brought out extra wine pairings, and made sure we were taken care of. She even came out after dinner to shake all of our hands and thank us which was a truly rare and heartfelt gesture. The kombucha pairings (all made in-house) were some of the most inventive we’ve tried, with flavors like basil, coffee, strawberry, rosemary & black pepper (which oddly tasted like Coca-Cola), and more. Each complemented the courses in unexpected ways. Standout dishes included: Beef carpaccio to start which was luxuriously rich and flavorful. A smoky tomato dish that was bright, acidic, passionate, and incredibly balanced. Mid-bite I thought, “That’s some fantastic cooking.”*A reconstructed onion cake—savory, layered, and clever.Stuffed eggs and fried tomato—salty from tuna, sweet from egg, thoughtful and intentional.Scallop tartare with duck—probably the only misstep for us. Fermented salmon—evoked a nostalgic, almost Japanese flavor profile.Beef (subbed for lamb) with garlic, potato, and pistachio—rich and earthy.Asparagus panna cotta with smoked strawberry jam—bizarre and boundary-pushing. Still not sure if I liked it, but I respected it.A play on Floating Island dessert with lime, mandarin, elderberry—reminiscent of key lime pie.“Mirages” (chocolate, mushroom, and cheese)—challenging but creative.A birthday cake surprise and a group sing-along for our friend.Final bites: three “bargaining chip” cakes—banoffee, citrus, and a standout marzipan on gingerbread. Karok isn’t just about perfect execution—it’s about sharing perspective through food. It’s deeply personal, daring, and thoughtful. Even with a few hiccups (water refills, dietary mix-ups), the passion and care were undeniable. If you’re open to an experience that challenges expectations while still delivering soul and generosity, Karok is worth the reservation.

Decent food and pleasant atmosphere bit expensive for the level of quality. Staff were friendly, but struggled to explain the concept. Worth a mention in the guide, but here's why it won't earn a star. After several good courses, the dessert was overly sour and perfumed—we left it unfinished. When the waiter asked why, we explained politely. Moments later, the chef (also the waiter's wife) appeared and aggressively confronted us, insisting we were wrong. Despite calmly clarifying it was just feedback, she escalated the situation and publicly threw us out, shouting in front of other guests. We left in shock. A quick look at their Google review replies confirms they don't take feedback well. The positive is that we will never forget Valencia after our first time being kicked out of a restaurant.

Just amazing. It really was art! From beginning to end. Meticulous in every detail from presentation to cutlery to music. The wine pairing was brilliant and unique, food was phenomenal. The storytelling was an extra experience and executed very well. Service was above and beyond. When I come back to Valencia, I will visit again. Thank you Karak!