Spain's unique geographical setting means it is a point of confluence for many different cultures and traditions. The many influences that transcend Spain's borders find their way into the cuisine, which is rich and varied. North African, French, Mediterranean, and Spanish flavours meet in harmonious ways. With this guide to the 3-Michelin-star restaurants Spain has to offer, you can explore this diverse culinary landscape while in the safest of hands.
With 210 Michelin-star restaurants, Spain has an acclaimed fine-dining scene. Here are the 11 best Michelin-star restaurants in Spain.
Arzak is a three-Michelin-star restaurant San Sebastian holds dear, and with good reason. The father-daughter duo behind the wheel has made Arzak into a fine-dining institution of great acclaim, converting the entirety of a century-old house into a luxury restaurant with a bar and two effortlessly glamorous dining rooms. The dining rooms are an exhibition of the creative culinary delights that glide from the kitchen.
Akelaŕe is also in San Sebastian, which has grown into a hub of gastronomy. Here, the best of Basque cuisine is fused with the flavours of Spain and France and beyond. Traditionality is never forgotten in Akelaŕe, but it is given new life in inventive and artistic ways. Each dish is presented beautifully and the sweeping sea views create a dream-like ambience. Be sure to book a cookery class, which deeply enhances the experience.
Martín Berasategui takes the helm of his eponymous restaurant. Berasategui philosophy is simple: in imparting to each guest his profound love of cuisine, he intends to make people happy through it. Bursting with colours and flavours in a culinary ode to the high-quality ingredients crafted into each dish, Berasategui ensures that his guests are enamoured with Basque cuisine by the time they leave. The restaurant is set amongst charming natural surroundings.
Eneko Atxa Azurmendi invites you to witness his talents that are showcased through the honest and ambitious plates that pay tribute to his roots in Biscay. Set in a modern building buried in the countryside, the self-titled Azurmendi boasts an array of sustainable practices, its own garden, and a txakoli wine cellar. Beyond being recognised with 3 stars, the restaurant also has a Green Star award for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy.
On the outskirts of the medieval city of Girona, a trio of brothers have established one of the finest Michelin-star restaurants Spain has to offer. Joan is in charge of the savoury dishes, Jordi has the sweet touch, and Josep is the master of wine. The brothers always have an eye to sustainability when crafting their innovative dishes based on traditional Catalan favourites. El Celler de Can Roca, which is set in an attractive house with a chic and leafy terrace, flaunts its own vegetable garden.
Housed in an imposing 18th-century palace, Cenador de Amós melds together the contemporary and traditional through the setting and its cuisine. The tasting menus are littered with gustatory delights that bring out the best out of each ingredient and pay homage to Cantabrian flavours.
In the cosy, intimate atmosphere of ABaC Hotel in Barcelona's suburbs, Chef Jordi Cruz invites his guests to sample the season's bounty with his unfailingly complex, yet accessible dishes. Cruz shows his ambition by bringing ambrosial flavours together in fresh and exciting ways, rejuvenating the old and trailblazing the new.
Another of Martín Berasategui's brainchilds, the à la carte options and tasting menus of Lasarte both give an insight into the sheer depth of his skill and consistent perfectionism. The interior is sleek with black and white surfaces juxtaposed under the warm glow of lighting. The wine list is extensive and pairs exquisitely with each dish.
Chef David Muñoz takes you on a subversive tour of global cuisine with his surprising but unfailingly thought-provoking dishes that dance with flavours and aromas. DiverXO, a quirkily designed restaurant, is as much of a visual experience as it is one of taste and smell. Follow the menu into a world of exhibitionist indulgence. This is one of the best Michelin-star restaurants Spain has for those who love to break away from tradition.
The food design at Quique Dacosta is both exceptional and extravagant, so much so that you will hesitate to take to it with a knife, fork, or spoon. The ambience of this restaurant resembles that of a modern-art gallery with a minimalistic and eclectic interior, which comes into contrast with the vibrant plates that spring from the kitchen.
Wander through the textures and flavours that Chef Ángel León has expertly captured at Aponiente to make a rounded culinary experience. His love of the sea shines through in his immaculate dishes and his commitment to sustainable practices, such as the "Cooks for Sustainability" initiative that seeks to share ideas for a better, cleaner industry.
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