The best restaurants in Spain may not come cheaply, but they’re well worth your while. From seafood to modern Spanish cuisine, these dining rooms will impress you with their creativity and flavor.
Chef Javi Estevez brings offal to the forefront of modern Spanish cuisine with dishes such as fried pig’s face and salad made with brains, and boasts an extensive wine list to boot!
Atrio
Few countries rival Spain when it comes to paella, pintxos, or Michelin-star restaurants – including Atrio in Caceres and Cocina Hermanos Torres in Barcelona – that stand out on their culinary experience and Michelin stars. Recently, the 2023 Michelin Guide added two more stars for Spanish restaurants; these included Atrio from Caceres and Hermanos Torres from Barcelona.
Atrio has earned itself an esteemed place among Madrid’s well-heeled elite and visiting foodies alike, thanks to its inventive cuisine that blends modern innovation with traditional culinary tradition. Head chef Tono Perez, famed for his imaginative extrapolations of Extremadura cuisine (he trained under Juan Mari Arzak, widely credited with revolutionizing Basque cuisine at his three-starred Arzak restaurant), won widespread acclaim. Additionally, they provide diners with two tasting menus which can be tailored specifically towards their tastes – plus they offer two tasting menu options with customized customization capabilities for your dining pleasure!
Aponiente, headed up by Angel Leon and located in a chic yet stylishly decorated setting, allows diners to discover Spain’s deep connection to its coastal environment through Angel’s dishes that highlight abundant fish varieties while eschewing rarer ones. His menu highlights abundant species like rice with plankton and sea cumber, oyster mousse, razor clam sorrentinos; not to mention an impressive cellar filled with rare vintage wines!
Estimar
Barcelona offers some of Europe’s finest seafood restaurants, and Estimar stands out as an outstanding example. Estemar has become known for its impeccable quality and presentation; locals as well as tourists enjoy dining here at this casual luxury dining spot that boasts modernist architecture with traditional touches. It can be found along a narrow street near El Born in its bustling heart district of El Born.
Restaurant is small and intimate, featuring an open kitchen in the dining area for an unparalleled dining experience. The menu offers classic and contemporary Spanish dishes alike – as well as several vegetarian-friendly selections such as the delicious combination of browning butter and smoked butter in its roasted cauliflower dish!
Longtime favorites in the bustling market district, this restaurant specializes in creative tapas and seafood dishes using seasonal produce from the market, giving familiar dishes new flavors with every season change. Service here is impeccable while food quality exceeds expectation – although prices here may be higher than comparable bars nearby – however this investment will definitely pay off!
La Terraza del Casino
Paco Roncero has made himself a legend among contemporary cuisine experts with his restaurant situated in an old gentlemen’s club of the same name near Madrid’s centre. Trained at El Bulli by Ferran Adria and employing new concepts he develops at his food research lab next door, Roncero now runs this restaurant as its head chef. There is both an a la carte menu as well as tasting menus; as well as sushi and teppanyaki services!
The luxurious dining room of this cosmopolitan establishment boasts two Michelin stars and is masterfully designed by Jaime Hayon, one of the current leading figures in interior design. He gave the room an exciting new perspective by drawing organic elements that keep visitors coming back for more! Julio Guixeres designed its exterior terrace while Tom Black, an established figure in haute couture fashion, designed uniforms for staff members – further contributing to this elegant dining experience.
Roncero’s cuisine fuses Spanish avant-garde cuisine with international classics to produce innovative yet traditional dishes, from Crawfish Salad with Pink Tomato Snow or Kokotxa al Pilpil de Curry to playful art installations in his kitchen to create an exceptional dining experience.
Desde 1911
Foodie tourists visiting Madrid shouldn’t miss experiencing its classic culinary offerings: churros from San Gines, bocatas de calamares (calamari sandwiches) during an afternoon of bar-hopping, and as many slices of tortilla as your belly will hold. But once these classic experiences have been satisfied, Madrid’s dining scene becomes truly intriguing.
Desde 1911 is like entering history being written. Soon enough, this restaurant will be winning culinary awards and impressing patrons with its class, good taste, and quality cuisine. And its team – from owner Diego to their expert host/sommelier/hostess – certainly knows their craft well!
Chef Diego Murciego creates an exquisite menu daily based on what’s available, creating an incredible combination of Spanish, Japanese and Nordic cuisines. For example: Squid are filled with briny-sweet spider crab ravioli filled with cockscomb; tortillas offer islands of chorizo and pickled pepper; while there’s even the famously crunchy suckling pig’s head which must first simmered and then deep-fried before becoming irresistibly crunchy!
Pescaderias Corunesas’ wine cellar exudes distinction, individuality, and tradition thanks to the great national wineries who have joined them throughout their journey over time. Their wine selection features rare old vintages and verticals you won’t find elsewhere – not one to miss!
