Spain is known for its love affair with food: from pintxo bars filled with waxy paper napkins where diners snack on two-bite savory snacks to sidrerias serving fizzy natural cider, its cuisine forms the core of its culture.
Since El Bulli’s closure in 2011, Spanish cuisine seems to be even more successful; three of this year’s number-one restaurants are from this country.
1. Aponiente
Visit Aponiente, regularly featured in The World’s 50 list and headed by chef Angel Leon – popularly dubbed “the Sea’s Chef” – and expect an immersive marine experience. Situated within an 18th-century tide mill in Cadiz, Leon and his team are dedicated to discovering new oceanic foods and ingredients and expanding what can be accomplished with them.
Leon opened his three Michelin star restaurant and was named Spain’s #1 restaurant in 2024 after leaving El Bulli in Catalonia. There he learned the discipline of clarifying stock and deboning quail; but later turned to exploring local marine products for use in dishes.
Leon is known for creating seafood-based charcuterie using fish parts that would normally be thrown away, and pioneering the use of advanced technologies to convert plankton – an essential source of food for whales and fish in the ocean with a distinct marine taste – into edible forms.
Leon continues to explore the waterworlds of his native region with his second restaurant, Alevante at Palacio Sancti Petri Hotel in Murcia. The menu reflects this vision by recovering Sancti Petri’s sea vegetable garden while exploring how seawater itself can elicit different sensations for diners.
2. La Terraza del Casino
La Terraza del Casino stands out from Madrid’s culinary landscape as an innovative dining spot, boasting two Michelin stars and three Repsol Suns. Situated within NH Collection Real Casino on Calle Alcala, La Terraza del Casino is run by top chef Paco Roncero who pairs innovative cuisine with interior design by Julio Guixeres for an immersive dining experience from start to finish.
While its lavish, high-ceilinged rooms are sure to dazzle, Roncero shines when it comes to food. Offering both 10 and 18 course tasting menus that provide diners with unique dishes like Crawfish salad with pink tomato snow or Meuniere clam with coffee and lime, Roncero will captivate diners from start to finish.
Roncero, Adria’s protege and one of his top chefs, emphasizes innovation and exploration in his kitchen. To that end, he has set up his own laboratory adjacent to the restaurant to test new concepts and ideas before including successful dishes on its ever-evolving menu. For added al fresco dining during warmer months, guests may visit Roncero’s outdoor rooftop terrace – designed by Jaime Hayon to combine design with culinary ambition; Jaime played with color while adding custom made furniture pieces crafted especially for this space!
3. El Rinconcillo
If you love Spanish cuisine, take the short bus journey to Seville and visit El Rinconcillo. Situated in La Macarena neighborhood, this 350+ year-old eatery still retains some of its original ornamental decor including mahogany bar seating, Spanish tile work and high ceilings.
Bars in Spain provide customers with tapas and drinks. Surrounded by upright sherry barrels that act as tables, standing room only is common at bar areas – yet Spanish locals have this down pat: locals know exactly what they want from memory so it is not hard for them to secure a space near the barrel they desire. Waiters write bills in chalk on the bar but erase it after customer asks for total cost before paying their tab.
Food at this establishment is both classic and delicious, offering croquetas – small fried fritters stuffed with various ingredients like ham or chicken shredded into bite-size fritters – and cocido navarro, which is a traditional Spanish stew with beans and vegetables typically prepared by boiling and then simmering it over several hours.
4. Atrio
On top of San Miguel de Allende’s bustling streets sits this exceptional restaurant. Offering innovative fusion cuisine and stunning rooftop views of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, its exquisite service matches their exquisite culinary offerings; such as their innovative and visually stunning dishes such as Jicama Tacos or Suckling Pig paired with Pear for optimal savory/sweet flavor harmony.
Chef Tono Perez and his team have earned themselves a stellar reputation as one of the most innovative culinary teams in town. Not afraid to push boundaries of Mexican-Peruvian fusion cuisine, they still pay tribute to what has made San Miguel cuisine famous.
One key to the restaurant’s success lies in its expansive wine cellar. Staff can give tours prior to each meal, with over 90 vintages of Chateau d’Yquem alone!
Caceres lies in an isolated corner of Extremadura in western Spain. In 1986, its old town was declared a World Heritage Site due to its architectural treasures.
