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The top Michelin starred restaurants in Barcelona
Barcelona is home to thousands of incredible restaurants, so it’s no surprise that Michelin stars are aplenty in the Mediterranean city, which boasts 30 in total! If (very) fine dining is on the agenda during your time in Barcelona, take a look at some of our favourite Michelin starred restaurants:
Lasarte
Renowned chef Martin Berasategui opened Lasarte at Barcelona’s Monument Hotel on Passeig de Gràcia in 2006. His efforts have not gone unnoticed as the restaurant was recently awarded three Michelin stars, a testament to the chef’s ability to captivate the diners in an exemplary combination of aromas and flavours. With one of the highest recognitions in the gastronomic world, Lasarte is known for its creativity and innovation with food. Following the rules of nature, the varied menu works in accordance with the seasons to ensure the quality and therefore the dining experience are both top! More than a mere meal, Lasarte will delight all your senses.
Monument Hotel, Carrer de Mallorca 259, 08008 Barcelona
Moments
Michelin stars are nothing out of the ordinary for Chef Carme Ruscalleda, as her 3 restaurants boast 7 stars between them. Her attention to detail in the creation of her exquisite food creates the perfect culinary experience in her restaurants, and Moments is no different. Part of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the restaurant is 2 years old and already boasts two Michelin stars and is recognised as one of the finest gastronomic experiences in Barcelona. Influenced by Catalan cuisine, the renowned restaurant offers an à la carte and a tasting menu, both of which focus on the quality and freshness of the products to present a ‘neo-traditional modern Catalan cuisine’. In addition to the delightful fare, diners are immersed into a relaxing atmosphere with the chic amber-hued interior and can peek into the kitchen to watch the chefs work their magic!
Hotel Mandarin Oriental, Passeig de Gràcia 38-40, 08007 Barcelona
Hoja Santa
Inspired by Mexico and how the food is a fundamental part of its nation, Albert Adrià and Paco Méndez collaborated to pay homage to traditional Mexican cuisine. The product of their partnership, Hoja Santa, has been awarded a Michelin star. At Hoja Santa, they use traditional cooking and preparation techniques in an innovative way to present a fusion of Mexican flavours. Situated in the trendy Sant Antoni district, a short distance from Plaça d’Espanya, Hoja Santa allows diners to enjoy the taste of Mexico with a twist, whilst in the heart of Barcelona. Expect dishes such as king prawn served with macadamia nuts and ‘mole’ – a special Mexican chilli sauce, black truffle and cheese quesadilla, and a ‘donut’ of fresh fish from the market, just to name a few. All of these can be washed down by one (or two, or three) of their signature margaritas, as it just wouldn’t be a Mexican restaurant otherwise! A beautiful blend of Mexican flavours, attentive service, flowing drinks and a Michelin Star – what more could you want?
Avinguda de Mistral 54, 08015 Barcelona
Àbac
In its second location since its birth in 2000, Àbac still offers superb fare in a relaxing dining room that seats up to 56. Holding two Michelin stars, Chef Jordi Cruz and his team diligently work to develop an impeccable menu by using the best produce available, whilst simultaneously maintaining an attentive, yet friendly atmosphere. The restaurant itself is located in a newly-built pavilion next to a garden, bringing a bit of nature to your evening of sophisticated cuisine. At Àbac, you have the choice between different sized tasting menus (up to 22 courses!) either with or without wine pairing, as well as the option to take a tour of the kitchen to ensure your gastronomic experience is one to remember – definitely one to tick off the list!
Avinguda Tibidabo 1, 08002 Barcelona
Disfrutar
When translated to English, ‘disfrutar’ means ‘to enjoy’, and a meal at Disfrutar will ensure that you do just this. Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch, chefs and co-owners, united their passions again after their success at Compartir, their Cadaquéz–based restaurant focused on sharing dishes. The trio believe in the importance of a surprise in the dining experience, and for this reason we highly recommend their tasting menus. Choose how many dishes you fancy trying, for those who are really hungry, you can choose to taste up to 25 courses! In such a menu, diners can expect dishes such as red mullet with pork belly and eggplant gnocchi, and indulgent cheesecakes and other desserts. Disfrutar’s daring and modern cuisine was awarded with its first Michelin star on its first anniversary in 2015. This year, Disfrutar was named 55 on the list of the 51-100 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, as well as being named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by the Catalan Academy of Gastronomy in 2015 – need we say more?
Carrer de Villarroel 163, 08036 Barcelona
Enoteca Paco Peréz
Chef Paco Pérez puts his heart and soul into his contemporary Mediterranean cuisine at Enoteca. His passion began to blossom at the young age of 12, when he began his career working at a family-owned tapas bar, where he learned traditional cooking. Today, the chef follows a philosophy based on quality ingredients, elegance, and ingenuity along with food created through the use of both traditional and modern techniques. Expect courses such as beetroot tart and asparagus with black truffle and caviar. Since it was taken over by Paco Pérez in 2008, Enoteca has been awarded 2 Michelin Stars, adding to Pérez’ collection of 5 stars in total. Located by the sea with a terrace open during the summer season, the ambience of the restaurant goes hand in hand with the incredible food.
El Celler de Can Roca
The Roca brothers’ passion for cooking was initially kindled in Can Roca, the establishment their parents manage in Taialà, a neighbourhood lying on the outskirts of Girona and in 1986; El Celler de Can Roca was born. Years of experience has taught the Roca brothers their places in the kitchen to create the perfect combination, with Joan as having the ‘salt mind’, Josep the ‘liquid mind’ and Jordi specialising in the dessert preparation, i.e. the ‘sweet mind´. Due to its exquisite menu and innovative approaches to cooking, El Celler de Can Roca was awarded the first ever Michelin Star for a restaurant in Girona and now boasts 3 in total! Unsurprisingly, the restaurant was also named as the World’s Best Restaurant in 2013 and 2015 by Restaurant magazine. When dining at El Celler de Can Roca, you are guaranteed an unforgettable culinary experience. This is definitely one not to miss!
Carrer de Can Sunyer 48, 17007 Girona
All of these restaurants (unsurprisingly) require a reservation beforehand so be sure to book in advance! Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or simply looking to treat yourself, any of these restaurants will be sure to impress, in cuisine, service and overall dining experience – so, what are you waiting for?
Sandra Roig is Marketing Director at AB Apartment Barcelona.
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Since the article is about Barcelona, I would have also included at least a sidebar for the Roca Brothers at their Barcelona Michelin Starred Roca Moo and Roca Bar at the hip Omm Hotel in the Paseo De Gracia district blessed with some of the best food in Barcelona. Of course, the food is art here, with an open kitchen for prepping the often deconstructed dishes. Even the dishes are unique as are the sculptures that grace each table.. all created by the family and chefs!
I have been to most of the restaurants in your list.
I was happy to see Disfrutar in the list. I think it has more potential than the 1 Michelin star that it has received. I’m certainly returning.
It must be mentioned that Girona is far from Barcelona, although worth a trip to experience El Cellar de Can Roca.
But was surprised to find Hoja Santa in the list. It was my lieast favorite experience from Alberto Adria!!!!! Enigma, Pakta, Tickets are all Michelin starred restaurants from Alberto Adria and all are much better than Hoja Santa.
I wish elBulli was still open! Granted, I know it’s not in Barcelona, but I feel that it was the inspiration for so many amazing restaurants, especially in Spain. Which restaurant was your favorite?