Spain’s elite dining: indulge in the best fine dining experiences.

Spain is a paradise for food lovers, with a rich and diverse culinary heritage that varies from region to region. From the fresh seafood of Galicia to the hearty stews of Castilla La Mancha, from the paellas of Valencia to the pintxos of the Basque Country, Spain offers a wide range of traditional dishes that reflect its history and culture. But Spain is also at the forefront of modern gastronomy, with some of the world’s most innovative and acclaimed chefs working in its top restaurants. Spanish haute cuisine combines creativity, technique, and local ingredients to create dishes that surprise and delight the senses. Many of these restaurants have earned Michelin stars, the highest recognition in the culinary world, and offer a dining experience that is both memorable and unique. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city that boasts some of the best restaurants in the country. One of them is DiverXO, the brainchild of chef David Muñoz, who has revolutionized Spanish cuisine with his bold and imaginative approach. DiverXO is the only restaurant in Madrid with three Michelin stars, and it offers a surreal and theatrical dining experience that challenges the boundaries of gastronomy. The menu changes constantly, but some of the signature dishes include a reinterpretation of the classic Madrid stew, a dish made with three different types of tuna, and a dessert that combines chocolate, foie gras, and chili. The restaurant’s décor is equally striking, with white walls covered with butterflies and pigs, and tables set with custom-made crockery and cutlery. Another Michelin-starred restaurant in Madrid is El Club Allard, which is housed in a beautiful modernist building near Plaza de España. The restaurant has two Michelin stars and is known for its elegant and refined cuisine that blends tradition and innovation. The menu features dishes like a smoked eel tartare with apple and wasabi, a black truffle risotto with parmesan foam, and a roasted pigeon with foie gras and orange. The dessert menu is also impressive, with creations like a chocolate sphere that melts to reveal a passion fruit mousse, or a lemon tart with basil ice cream. El Club Allard also has an extensive wine list that includes some of the best Spanish and international wines. In Barcelona, the culinary capital of Catalonia, there are many restaurants that showcase the region’s rich gastronomic heritage. One of the most famous is El Celler de Can Roca, which has been ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world. The restaurant is run by the Roca brothers, who combine their talents in the kitchen, the pastry shop, and the wine cellar to create a harmonious and unforgettable dining experience. The menu is based on seasonal ingredients and traditional Catalan recipes, but with a modern twist. Some of the dishes include a charcoal-grilled prawn with coral vinaigrette, a lamb rack with rosemary smoke, and a dessert inspired by the perfumes of the Mediterranean. The wine list is equally impressive, with over 3,000 references from around the world. Another iconic restaurant in Barcelona is Tickets, the brainchild of Albert Adrià, the brother of Ferran Adrià, who was the mastermind behind the legendary El Bulli. Tickets is a playful and whimsical take on the traditional tapas bar, where diners can enjoy bite-sized dishes that combine flavors, textures, and techniques in surprising ways. The menu changes frequently, but some of the highlights include a liquid olive, a mini-airbaguette with Iberian ham, a sea cucumber with black garlic, and a cheesecake with lychee and rose. The restaurant also has a lively atmosphere, with circus-themed décor and friendly staff. In the Basque Country, one of the most gastronomically rich regions in Spain, there are many restaurants that have earned international acclaim for their innovative and sophisticated cuisine. One of them is Arzak, located in San Sebastián, which has three Michelin stars and is run by the father-and-daughter team of Juan Mari and Elena Arzak. The restaurant is known for its avant-garde dishes that combine traditional Basque flavors with cutting-edge techniques. Some of the dishes include a spider crab with coconut and curry, a pigeon with beetroot and coffee, and a chocolate truffle with mint and basil. The wine list is also extensive, with over 1,200 references from around the world. Another Michelin-starred restaurant in the Basque Country is Mugaritz, located in the countryside near Rentería. The restaurant has two Michelin stars and is famous for its experimental and creative approach to gastronomy. The menu is designed to stimulate the senses and provoke emotions, with dishes that challenge the conventions of taste and texture. Some of the dishes include an edible stone, a fake egg made with potato and truffle, and a lamb’s brain with lemon and capers. The restaurant also has a beautiful garden, where diners can enjoy a drink or a snack before or after their meal. In the south of Spain, in Andalusia, there are many restaurants that offer a taste of the region’s rich culinary heritage, with dishes that reflect its Moorish influence and its abundance of fresh produce. One of them is Aponiente, located in El Puerto de Santa María, which has three Michelin stars and is run by chef Ángel León, who is known as the ‘chef of the sea’ for his innovative use of marine ingredients. The restaurant is housed in a former tidal mill, and it offers a unique dining experience that showcases the flavors and textures of the sea. The menu changes with the seasons, but some of the dishes include a plankton risotto, a sea urchin with caviar, and a mackerel with seaweed. The restaurant also has a wine cellar with over 600 references, many of them from the local region. Another Michelin-starred restaurant in Andalusia is Dani García, located in Marbella, which has two Michelin stars and is run by chef Dani García, who is known for his creative and modern take on Andalusian cuisine. The restaurant is located in the luxurious Puente Romano Beach Resort, and it offers a stunning setting for a memorable dining experience. The menu features dishes like a gazpacho with cherry and basil, a roasted suckling pig with apple and cinnamon, and a cheesecake with blueberries and violet. The restaurant also has a wine list with over 1,000 references, many of them from the local region.