En España se come bien (People eat well in Spain), you'll hear many Spaniards proclaim. That's coming from a country that's not accustomed to singing its own praises on the global stage.
Although these higher-than-average gastronomic standards apply to all types of bars and restaurants, when it comes to haute cuisine, Spain continues to be among the top five countries with the most Michelin-starred eateries, together with France, Japan, Italy and Germany.
On Tuesday November 22nd, Michelin revealed its newest restaurant selection of acclaimed Spanish restaurants during an event in the Spanish city of Toledo.
As of November 2022, two restaurants in Spain have been awarded the coveted three Michelin Star distinction.
Three have gone up to the two-star category and 29 restaurants have been given new one-star rankings.
Atrio in Cáceres (Extremadura region in western Spain) and Cocina Hermanos Torres in Barcelona have both earned the top award three-star prize, which is the highest award that can be given, and have joined the 13 other restaurants in Spain at this level.
According to the judges, Atrio won the distinction due to “its elegant and delicate dishes, prepared by chef Toño Pérez, who has shaken up local gastronomic traditions”. His menu focuses on Iberian pork and other products from Extremadura.
While in Barcelona, Cocina Hermanos Torres has been given the top award for “firing the imagination with every bite”. Chefs Sergio and Javier Torres have created “a magical space in which the gastronomic experience consistently seeks out the very best seasonal produce and exceeds foodies’ expectations, turning it into a dining extravaganza,” the judges said.
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Of the 2023 guide, International Director of Michelin Gwendal Poullennec said: “We were delighted to see how younger chefs are taking the lead and embarking on their own journeys, in many cases flying the flag of reinterpreted regional or fusion cuisines".
“In turn, vegan options are gradually forging ahead on menus, something which was already occurring in other European countries," he added.
Below are the Spanish rankings for the 2023 guide, including the three stars awarded to Atrio and Cocina Hermanos Torres.
Two stars
- Deessa, Madrid
- El Rincón de Juan Carlos, Adeje, Tenerife
- Pepe Vieira, Serpe, Pontevedra
One star
- Ababol, Albacete
- Ajonegro, Logroño
- Aleia, Barcelona
- AlmaMater, Murcia
- Alquimia-Laboratorio, Valladolid
- Ancestral, Illescas
- Arrea!, Santa Cruz de Campezo
- Ceibe, Ourense
- Cobo Evolución, Burgos
- Código de Barra, Cádiz
- Come, Barcelona
- Enigma, Barcelona
- Etxeko Ibiza, Es Canar, Ibiza
- Ferpel, Ortiguera
- Fusión19, Muro, Mallorca
- Gente Rara, Zaragoza
- Kaleja, Málaga
- La Finca, Loja
- Mont Bar, Barcelona
- Monte, San Feliz
- Montia, San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Oba, Casas-Ibáñez
- O’Pazo, Padrón
- Ravioxo, Madrid
- San-Hô, Adeje, Tenerife
- Slow & Low, Barcelona
- Tabaiba, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Ugo Chan, Madrid
- Zuara Sushi, Madrid
The Michelin Guide also handed out special awards to three different chefs.
The Young Chef Award for 2023 went to Almería-born chef Cristóbal Muñoz, who at age 31, heads up the kitchens at Ambivium in Peñafiel, Castilla y León.
The Chef Mentor Award for 2023 was given to a well-known name in the world of Spanish gastronomy – Joan Roca, who together with his brothers turned El Cellar de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia into one of the best and most famous restaurants in the world.
Finally, the Michelin Service Award for 2023 was presented to Toni Gerez from Castell de Peralada, also in Catalonia. As the restaurant manager and sommelier, he “excels in customer-facing roles, in particular, when presenting his marvellous cheese cart that goes from table to table,” explained the judges.
In total, the 2023 Guide lists 1,401 restaurants throughout Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Out of these, 13 have three Michelin Stars, 41 have two Michelin Stars and 235 were awarded one Michelin Star.
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