Michelin Star Hotel Dining in Spain

The modern and leafy setting in Barcelona where you’ll find ABaC hotel and restaurant. Pic credit: Marco Pastori/ABaC

Jordi Cruz is a Masterchef Spain judge and was awarded a third Michelin star for his Barcelona-based restaurant, ABaC, located at the ABaC hotel. Pic credit: ABaC

1 ABaC Restaurant & Hotel – Three-Michelin-Star Dining in the Barcelona suburbs

AV. DEL TIBIDABO 1, 08022 BARCELONA

First up is Chef Jordi Cruz’ ABaC restaurant which is located inside the boutique ABaC hotel in Barcelona. Chef Jordi, who is best known in Spain as one of the MasterChef TV judges, obtained his first Michelin star at the tender age of 24. He is responsible for world-class kitchens all over Barcelona and his highest accolade came in November 2017 when he was awarded three Michelin stars for his restaurant at ABaC. The hotel opened in 2008 and Jordi came on board in 2010. The former private residence today consists of 15 rooms, the Spa, restaurant and gardens. AS you can see in the image above, there is ample outdoor dining and private dining is also available. NB There is no ‘a la carte’ dining at ABaC – just two tasting menus – the 15-course Tradition menu and 19-course Avant Garde menu and are priced at 155/185 EUR with an additional 85/105 for wine pairings per menu.

The 2018 Michelin Guide says “Discover the unique culinary vision of the bold, media-friendly chef Jordi Cruz who has raised technical skill, creativity and gastronomic perfection to even higher levels. His dishes tell stories that are complex yet at the same time intelligent and understandable, and which evolve in line with seasonal products.”

Want another opinion? Check out this review by journalist and restaurant critic Steve Tallantyre (reviewed while it was a two-star establishment)

The views from the brand-new Akelarre Hotel are pretty amazing, aren’t they? Pic credit: Akelarre

Basque cuisine at the highest of levels at Akelare restaurant. Pic credit: Akelarre

Chef and owner of Akelare restaurant and hotel in San Sebastian, Chef Pedro Subijana. Pic credit: Akelarre

2 Akelare Restaurant & Hotel – New Hotel at the Long-established Three Michelin-star restaurant near San Sebastian

PASEO DEL PADRE ORCOLAGA 56 (BARRIO DE IGUELDO), 20008 DONOSTIA / SAN SEBASTIÁN

Pedro Subijana opened the doors to his new luxury hotel in San Sebastian back in July 2017 but he been the steering force behind the restaurant of the same name since 1975. One of the key figures in the New Basque Cuisine Movement, Pedro earned his first Michelin star for Akelare in 1978, the second in 1982 and the third in 2007. Pedro Subijana’s brand-new hotel at Monte Igueldo (overlooking the Bay of Biscay) is part of the Relais & Châteaux network, and each of the 22 rooms has amazing sea-views. You can review the Akelare three separate 8-dish tasting menus and a la carte offerings here. Each tasting menu is priced at 195 EUR without drinks (and yes, you will want to taste some of the impressive 650 wines from Spain and abroad). In addition to Akelare, you can also dine at the new dining space Oteiza, which offers a Basque menu designed by Subijana (in addition to the ‘a la carte’ menu), in this more relaxed setting. If the Bay of Biscay seawater seems a bit chilly, you can take a dip in the hotel’s indoor swimming pool to work up that appetite for the next meal! The hotel has a wonderful wine cellar for special events.

The 2018 Michelin Guide says: “A classic dining setting boasting stunning sea views. Akelare’s chef has created an extraordinary culinary concept that is high on creativity without abandoning traditional roots, and at the same time showcases well-defined flavours and unique textures.”

For a different opinion, see Annie Bennett’s review for the Telegraph newspaper.

Architecturally and gastronomically speaking, Atrio is a joy to the senses. Pic credit: Carles Allende/Atrio

Chef Toño Pérez of Atrio Hotel & Restaurant in the old quarter of Caceres. Pic credit: Carles Allende/Atrio

3 Atrio – Two-star Michelin restaurant in Award-winning Architectural Space in Caceres
PLAZA SAN MATEO 1, 10003 CÁCERES
(3 hours drive SW of Madrid or 2 hrs 40 North of Seville)

Chef Toño Pérez and hotel director José Antonio Polo first began working together at Toño’s fathers pastry shop in 1979. Seven years later, Toño & Jose opened the original Atrio, in 1986. The first Michelin star was awarded in 1994 with the second star came along in 2004. Around the same time, the wine cellar was awarded ‘Grand Award’ status by the Wine Spectator and it continues to hold this accolade. In 2010, the restaurant moved to its new location in the old Medieval quarter by the cathedral. The new hotel of just 14 bedrooms, and that extraordinary wine cellar, is a feat of modern architecture (showing the utmost of sensitivity with its surroundings) and the architecture awards have been piling up alongside the gastronomic accolades ever since. Atrio restaurant offers two tasting menus for 155/165 EUR. Drinks are extra.

The 2018 Michelin Guide says: “A unique restaurant that combines to perfection the rich history of its setting and a contemporary aesthetic. Atrio’s chef showcases innovative cuisine with classic pairings of ingredients to create superb textures and flavours of extraordinary purity. The wine cellar, which like the kitchen can be visited by guests, is the property’s jewel in the crown.”

For another review, see what Paul Richardson wrote for the Guardian newspaper about Caceres and Atrio.

The vineyards are just one of the reasons to stay at Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine. Pic credit: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

The Refectory is the Michelin-star dining room in this former abbey two hours north of Madrid. Pic credit: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

The Douro Valley awaits at Hotel Abadia Retuerta – named No 1 Hotel in Spain and Portugal by Conde Nast Traveler in 2017. Pic credit: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

4 Hotel Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine – World-class Hotel, Winery and Michelin-Star Restaurant, Refectory
CARRETERA NACIONAL 122. KM 332,5, 47340 SARDON DE DUERO (VALLADOLID)
(2 hours drive north from downtown Madrid)

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is a medieval abbey with significant grounds that dates from the 12th century. Its renaissance as a hotel began in 2012 and within two years it gained its Michelin star. This rural location might suggest a weekend break but you’ve got the acclaimed Ribera del Duero wineries on your doorstep as well as the many castles and UNESCO-listed cities of Castile-Leon nearby so you can easily spend more than a few days here. However long you spend, make sure to enjoy the hotel’s three restaurants, its wine cellar and winery on the grounds. Chef Marc Segarra is responsible for all three dining spaces and his ‘Refectorio’ meaning Refectory, is the jewel in the crown. Its stunning vaulted ceilings set the atmosphere and tone for the restaurant’s tasting menus that cost 140-160 EUR plus an additional 75 EUR for wines. Tours can be taken of the estate and vineyards in a four-wheel drive and winery tours and wine tastings are also available on site.

The 2018 Michelin Guide says: “This restaurant enjoys a superb setting, adding a touch of contemporary comfort to the refectory where the monks used to eat. The chef here uses locally sourced, seasonal produce to create elegant, imaginative and skilfully prepared dishes which are full of flavour. The excellent wine list is an added bonus!”

For another take on this special location, check out this blogger review by Rosana McPhee.

The wonderful oasis that is the private garden at Hotel Unico in Madrid’s Barrio Salamanca. Pic credit: Hotel Único Madrid

Expect the unexpected at Ramon Freixa restaurant at Hotel Unico in Madrid. Pic credit: Hotel Único Madrid

5 Ramón Freixa Restaurant at Hotel Único – Two star-Michelin restaurant in Downtown Madrid

CALLE CLAUDIO COELLO 67, 28001 MADRID

This 19th century former ‘palacio’ is now a stylish 44-room hotel in the very fashionable district of Barrio Salamanca in Madrid. Diners can enjoy the skills of Catalan chef Ramón Freixa over breakfast and of course, at the two-Michelin star dining experience. Review the ‘a la carte’ menu and the Experience (20 dish) and Gran FRX (25 dish) tasting menus here which are 150/180 EUR per person with an addition 60/85 EUR for wine pairings. For lunch from Tuesdays to Fridays, you can choose the shorter 9-dish tasting menu for 53 EUR including cava and coffee and retire to the private garden afterwards or retire to your suite for a well-earned nap. Additional services include valet-parking on site, library, meeting rooms, fitness centre and massage room.

The 2018 Michelin guide says: “A magical contradiction between traditional and cutting-edge cuisine is the culinary philosophy of Ramón Freixa, a Catalan chef who showcases flavours and classic combinations alongside plenty of creativity. His elegant dining room is connected to a glass-fronted pavilion which is perfect for a pre- or post-dinner drink.”

Want to read more? Check out what foodie blogger Jen Che thought of the experience.

6 Tierra Restaurant at the 5-star Valdepalacios Hotel Gourmand – Idyllic Countryside Charm with a Michelin Star

TORRICO (TOLEDO)

Nineteenth century charm pervades this 27-room hotel that is part of the Relaix & Chateaux network and just 1 hour 45 mins from Madrid Airport. Chef José Carlos Fuentes was awarded one Michelin star for Tierra – which translates as ‘land’ – and as you’d expect, his kitchen draws heavily from the hotel’s own vegetable patch. Explore the 600-hectare estate or take a dip in the pool, take a bike ride, go horseback riding or head away for a few hours in a horse-driven carriage with a picnic included. Animal enthusiasts can take a safari to look for partridges, rabbit, fallow deer and stag. The hotel also offers wine tastings and cooking lessons to its guests. Chef Roberto Terradillos’ tasting menus in Tierra Restaurant cost 105/135 EUR with ‘a la carte’ offerings from 86/119 EUR.

The Michelin Guide says: “A pleasant, bright restaurant with a classic-elegant decor and huge windows with views of the swimming pool and terrace. Here, you can savour fine, contemporary cuisine high on detail with the occasional Oriental touch and based around the best local products which in many cases are grown or reared on the property’s farm.”

7 El Portal de Echaurren – Family-run Relais & Chateaux Hotel with a Two Michelin Star Restaurant

PADRE JOSÉ GARCÍA 19, 26280 EZCARAY

Located in the centre of Ezcaray opposite the Santa María Church, this family-run hotel has 27 rooms plus an attractive garden and outdoor terrace – and those two Michelin stars. Francis Paniego secured the second star in 2013 and heads up the restaurant serving a wide range of cuisine, including both traditional and modern dishes. His two tasting menus entitled ‘Land’ and ‘Entrails’ costs 150/125 EUR with each consisting of more than 22 different elements. You also have two other dining spaces – Echaurren Tradition which offers a tasting menu and ‘a la carte’ menu and ‘El Cuartito’ with a more rustic or traditional slant. And perfect at the end of a day out exploring the Oja Valley by bike, on foot or car, you have the Tapas Gastrobar. You’ll want to spend a few days here to embark on a few winery visits and wine tastings – this is La Rioja, after all!

The Michelin Guide says: “A solid reference for food lovers. The chef explores the links between traditional and innovative cuisine, showcasing the flavours of his native region. This bold approach includes working with ingredients such as offal, which he transforms into an exquisite delicacy. Guests can also select individual dishes from the tasting menus.”

Read this review by food writer Marti Buckley for the Telegraph newspaper.

8 Moments Restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental, Downtown Barcelona – Two Michelin Stars

PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA 38-40, 08007 BARCELONA

Chef Carme Ruscalleda has earned two Michelin stars for Moments but she also has two Michelin stars for her restaurant in Toyko and three more for her restaurant in Sant Pau, half an hour from the city of Barcelona. Her son Raul Balam is at the helm of Moments. The Moments tasting menu called ‘Ecosystems’ is priced at 176 EUR with wine pairings an extra 94 EUR. There is also a full ‘a la carte’ menu for 130 EUR. For a more informal dining experience while you stay at the Mandarin Oriental, you can dine at ‘Blanc’ also under Carme Ruscalleda’s management.

The Michelin guide says: “Accessed via the hotel lobby, Moments stands out for its design, including a private chef’s table. Trained in the famous Sant Pau restaurant, Raül Balam conjures up top-notch creative cuisine, which respects flavours, showcases textures and is able to reinterpret tradition through contemporary eyes.”

Read the restaurant review by food critic Steve Tallantyre who has also reviewed Moments sister restaurant in the hotel, Blanc.

9 Frank Gehry’s Marqués de Riscal Hotel in La Rioja Alavesa – Amazing Winery plus the Michelin Star

Fans of architecture will already have this hotel on their wish-list and the Gehry design is everything you want and more. An hour from the maestro’s epic Guggenheim in Bilbao, this hotel almost eclipses the wonderful and historic winery on the same site. The Michelin-star restaurant is headed by chef Juan Bautista Penas (with instruction from Chef Francis Paniego of Echaurren fame – see above!) who offers a 14 and 21 dish tasting menu for 110/140 EUR. You’ll find the wonderful Marques de Riscal wines flowing here and at the three other dining spaces in the hotel also. Make sure to leave time to visit a few of the other wineries in the neighbourhood and the wonderful walled town of Laguardia.

The Michelin Guide says: “Design, design, design! Beneath the magnificent high-ceilinged dining room guests are immersed in a magical world full of glorious detail with innovative cooking that makes constant nods to tradition. Concise à la carte choices alongside a comprehensive tasting menu.”

You can also read this review by Marti Buckley for the Telegraph.

10 Enoteca Restaurant at Hotel Arts Barcelona – Two Michelin Stars overlooking Barcelona Beach

MARINA 19, 08005 BARCELONA

In addition to this two Michelin-starred restaurant in Barceloneta, chef Paco Pérez has been awarded two Michelin stars for Miramar restaurant in his hometown of Llança, and one star for his restaurant in Berlin called 5-Cinco by Paco Pérez. The Hotel Arts is dazzling, the views are amazing and Enoteca offers a take on Catalan & Mediterranean cuisine that is as refreshing and modern as the space itself. The 18-dish tasting menu costs 175 EUR plus 95 EUR for wine pairings – and a 6-course group tasting menu for 130 EUR plus 70 EUR for wine pairing. Inside the hotel, that are an additional five dining spaces that can cater for more informal dining occasions.

The Michelin Guide says: “A bright, fresh look with a penchant for varying tones of white that encapsulates the essence of the Mediterranean. This restaurant, which is under the baton of chef Paco Pérez, enhances the flavours of the Catalan coast with delicate international touches and the occasional nod to Asian fusion cooking.”

Need more info? Read the review by food critic Steve Tallantyre.

If you’ve enjoyed our tips on Michelin Star Hotel Dining in Spain, you might want to read our guide to the 12 Most Impressive Paradores in Spain and the Best Hotels with Views in Spain.