Month: October 2024

With 15 fine dining establishments in the country awarded the distinction of three Michelin-stars, you don’t have to venture far to find the best restaurants in Spain. From the vibrant capital Madrid, where high-end dining mixes seamlessly with rustic bistros and hipster markets, to Barcelona where cutting-edge dishes, innovation and flavor pairings converge, and that’s just for starters. Here are some of the top venues to visit on your next trip to Spain, whether you are tempted by the pinnacle of seafood platters, Iberian traditional flavours or a vegetarian bounty.

To experience the best of Spanish dining, join us on a luxury Spain tour.

1. Quirat, Barcelona

A new Michelin star hero in 2024, Quirat is a contemporary Catalan restaurant in a light-filled, neutral-styled dining room. Here, chef Víctor Torres (who had already had a hit with Les Magnòlies in Arbúcies) sculpts delicate, arty bites such as creamed rice with sea anemones or tenderloin with a roasted red pepper reduction. Two multi-course tasting menus are named 18K and 24K, in reference to the jewelers’ measurement of carats. You’ll find this high-end dining establishment in the InterContinental Hotel, in the locals’ favourite Poble-Sec neighbourhood.

Image credit: @quiratrestaurant on Instagram

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2. Atrio, Madrid

When a restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars, you know it is something special. Atrio’s food and wine menu “harmonizes avant-garde cuisine with the greatest respect for tradition and Extremaduran products.” It deserves its accolade as  one of the best restaurants in Spain and one of Madrid’s most famous eateries. Housed in a luxury hotel , if you are lucky enough to get a reservation at this ‘temple of gastronomy,’ turn it into a cozy weekend away with a stay in the well-appointed guest rooms. Atrio also has a spectacular wine cellar, featuring numerous historic vintages. Over 40,000 bottles from 20 different countries, including 5 vintages from the 1891.

Image credit: @atriotono on Instagram

You may also be interested to read: The Best Private Cooking Classes to Enjoy With Luxury Gold

3. Suto, Barcelona 

It’s not all about jamon and queso in Barcelona; some of the best fine dining in Spain, and in this city in particular, is to be found in its international restaurants. One of two new one-starred restaurants to join the guide in 2024 (along with Quirat), Suto is a bijou Japanese spot, where chef Yoshikazu Suto slices up an omakase menu to a small group in a setting that feels more like a Japanese home than a restaurant. The handful of seats up at the polished pine bar are most sought-after, where you can hear the chef’s stories and creative reasons behind each dish as they’re presented. Expect dishes such as a delicate mackerel escabeche with shimchi spices.

Image credit: @suto_barcelona on Instagram

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4. Akelarre, San Sebastian

One of San Sebastian’s three 3-Michelin starred restaurants, Akelarre has thrived under. the helm of Pedro Subijana. This famous Northen Spain eatery is tucked into the hillside on San Sebastián’s Mount Igeldo, the dining room overlooking the Bay of Biscay, with a breathtaking view of the Ocean. Offering a choice of set menus, on which you can also swap out certain dishes to customize your dining experience, each dish a work of art, both in presentation and flavor.

No flash in the pan, Akelarre was established in 1970, and has held 3 Michelin stars since 2007, after 25 years with two Michelin stars. Since 2017 it also has rooms, a spa and a new bar and restaurant with large terraces, creating a flawless combination of high-end dining in Spain and luxury overnight accommodation.

Image credit: @restaurantalekarre on Instagram

5. Disfrutar, Barcelona

A whimsical number in the Eixample neighbourhood of Barcelona, Disfrutar got the biggest cheer in the room when it was announced as a three-star winner at the 2024 Michelin Gala. Run by three chefs ‒ Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas ‒ all formerly of the legendary elBulli, it has long menus (25 courses on one option) and a “surprise and delight” ethos that diners love. Head here for some of the best fine dining in Spain: think beetroot meringues, molecular olives and vegetable sashimi.

Photo credit: @disfrutarbcn on Instagram

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6. L’Antic Molí, Uldecona

A real hidden gem, L’Antic Moli is a favorite of the locals for special family occasions and communions. A purveyor of the slow food movement, Chef and restaurant architect Vincent Guimerà describes his style as ‘country kitchen’, but we call it Spanish gastronomy at its finest. His innovative dishes focus on organic products, home produced ingredients and strong links with the local “Terres de l”Ebre” area. This guarantees the finest produce, whilst reducing emissions and farmers costs. As well as its Michelin-star status, the restaurant has numerous accolades for sustainability and offers a 100% vegetarian menu for those who want just a plant based culinary experience. Enjoy for yourself on our Spain & Portugal in Style tour.

Image credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Read more: Meet Michelin-star chef Vicent Guimerà of Spain’s L’Antic Molí restaurant

7. Abantal, Seville

Contemporary Andalusian cuisine at its finest, Abantal’s passionately crafted ‘avant-garde’ plates are worth every cent. Head chef Julio Fernández treats traditional Spanish dishes and flavors to a more cutting-edge approach, without losing an ounce of authenticity. Large, well placed tables provide a relaxing ambiance, and an 12-course tasting menu leaves you feeling satisfied and impressed. Depending on the season, expect sophisticated dishes featuring Sea Bass, lobster, red tuna broth, spring chicken and Iberian ham sauce. For the ultimate unforgettable dining experience at one of the best restaurants in Spain, you can actually book a table in the kitchen.

Image credit: @abantalrestaurante on Instagram

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8. Mina, Bilbao

Championing seasonal produce from local suppliers, this one Michelin-star restaurant sets the standard for Spanish cuisine in Bilbao. Located in a discreet building, opposite the busy Ribera market, Mina owes its name to a former mine entrance that once existed beneath. From the bar you can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen, with head chef Álvaro Garrido presiding over what has been described as ‘life’s favors.’ With only 25 covers per service, a reservation at Mina is quite the coup. The restaurant’s focus on seasonality the menu changes daily, seafood places a key role with a balance of flavors from the land and from far away.

Image credit: @minarestaurant on Instagram

9. Cocina Hermanos Torres, Barcelona

This Barcelona hangout joined the ranks of three-Michelin-star venues in 2023, thanks to its theatrical cooking stations, standing unshielded in the middle of the dining room. This means diners can unobtrusively watch the maestros at work, frothing and saucing some of the most dazzling dishes in Barcelona. Chefs and brothers Sergio and Javier have dreamt up a high-ceilinged, glossy black-and-cream space with cloud-form light fixtures and shimmering gold wall panels. There are plenty of edible flowers, smoky dry ice dishes and unique ceramics to photograph: Iberian suckling pig with apricot and tamarind is a standout dish, alongside gazpacho bonbons and baby eels with pil pil sauce.

Image credit: @hermanostorres on Instagram 

10. Aleia, Barcelona

A 2023 addition to the guide, one-star Aleia is notable for its architectural pedigree as well as its food and wine ‒ it’s located in Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s Modernist building, Casa Fuster (now a hotel). With just one tasting menu at lunch and dinner, decision making is taken out of your hands (though you can choose how indulgent you want to be with a shorter or longer wine pairing). Chef Rafa de Bedoya champions European-Asian fusion, so expect mash-ups such as brioche with cuttlefish and hollandaise, or Iberian pork consommé.

Photo credit: @aleiarestaurant on Instagram

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 11. Estimar, Madrid

Serving up the essence of the sea and praised for its interior design, Estimar is a must visit for all seafood lovers when in the Spanish capital. Only the freshest of catches make it to the table in this sophisticated, intimate eatery. Spanish gastronomy is brilliantly showcased through crayfish carpaccio, sea urchin, pan fried razor clams and red prawn tartare with caviar, leaving you feeling you have the ‘sea in your mouth.’ Fresh produce is laid out in the kitchen while Head chef Rafa Zarfra and his team get to work.

Image credit: @estimarzafra on Instagram

12. COME by Paco Méndez, Barcelona

Opened in 2022, this Barcelona Mexican is a prime example of great fine dining in Spain. Mexican chef Paco Méndez and his pastry-chef wife, Emma, have created a concept that’s both authentic and modern ‒ hot pink walls, woven rope lanterns, tiled cacti and decorative skulls mean this is no stuffy ice-white Michelin venue. The food is a modern, high-end spin on typical Mexican dishes and drinks: think wagyu tostadas, avocado with black garlic mole, and a horchata-inspired rice pudding. Méndez started out as an intern at the world-famous elBulli, and it’s thrilling to see how far he’s come.

Image credit: @comerestaurant on Instagram

To enjoy fine dining in Spain, along with magnificent hotels and exclusive experiences, take a look at Spain & Portugal In Style, from our collection of luxury small group journeys.

Expertly curated for the discerning traveler, our journeys offer an unparalleled travel experience, with every detail taken care of. Above and beyond iconic landmarks and sublime destinations, you may be wondering what exactly does a Luxury Gold journey include before you sign on the dotted line. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know.

You may be interested to read: How Luxury Gold Journeys Go Above and Beyond with Expert Karen Gower

Magnificent Stays

When we say luxurious accommodations, we’re not just meaning somewhere to rest your head. We’re talking about a carefully curated selection of boutique properties, historic gems and 5-star hotels in select locations that you will be talking about long after you return home.

A true immersion in each destination, enjoy superior service from partners like Belmond, JW Marriott, Intercontinental, and Red Carnation Hotels, along with a sensational array of one-of-a-kind boutique stays.

Guests enjoy the 5-star Marriot Mena House Hotel in Cairo, as featured on Elegance of the Nile.

At the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru, you’re invited into a storybook world. This exceptional retreat is set high in the Cloud Forest, in its own intimate Andean village. In the heart of Old Québec, Canada Fairmont Le Château Frontenac  is an iconic property that has been standing for over a century overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River. Sleep like a movie star at the exquisite  Hotel Quisisana on Italy’s glamorous Isle of Capri, a favorite of nobility and celebrities, while the 11th century Ashford Castle in Ireland once home to the Guinness family will leave you feeling like royalty.

In Ireland, the magnificent Ashford Castle stands proud on Loch Corrib, a featured stay on Ultimate Ireland.

Read more about one of our exceptional hotels Step inside Peru’s blissful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Exceptional Dining

A daily breakfast and many of your dinners are included on your Luxury Gold journey. Thoughtfully chosen, these culinary experiences are more than nourishment, they are highlights.

We integrate the best fine dining and local gastronomic tours into our itineraries, for the perfect blend of curated meals and foodie experiences, along with the freedom to also explore your palate as you choose.

Dinner is served at the Hotel D’Angleterre in Geneva, as featured on Majestic Switzerland.

Michelin Star and Acclaimed Restaurants – Skip the waiting lists and dine in Michelin-starred and acclaimed restaurants. Enjoy delicious menus from top rated chefs, some sensational locations and experience the pinnacle of sustainable dining.

Some of our favorite restaurants include the Michelin-starred L’Antic Moli in Spain, a hidden gem where Head Chef Vincent Guimerà places local produce at the center of his menus and Fotografiska in Stockholm, a bastion of Swedish cuisine that holds a Michelin Green Star for its focus on reducing waste. Showcasing Peruvian gastronomy at its finest, MAP Café in Cusco delights with a surprise filled menu, and in South Africa, dining on the freshest catch in Cape Town’s award-winning Salsify, alongside the Atlantic Ocean is something that you’ll be talking about long after you return home.

L’Antic Moli’s Head Chef puts finishing touched to plates, as featured on Spain & Portugal in Style. Image credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Gastronomic Variety – Variety is always on the menu, with local produce and traditional dishes always favored on our trips. Depending on which tour you choose, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn from local gourmands on foodie street tours, create delicious favorites with cookery masterclasses and indulge at winery picnics. These experiences often allow you to meet local characters with stories to tell, something you wouldn’t get when travelling alone.

In Room Breakfasts – On days with Relaxed Starts you can set your clock a little later and enjoy a continental breakfast in bed with complimentary room service.

Step inside a Michelin-starred restaurant: Meet Michelin-star chef Vicent Guimerà of Spain’s L’Antic Molí restaurant

Concierge Services

Included on every Luxury Gold journey, our concierge services ensure a flawless personal service, tailored to you and always enjoyed in a small group setting. Features include:

Your Personal Travel Concierge – Taking care of every detail and at your service 24/7, your Travel Concierge is an expert on your destination and your happiness. They’ll get to know you, and then know what you need before you need it. No ask too great, their little black book of contacts and recommendations is second to none, whether you’re looking for a Ferrari ride in the Tuscan hills or a private dining experience in the gastronomic city of Bordeaux. Included within the price of your journey, they also take care of tips for services on trip by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.

A Luxury Gold Travel Concierge welcomes guests to their hotel.

Private Door-to-Door Transfer Service – Relax right from the start with an uninterrupted, seamless journey to your departure airport. At the end of your vacation, on arrival at your chosen airport, you will be greeted inside the terminal for a smooth and comfortable journey directly back home. The private door-to-door transfer service is available for guests in the UK, US and Australia, within a 50-mile radius of major international airports.

Full-Service Porterage – For your ease and comfort, full-service in-room porterage is always included. Your luggage will seamlessly be delivered from the coach into your hotel room, and on departure days, the porters will call your room to personally assist with the transport of your bags, so you won’t need to worry about your suitcase’

Personal Service within a small group setting – Always enjoy a bespoke experience within an intimate setting of an average of 20 guests, meaning a personal one-to-one experience. With our small groups, you benefit from more personalized service from your Travel Concierge and gain access to people and places that are closed to larger groups.

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Curated Experiences

Curated travel with VIP access and unique luxury experiences at your fingertips – each itinerary is thoughtfully crafted with the discerning traveler in mind to include:

Extraordinary VIP experiences – Front-of-the-queue priority, behind-the-scenes access, before and after-hours visits. We invite you to enjoy rare insights into majestic landmarks, with personal anecdotes from those in the know. Egypt’s Temple of Luxor is lit up for you, after hours and in England, enjoy exclusive access to the Tower of London before witnessing the ancient Ceremony of the Keys. Dine with a former All Black rugby player in New Zealand and learn about life on one of the most successful teams in the world, while in Italy enjoy a VIP visit to the magnificent Doges Palace in Venice.

On Elegance of the Nile, experience the Temple of Luxor after-hours, without the crowds.

Personalize Your Days with a Choice of Inclusions – On many days you can enjoy a choice of included experiences to personalize your journey. Plus, your personal Travel Concierge combines insider knowledge with a flair for knowing what guests want, to further customize your trip during your free time at your destinations.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences – Our sustainable travel experiences are included on all of our Limited-edition Small Group Journeys. Enlighten your senses, support local communities and enjoy exclusive invitations behind the scenes. Each experience supports up to 2 of 11 specific United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals​ and leaves a positive impact as you travel.

On Treasures of the Incas, meet Peruvian artisans protecting heritage crafts for future generations.

You may also enjoy reading: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

The Gold Standard in Travel

Setting the gold standard for travel, we want you to feel like a VIP every day of your Luxury Gold tour. Our first-class coaches ensure you arrive at each destination refreshed and entertained – your Luxury Gold coach is specially customized for smaller groups, with double the legroom and personal space. Complimentary wi-fi on board means you can stay in touch as you travel.

Guests relax on a private cruise in Capri, a feature on Ultimate Italy.

You can relax throughout your Luxury Gold journey knowing that you have 24/7 Support, with our on-the-road and remote support team available round the clock to assist you. Alongside your expert Travel Concierge, you’ll also benefit from highly skilled coach drivers and best-in-class Local Experts bringing each destination to life. This support also includes any queries before you leave and once you return.

Does a Luxury Gold journey sound like the vacation you’ve been dreaming of? Take a look at our full collection of Limited-edition Small Group Tours and choose from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas for your next luxurious getaway.

Whoever you’re flying with, Business Class or Economy, chicken or fish, airplane food is somewhat of an acquired taste. Either way, those in-flight meals are the punctuation marks of long-haul flights and there’s no denying that the little flourishes on your tray can make or break your experience. Here’s our rundown of the best flight meals.

Delta

Over the last few years, Delta has been upping the ante to become one of the best airlines for food. The focus is on local farmers and artisans, with a twist on Southern tradition. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q’s has designed some dishes for passengers flying out of Atlanta, USA: the short rib open-faced sandwich with sweet pickles and a side of cheddar and broccoli is not to be missed. Top it off with banana pudding for a true down-home affair. As far as the best airplane food goes, the Biscoff and chocolate chip cookies are legendary – they come warm in a brown paper bag, making them the ultimate snack in the clouds for economy and first class passengers alike.

Credit: Mashama Bailey for Delta

Hawaiian Airlines

Fly from Los Angeles to Honolulu and you’ll get brunch, lunch and a late-night snack. Look out for international offerings like the coconut and lemongrass braised chicken with eggplant and Israeli couscous or the warm yuzu pound cake (by Honolulu-born executive chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka). But the island offerings are a thrill, too: there’s a Kalua pork hash on the menu, plus beers from Maui Brewing Company and custom cocktails from On the Rocks, including the celebratory Tropical Landing (gin with violet, guava, coconut and citrus).

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Singapore Airlines

A consistent favorite among frequent flyers, Singapore Airlines has an admirable number of options for all passengers. Premium economy dishes include garlic-roasted prawns with smoked aioli and patatas bravas, beef Bourguignon and Chor Mee (minced pork noodles). The airline has an air sommelier program, in which cabin crew can apply to become wine experts, which means they can offer passengers guidance on wine pairings.

Credit: Singapore Airlines

Korean Air

Think your taste buds are useless at 40,000 feet? The bibimbap is one legendary in flight meal you’ll definitely be able to enjoy (and the same one is served in economy, business and first classes, just with different utensils); it’s a platter of beef, steamed rice, cucumber, mushrooms, beansprouts, spinach and pickled radish, ready to be tossed together with a tube of gochujang and a sachet of sesame oil (the pros ask for extra gochujang). On the side: pickled cucumber and seaweed soup. The snack service includes hot rice balls and cup ramen, brought to your seat with the hot water already added, and the seasoning sachet on the side.

Read next: Michelin-Star Dining at 30,000 Feet? This Airline is Making it Possible

All Nippon (ANA)

ANA works with various chefs to get their menus just right. Toru Okuda – a Michelin star master of kaiseki (multi-course meals) – takes care of Japanese food, while Ryuta Iizuka (who studied under Joel Robuchon) advises on French. Expect them to go all out if you’re in first or business class: Wagyu beef sirloin stew with a side of fragrant shiitake, maitake, and abalone mushrooms, sautéed in Échiré butter, for instance. But there are treats in store for the economy classes too: the likes of red rockfish teriyaki and oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) will see passengers through, with proper miso and pickles.

 

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Emirates

Emirates is consistently at the top of the lists of best flight food, thanks to its ever-evolving menus, attention to detail and unlimited Dom Perignon for first class flyers. Every passenger gets a multi-course meal and there’s lots of choice and flexibility. Trays are jam-packed with dishes like paneer makhani, vegetable paella, sweetcorn salad and Russian salad plus alluring desserts like apple caramel mousse or chocolate truffle cake. The wines (all from Bordeaux) are excellent. In first class, there’s a movie snack menu which features boxes of popcorn and cheeseburger sliders.

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Etihad

This UAE-based airline is driven by farm-to-table freshness, which means salad greens harvested hours before you eat them – a true revolution as far as airline meals are concerned. Business and first class food can be eaten whenever you’re hungry, and includes steak sandwiches and eggs prepared to order, plus elaborate brunches like shakshuka and ricotta pancakes. First class mains include a seafood assiette (scallop, salmon, lobster), chicken margooga, five spiced duck breast and paneer kofta. There is oh-so-much choice.

 

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Turkish Airlines

Aficionados of Turkish Airlines’ long-haul flights always order the sour cherry juice, and some claim it helps them to sleep. If it works for you, you can press a button on your screen to let cabin crew know you’d like to be woken for dinner. Beyond the juice, it’s all about the Turkish appetizers, grilled fish, Adana kebabs and sesame pittas. First and business class passengers enjoy the ultimate inflight amenity: flying chefs, who work alongside cabin crew. On long-haul or international flights of over eight hours, those passengers can opt to enjoy chef-cooked meals by candlelight.

Which airline food is best?

While this is subjective, when it comes to ranking Emirates often comes out on top for having the best flights meals. Emirates focuses on creating flavors and textures that are resilient to changes in altitude and pressure, like heavy reductions and braises, used in casseroles and stews, paired with quality fresh ingredients.

Which airline has the most delicious food?

Singapore Airlines is often cites as having the most delicious food, and travelers can choose the Book the Cook service, offered in Suites and First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy Class for flights above 1.5 hours flight time. Customers can choose a restaurant-class meal, from lobster thermidor to a perfectly-cooked steak.

What is best to eat on a long haul flight?

Prioritize protein, vegetables and fruit when it comes to eating on a long haul flight. Carry extra nutritious snacks with you like nuts (checking nobody on the flight has an allergy) or seeds. As well as eating properly, it’s important to stay well hydrated on a long haul flight – your perception of salty and sweet tastes drops by almost around 30 per cent inside a flight, but drinking water helps reactivate your taste buds.