Chueca
Film-maker Pedro Almodóvar once described this traditional bar and restaurant as ‘the best antidepressant’. Forget about the sit-down restaurant (though…
Must-see restaurants in Spain
El Raval
Modernista classic Muy Buenas has been a bar since 1928, and wears its past proudly with stunning and sinuous original woodwork, etched-glass windows, old…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Arguably La Boqueria's most brilliant tapas bar, standing strong since 1940. Ever-charming owner Juanito Bayén serves up superb Catalan classics:…
Valencia
This tiny restaurant serves authentic Italian food with a smile. The handwritten menu offers dishes made with ingredients sourced from Russafa market…
Madrid
Locals flock to Casa Toni, one of Madrid's best old-school Spanish bars, for simple, honest cuisine fresh off the griddle. Specialities include cuttlefish…
Chueca
A hard hitter in Madrid’s street-food revolution, Tuk Tuk cooks up authentic comfort food from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and more. Also served:…
Madrid
El Pato Mudo isn’t the most famous paella restaurant in Madrid, but it’s known to locals for its variety of outstanding rice dishes at reasonable prices…
Valencia
Chic but commodious, with an interior featuring packing crates, cartoon chickens and other decorative quirks, this is where top Valencian chef Ricard…
Salamanca
The ornate Carlos III cinema opposite the Plaza de Colón has been artfully transformed into a dynamic culinary scene with more than a hint of burlesque…
Palma de Mallorca
A visit to this local institution, going strong since 1958, is almost obligatory. It's a cavernous tavern filled with huge old wine barrels and faded…
Chueca
Based around the idea of a Japanese tavern, driven by a spirit of innovation and a desire to combine the best in Spanish and Japanese flavours, Yakitoro…
L'Eixample
Taking its cues from an Asian hawkers market, chef Laila Bazahm's aromatic restaurant sizzles up Asian–Latin American street-food dishes such as spicy…
Bilbao
The Museo Guggenheim Bilbao’s Michelin-starred, modernist, white and ultraminimalist restaurant is under the direction of chef Josean Alija (a disciple of…
Castilla y León
A Soria culinary stalwart and fronted by a popular bar, Fogón del Salvador has a wine list as long as your arm – literally – and a fabulous wood-fired…
Marbella
Chiringuito restaurants are usually on the beach, but if you're a well-known chef called Dani Garcia with several Michelin stars to your name you can…
Ávila
The dark-wood-beamed interior announces immediately that this is a bastion of robust Castilian cooking, which it has been since 1881. Expect delicious…
Castilla y León
What a find! In the otherwise-nondescript village of Ferreras de Arriba, close to some of the best wolf-watching spots, La Enredadera looks for all the…
Madrid
High in the iconic Palacio de Comunicaciones on Plaza de la Cibeles, this much-loved restaurant by Adolfo Muñoz takes Spanish staples, gives them a twist…
Toledo
Tucked in the former Jewish quarter, Lo Nuestro has a devoted following for its outstanding multi-course menus that showcase Toledan cooking. In a covered…
Bilbao
Inside Bilbao's Azkuna Zentroa (Alhóndiga) cultural centre, Yandiola features modern Basque and Spanish fare that is as highly touted as the strikingly…
Palafrugell & Around
Beneath the San Sebastià lighthouse, Far Nomo specialises in Asian-accented seafood served in a relaxed but stylish setting overlooking a pine-clad…
San Sebastián
Perched high up in the bucolic hills 10km southeast of San Sebastián, twin-Michelin-starred Mugaritz' calling card is chef Andoni Luis Aduriz' avant-garde…
Palma de Mallorca
Expertly executed assemblies of top-notch ingredients are the focus of the slick, contemporary Fosh Kitchen, the less-formal cousin of Michelin-starred…
Bilbao
With a solid reputation among locals for good-value meals that don't sacrifice quality, this is a highly recommended place for a slice of real Bilbao…
Palma de Mallorca
This gastronomic market occupies a coral-pink Modernista building in the S'Escorxador cultural centre, once a slaughter house. With a bar, cafe, terrace…
Madrid
Set in a delightful old mansion, La Favorita is famous for its opera arias throughout the night, sung by professional opera singers masquerading as…
Costa Blanca
Offering an ample range of fresh seafood and well-prepared meat dishes with sweet sauces, this traditionally run, but modern-styled place channels sweet…
Málaga
Set on Málaga’s scruffy but increasingly trendy Calle Carretería, Brunchit, despite the name, is open all day ready to serve freshly made sandwiches, melt…
Sitges
The family-run purveyor of high-quality charcuterie in Sitges' market has opened this outstanding tapas bar and restaurant, serving up some of the best…
Toledo
Despite its central location close to Toledo’s main tourist thoroughfare, Ludeña retains a wholesome local image courtesy of the flock of regulars who –…
Nerja
Impeccable service, single orchids, a drum-and-bass soundtrack and a charcoal-grey-and-green colour scheme: in short, this place has class. The menu is…
Valencia
Modern design meets the old Moorish city wall in this striking space attached to the Caro Hotel. The cuisine is confidently modern, offering excellent…
Málaga
A newish tapas bar that draws on old traditions, this boisterous, crowded place evokes the tiled taverns of yore – though you’ll likelier see modern art…
Barcelona
Head 75m skyward to the top of the 1929-built Teleférico del Puerto cable-car tower Torre de Sant Sebastià, and take a ringside seat for 360-degree views…
Palma de Mallorca
Yet another example of Palma's forward-thinking food scene, this former bakery is all stripped-brick, perfectly mixed cocktails and Mallorcan…
Castilla y León
This well-signposted place, with a shop selling local food products at the front, is thought by many to be Medinaceli's best restaurant. The setas de…
Valencia
Reassuringly chunky and colourful, the retro-nostalgic furniture here creates a comfortably informal atmosphere that's more than matched by the excellent,…
San Sebastián
In business since 1935, Arnoldo Heladeria makes San Sebastián's best ice cream. Alongside sorbets such as mango and passion fruit, and white peach, they…
Palma de Mallorca
Longstanding favourite of the hip and health-conscious, this vegetarian (and increasingly vegan) place does great work with organic produce. Palma's first…
Pamplona
For a memorable meal, book a table at this Michelin-starred, family-run restaurant just east of the bullring. Celebrated chef Koldo Rodero uses premium…
