Catalonia on a plate: the stories behind the stars

Inside the kitchens of Catalonia’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, skilled chefs, impassioned producers and food-focussed innovators are busy shaping the future of their region’s world-renowned gastronomic scene. And now, a collaborative shift from global influence to locally centred sustainable fare is adding fuel to the culinary fire

Having been named 2025’s World Region of Gastronomy by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Catalonia has proved its culinary credentials. And yet, the talented creators behind Catalonia’s hard-earned Michelin stars are far from resting on their laurels. Instead, its leading chefs and producers are simultaneously looking to the future while returning to their roots. 

The future of Catalanonia’s gastronomic culture

For decades, many of the top restaurants dappled across the most heavily Michelin-starred Spanish region have adopted contemporary influences, with their chefs leaning on the molecular gastronomy techniques popularised by world-renowned chef Ferran Adrià of ElBulli restaurant fame. While Adrià’s award-winning techniques are nothing short of impressive, a new guard of tastemakers are pushing for a return to pared-back principles: a focus on local, high-quality produce, collaboration, and a mutual respect between chefs and producers. In fact, in June 2025, 60 of Catalonia’s Michelin-star-earning chefs united in Barcelona to launch a campaign aimed at repositioning the unique gastronomic destination based on these ideals.

Now, the region’s culinary community hopes its new focus will further contribute to sustainable practices, too. With the future of Catalan cuisine taking shape, there’s never been a better time to dine in this flavour-forward part of the world – where historic architecture meets diverse landscapes. 

Where to dine on refined Catalan cuisine

While 62 of the region’s restaurants have received Michelin stars, just five restaurants have been awarded three. Of these top-rated spots, four are based in bustling Barcelona. And yet, outside of the city’s thrum, incredible Michelin-starred restaurants await discovery. 

El Cellar de Can Roca

Helmed by three brothers – Joan, Jordi and Josep Roca – El Cellar de Can Roca, set in scenic Girona, is the only three-Michelin-starred dining destination outside of Barcelona. Joan is the chef, Jordi the pastry chef and Josep the sommelier at this contemporary restaurant, which is consistently listed among the world’s best. This talented family team focuses its efforts on showcasing the produce of its home region in innovative and flavourful fashion. The light-filled restaurant has been evolving for 35 years and continues to shift with the seasons. 

Les Cols Restaurant

In the city of Olot, a visual feast is what first meets the eye at Les Cols Restaurant, where a minimalist setting lures in design aficionados and gourmands alike. Thoughtfully curated dishes here pay homage to the surrounding landscape and particular care is given to plant-based fare, featuring flowers, seeds, herbs, fruit and vegetables plucked fresh from the earth on site. Chef Fina Puigdevall has managed the kitchen here since 1990, and her tasting menu is the stuff of legend, earning her two Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars for her commitment to sustainable gastronomy.

Emporium

In Castelló d’Empúries – a Spanish municipality that’s home to ruins dating back to the 11th century – resides a restaurant named after this archeologically celebrated site. Inside the Emporium hotel, the eponymous Emporium restaurant uses only hyper-local ingredients – be it eggs, fish, vegetables or herbs – to prove its commitment to the mountainous, coastal landscape just beyond its doors. Run by the same family for four generations since 1965, the restaurant is led by twins Màrius and Joan Jordà. Better still, nothing is wasted at Emporium, which has been awarded an additional Michelin Green star.

Restaurant Ca l’Enric

In a kitchen where textural, forest-inspired dishes showcase wild ingredients – think forest-foraged mushrooms, game and local plants like nettle – and traditional roots, the Juncà family connects its diners with nature. At Ca l’Enric, in La Vall de Bianya, siblings Jordi, Isabel and Joan, alongside their children, bring together history, Catalan culture, and modernity with a menu that is refined yet relaxed. The kitchen was once the domain of the siblings’ parents, Desieri and Dolors, who began serving home-style dishes here in 1965. Now, every corner of this Michelin-starred venue has a story to tell. In 1882, the restaurant space was first used as a hostel and a small shop-meets-barber that serviced local farmers.

Enigma

Those headed to Spain’s Catalonia region in search of unique Michelin-starred dining experiences would be remiss not to visit at least one Barcelona-based restaurant. Recognised as the second-best chef in the world by The Best Chef Award 2024, Albert Adria is renowned globally. Though theatrical and boundary-pushing, his futuristic tasting menu at Enigma, Barcelona – his only restaurant in Spain – is celebrated for honouring Catalan tradition in inimitable style. This popular restaurant is considered the heir to elBulli, which closed in 2011. An ever-changing menu of 20-25 dishes is served in an award-winning, architecturally designed space, where the ceiling appears suspended like clouds.