Spain is one of those countries rich in culinary tradition, making it a top destination for luxury food travel. From mouth-watering tapas to delectable pans of paellas, every gathering in Spain revolves around food.
Nowadays, the country has a thriving food scene. Award-winning local chefs draw on a long culinary tradition taking advantage of the country’s abundant sun, rich soil and easy access to the rich waters of the Mediterranean. But with so many incredible places to visit, it can be hard to decide where to go. So, here are the best destinations for luxury food travel in Spain.
1. Barcelona
For luxury food travel to Spain, Barcelona is the ultimate destination. It has something to offer for every foodie, from cheap street eats to fresh seafood and fancy dishes served at the finest Michelin-starred restaurants. With thousands of eateries spread across the city streets, it can be hard to tell where to start your food adventure.
La Boqueria is an iconic food market, considered the biggest in Barcelona. Dating back to 1217, it continues to lure locals and visitors for its authentic Spanish delicacies. Of the many stalls and eateries in the market, try out Bar Ramblero, which has mouth-watering seafood to die for and friendly staff who are happy to chat with customers.
You’ll find an excellent variety of fancy restaurants in Barcelona, perfect for those looking for a more upscale dining experience. Botafumeiro, one of Spain’s most renowned restaurants, is the go-to place for an authentic dining experience, with a menu featuring a mix of Galician and Catalan cuisines.
For the freshest seafood, Els Pescadors is an excellent choice. It’s located in the Poblenou neighbourhood, famous for serving the highest quality seafood dishes for many years. If you’re in the mood for indulging in seafood in an elegant and chic establishment, Els Pescadors is the perfect place.
2. San Sebastian
San Sebastian is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, home to lovely churches and buildings and a stunning white sand beach. But what many visitors would come here for is the food. San Sebastian is renowned for its delectable Basque cuisine and has numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, the perfect destination for luxury travel in Spain.
Having the world’s second-highest concentration of Michelin-star restaurants, no visit to San Sebastian is complete without dining in one. Most of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants require booking for at least a month or two, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Arzak is one of the most popular Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastian. Offering a gastronomic experience of a lifetime, you can choose from the a la carte menu or a seven-course tasking experience that features delectable delights like volcanic oysters and foie gras.
The best way to delve deep into the vibrant food scene of San Sebastian is to join a food tour with a local guide. Joining these tours is also a great way to understand the history of Basque cuisine while sampling authentic dishes from the city’s top-rated eateries.
3. Madrid
Madrid will not disappoint when it comes to luxury food travel in Spain. Home to many restaurants featuring classic Madrid dishes, plenty of tapas, and regional Spanish cuisine, there’s something for everyone here. When visiting Madrid for food travel, it’s worth joining a tour. There are some excellent culinary experiences if you book with Premier Tours & Travel, to tour around Spain, which are a great way to try more of the luxury cuisine in the country.
The best place to discover the local food culture of Madrid is at a traditional market. You’ll find many of these markets scattered across the city. In fact, each neighbourhood has a food market with a long line of stalls selling meats, fresh produce, cheeses, and more! You’ll also find numerous small food stalls, bars, and restaurants serving dishes featuring ingredients sourced from the market.
For an upscale dining experience, head to Ramón Freixa, a delightful Michelin-starred restaurant with inventive tasting menus featuring Spanish produce prepared by an award-winning chef. Some of the menu highlights include rice paper prawns and pigeon breast. Don’t forget to order the finest glass of wine to pair your meals.
4. Palma
As Majorca’s capital city, Palma de Majorca is home to some of the finest restaurants on the island. It’s the heart of the island’s burgeoning gastronomic scene, with an explosion of new eateries and culinary concepts over the past few years. Palma has four distinct areas for eating out – the Old Town of Palma, Santa Catalina, La Lonja, and the small fishing village of Portixol.
Palma’s Old Town is bustling with some of the finest restaurants on the island run by award-winning chefs, making it an ideal place for a luxury food tour. Meanwhile, Santa Catalina is where you’ll find small shops and delightful eateries serving authentic Majorcan cuisines.
La Lonja is best known for its vibrant nightlife, home to bars, clubs, and numerous restaurants. The charming harbour town of Portixol is home to waterfront eateries where you can indulge in Mediterranean and international cuisines al fresco style.
5. Seville
Seville is a vibrant, historical and cultural city, offering many things to see and do. And while many would come here to explore its historical sites, others are here for its delectable Andalusian cuisines.
The Mercado De Lonja Del Barranco would be the perfect spot for exploring the local food scene of Seville. It has over 20 food stands selling everything from the most delightful Iberico hams to mouth-watering tapas. Here, you can feast on a delicious cheese platter and seafood dishes like octopus.
For a more upscale dining experience, check out Abades Triana, a fine dining restaurant specialising in cutting-edge Andalusian cuisines. Run by chef Elias Del Toro who creates tapas plates and daily tasting menus consisting of six dishes that the chef will suggest.
In Cañabota, seafood is the star of the show. It lies in the heart of Seville and recently earned its first Michelin star. What’s even interesting about this restaurant is that the talented chefs will cook much of the food on the grill in front of diners in an open kitchen – a fantastic dining experience.
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