Andalucia is a region of Spain known for its food, with a wide variety of dishes full of flavour and tradition. But, in addition, our region has several Michelin-starred restaurants, which offer us a varied sample of good Andalucian food. Each one with its own philosophy. They research old and new products, recreate traditional recipes, invent new flavours and textures. The aim of the best restaurants in Andalucia is to give diners who sit at their tables a multi-sensory experience. Satisfy the appetite with good taste, delicacy and flavours that enter through all our senses.
Here is the list of the 21 Michelin-starred restaurants in Andalucia:
Cañabota, Seville
Cañabota’s carefully selected proposal is identified with the sea. Fish and seafood are the backbone of the concept of this marvellous restaurant, which is committed to the best products. In this acclaimed gastronomic temple, technique and service are executed with mastery in each of its spaces. At the moment, the recently starred restaurant in the centre of Seville has two areas for diners.
Código de Barra, Cádiz
The hustle and bustle of the centre of Cádiz finds a respite at Código de Barra, one of the recent additions to Andalucía’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Dutch-born chef León Griffioen and his wife, Paqui Márquez, sommelier and head waitress, embarked on this adventure in 2011, which continues to bear fruit. This restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, from traditional tapas to more sophisticated and elaborate dishes. What sets this establishment apart is that everything served here is locally produced, meaning that the dishes are fresh and full of flavour.
Mantúa, Jerez de la Frontera
Mantúa is a restaurant located in Jerez de la Frontera, its name refers to one of the grape varieties that was cultivated in the vicinity of Jerez in the 18th century. It is a tribute to Andalusian cuisine, with special attention to Jerez recipes. Arcilla (clay) and Caliza (limestone) are the two menus available to diners who dare to try Israel Ramos’ versions.
The establishment combines fresh local ingredients with innovative culinary techniques, creating dishes with unique and surprising flavours. The atmosphere is elegant and cosy, making it the perfect place for a romantic dinner or a special meal.
Kaleja, Málaga
Haute cuisine in the Jewish quarter. Kaleja is a restaurant where you can taste dishes of essential cuisine, concise, that draws on the memory of old recipe books to seduce the diner with dishes made up of very few ingredients. Hence the revival of popular dishes such as salpicón de carne, ajo pollillo (reduction of the garlic chicken sauce), puchero, esparragao… This is how chef Dani Carnero seduces diners. The ambience of the restaurant is modern and sophisticated, which makes it an ideal place for a dinner with friends or a business meeting.
Nintai, Marbella
Marcos Granda conquers the province of Málaga with his two renowned restaurants. Nintai is one of his latest bets in Marbella, oriented in this case to Japanese cuisine, after falling in love with the Japanese country on a trip he made in 2019. It will be Itamae Pablo Olivares who holds the prestige of heading the table. Nintai offers two tasting menus that vary according to the product of the day: Omakase and Nintai. Pay attention to the carefully selected menu of sakes.
The dishes are prepared with fresh, quality ingredients and can be enjoyed in an elegant and cosy atmosphere. In addition, the staff is friendly and helpful, which makes the experience even more enjoyable.
La Finca, Loja
La Finca, restaurant of the Royal Hideaway La Bobadilla Hotel in the town of La Loja in Granada, with chef Fernando Arjona in the kitchen, disciple of Pablo González, responsible for the two-starred restaurant Cabaña Buena Vista in Murcia. It is the first restaurant in the history of Granada to be awarded a Michelin star and offers the feel of an Andalusian farmhouse where the recipes of Malaga and Granada can be revisited.
The establishment has an excellent selection of wines, making it a great choice for a romantic dinner or a get-together with friends. The atmosphere is cosy and the service is excellent.
Dama Juana, Jaén
There are customs or trades that are learned at home, with the family, and this is undoubtedly the beautiful link between chef Juan Aceituno and his grandmother Juana (La Chucha), the woman who passed on his passion for gastronomy. This restaurant offers an updated traditional proposal that narrates a journey through the chef’s life experiences telling us about the landscape of Jaén, through three menus (Vega, Blancal and Umbría) or with the option, by reservation only, of the Gran Menú María (a nod to his daughter), a special menu served by the chef himself and with food and wine pairing included. The ambience of the restaurant is elegant and sophisticated, making it a great choice for a business dinner or a special occasion. In addition, the service is impeccable.
Restaurant Abantal, Seville
In the beautiful city of Seville is the restaurant Abantal, a minimalist modern space made with cold materials, such as granite and steel, in combination with warm and noble ones, such as oak, all of which makes this a lovely place to be. But the really important place is the kitchen under the management of chef Julio Fernandez which mixes traditional ingredients with other more daring ones, evoking sensory Arabic experiences. If you come here, you can try the Iberian pork and acorn salad marinated with cherries, walnuts and raisins, or carpaccio of red tuna belly with roasted vegetable gazpacho and Xerez vinegar ice cream. Unusual Andalucian dishes which provide a tribute to your palate which you can round off with an exceptional dessert: foie yoghurt on peach compote.
Restaurant El Lago, Marbella (Málaga)
Under the guidance of chef Diego del Rio is the restaurant El Lago in Marbella which, in addition to the exquisite cuisine which has been awarded a Michelin star, boasts amazing views. Located in the area of Elviria, it is surrounded by a beautiful lake and golf course which are easy on the eye and clearly demonstrate the essence of the Costa del Sol. At night, lighting plays an important role in this delight for the senses. The kitchen continuously mixes Andalucian products where the most appropriate preparation technique is applied for each different texture and flavour. On this Michelin route we offer, we invite you to try the tuna tartar with ajoblanco de Kimchi and crisp apple and quinoa, as well as shoulder of suckling lamb, vegetable tabbouleh and soy and orange yoghurt. As for desserts, the selection of Andalucian cheeses will not disappoint.
Restaurant Choco, Córdoba
Kisko Garcia’s technique is his restaurant Choco is based on highly-developed skill. The façade of the building is made of wood which gives it an atmosphere of warmth, and lets you imagine quite vividly the signature cuisine inside. The Cordoba spirit is reflected in dishes like local mazamorra with Huelva white shrimp and flying fish roe. Mazamorra is another Andalucian cold soup, a tradition in Córdoba, which differs from the local salmorejo as it has no tomato; it is made with bread, garlic, vinegar, oil and salt. The Iberian oyster with ham broth and Moroccan lemon is another dish that you can enjoy if you like seafood. This locale has its own workshop and they even make the bread consumed in the restaurant. A wise culinary choice if you decide to travel to the south of Spain.
Restaurant Jose Carlos García, Muelle Uno Port of Málaga
For chef José Carlos Gracía, good cooking runs in the family. Since childhood, he has used the cookers his parents used, and has managed to run his establishment with the essence of the traditional and the cutting edge of new techniques in the kitchen. An imaginative creative force constantly looking for new flavours with a restaurant nestled in the privileged port of Málaga overlooking the boats and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Feel free to stop by this place and give a treat to your palate. Do not miss the egg with potato foam and nuts, often recommended by the top food magazines.
Restaurant Skina, Marbella (Málaga)
Also in Marbella is another Michelin star restaurant which is an genuine treat for the senses. It is Skina, under the management of chefs Marcos Granda, Hideaki Yoshioka and Jaume Puigdengolas. This establishment in the historic centre of the city has an intimate nature with room for only 14 diners. Its cuisine is based on a mixture of contrasts between Andalucian cuisine and the latest tastes. If you come to Marbella, eat at this restaurant and try its traditional Andalucian menu where you can enjoy, among other dishes, white Málaga garlic with white shrimp and figs, Málaga cuttlefish with dried rice, or the classic French toast with banana ice cream.
Restaurant Aponiente, El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz)
With an exquisite seaside decor and a paper boat symbolizing the “crew” in charge of the kitchen, chef Ángel León has dropped anchor in the Port of Santa Maria. Its salty cuisine brings the best of the sea to the table. We strongly recommend this very special enclave of fine dining where you can enjoy dishes such as clam marinara over breadcrumbs, mackerel cooked in its own fat or cheese and miso.
Restaurant La Costa, El Ejido (Almería)
The restaurant La Costa in Almería has a large team of professionals. It includes three separate rooms. The tavern offers tapas, the informal dining area allows you to enjoy creative cuisine, and finally, the tasting room has a selection of popular dishes to try. Among the best-known recipes are the courgette millefeuille of El Ejido with foie gras, porcini and mi-cui or red prawn carpaccio from the Almeria coastline with extra virgin olive oil and olive pulp.
Restaurante Noor, Cordoba
Noor is the personal project of the Cordoban chef Paco Morales. Its fusion between old Al-Andalus cuisine and innovation was essential to obtaining its first Michelin star in 2017. Paco Morales’s philosophy at his restaurant is to recover and reinterpret Andalusí cuisine with a state-of-the-art vision and under the premise of haute cuisine. His aim is to offer patrons a full gastronomic experience by innovatively recreating the banquets of the Medina Azahara Palace in the 10th century. None of his proposals include dishes prepared with ingredients from after the discovery of America. Potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and chocolate are not on his menus.
Restaurante Sollo, Fuenguirola (Malaga)
This is the restaurant of Chef Diego Gallegos, also known as the “Caviar Chef.” In addition to a Michelin star, he won the Chef Revelación Madrid Fusion 2015 award, putting him in with the best restaurants in Andalucia. His philosophy is that of an aquaculture-based sustainable cuisine. He has transformed caviar into a star product by recovering Andalucian sturgeon. He has reinvented traditional Andalucian cuisine by introducing freshwater fish and leaving out pork. He has created new concepts through the use of innovative processes. All his proposals are prepared with regional produce of the highest quality.
Restaurante Messina, Marbella (Malaga)
This is the restaurant of Mauricio Giovanini, an Argentine who opened his establishment in Marbella in 2003. He was awarded his first Michelin star in 2016 and obtained this prized distinction again in 2017. This chef’s gastronomic proposals are characterised by their natural juices. Mauricio knows that the real flavour is in the liquid part of vegetables. His creations also stand out for their natural thickeners. He prepares them from dried fruit and nuts, and the collagen he extracts from fish and meat. This is how his own gelatines are created.
Lú Cocina y Alma, Jerez de la Frontera (Novedad)
Restaurant of Jerez chef Juan Luis Fernández Fernández. This is his first solo project after 10 years as Gastronomic Director at Aponiente. The premises, designed by the famous interior designer, Gaspar Sobrino, are quite spectacular. This restaurant’s proposal is to cook in a new universe, in which flavours unite in an unexpected way in order to give birth to new dishes that are incorporated into menus such as “Follow the white rabbit” and “Happy Unbirthday.” We recommend the crab royale with sauce gribiche in manteca colorá and Huelva prawns with a sauce made from their own coral. Another spectacular detail are the personalised acorn-shaped bruschetta.
Bagá, Jaén
Pedro Sánchez Jaén began his solo journey on 15th September, after 16 years at the helm of the kitchen at Casa Antonio Restaurant, having previously been at famous kitchens such as Relais Chateau Chateau de Bagnols (France), Martín Berasategui (Lasarte) and Dani Garcia’s Tragabuches (Ronda). Bagá is Pedrito’s, also known as Pedro Sánchez Jaén, gastronomic space. Here you will find a full dynamic menu which each week incorporates new dishes. This restaurant is just like a typical French bistro, with a maximum number of 15 diners. Here you will find delicious dishes like baby boat kidney with caviar and sea anemone gazpachuelo.
Alevante, Chiclana de la Frontera – Novo Sancti Petri (Cádiz)
Alevante is an establishment with a clear focus on the sea. The Chef of the Sea’s team perfectly executes Aponiente’s great successes. This restaurant is for normal occasions with a special hue. With capacity for 30 people and open for dinner service, exclusivity is guaranteed. You will also find a wine cellar with over 100 wines chosen to pair with sea flavours.
Bardal, Ronda (Málaga)
For many the name Benito Gómez and his Ronda Bardal may seem new. Bardal’s cuisine is a refuge for more traditional flavours, which is why his culinary proposal is based on two tasting menus: Bardal and Gran Bardal. The dishes with their fine brines, such as oyster and spinach with butter and hazelnut, or casseroles such as free range chicken stew with mushrooms and sausage. Its gastronomic proposal is very ambitious which is why he offers a splendid wine cellar with a wide range of Andalusian wines.
ACCOMMODATION
Edge by Paco Pérez – Rooftop El Fuerte Marbella
Fuerte Hoteles is always the best option for discovering Andalucia’s best gastronomic offerings and for savouring the dishes of the best haute cuisine Michelin star restaurants. The chain has establishments where you can enjoy, in addition to its amenities, the best of each point of Andalucian geography.
Its 60 plus years’ experience are the best guarantee to dedicate your time to discovering these temples of gastronomy. Marbella, Conil, Grazalema, El Rompido and Torrox are just some of the enclaves where you can find this amazing accommodation.