Spain ends 2016 with nine three-star Michelin restaurants

The number of three-Michelin starred restaurants in Spain now stands at an impressive nine.

The Spanish culinary scene is often described as revolutionary, which is meant to be unfailingly complimentary but can sometimes suggest that it is a fleeting movement; a scene that has shattered old misconceptions and created a new buzz…

OK, maybe there is some truth in that – certainly the creativity pouring forth from Catalonia and Basque restaurants in recent years has been boundary-breaking. 

But for the most part, the plaudits currently being bestowed on Spanish cuisine have been a long time coming. The country has always been creative in the kitchen, and even its less celebrated dishes are tasty and well-received staples all over the world.

Which should not detract from the great strides Spanish kitchens have made in recent years to raise quality across the board. And now the rewards are being felt, with Spain ending 2016 with nine restaurants that boast the full three Michelin stars.

The latest establishment in Spain to receive such an honour is Lasarte, the Martin Berasategui-owned restaurant that was recently voted the best in the world by travel platform, TripAdvisor. Earlier this year it increased its stars from two to three after 10 years in business. 

It was also the first time since 2014 that Spain has gained another three-starred restaurant: the last diner to be awarded that honour was DiverXO in Madrid. 

Spain will also end the year with an impressive 23 two-starred restaurants, up from 18 last year, while there are 15 single-starred restaurants across the country.

The nine restaurants that boast three Michelin stars are as follows: Akelarre (San Sebastian), Arzak (San Sebastian), Azurmendi (Bizkaia), DiverXO (Madrid), El Celler de Can Roca (Girona), Lasarte (near San Sebastian), Martin Berasategui (Gipuzkoa), Quique Dacosta (Alicante), and Sant Pau (Barcelona).

Although nine is a respectable number, Spain still has some way to go to catch France, which has 26 three-Michelin-starred restaurants, and Japan, which has 25. The UK, meanwhile, has just four such establishments.