Events of the restaurant world in Spain — gastronomic digest from Spain Voyages

Can’t imagine your life without gastronomic experiences? Read in our digest which restaurants and bars in Madrid have received the most prestigious awards, which city has become the gastronomic capital of Spain and where you can celebrate the sweetest Christmas in Barcelona.

5 restaurants in Madrid have received their first Michelin stars

On the evening of November 26, during a gala concert held at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas in Murcia, the Michelin guide announced the restaurants that received the coveted stars. The 2025 guide will debut 32 Spanish establishments that have not received the award before. And five of them are located in the Spanish capital, Madrid:

• Sen Omakase (C. de Sta. María Magdalena, 14, Chamartín, 28016 Madrid) is a Japanese restaurant. Its concept is based on Japanese traditions and seasonality, and the menu is formulated in 5 techniques, 5 colors, 5 tastes and 5 senses. The chef is Stephen Wu.
• Pabú (C. de Panamá, 4, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid) positions itself as one of Madrid’s most intriguing restaurants. It is the personal project of chef Coco Montes, who trained at L’Arpège, a three-Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant. Pabú’s cuisine is based on French techniques, national products and “micro-seasons” – choosing the best time for each dish based on its seasonality.   
• Chispa Bistró (C. del Barquillo, 8, Centro, 28004 Madrid) is an international cuisine restaurant. The emphasis here is on grilling, but other techniques are also used — salting, fermentation, marinating, smoking and braising. Chef Juan D’Onofrio offers a 12-course tasting menu that reflects all the cuisines of different countries he has studied. 
• Gofio (C. del Caballero de Gracia, 20, Centro, 28013 Madrid) offers a modern interpretation of the traditional cuisine of the Canary Islands. Three tasting menus are offered, with dishes complemented by Canarian wines.
• VelascoAbellà (C. de Víctor Andrés Belaunde, 25, Chamartín, 28016 Madrid) is the project of chefs Oscar Velasco and Montse Abella, which received a star just 1.5 years after opening. The restaurant specializes in contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional markets and seasonal products.

Alicante has become the gastronomic capital of Spain

On Tuesday, November 26, Alicante became the winner of the Gastronomic Capital of Spain 2025, replacing the 2024 winner Oviedo and beating Antequera (Málaga) in the final. Alicante has positioned itself as the ac city of «one thousand and one rice». It is this product that is the main ingredient in most of the traditional dishes listed in the entry. In the city’s restaurants it is served in different forms and complemented with a variety of local ingredients. 

Alicante has managed to retain its traditional markets — Mercat Central, Benalúa, Carolinas and Babel with their excellent products and friendly service. The city also has over 1,700 establishments, many of them Michelin-starred, and hosts the Alicante Gastronómica gastronomic experience fair.

Earlier we wrote: Alicante is preparing to celebrate Christmas: program of events

Only one Madrid bar was included in the prestigious ranking of The World’s 50 Best Bars

At the end of October, Madrid hosted the 16th annual World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awards ceremony, sponsored by Perrier, the French premium mineral water brand. The winner was Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico), also honored as North America’s Best Bar 2024. And the 23rd place went to Salmon Guru – the only bar in Madrid, which became a nominee of the rating in 2024. But 8 more establishments of the Spanish capital entered the TOP-500 of the best bars in the world:

• Angelita (38th place) — C. de la Reina, 4, Centro;
• 1862 Dry Bar (40th place) — C. del Pez, 27, Centro;
• Momus (84th place) — C. de San Bartolomé, 11, Centro;
• Glass by Sips (197th place) — Cebo, 34, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Cortes;
• Isa Restaurant & Cocktail Bar (218th place) — C. de Sevilla, 3, Centro;
• Savas (268 seat) — C. de la Sombrerería, 3, Centro;
• Museo Chicote (388th place) — Gran Vía, 12, Centro;
• Lovo Bar (433 place) — Calle de Echegaray, 20, Centro.

Read also: Christmas in Catalonia and Barcelona — festive traditions and events

Magical Days at CASA SEAT Barcelona

From November 28 to January 5, CASA SEAT in Barcelona invites you to celebrate Christmas in an unusual way. For the third time it is hosting Magic Days, a unique gastronomic experience for the whole family. This year the main character of the event is Jordi Roca, a famous pastry chef with three Michelin stars. Guests will have the unique opportunity to enjoy his iconic desserts in the CASA SEAT restaurant, on the terrace and in the Rocambolesc & Casa Cacao store, which also offers a huge range of products for the festive table. 

In addition, everyone will be able to admire the Advent calendar created on the façade of the building by the artist TVBoy, free of charge. Every day a new outstanding personality of the city will be unveiled here.

Magical Days at CASA SEAT can only be attended by prior reservation. Free tickets are available at www.casa.seat. Hurry, almost all sessions are already sold out.

Read also: 7 Places to Celebrate a Merry Christmas in Spain

The first Zara café has opened in Madrid 

Fashionable Spanish clothing brand Zara opened its first coffee shop in Madrid. The institution called Zacaffè is located in the heart of the city, in the Salamanca district, next to the new Zara Man store on Hermosilla Street. The menu of the cafe includes hot and cold drinks, including specialty Waco Coffee, as well as desserts and pastries. The range is small, as Zacaffè was conceived as a gourmet space where you can enjoy a few moments of relaxation rather than spend a lot of time.

Earlier we wrote: Madrid’s Naviluz Christmas bus will begin running on Nov. 29

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