Michelin Stars in the Catalan Capital

By Javier Castillo - June/5/2012

I´ve always found N.F Simpson’s quote about eating amusing, “I eat merely to put food out of my mind.”  The truth is I love eating and eating well. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Let’s be real, we all love the best when it comes to fine dining and our level of expectation is crucial to our enjoyment of food at any establishment. And since most of us aren’t food experts we often rely on the advice or recommendations of friends or family members we trust to have a keen and sophisticated palate. For those who prefer to look to the experts, there is the ubiquitously respected Michelin (Red) Guide the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars. Its star ranking and reviews of restaurants are the most trusted and accepted system for judging restaurants thus becoming the sacred book for sophisticated as well as adventurous food lovers all over the world. As some might know, Tokyo has topped the list the last few years as the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants with well over 200. Yet I live far from Japan and since I don’t see myself there anytime soon, and even less dining at any of their fine (and certainly pricey) Michelin-starred restaurants, I’ve taken a look closer to home. As of 2012, and according to the Michelin website, there are 17 Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona proper.  I´ve listed them here for convenience and quick referencing. Bon appétit:

1.  Saüc   

Vía Laietana 49 E - 08003 Barcelona 

Menu: 64€/ 114€ - Carte: 60€/75€

2.  Caelis   

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668 - 08010 Barcelona

Menu: 60€/ 110€ - Carte: 75€/102€

3.  Moments   

Passeig de Gràcia 38-40 - 08007 Barcelona

Menu: 59€/ 125€ - Carte: 90€/110€

4.  Gaig   

Calle Aragó 214 - 08011 Barcelona 

Menu: 82€/ 105€ - Carte: 62€/83€

5.  Cinc Sentits   

Calle Aribau 58 E - 08011 Barcelona

Menu: (set menu only) 59€/ 79€

6.  Lasarte   

Calle Mallorca 259 - 08008 Barcelona

Menu: 70€/ 115€ - Carte: 85€/105€

7.  Comerç 24   

Calle Comerç 24 - 08003 La Barceloneta

Menu: 84€/ 106€ Carte approx.: 75€

8.  Hofmann   

La Granada del Penedès 14-16 - 08006 Barcelona

Carte: 46€/72€

9.  Moo   

Calle Rosselló 265 - 08008 Barcelona 

Menu: 55€/ 100€ - Carte: 40€/60€

10.  Manairó   

Calle Diputació 424 - 08013 Barcelona

Menu: 58€/ 72€ - Carte: 55€/74€

11.  Alkimia   

Calle Indústria 79 - 08025 Barcelona

Menu: 65€/ 84€ Carte approx.: 65€

12.  Hisop   

Passatge de Marimon 9 - 08021 Barcelona

Menu: 25€/ 48€ - Carte: 54€/60€

13.  Enoteca   

Calle Marina 19 - 08005 Barcelona

Menu: 105€ - Carte: 67€/91€

14.  Via Veneto   

Calle Ganduxer 10 - 08021 Barcelona

Menu: 125€ - Carte: 57€/74€

15.  Dos Cielos   

Calle Pere IV-272 - 08005 Barcelona

Menu: 93€ - Carte: 77€/94€

16.  Àbac   

Avenida del Tibidabo 1 - 08022 Barcelona

Menu: 125€/ 150€ - Carte: 84€/115€

17.  Neichel   

Calle Beltran i Rózpide 1 - 08034 Barcelona 

Menu: 75€/ 90€ - Carte: 57€/80€