Spain Dominates Europe’s Gourmet Scene with 45 Restaurants in the Top 150
By juni 3, 2025 2 min read
Spain has firmly established itself as Europe’s leading culinary powerhouse, with an impressive 45 restaurants featured on the prestigious OAD list of the continent’s 150 best dining establishments. This places Spain well ahead of its closest rivals: Italy (24), France (16), the UK (14), and Denmark (14).
The list, compiled by the influential Opinionated About Dining guide, paints a clear picture: Spain isn’t just widely represented – it excels at the very top. In the top 10 alone, both Spain and Denmark boast three restaurants each, making it a moment of pride for both nations.
Europe’s Smallest Michelin Restaurant Ranked Fourth
Among the most remarkable entries is Bagá in Jaén – a tiny restaurant with just 45 square meters and seating for only 12 guests – ranked as the fourth-best in Europe. Led by chef Pedro Sánchez, Bagá holds one Michelin star and two Repsol suns, putting the Andalusian city on the global gourmet map.
Alchemist Tops the List – Spain Not Far Behind
Taking the top spot once again is Copenhagen’s Alchemist, led by Rasmus Munk, securing first place for the fifth consecutive year. Sweden and Germany follow, while Spain’s additional top 10 entries – DiverXO in Madrid and Etxebarri in the Basque Country – further highlight the country’s culinary depth and diversity.
OAD emphasizes Spain’s “exceptional era” in haute cuisine, praising the nation’s restaurants for their creativity, technical brilliance, and deep connections to local ingredients and reinvented traditions.
Culinary Excellence Across the Country
Spain’s dominance extends well beyond the top 10, with 13 restaurants featured among the top 50. From Disfrutar in Barcelona to Azurmendi in the Basque Country and Quique Dacosta in Alicante, the list showcases the country’s broad geographic and stylistic range.
Noteworthy climbers this year include Osa in Madrid and Vandelvira in Baeza, both making significant leaps forward. Meanwhile, the legendary El Celler de Can Roca in Girona secures a respectable 57th place.
The list was unveiled at the MOM Culinary Institute El Pardo and once again confirms that Spain doesn’t just deliver quality – it thrives on innovation. From avant-garde cuisine in Madrid to reimagined traditions in the north and south, Spain cements its status as one of the world’s most dynamic culinary nations.