Savor the Extraordinary: Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants in Spain
September 19, 2017
Embark on a culinary adventure through Spain's gastronomic treasures. Discover the top 10 must-try restaurants where unforgettable dining experiences await.
By: Genevieve Mc Carthy / Last updated: April 9, 2024
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
In just over twenty years, a remarkable resurgence in the quality and quantity of luxury Spanish wine hotels has ensured that Spain is now at the forefront of global wine tourism. Pioneers like Marques de Riscal, Abadia Retuerta, and Castilla Termal have boosted the industry with their natural talent for delivering precisely what today’s discerning traveler wants – understated and relaxed luxury. Their hotels have successfully redefined luxury, providing world-class service, food, amenities, and accommodation in locations as diverse as Rioja, Navarra, and Penedes. This is a veritable paradise for a passionate oenophile – exquisite old Spanish classics vintages without the stiff formality and pretension that once plagued upmarket European venues.
Of course, not all of Spain’s premiere venues make the grade, but the best of this exciting firmament is genuinely world-class. Indeed, visitors complained that their luxury options across Spain’s wine regions were limited to the fingers on one hand. Today, the dilemma is where to start – so, to help the time-strapped discerning traveler, we’ve selected our top choices for a glamorous wine vacation below:
Marques de Riscal website: Read more
Rioja’s Marques de Riscal redefined the luxury hotel concept in rural Spain, offering a contemporary and immersive experience at the heart of the gorgeous Riojan countryside. Opened by one of the region’s oldest bodegas (winery), the hotel has welcomed visitors since 2006 and has caused more than a bit of controversy in the sleepy village of Elciego. Its avant-garde design was masterminded by legendary architect Frank Gehry, who was celebrated for creating the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Today, the hotel is run by the Marriott group.
However, high standards remain the same. Outside the hotel’s walls, you’re ripe to explore the Rioja Alavesa sub-region, home of such famous names as Luis Canas and Bodegas Ostatu. Inside, the visitor is mercilessly cocooned in absolute luxury – 43 top-notch rooms and suites are complemented by a state-of-the-art spa, a glorious rooftop terrace, wine library – with over 1000 different volumes – and exclusive access to the Marques de Riscal cellars. But, the real highlight is undoubtedly the hotel’s signature Michelin-starred restaurant. Paired with a fantastic selection of Marques de Riscal wines (the winery has kept a few bottles of every vintage back since its inception in the 1860s), the avant-garde cuisine is breathtaking in its intricacy and creativity. Trust us; you won’t want to leave.
Abadia Retuerta website: Read more
Just as Marques de Riscal reinvented the concept of visiting a wine hotel in Rioja, so Abadia Retuerta has led the way in revolutionizing the tourism experience in Ribera del Duero. Unfortunately, however, the winery is located just outside the appellation boundaries. But that’s a minor quibble – this beautiful hotel is undoubtedly one of Spain’s finest. Your home for the night (or several) is located in an ancient abbey founded in 1146 by an order of monks from France, which is today one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Castilla y Leon. It was opened as a luxury hotel in 2012 and restored with the help of Swiss-Italian architect Marco Serra. From the outset, the hotel has made a name for itself by offering exceptional service – each bedroom comes equipped with a multilingual butler who will do everything to make your experience as memorable as possible.
A luxury spa keeps guests pampered until it’s time to sample the dramatic Refectorio restaurant’s Michelin-starred cuisine in the abbey’s refectory. Accompanying your gastronomic adventure is a large selection of the estates’ wines and top choices from across the region, including old vintages of Vega Sicilia. The Vinoteca restaurant is also for those who want a more informal, tapas-style dining experience—a world-class hotel for discerning sybarites.
Castilla Termal website: Read more
Why can’t all wine hotels be like this? Located in an ancient Cistercian monastery built in the 12th century, Castilla Termal is ideally situated to explore the Ribera del Duero region, a land of powerful, structured red wines. Castilla Termal is the ideal place to recharge your batteries after a busy day’s sightseeing and wine tasting, offering excellent accommodation, amenities, and cuisine in the most luxurious surroundings. Each of the 79 bedrooms and suites is individually furnished and designed to an unparalleled standard: extremely comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, tasteful artwork, and beautiful balconies. An expansive pool and pampering spa await the weary, but we’re more excited about the Converso restaurant and its veritable treasure trove of rare vintages. Service throughout is professional, discreet, and highly courteous. It’s the obvious choice for a wine-themed weekend break.
Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma: Read more
A truly excellent hotel, Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma is effortlessly inviting and uniquely situated. Housed in the ancient University of Santa Catalina, the building has been lovingly preserved to ensure no trace of its Renaissance splendor is diminished by the arrival of a contemporary luxury hotel. Today, it attracts a discerning clientele who wish to explore the majestic surroundings of Soria, a city known for its perfectly preserved medieval center. The 70 rooms, including four suites, are decorated and furnished to the highest standard, while the suites boast remarkable views and gorgeous warm interiors. Also, and in keeping with the popularity of thermal pools, the magnificent spa area makes its home under the Renaissance cloister and a glass dome – dramatic and luxurious in the same breath. The food is yet another highlight, locally sourced and impeccably presented, resulting in a gastronomic paradise.
Hospederia de Los Parajes website: Read more
Rioja is full of great hotels, but we can assure you that Hospederia de Los Parajes is seriously cut above the rest. A sophisticated boutique address at the heart of Laguardia, Hospederia de Los Parajes is simultaneously friendly, inviting, and refined. The building is a renovated historic palace, sympathetically restored to balance the contemporary and historic. In particular, we love the glass-roofed central courtyard. The original building’s ancient stones are combined with the modern structure to create a charming, welcoming space centered on a delightful fireplace.
The bright and elegant communal spaces complement 18 spacious, airy rooms, some facing the courtyard. Indeed, relaxation is the name of the game at this hotel; chill on the terrace with a glass of wine in tow or explore the surrounding Rioja Alavesa region. And what a culinary treat you have in store, for Hospederia de Los Parajes boasts two excellent restaurants, Los Parajes and Las Duelas. An inviting basement spa and wellness center also features a Turkish bath, an ice fountain, various water treatments, and a wide range of massages. When in Rome!
Finca de Los Arandinos website: Read more
A small hotel with a big heart, Finca de Los Arandinos is way ahead of Rioja’s boutique competition. It is a key venue that has redefined what luxury wine hotels should offer their guests, establishing a new breed of intelligent, sophisticated, yet relaxed accommodation for discerning travelers. Based at the heart of the Rioja Alta sub-region, the hotel is easily accessible from Bilbao airport (just over 2 hours by car) but far enough away from civilization to provide an unparalleled haven of relaxation. 14 sleek, sophisticated rooms keep guests suitably pampered while the spa offers an extensive range of treatments.
Top chef Diego Rodriquez handles gastronomic duties – he brings you mouthwatering, contemporary Spanish dishes that are the antitheses to irritating, undernourished nouvelle cuisine. Utilizing local produce and working with local suppliers, the cooking is all heart and soul – divine yet intensely nourishing and homely. However, the wine list is suitably extensive, with a plethora of rare vintages from across Rioja. Muy Bien!
Pago de Cirsus website: Read more
Navarra is undoubtedly one of the most captivating and beautiful of the Spanish wine regions. The expansive landscape, filled with vineyards and majestic mountain scenery, never fails to take a first-time visitor’s breath away. And there is no better place to experience Navarra in all its splendor than Pago de Cirsus, a family-run hotel attached to a leading bodega (winery). Twelve elegant, traditional bedrooms are complemented by an excellent restaurant and some of the friendliest staff in Spain! However, the real highlight is the simple fact that viticultural exploration at Pago de Cirsus requires only a few steps, as the winery is a stone’s throw away. They will happily organize vineyard tours, tastings, and visits to other leading properties in the region. The only problem will be where to start.
Mastinell website: Read more
There are quite a few contestants for the Catalunya region’s finest winery hotel prize, but we can assure you that Mastinell is ten leaps ahead of the rest. A sophisticated cut above most of the competition, Mastinell is effortless chic. An imaginative modern design has been put to spectacular use, with numerous circular glass panels (13 rooms) offering superlative views over Penede’s vineyards. Service is in keeping with today’s consumer ethos and is engaging and warm rather than stuffy. A large outdoor swimming pool allows guests to work off dinner; a particular highlight as tapas don’t get any better than the memorable creations of the hotel’s ‘Enn Rima Culinary Space’ fresh, perfectly prepared tapas – fish being the absolute highlight – shellfish on tap and an extensive wine list are all present and correct.
Terra Dominicata website: Read more
With its enviable position overlooking the dramatic scenery of Montsant, splendid isolation, and gorgeous, individually designed rooms, Terra Dominicata is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most relaxing hotels. It boasts just 26 deluxe rooms distributed between the two historic buildings that comprise the estate. The Deluxe Suites, in particular, are utterly gorgeous, lavish, and rustic simultaneously. The ambiance is more akin to staying with friends than a luxury hotel – the staff are very warm and hospitable, and the overall ethos is very much relaxed luxury. Guests continue to rave about the inviting outdoor pool, the proximity to Catalunya’s finest vineyards, and the excellent gastronomy at Terra Dominicata.
Casa Vino de Alcantara website: Read more
Elegance be thy name! Six perfectly appointed bedrooms await you at Vina de Alcantara, the sherry region’s most elegant and understated hotel. There is no bling or lavish amenities at this address; instead, you’ll receive a warm welcome and hospitality for which the Andalusians are famous. The building is historic and charming, a testament to this region’s proud legacy. Unfortunately, there’s no restaurant, although a splendid breakfast is included with your stay—the perfect base to explore the enticing vineyards of Jerez de la Frontera.
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
Des Mc Carthysays:
July 26, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Hi Bob, I will reply via email.Thanks for your interest in Cellar Tours
Bob Morvillosays:
July 25, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Would like to spend 4 days in a vineyard
MacDaddy Marc Hintonsays:
May 24, 2012 at 2:24 am
Yes the Chef Sergi Arola is mythical alright. If you have eaten at Darius you will see that the only thing there that has the touch of a Michelin starred chef is the menu with his name on it. Fabulous hotel otherwise.
gensays:
August 14, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Hi Pilar, nice to hear from you. In Ribera, the hotels we generally send our clients to include Convento las Claras in Peñafiel and Castillo de Curiel. Restaurants we like now in Ribera include Raiz in Roa and the newly opened Domaine at Abadia Retuerta.... Send us your details if you are interested in receiving guests at your wine estate- [email protected]
Pilarsays:
August 12, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Fabulous post, there's one or two here I hadn't heard of before so thanks for that. Do you have any other recommendations in the Ribera del Duero region?
Wines of the Camino de Santiago- Wine Tasting along the Way of Saint James | Cellar Tours Blogsays:
October 12, 2010 at 9:27 am
[...] Where to stay: Located in pristine forest and countryside in this beautiful wine region is the delicious Parador of San Estevo, featured in our post on the best wine hotels in Spain. [...]
jessicasays:
February 5, 2010 at 8:48 pm
This so amazing i love this site about spain winery
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November 27, 2009 at 6:01 pm
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