Asador Etxebarri tops 2026 list as experiences reach €2,400
Asador Etxebarri has taken the top spot in The 50 Best Restaurants 2026. Menus start at €225, while Alchemist’s exclusive sommelier table experience costs €2,400.
Restaurants and Cafés 282 news
Spanish coverage follows, Restaurants and Cafés covers dining, reviews, openings, prices and local food culture.
The page turns scattered updates into useful context for people who live in Spain, visit Spain or follow Spanish affairs from abroad.
The page turns scattered updates into useful context for people who live in Spain, visit Spain or follow Spanish affairs from abroad.
Valencia businesses count losses after Blocus threat
Hospitality businesses estimate a 70% drop in turnover after central Valencia shut or curtailed activity on Saturday. Some shops say security measures cost between €1,000 and €10,000.
Norovirus alert after nine diners fall ill in Tarragona
Nine diners fell ill after eating contaminated razor clams at a Tarragona restaurant. Spain reported the affected batches through the EU food alert system on 28 October. The products have been withdrawn.
RBE shareholders line up a €2.5 billion takeover plan
Gregorio Jiménez is assembling a majority bloc for Restaurant Brands Europe. The proposed deal could value the group at up to €2.5 billion, including debt.
Madrid restaurant fire investigation targets owners and architects
A deadly fire at Burro Canaglia in Madrid killed three people and left thirteen needing urgent medical care. A judge has moved the case against the restaurant’s owners and managers, the franchise company and two architects to an abbreviated procedure, citing safety failures and ignored fire risks.
Woody Allen makes Asador Gonzaba his first Madrid food stop
Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn have visited Asador Gonzaba in Madrid's Salamanca district. The Galician restaurant became their first reported food stop before Allen begins a six-week film shoot in the city.
Armona Island: Wild Atlantic beaches just hours from Spain
Armona Island in Portugal’s Algarve is almost unknown, despite its proximity to Spain. With no cars or big hotels and just 53 residents, it offers quiet beaches and natural surroundings, even in autumn.
Pepe Rodríguez bans attention seekers from El Bohío
Pepe Rodríguez, chef and owner of El Bohío, has made clear that his restaurant is off-limits to those who turn dining into a spectacle. He rejects both camera-wielding influencers and guests seeking notoriety without cameras, defending the dignity of his kitchen and staff.
Cuban doctor swaps stethoscope for apron in Spain
Ismaray left medicine in Cuba for a new life in Spain. Now she waits tables, caught between strict work rules and a system that keeps her medical skills on ice.
Spain’s Top Weekend Road Trips Offer Freedom Beyond the Train Lines
A spontaneous weekend behind the wheel can turn into a real adventure. Spain’s varied landscapes and short distances make road trips a practical way to discover new places without the stress of rigid schedules.
Mexican restaurants reshape Madrid with a surge in authentic cuisine
Madrid now has 187 Mexican restaurants, as the local Mexican community doubles in a decade. Authentic cuisine and investment are changing the city's gastronomic field, while the Copil seal sets a new standard for quality and tradition.
Santiago Residents Shut Out as Bars Reserve Tables for Tourists
In Santiago’s historic center, locals now struggle to order a simple beer after 8 p.m. as bars block tables for dinner guests. Chef Alberto Lareo warns that favoring tourists over year-round residents could leave these venues empty once the high season ends.
Young Entrepreneur Opens Bar in Rural Spain for a Fraction of City Costs
At just 23, Mario Pérez left Valencia to open a bar in a village where rent is ten times lower. His move to Valdemoro-Sierra reveals the economic divide between city and rural life, along with the advantages of starting over far from urban centers.
Ceuta families consider leaving as crisis upends daily life
After weeks of unrest and economic losses, some families in Ceuta are weighing whether to stay or leave. Restaurant owner Hugo describes a city where fear and fatigue have become part of daily life, with children kept indoors and businesses struggling to survive.
A royal-themed menu stirs surprise at Carlos III University cafeteria
The cafeteria at Universidad Carlos III in Getafe launched a menu called «Un menú con encanto real» as Princess Leonor began her studies. The playful gesture drew attention across campus, though the royal student herself missed the tribute.
Roig Arena sets new attendance record in Valencia with 1.7 million visitors
Roig Arena in Valencia attracted more than 1.7 million visitors in its first year, far exceeding expectations. The venue has quickly become a major destination for concerts, sports and corporate events, reshaping the city’s cultural field.
Kitchen fire at Casa Aldana forces emergency response in Ciudad Jardín
A sudden fire in the kitchen of Casa Aldana left three staff members with minor burns. Emergency teams evacuated the bar and took the injured to hospital. The venue remains closed pending safety checks.
Catalonia Expands Financial Aid to Businesses Hit by Swine Fever Controls
Catalonia will offer financial support to businesses affected by swine fever restrictions. The aid targets restaurants and farms in closed green areas. Companies must show a 30% drop in turnover to qualify.
Mallorca’s Bar Castilla Closes After 10 Years Under Enrique Perlado
Bar Castilla, a beloved fixture in Palma’s Es Fortí district, has closed after a decade under Enrique Perlado. The 65-year-old owner, known for his signature torreznos, is leaving after a legal dispute over the rented premises. Perlado now faces the challenge of continuing to work in hospitality until retirement.
Mother and Daughter Die in Cedrillas Bar Fire Near Teruel
A fire at the Cedrún bar in Cedrillas, near Teruel, has killed a 32-year-old woman and her 9-year-old daughter. The victims reportedly belonged to the family running the establishment. The circumstances remain under investigation.
Barcelona’s Tourist Hotspots Face New Wave of Influencer-Driven Trends
Influencer marketing is reshaping Barcelona’s iconic attractions. Social media sends tourists to the same landmarks and a new wave of globalized cafés. Local businesses are adapting, but the city’s unique flavor risks dilution.
No 10-Cent Charge Yet: Spain Delays Deposit on Bottles and Cans
Spanish bars and supermarkets are not yet required to charge a 10-cent deposit on bottles or cans. The EU’s new packaging regulation takes effect in August 2026, but Spain’s deposit system will launch only after further national steps. Here’s what changes, and when.
Madrid Residents Face Sleepless Nights Amid Summer Noise and Fines
Central Madrid’s summer brings sleepless nights for residents. Street gatherings and construction bring noise, while parking fines and tourist crowds make daily life difficult. Locals struggle to find relief as city life intensifies.
Spanish Waiter in Switzerland Turns Campervan Life Into 48-Hour Escapes
Pablo, a Spanish waiter in Switzerland, lives year-round in a compact campervan with his dog, Bellota. He organizes his split shifts around her care and uses his two days off each week to travel the country, making the most of his mobile lifestyle.
Bar Tropical Closes After 20 Years, Marking the End of an Era in Palencia
Bar Tropical, a fixture in Palencia’s San Antonio neighborhood for more than two decades, has closed following the retirement of owners Javier and Almudena. The closure leaves a gap in local daily life, and the future of the venue remains uncertain.
Historic Bar Cofiñal Closes After 50 Years in Seville
Bar Cofiñal, a fixture in Seville’s Los Remedios district since 1976, has closed after more than five decades. The López Fernández brothers, both in their 80s, are retiring, ending an era for a bar known for its traditional cuisine and cinematic charm.
Local Bars in Barcelona Struggle as Tourism Dominates Joan de Borbó
Attempts to revive local bar culture on Barcelona’s Joan de Borbó have failed. Residents and business owners are defending authentic spaces in Barceloneta as tourist crowds reshape the city’s social fabric.
Drug Money Laundering Schemes Expand in Cádiz Nightlife Sector
Authorities in Cádiz have uncovered complex money-laundering networks tied to drug trafficking. Local nightlife businesses and frontmen are at the center of ongoing investigations, with crypto assets also under scrutiny. The crackdown has exposed new tactics used by criminal groups.
Repeat Offender Arrested in Tarragona for Series of Tip Jar Thefts
A 39-year-old man with a lengthy police record was arrested in Tarragona. He is accused of stealing tip jars and valuables from four businesses. The incidents include a violent robbery and multiple thefts captured on security cameras.
Spain Updates Hospitality Rules for Extreme Heat: What Changes for Terraces
Spain’s hospitality sector faces new climate safety rules after a landmark agreement between unions and employers. The changes focus on protecting outdoor workers during heatwaves but do not require automatic terrace closures or introduce new fines.
Boom Cake forced to remove giant cheese sign after city sanction
Boom Cake in Barcelona has dismantled its giant yellow cheese sign after city inspectors found it violated urban field rules. The bakery now faces a sanction and must restore its original facade. The case has sparked debate over local business identity.
Ceuta Restaurant Owner Faces Sudden Collapse in Bookings Amid Crisis
Ángela Tendero, co-owner of Barlovento in Ceuta, saw her restaurant go from fully booked to empty within a single afternoon. The abrupt drop followed a surge of arrivals and the cancellation of the city’s Feria, leaving local businesses scrambling to cope with lost income and uncertainty.
Coffee Capsules to Be Legally Classified as Packaging from August
Starting in August, single-use coffee capsules in Spain will be officially treated as packaging under new EU rules. The change brings new obligations for manufacturers and importers but does not require cafés or restaurants to charge extra per capsule. Here’s what the new classification means for businesses and consumers.
Historic Basque Restaurant Closes After 71 Years in Arrasate
Buenuena, formerly Casa Bueno, has closed in Arrasate after more than seven decades. The family-run restaurant, a fixture of traditional Basque cuisine, shut as the last four siblings retired. The future of the iconic venue remains uncertain.
Queen Letizia Chooses Spanish Fashion for Mallorca Family Outing
Queen Letizia was seen with her family in Mallorca wearing a white summer dress and accessories from Spanish brands. The royal outing highlighted her support for local fashion and craftsmanship.