They know what they're talking about. They cook, they look for the best and they like to eat. For this reason, they are often the best ambassadors for where they live. They know the little restaurant where you can eat the best portion of fish or an omelet skewer, they give tips on where to start the day with a good breakfast, where to whet your appetite with an appetizer, where to enjoy lunch before you have an afternoon snack, or a drink or cocktail before dinner. They visit the markets every day and know the best supplier of fruit, vegetables, meat or cheese. And they will not hesitate to advise you on the best gastronomic gift from their home country. This is a tour that EL PAÍS undertook in 2023 through Spain with the help of chefs in search of the best addresses to enjoy gastronomy.
The owner of DiverXO recommends having an aperitif at one of the landmarks in the Retiro district, eating at a fish temple, having dinner at your teacher's house and buying sweets.
The co-owner of the “Enjoy and Share” restaurants recommends his secret addresses where he usually has breakfast, lunch or a drink in his city.
The chef and owner of La Salita reveals secret addresses in her hometown, whose nerve center is in the Ruzafa district. He works there and enjoys his free time.
The co-owner of the Casa Marcial restaurant shares his secret recommendations for where to enjoy an almond bartolo for breakfast, drink a cider at a micro cider in Nueva de Llanes, shop at Villaviciosa Food Plaza or eat fried pixín at Tazones
The owner of the La Finca restaurant recommends where to enjoy the best rice with rabbit or a cocktail with a sea view
The chef at Restaurant Arzak recommends starting with brunch, a few pinchos at a classic in the old town, a cutlet at one of the restaurants with the best winery in Spain or a gin and tonic at Gros
The owner of Noor Restaurant recommends having anything from Cordoba cake to signature oxtail as a starter, or enjoying a drink in a historic building
The owner of Culler de Pau recommends his favorite places for a good aperitif, a meal by the sea or a cocktail in the trendy Vigo establishment
The owner of Cobo Estratos recommends eating everything from stews to Castilian lamb, enjoying a “cojonudo” or “cojonuda,” or goat cheese from an organic farm
The chef and co-owner of Atrio Restaurant recommends starting the day with churros, sampling the cuisine of a legendary address and ending the day with tapas in the historic center
He runs the kitchen at El Portal de Echaurren in Ezcaray and recommends eating one of the best tortillas in Spain, as well as meat from one of the best grills and a cocktail in his city
Pablo González Conejero runs Cabaña Buenavista and recommends everything from a good specialty coffee in his hometown to praising a small business with its own identity
As the owner of the Pujol's Sa Pedrera restaurant, he tours small, owner-run establishments on the island and recommends buying Menorcan manzanilla alongside cheese and sobrasada
The owner of Finca Alfoliz recommends a classic meal in Aracena, a drink in a magical beach bar in Punta Umbría or a special dinner in Valverde del Camino
He runs a Michelin-starred restaurant as well as other businesses with different gastronomic concepts and travels the island in search of the best producers for his cuisine.
The owner of Aponiente recommends several places in his area where you can grab a muffin, eat the best seafood in an industrial area, buy almond slivers from El Puerto and salt from the Cádiz salt flats.
The co-owner of El Celler de Can Roca shares his seats for a “Forquilla lunch”, drinks an aperitif with Bruce Springteen in the background, eats with some of his students and buys sausages
The founder of the group of companies that bears his name recommends starting the day with a muffin with shredded meat, a Cordovan-style appetizer, a candlelight dinner and buying mantecados
The owner of Cenador de Amós recommends having breakfast overlooking the sea in Somo, crossing the Bay of Santander to eat at a steakhouse in Pedreña, and ending the day at an iconic winery.
The chef and owner of the Barro restaurant recommends eating a good omelet for breakfast, eating a manzanilla with Gilda and Revolconas potatoes, having a snack in a palace and buying tea biscuits
He runs Casas Colgadas and La Casa de la Sirena and recommends the Morteruelo aperitif at one of the legendary bars, a grilled croissant and dinner at one of the city's fusion spots.
The owner of the Maralba restaurant recommends several good fish restaurants in Almansa, a visit to Casas Ibáñez for dinner, a visit to the Villacerrada market and buying knives
The chef and owner of the Enigma restaurant recommends drinking chocolate at the creators of Cacaolat, eating at Rafa Zafra's budget grocery store and buying mushrooms at La Boquería.
A reference of Andalusian gastronomy, it recommends starting with bread and oil, eating in one of the restaurants considered the best in Spain and buying the star product of its country.
The owner of Azurmendi, with three Michelin stars, recommends starting the day with a buttered roll and a “Marianito” before indulging in one of the restaurants in his city that praise the product most.
He runs the two-Michelin-star Miramar in Llança and recommends a seaside vermouth as an aperitif, enjoys the area's seafood cuisine and heads to Cadaqués for a cocktail
The owner of Retiro da Costiña, with one Michelin star, recommends having breakfast in a garden in the heart of Santiago, strolling through the market and having a drink in front of the beautiful sunset
Álvaro Sanz recommends important places with Ibizan recipes, have breakfast and watch dolphins. Don't forget to buy local herbs and sobrasada
Sara Peral and Jorge Muñoz recommend remote and trendy places, a visit to the Maravillas market or a home-roasted coffee.
The owner of La Mesa de Conus tells us the addresses he visits to enjoy Galician wines, stews, rice and even a good hamburger and recommends bringing a Galician cheese with you
The owner and head waiter of the establishment, which has become a reference for fish and seafood, recommends a potato omelet with mint, a Montado Pringá, a snack of fluffy churros and a romantic dinner
The chef at the two-Michelin-star Cigarral del Ángel recommends buying marzipan, eating venison and stopping at Las Esparteras along the way
The owner of Lera, a hunting temple, recommends eating churros, having an aperitif in traditional bars, indulging in lamb and buying cheese and wines from his land.
He runs the kitchen at El Rincón Juan Carlos restaurant and recommends pastry chef Alexis García's sweet creations, prawns with champagne overlooking the sea and purchasing wines and cheeses
The owner of the Trigo restaurant recommends enjoying an aperitif like in Milan, eating in a city landmark and buying a wine as a gift.
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