No one has more Suns than Catalonia: discover the new restaurants that have entered the guide

TarragonaThe celebrations began on Sunday in Reus, continued in Tarragona, and will conclude in Alcanar in a few weeks. The Tarragona region hosted the Repsol Suns gala, marking the culmination of Catalonia's designation as a World Region of Gastronomy. In a striking photo, the Roman amphitheater hosted a gathering on Monday at midday, bringing together all the chefs in Spain with the highest distinction, the Three Suns. The weather was perfect, and those unfamiliar with the site were amazed to see this relic overlooking the sea. Later, at a red-carpet gala attended by more than 200 chefs, the new additions to the list were announced. This list is intended as the oil company's answer to the French guide.

The Guide explained that "it was no coincidence that it was held in Tarragona," highlighting the excellent seafood, produce, and wine culture of the region. In fact, wines from all eight designations of origin in the province of Tarragona were served. Catalonia has the most Repsol Suns and restaurants recommended by the Repsol Guide. "This isn't about numbers. It's the result of a way of understanding gastronomy based on respect for tradition, product excellence, and the constant ability to reinvent oneself," said the Minister of Business and Labor, Miquel Sàmper. In total, Catalonia has 372 establishments, including those with Suns and those recommended. Looking only at those with Suns, there are 122 restaurants, distributed as follows: 83 have one, 30 have two, and 9 have the highest distinction of three. This total already includes this year's new additions.

12 new additions

The highlight of all is the restaurant located in the Raval district of Barcelona, Two Toothpickswhich goes from having one Sun to having two. In this establishment, former El Bulli chef Albert Raurich and sommelier Tamae Imachi create a precise fusion of Japanese and Catalan traditions. The other new additions debut in the one-sun category. They are the following restaurants: Cervus, in Reus, where Lucía Fernández and Nil Bono blend Catalan and Andalusian traditions; Eldelmar, the restaurant of the Torres brothers in the Olympic Port of Barcelona; Fontané, the Roca brothers' tribute to their mother, in the castle of Sant Julià de Ramis; Sixth, in Lleidaby the young and renowned Ángel Esteve; Dvise in Palamós, where Jordi Simón and Laura Vicente have been working hard for years, now inside the Hotel Casa Vincke. The Amar restaurant, by chef Rafa Zafraand which is located in the Palace Hotel in Barcelona; Jordi Tarré's restaurant, Prodigio, which won a star this year and is an acronym for Provença, Diagonal, and Girona, the Barcelona streets where it is located. The Galician-Catalan fusion of Besta, in Barcelona; Quintaforca and the landscape cuisine of Xavi Fabra and Fina Domingo in Nulles; and Plats Forts, the solo restaurant of 539. Martín Comamala in PuigcerdáAnd finally, Maràngels, in Sant Gregori, very close to Girona, in a 17th-century farmhouse, with Francesc Mas and Eva Márquez at the helm.

Separately, Jeroni Castells' restaurant in Ulldecona, Les Moles, received the Sustainable Sun distinction, jointly with Ricard CamarenaThe restaurants Ansils, in the Benasque Valley, and Tramo, in Madrid, have made the list. Only three restaurants have joined the list of the best-rated restaurants this year: Voro, in Mallorca; Ramon Freixa Tradición, in Madrid; and A Tafona, by chef Lucía Freitas, in A Coruña. For the first time, the Principality of Andorra has entered the list, with one Sun awarded to the restaurant Ibaya.