The Girona province holds one of the highest densities of Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, a direct legacy of the El Bulli revolution that transformed world gastronomy from Roses. From the Aparthotel Arenal in Pals, seven starred tables are within a 45-minute drive. Here is the complete guide to planning an exceptional dinner on the Costa Brava.
The Empordà, cradle of modern Catalan cuisine
Ferran Adrià laid the foundations of molecular and creative gastronomy at El Bulli in Cala Montjoi near Roses. Although the restaurant closed in 2011, its influence remains visible throughout the province. The Roca brothers in Girona took over with El Celler de Can Roca (three stars, twice named best restaurant in the world), though technically outside the Empordà.
The Empordà itself counts several starred tables that combine avant-garde techniques with strong territorial roots. Chefs work local products, L'Escala anchovies, Palamós prawns, Pals PGI rice, Empordà olive oil, with technical precision inherited from new Catalan cuisine.
Expect to pay 90 to 250 euros per person for a tasting menu excluding wine pairings. Reservations are taken weeks in advance, more in high season. Smart casual attire is required, though the dress code remains less strict than in France.
Miramar in Llançà, two Michelin stars
Miramar restaurant, in Llançà on the northern Costa Brava, has held two Michelin stars since 2006. Chef Paco Pérez, trained under Michel Guérard and Ferran Adrià, offers avant-garde seafood cuisine from an establishment facing the Mediterranean.
Signature dishes: creamy rice with Palamós prawns, sea bass with sherry, flowering sardines. The short tasting menu has 12 courses (180 euros), the long one 16 courses (220 euros). Exceptional wine list with a focus on DO Empordà and biodynamic wines.
Llançà is a 45-minute drive from Pals. Plan for a late return or a nearby overnight stay. The restaurant has a few hotel rooms available. Reservation mandatory, closed Mondays and Tuesdays off-season.
Les Cols in Olot, two stars
Les Cols, in Olot in the Garrotxa region, holds two Michelin stars under chef Fina Puigdevall. The setting is exceptional: a Catalan farmhouse renovated by the RCR architects (Pritzker Prize 2017), combining stone, steel and glass in a volcanic garden.
The cuisine draws from Garrotxa products: mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, mountain meats, valley cheeses. Single menu, 175 euros, 14 courses. No à la carte, you surrender to the chef. Wine pairings (55 euros extra) highlight lesser-known Catalan producers.
Olot is 1h15 from Pals by car. Plan a full day to combine a visit to the Garrotxa natural park (volcanoes, Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest) and dinner. Closed Sunday evenings, Monday and Tuesday.
Casamar in Llafranc, one star
Casamar, in Llafranc just south of Palafrugell, has held one Michelin star since 2013. Chef Quim Casellas offers contemporary Mediterranean cuisine from a hotel-restaurant facing the bay.
Specialities: revisited bouillabaisse, rice with langoustines and saffron, Empordà chicken with snails. Tasting menu at 115 euros (8 courses), à la carte between 70 and 90 euros per person. The terrace overlooking Llafranc bay offers one of the most beautiful settings on the Costa Brava.
Llafranc is 15 minutes from Pals by car. Perfect for a summer dinner at sunset, after swimming at Tamariu or Calella de Palafrugell. Reservation recommended 2 weeks in advance in July-August.
Bo.TiC in Corçà, one star
Bo.TiC, in Corçà near La Bisbal, has held a Michelin star since 2011. Chef Albert Sastregener offers creative cuisine that dialogues with the Catalan territory. The establishment, set in a former masia, counts among the Empordà's safe bets.
Tasting menu at 130 euros, 12 courses. Signature dishes: eel from Banyoles lake, Empordà lamb with forgotten vegetables, desserts based on local fruits. Wine list focused on small Catalan producers, including several natural wines.
Corçà is 20 minutes from Pals by car, on the road to Girona. Intimate atmosphere, only around thirty seats. Closed Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday. Book 3 weeks minimum in advance.
Villa Mas in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, one star
Villa Mas, in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, holds a Michelin star for its refined Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant, housed in an early 20th-century modernist villa, combines architectural heritage with exceptional gastronomy.
Specialities: L'Escala anchovy tartare, wood-oven turbot, black rice with cuttlefish. Tasting menu at 95 euros, à la carte between 60 and 85 euros per person. The cellar holds over 400 references, focused on Empordà, Burgundy and Champagne.
Sant Feliu is 35 minutes from Pals by car, on the southern Costa Brava. Combine dinner with a walk along the Camí de Ronda or a visit to the former Benedictine monastery. Pleasant terrace in summer.
Els Pescadors in L'Escala, one star
Els Pescadors, in L'Escala, holds a Michelin star for its traditional seafood cuisine elevated to an art form. The restaurant, located on the port, works exclusively with Mediterranean products caught the same day.
L'Escala anchovy finds its most beautiful expression here. Prawns, sea bass, turbot and scorpion fish arrive directly from the fish market. Tasting menu at 110 euros, à la carte between 55 and 80 euros. The restaurant retains an authentic atmosphere, far from classic starred formality.
L'Escala is 30 minutes from Pals by car. Combine with a visit to the Empúries archaeological site and a swim at Cala Montgó. Closed Mondays year-round. Reservation necessary, especially in summer.
El Motel in Figueres, one star
El Motel, at the heart of the Hotel Empordà in Figueres, is considered the cradle of modern Catalan cuisine. Founded by Josep Mercader in 1961, it trained generations of chefs before obtaining a Michelin star.
The cuisine honours Empordà tradition with a contemporary eye: partridge escabèche, Sunday canelons, rice a la cassola. Tasting menu at 90 euros, à la carte between 45 and 70 euros. The restaurant combines culinary heritage and relative accessibility.
Figueres is 40 minutes from Pals. Ideally combine with a visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum during the day and a starred dinner in the evening. Value for money is among the best among the region's starred restaurants.
How to prepare your starred dinner well
A few practical tips to make the most of the experience:
Reservation: essential, several weeks in advance for two stars, 2 to 3 weeks for one star. Prefer the official website or TheFork for some establishments.
Tasting menu versus à la carte: the tasting menu offers the best view of the chef's cuisine. Allow 2h30 to 3h30 for the meal. À la carte offers more flexibility but misses part of the creative approach.
Wine pairings: 40 to 80 additional euros depending on the establishment. Highly recommended to discover small Catalan producers showcased by sommeliers.
Dress code: smart casual is enough, suit not required. Avoid shorts and flip-flops. Catalans remain less formal than the French.
Transport: prefer taxi or driver to avoid breathalyser issues. Uber works poorly outside Girona, use local taxis (Pals Taxi).
Dinner time: starred restaurants open at 8pm or even 8:30pm. Reservations possible until 9:30pm. At midday, service from 1pm to 2:30pm.
Affordable alternatives: the bib gourmands
For author cuisine at more accessible prices, the Michelin guide also distinguishes bib gourmands (full menu under 35 euros). In the region:
- Pla de Sant Tomàs in Girona, contemporary Catalan cuisine at 28 euros
- Vicus in Pals, territorial cuisine and PGI rice, 32 euros
- Ca l'Arpa in Banyoles, gastronomic bistro, 30 euros
- Sa Poma in Begur, seafood cuisine, 35 euros
- El Gat Blau in Peratallada, Catalan cuisine, 30 euros
These addresses offer excellent value for money to discover Empordà gastronomy without the starred budget.
Frequently asked questions about Empordà starred restaurants
How much to budget for a starred dinner?
Count 120 to 300 euros per person all included (tasting menu, wine pairings, water, coffee, tip). Two stars are the most expensive. At midday, some establishments offer lunch menus at 60-80 euros.
Can we come as a family with children?
Some restaurants accept children without difficulty (Casamar, El Motel, Villa Mas). Others prefer adult clientele (Les Cols, Miramar). Indicate age and number at booking to avoid surprises.
Do menus change often?
Yes, almost all starred restaurants work with seasonal menus that change 4 to 6 times a year. Some signature dishes stay year-round. Check the website before booking if you're looking for a specific dish.
Are there vegetarian options?
Increasingly, notably at Les Cols (vegetable specialist) and Bo.TiC. Specify your constraints at booking, kitchens willingly adapt. Strict vegetarian remains rare in a region with strong seafood and meat tradition.
Do you need to speak Catalan or Spanish?
No, all starred teams speak English, often French. Menus are multilingual. A few words in Catalan are appreciated but not required.
Can you cancel without fees?
Most starred restaurants ask for a card imprint at booking and charge a penalty for cancellation less than 48h before. Count 50 to 100 euros per person depending on the establishment.
Is midday or evening better?
Midday sometimes offers shorter menus at reduced prices and a more relaxed atmosphere. Evening allows full enjoyment of the complete experience, in a hushed atmosphere. For a romantic dinner, choose a weekday evening rather than Saturday.
Conclusion
The Empordà offers an exceptional concentration of starred tables, from avant-garde seafood (Miramar, Els Pescadors) to territorial creations (Les Cols, Bo.TiC) through revisited tradition (El Motel, Casamar). From the Aparthotel Arenal, seven starred restaurants are accessible within 45 minutes by car, allowing you to discover Catalan haute cuisine without compromising the comfort of a stay.
Book your studio at the Aparthotel Arenal for a gastronomic immersion on the Costa Brava. To extend the culinary experience, consult our Empordà gastronomy guide, our article on DO Empordà wineries for wine pairings, and our Pals PGI rice guide to understand the territory's emblematic product.