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The best restaurants in Costa Brava have placed the region firmly on the culinary map.
There are 18 Michelin Stars distributed among 15 restaurants in Costa Brava.
But you don’t have to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants in Costa Brava to enjoy the best Catalan food.
We discovered many amazing Costa Brava restaurants while exploring the local food specialties in collaboration with the Costa Brava Tourism Board.
Costa Brava restaurants fuse creativity with local produce and traditions and help bolt Spain’s image as a food destination.
With a focus on local food and affordability, here’s our guide to the 10 best restaurants in Costa Brava.
Map of Costa Brava Restaurants
Here are some of the best restaurants in Costa Brava to appreciate the culinary scene of the region without breaking the bank.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are looking to get an overview of the food and restaurant scene in Girona, we recommend taking a food tour. This Girona food tour takes you on an immersive experience around the city focused on Catalan cuisine including some of the best local restaurants. You’ll spend 4-hours with a local guide exploring the city’s delicious cuisine, history, and culture. See more in our detailed review The Ultimate Girona Food Tour To Indulge in The City’s Finest Gastronomy
Top Restaurants in Costa Brava
1. Casa Marieta Girona Restaurant – Best For Traditional Catalonian Dishes
Founded in 1892, this is one of Girona’s oldest and most emblematic restaurants. This family-owned restaurant is known for offering traditional Catalan specialties.
The restaurant is located in Plaça Independència, one of Girona’s most popular squares.
The restaurant’s interior is warm and rustic. The decor is of a time gone by, and it feels like you are eating at the best grandmother’s kitchen in Girona.
What to Eat At Casa Marieta Girona Restaurant
On the menu are home-cooked traditional Catalonian dishes with uncompromising flavors.
As a starter, go for the “sea & land” toast, an assortment of Catalan cold cuts served on a traditional pan con tomate.
For the main dish, we particularly enjoyed a flavorful slow-cooked roast lamb shoulder, a house specialty. Botifarra pork sausage, another Catalan traditional dish, is simple and exquisite.
End your Catalan traditional cuisine with seasonal homemade desserts.
Where to Eat Traditional Catalan Food in Girona
Address: Pl. Independència, 5-6-7, 17001 Girona,
Hours: Open daily, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Price: Main dishes between €10 and €20 (approx. $11 to $22)
Pro Tip: Get the daily menu with traditional Catalan specialties and get help from your server on what to order as the daily Catalan specials are written in Catalan.
Where to Stay in Girona
For a mix of boutique hotels and apartments to stay in Girona, see our recommendations below.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you want to explore Girona and Costa Brava from Barcelona, consider this small group day tour from Barcelona. You’ll explore Girona, then travel along the rugged coast to the medieval village of Pals. From there, you’ll enjoy lunch at the nearby Calella de Palafrugell fishing village and then head back to Barcelona.
La Comuna Residence Boutique Hotel in Girona
Located in the heart of the Old Town, La Comuna Residence offers Catalan charm with modern amenities.
Apartments and even penthouses are available all equipped with kitchens for your comfort.
There is an onsite specialty coffee shop with locally grown organic food that should not be missed.
See prices, read reviews, or to find similar boutique hotels, check: Booking.com
Placa Catalunya Luxury Apartments In Girona
Conveniently located near the Medieval Walls and Mercat del Lleo, the local market is where you’ll find Placa Catalunya.
It’s a beautifully furnished two-bedroom apartment with modern amenities and equipped kitchen.
One of the highlights is an outdoor terrace facing the Medieval walls. We stayed here and highly recommend the apartment and its convenient location.
See prices, read reviews, or to find similar luxury apartments, check: Booking.com
2. Restaurant Can Roca – Best For Catalan Daily Lunch Specials
This Costa Brava restaurant was founded by the parents of the acclaimed chefs and brothers of the Michelin-Starred El Celler de Can Roca restaurant.
Opened in 1967, the famous brothers got their start cooking with their parents at Restaurant Can Rocca.
This family-owned restaurant offers traditional homemade Catalonia cuisine made with the freshest seasonal ingredients.
It’s a lovely restaurant with a cozy and comfortable environment. The staff is friendly and you’ll feel right at home at this casual eatery.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are interested in diving into Spanish cuisine and recipes, consider taking a Spain cooking class. Find a variety of Spanish cooking classes in Barcelona. Madrid, Seville, and more.
What to Eat At Restaurant Can Roca
Restaurant Can Roca is only open for lunch starting at 1:00 pm. Reservations are highly recommended as it is a popular place the delicious homemade meals at fair pricing.
There is only one set menu offered every lunch with an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. While the dishes change regularly, you’ll have a choice of meat, seafood, or fresh fish.
The calamari is highly recommended as is the Creme Catalan for dessert, though you’ll not go wrong with the daily lunch special.
This is one of the best restaurants in Costa Brava for an amazing lunch made with top-notch local products.
Where to Eat Catalan Daily Lunch Specials
Address: Crta. Taialà, 42 – 17007 Girona
Hours: Open Mon-Fri, 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Price: The daily set lunch menu is €16 per person (approx. $17.50)
Pro Tip: Book in advance to enjoy a traditional Catalan meal and understand where the Roca brothers got started
3. Es Portal Hotel Restaurant – Best For Empordà Food and Wines
Located in Pals, about 45 km away from Girona is Es Portal Restaurant and boutique hotel.
The restaurant is set in a renovated and charming 16th-century farmhouse. The cuisine offered is from the Empordà region with a touch of innovation and modernity.
The wine cellar at Es Portal Restaurant has one of the best selections of quality DO Empordà wines.
The rustic dining room offering the finest Empordà cuisine makes this one of the best restaurants in Costa Brava.
Es Portal is also a boutique hotel with 14 rooms each individually designed with local charm and character. Also available is a swimming pool and outdoor garden.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Enjoy a stay at the Es Portal gastronomic hotel combining the region’s rich heritage with unforgettable Empordà food and wines. The cozy rooms and idyllic landscapes offer a wonderful getaway from Girona and a chance to see more of the Costa Brava region.
What to Eat at Es Portal Hotel Restaurant
The gastronomy at Es Portal restaurant is focused on locally sourced products.
Chef, Joan Carles Sánchez is committed to using products from Catalonia, including Pals rice, anchovies from Escala, Palamos prawns, olive oil from Emporda, and more.
Among the many dishes to have, don’t miss the seafood dishes or anything made with Pals rice.
Pair your meal with delicious Empordà wines for an exquisite experience.
Best Costa Brava Restaurants for Empordà Food and Wines
Address: Crta. de Pals a Torroella de Montgrí, 17 17256 Pals
Hours: Open Tues – Sun; 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Price: Main dishes between €16 to €30 (approx. $17.50 to $32.75). Tasting Menus at €65 and
€85 (approx $71 and $93)
Pro Tip: Order the Tasting Menu where you can taste a wide range of exquisite Catalan dishes
4. Vicus Pals Restaurant – Best For Contemporary Catalan Cuisine
Vicus restaurant was one of the highlights of our trip through Costa Brava.
The modern and stylish restaurant was opened by owners Elisabet and Gerard, who left their careers in finance to start the project.
Together with chef, Damià Rafecas, they have made Vicus one of the most celebrated restaurants in Costa Brava.
The menu features contemporary Catalan cuisine with the finest local and seasonal products.
A carefully selected wine list featuring excellent lesser-known wineries from the DO Empordà region accompanies the food.
What to Eat At Vicus Restaurant
The food at Vicus is a celebration of local flavors. In particular, the seasonal menu at this Costa Brava restaurant is a homage to the chef’s creativity.
Every dish is inspired by the history of the medieval village and the place by the Mediterranean Sea.
From the variety of dishes we tasted it is hard to single out one favorite. Every single plate delighted us.
We particularly enjoyed homemade marinated sardines from Costa Brava. And, a main dish of raw carpaccio of prawns served on a bed of rice from Pals cooked was a creative delight.
Best Restaurant in Costa Brava for Contemporary Catalan Cuisine
Address: C/ Enginyer Algarra, 51 – 17256 Pals, Baix Empordà
Hours: Wed-Sat; 1:30 pm -3:00 pm and 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Sunday, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Price: Main dishes range from €22 to €29 (approx. $24 to $31.68)
Pro Tip: Go for lunch and get the set menu of delicious tapas to share.
RELATED: 5 Best Wineries in Costa Brava For Amazing Catalan Wine Tasting
5. Cidery Mooma Restaurant – Best For Rustic Lunch in the Countryside
Lost in the middle of the apple orchards is the Costa Brava restaurant, Mooma, a few kilometers from Pals.
First opened as a cidery in 2016, Mooma offers two types of ciders and even more local dishes.
The name comes from a combination of two words. Mo comes from “Montgri”, the mountain in the background of the orchard fields, and oma from “poma” which means apple in Catalan.
The best way to enjoy the ciders and juices is to eat at Mooma Restaurant, the latest addition to the farm.
What to Eat at Mooma Restaurant
This farm-to-table restaurant offers local Catalan specialties using apples, their local produce.
The result is a unique combination of savory and sweet dishes made with their apples and accompanied by cider.
The menu offers a wide variety of options. We loved their blood sausages served with fresh apple sauce. Another favorite and recommended dish is fresh cod fish with warm apples.
For dessert, Girona’s famous traditional xuixo dessert is made with Granny Smith apples.
Mooma is a special place in an apple orchard offering good food creatively made with apple-based fresh products.
This is one of the most popular Costa Brava restaurants and advanced booking is highly recommended.
RELATED: Taste Goat Cheese From Spain: The Story behind Mas Alba Girona Cheesemaking
Where to Eat Best Near Pals For Rustic Lunch in the Countryside
Address: 17256 Palau-Sator, Baix Empordà
Hours: Open daily, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Price: Order a la carte and savor the seasonal specials starting at €15 (approx. $16.37)
Pro Tip: Explore Cider Tourism with a cidery visit combined with lunch at Mooma. Learn about cider making and enjoy a 3-course lunch paired with different kinds of cider.
6. Es Baluard Cadaques Restaurant – Best For Seafood Lovers
Es Baluard restaurant in the Alt Emporda region specializes in seafood cuisine with locally caught produce.
It is located in Cadaques, in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula, with stunning Mediterranean views.
There is a small terrace where you can enjoy Catalan seafood or alternatively eat inside the fisherman blue and white themed restaurant.
Opened in 1967, this family-owned restaurant, now on the third generation, is managed by the daughter Aina of the Seriñana Puig family.
Es Baluard was our favorite restaurant and it is one of the best restaurants in Costa Brava for fresh fish and seafood.
What to Eat at Es Baluard
At Es Baluard, the dishes are prepared with simplicity and with a total respect for nature.
The Catalan seafood and fresh fish prepared by the chef are the day’s catch of the local fishermen.
Enjoy a variety of traditional seafood dishes including grilled or baked fish, fish stews along with wines from the DO Empordà region.
Don’t miss Suquet, a traditional Catalan fish stew made with monkfish, potatoes, tomatoes, and garlic
And, you’ll not go wrong with any of the freshly caught seafood dishes and delightful local wines.
RELATED: Costa Brava Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Dishes & Culinary Experiences
Where to Eat Catalan Seafood in Costa Brava
Address: Riba Nemesio Llorens, 2 17488 Cadaqués
Hours: Open Wed-Sun, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm; Monday, 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Closed Tuesdays
Price: The fish stew “Suquet” for two is €28 (approx. $30.56) per person
Pro Tip: To admire the views of the Mediterranean and get the best table in the restaurant, book in advance and ask to be seated by the window.
7. El Molí de L’Escala Restaurant – Catalan Cuisine With a Global Twist
Among the best restaurants in Costa Brava is El Molí de L’Escala steeped in 23 centuries of history.
An ancient flour mill, El Molí de L’Escala, is now a gastronomic hotel and restaurant which serves contemporary cuisine made with fresh, local products.
Chef Jordi Jacas trained at the famous El Bulli restaurant in the 1990s and later
inherited this Costa Brava restaurant from his father.
The menu draws on inspiration from cuisines around the world with a firm Catalan twist.
In addition to dining at this Costa Brava restaurant, you can also spend the night at this gastronomic hotel.
What to Eat at El Moli
Creative dishes made with the highest quality products is what you’ll find at this Costa Brava restaurant.
The Empordà cuisine at El Moli is made with local products and seasonal produce from the restaurant’s vegetable garden.
One of the highlights of our meal was a traditional fisherman’s rice from L’Escala. It was prepared with a wonderful combination of fish cooked in the rice from Pals.
A dessert called “White” took us around the world with white Ethiopian coffee, Sichuan pepper white chocolate, and a crispy Greek yogurt biscuit.
Offering a gastronomic experience, El Moli is one of the best Costa Brava restaurants worth seeking out.
Where to Eat Catalan Cuisine With a Global Twist
El Molí de L’Escala Restaurant
Address: Camp dels Pilans, s/n, 17130 L’Escala
Hours: Tues-Saturday, 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm-11:00 pm; Sun 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Closed Monday.
Price: Local rice dishes with meat and seafood range from €21 to €34 (Approx. $23 to $37) per person.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Enjoy a relaxing retreat, at El Molí de L’Escala boutique hotel. With five suites and three junior suites, the luxury 4* accommodations are designed around your comfort. Explore l’Escala and visit the nearby fisherman town and the fascinating Anchovy and Salt Museum or Museu de L’Anxova I de la Sal.
8. Entre dos Mons – Best For Fusion Gourmet Catalan Food
Entre dos Mons restaurant offers a surprising Catalan and Peruvian gourmet fusion cuisine.
It is co-owned by Mila and Roger, a young and dynamic couple. Mila, a native of Peru, brings flavors from Peru, while Roger, from Costa Brava, adds the Catalonia flair.
Located in the center of Palamós, you’ll enjoy a cozy environment, attentive service, and fine dining with a dynamic menu.
This Costa Brava restaurant is committed to sustainability and it even has its own vegetable garden.
What to Eat at Entre dos Mons Restaurant
To taste the unique flavors of Peruvian cooking and the best of Catalan flavors, go for the Tasting Menus.
Several tasting menus are offered all featuring Catalan seafood, Peruvian ceviche, fresh fish, meats, and more.
In this beautiful place, savor the global fusion of flavors over a couple of hours with each carefully designed tasting menu.
Beyond the tasting menus, don’t miss the exquisite Palamós prawn rice paired with excellent wines.
Best Catalan Restaurant for Fusion Gourmet Catalan Food
Address: Carrer de Tauler i Servià, 21, 17230 Palamós, Girona.
Hours: Open Mon-Wed, 8:00 pm -9:30 pm; Sun-Thur, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm -8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Price: Tasting menus range from €39.50 to €65 (approx. $43 to $71). Palamós prawn rice starts at €33.50 (approx. $36.50).
Pro Tip: Get a Tasting Menu offering a unique fusion of flavors starting from appetizers to desserts.
9. Can Blau – Best For Palamos de Gambas
Can Blau restaurant located next to the port of Palamos collaborates with local fishermen and producers to offer locally sourced delicious food.
Set in a beautiful location, this Costa Brava restaurant welcomes you with a fisherman style with fish nets and baskets adorned on the wood walls.
Can Blau specializes in regional specialties with Catalan seafood and rice being the two main staples.
RELATED: Gambas de Palamos Spain: Tasting The Best Shrimp in The World
What to Eat at Can Blau Restaurant
At this Costa Brava restaurant, you order a la carte with a focus on the fresh catch of the day. You want to get the freshly caught Palamos fish and seafood with the local rice from the Costa Brava region.
Another option is the fisherman soup or sopa del pescador. You’ll also find an extensive menu of fish and seafood appetizers and main meals.
Best Catalan Restuarant for Palamos de Gambas
Address: Carrer Vapor, 3 Baixos, 17230 Palamós.
Hours: Open daily, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Price: Gambas de Palamo dishes range from €21 to €65 (approx. $22.94 to $71)
Pro Tip: Check the opening times as the hours vary depending on the season. Book your reservation in advance.
10. Bocam – Best For Fresh Seafood
Offering modern and traditional cuisine, Bocam combines the freshness of the Mediterranean Sea with rustic mountain flavors.
Dishes from the Emporda region are the focus including traditional Catalan seafood, and rice dishes among others.
The restaurant vibe is modern and stylish, and there is also an outdoor terrace where you can savor the unique mountain and seafood flavors.
What to Eat at Bocam Restaurant
To get the most out of your culinary experience at this Costa Brava restaurant, you want to order from the “Chef’s Suggestions” menu.
For the main course, try Catalan seafood with black rice, or mountain rice with pork chops along with Emporda wines,
Drawing on the inspiration and creativity of the most famous resident of Figueres, Salvador Dali, you’ll find a range of Dali-inspired dishes.
Try the “í bread of Dalí” a delicious and creative work of art. For dessert, “Gala lips” is inspired by Dali’s surrealism.
The creativity and refined cuisine make this one of the best restaurants in Costa Brava worth seeking out.
Best Catalan Restaurant for Fresh Seafood
Address: Carrer de la Jonquera 18 | 17600, Figueres
Hours: Tues-Sat, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm; Sun, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Closed Monday
Price: Main dishes start from €18 (approx. $21)
Pro Tip: Visit the Dali Museum is located near Bocam Restaurant. Visit the museum in the morning and stop at the restaurant for a delicious “sea and mountain” lunch. Book your restaurant reservation ahead.
FAQs – Authentic Costa Brava Restaurants
Why is Costa Brava Famous?
The Costa Brava region is famous for several reasons. It has a stunning coastline, exceptional Catalan dishes with Mediterranean and mountain cuisine. The region is also home to El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, one of the world’s best restaurants. It’s also known for its incredible natural beauty as well a rich cultural heritage with medieval villages.
What Food Is Girona Spain Known For?
Between sea and land, the city of Girona offers the perfect mix of seafood and mountain meat-based dishes. Among the best traditional recipes are the botifarra sausage and xuixo dessert pastry. Girona is located within the Empordà region, known for its distinctive great food featuring locally sourced ingredients.
In Summary
Seasonal menus with the best locally sourced food and ingredients is what you can expect from these amazing Costa Brava restaurants.
As Chef Damià of Vicus Restaurant told us: “Sharing dishes made with the best local produce is more important to me than getting a Michelin star”.
All these Costa Brava restaurants are excellent and worth visiting on your trip to Costa Brava.
While they may not add more Michelin stars to Spain’s reputation as a food destination, they uphold the country’s rich gastronomic heritage.
We left the Costa Brava impressed by the exquisite cuisine and Emporda wines. It is a beautiful location and easy to get to from Barcelona.
Which of these best restaurants in Costa Brava would you like to visit? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor the Adventure!
Disclosure: Special thanks to Costa Brava Tourism Board for having us on these tours. All views and opinions expressed are our own. Full bellies and happy taste buds too.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
When we traveled around Alicante by car, we visited wonderful restaurants. Even a few restaurants from the list in the post. By the way, I recommend everyone who comes to Alicante to hire a wonderful car here: and go on the road to see the scenery of this beautiful place.