Foodie's Paradise: Discover the Ultimate Haven for World's Best Restaurants

The "José Andrés and Family in Spain" series on discovery+ consists of six parts and will be airing on CNN at 9 p.m. ET/PT every Sunday starting from September 24. When it comes to the country with the most restaurants on this year's "World's 50 Best" list, Italy or France wouldn't be a far-fetched guess.

However, the distinction does not belong to any of those countries. Surprisingly, it is Spain that takes the crown this summer, with six restaurants receiving honors on the prestigious 2023 list. In comparison, Italy and France both have four restaurants listed, while Peru, specifically the capital city of Lima, also joins the ranks with four acclaimed establishments.

Spain boasts a vibrant culinary heritage and a long-standing association with being recognized as the best in the world. Notably, the renowned restaurant El Bulli, which ceased operations in 2011, made history by securing the top spot a remarkable five times. This remarkable achievement began in 2002 when the esteemed list was first introduced.

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Adria's training and influence have spread far beyond Spain's borders. Chef Jose Andres, known for his significant contribution in introducing Spanish cuisine to American diners, underwent a three-year training at El Bulli. However, due to a misunderstanding with Adria, he decided to leave and relocate to New York in 1991. Eventually, he settled in Washington, DC, where he successfully established his own group of restaurants, including the renowned two Michelin-star minibar.

Andrés recently returned to Spain with his three daughters, Carlota, Inés, and Lucía, who were all born in America. They were featured in a six-part series called "José Andrés and Family in Spain," which is currently airing on CNN every Sunday starting from September 24.

The series follows Andrés as he reunites with his mentor and friend at the El Bulli museum in Roses. Additionally, he and two of his daughters have a memorable dining experience at Disfrutar, a renowned restaurant in Barcelona that is ranked second on the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list and has been crowned the Best Restaurant in Europe.

Heres more about all six restaurants in Spain that are ranked among the worlds top 50. Tables are highly coveted, so plan well in advance if youre looking to visit.

Two Michelin-star Disfrutar offers two tasting menus created by a trio of chefs who trained at the famed El Bulli restaurant.

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Disfrutar | Barcelona

(No. 2 among Worlds 50 Best and Best Restaurant in Europe)

Disfrutar, a restaurant owned and operated by three chefs who trained at El Bulli - Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruch, focuses on providing enjoyable culinary experiences. Andrés playfully compared the three chefs to the iconic Three Musketeers, emphasizing their exceptional collaborative skills and remarking that their collective talents are unbelievably impressive. You can witness the beginning of their innovative meal in the video at the top.

The restaurant offers tasting menus that highlight their distinctively Mediterranean cuisine, starting at 255 euros (approximately $270) excluding drinks. There are two tasting menus available, one showcasing the restaurant's classic dishes such as the unique multispherical pesto with pistachios and eel, and the other featuring seasonal creations. Disfrutar boasts two Michelin stars.

Notably, there is a special "living" table, previously enjoyed by Andrés and his daughters. This table surprises diners with hidden compartments that reveal an enchanting array of dishes. Andrés experienced an exquisite selection of sweet treats, including rose petals with raspberry marshmallows, almond meringues with tangy Japanese yuzu paste, and accompanying cotton candy flowers and smoky effects. "Ecstasy," Andrés exclaimed.

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Chef Dabiz Muñoz, pictured in March 2019, is the force behind DiverXO in Madrid.

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DiverXO | Madrid

(No. 3 among the Worlds 50 Best)

Discover the hedonistic, indulgent, and imaginative realm curated by Dabiz Muñoz at DiverXO. This renowned Madrid establishment offers patrons an unforgettable dining experience with its tantalizing "flying pigs" tasting menu, priced at 365 euros (approximately $390), excluding beverages.

The menu's title pays tribute to Muñoz's father, who believed in his restaurant aspirations, as reported by Worlds 50 Best. Embracing this whimsical concept, the restaurant showcases various artistic representations of flying pigs throughout its premises.

The daring Muñoz holds three Michelin stars for DiverXO, which features Asian-influenced dishes such as Galician lobster "waking up on the beaches of Goa."

In Spain's Basque Country, Asador Etxebarri takes grilled dishes to another level.

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Asador Etxebarri | Atxondo

(No. 4 among the Worlds 50 Best)

Located in the rustic stone-and-timber building in the foothills of Spain's Basque Country, Etxebarri specializes in flame-grilled cooking. The exquisite tasting menu offers a variety of grilled ingredients, such as chorizo and salted anchovy. Chef-owner Bittor Arginzoniz focuses on utilizing top-quality grilled dishes, using a range of wood types, including holm oak, vine shoots, and oak from old barrels. He has also invented his own utensils and created an innovative system of pulleys to meticulously control the cooking process. Etxebarri has been awarded one Michelin star for its exceptional cuisine.

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Saffron and cold razor clam fideuá is one of the dishes on Quique Dacosta's tasting menu.

Papo Waisman

Quique Dacosta | Dénia

(No. 20 among Worlds 50 Best)

Chef Quique Dacosta showcases his avant-garde Valencian cuisine at his renowned three Michelin-starred restaurant. His latest menu, titled "For the Love of Art," is divided into four acts, as described by Worlds 50 Best: a tribute to his local region, an ode to the sea, a celebration of tradition, and a finale dedicated to exquisite desserts.

One of the standout dishes is an exquisite fideuà, a Valencia-style noodle dish featuring saffron, razor clams, and brine-infused roe. The menu starts at a price of 275 euros per person (approximately $295), excluding beverages.

Elkano specializes in local seafood and is "without doubt one of the culinary temples of wood-fired cooking," Michelin says.

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Elkano | Getaria

Ranked No. 22 among the World's 50 Best restaurants, Elkano was founded in 1964 by the late Pedro Arregui in the coastal town of Getaria in the Basque Country. Renowned for its grilled whole fish, Elkano revolutionized the art of grilling according to the World's 50 Best. Since then, under the leadership of Pedro's son Aitor Arregui, the restaurant has consistently excelled and was awarded its first Michelin star in 2014.

Without a doubt, this establishment is considered a culinary sanctuary for those who appreciate wood-fired cuisine. Here, the focus is not on excessively manipulating textures or flavors. Michelin praises the exceptional mastery of the grilling process and the wide selection of ingredients. According to Michelin, the turbot is an essential dish to try.

This restaurant places great importance on using the freshest, seasonal seafood, with a strong commitment to sourcing local and sustainable ingredients. Guests have the option of ordering a la carte or enjoying a multi-course fixed price menu for 200 euros (approximately $215), excluding beverages.

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This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

Jose Luis Lopez de Zubiria//Courtesy Mugaritz

Mugaritz | San Sebastian

(No. 31 among the Worlds 50 Best)

Andoni Luis Aduriz, a former chef at El Bulli, is commemorating the 25th anniversary of his restaurant Mugaritz. Situated on the border of two Basque Country towns, the restaurant gets its name from the word "muga" in Basque, meaning border, and an old oak tree called "haritza" which is over 200 years old.

Mugaritz shuts down for a period of four months each year to create a unique dining experience for its customers. The current theme, ending in October, revolves around the intriguing concept of "memories of the future."

Described by Worlds 50 Best as an immersive three-hour adventure, the dining experience takes you on a journey that can be unconventional, evocative, and intriguingly peculiar, yet undeniably impactful.

The menu features tantalizing options like the "Beef Contrasts: an exploration in culinary techniques" and the "Gluten Ball Candy: a surprisingly delightful treat." Priced at 253 euros (approximately $270), the tasting menu excludes beverages.