Aurt: Artur Martínez’s Visionary Cuisine in Barcelona
Aürt, the acclaimed restaurant helmed by chef Artur Martínez, has become a reference point for contemporary Catalan cuisine since its opening in early 2019 in the lobby of the Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona. The restaurant’s name, meaning “a sudden hit” in Catalan, reflects both its bold culinary philosophy and the impact it has had on Barcelona’s gastronomic landscape.
Aurt Start Year and Concept
Aürt was launched in 2019, following Martínez’s decision to move his tiny Michelin-starred Capritx from Terrassa to Barcelona. The new space was designed for intimacy and direct interaction, with diners seated at chef’s tables where the entire meal unfolds in front of them, fostering a unique connection between kitchen and guest. The restaurant quickly garnered accolades, including a Michelin star and the award for Best Restaurant Design in Europe in 2019.
Menu List and Price
Aürt’s menu is a tasting-only format, focused on seasonal, local, and humble ingredients elevated through refined technique. Dishes champion Catalan produce and culinary traditions, reimagined in creative ways. While the menu changes regularly, guests can expect around 12–15 courses that might include local seafood, vegetables from nearby farms, and inventive takes on classic Catalan recipes. Pricing for the tasting menu has typically been in the range of €100–€120 per person, reflecting its Michelin-starred status and immersive experience.
Google Reviews and Reputation
Aürt has received widespread praise from both critics and diners, earning a Michelin star and two Repsol Suns. Guests consistently highlight the restaurant’s innovative approach, the quality of ingredients, and the intimate, interactive setting. The design and ambiance have also been lauded, with the restaurant winning the title of Best Restaurant Design in Europe in 2019. Google and TripAdvisor reviews reflect high satisfaction, with many noting the memorable chef interaction and the balance of tradition and modernity.
Upcoming Changes
In May 2025, Aürt closed its doors at the Hilton Diagonal Mar, with plans to reopen in early 2026 in a more central Barcelona location. Chef Martínez aims to create an even more immersive and comfortable experience, better aligned with the restaurant’s gastronomic vision. In the interim, Martínez and his team will launch Mön, a more informal concept in the Hilton, focusing on local and seasonal cuisine with international influences.
Aurt Summary
Aürt stands as a benchmark for innovative Catalan gastronomy in Barcelona. Since 2019, chef Artur Martínez has combined local ingredients, technical mastery, and a highly interactive dining format to create a Michelin-starred experience celebrated for both its food and design. As Aürt prepares for its next chapter in a new central location in 2026, it remains one of Barcelona’s most anticipated and respected culinary destinations.
Enigma: Barcelona’s Most Mysterious and Innovative Dining Experience
Enigma, the brainchild of acclaimed chef Albert Adrià, opened in Barcelona’s L’Eixample district in 2017 and has since become one of the city’s most enigmatic and talked-about restaurants. Known for its avant-garde approach and theatrical presentation, Enigma offers a dining experience that blurs the boundaries between art and gastronomy, drawing inspiration from Adrià’s legendary work at elBulli.
Enigma Menu List and Pricing
Enigma is famed for its ever-evolving tasting menu, which currently features around 20 to 25 intricately crafted dishes that change monthly to reflect the freshest seasonal ingredients. Standout creations have included persimmon kimchi with yuzu sorbet, koji marshmallow with caviar, squid and caviar, Wagyu and foie gras, and inventive desserts like milk and strawberries or Earl Grey and lemon. The menu is kept secret until the end of the meal, heightening the sense of discovery and surprise.
The tasting menu is priced at approximately $240 per person (about €220), with optional wine pairings available for an additional fee. The experience typically lasts several hours and is designed to fully immerse guests in Adrià’s creative vision.
Atmosphere and Setting
Enigma’s interior is as striking as its cuisine, designed by RCR Arquitectes to evoke a futuristic, dreamlike environment. The space features a cloud-like ceiling made of stainless-steel mesh, shifting backlighting, and pearlescent walls, creating a cocooned, otherworldly atmosphere. Originally, the dining journey moved guests through multiple rooms, but the current format serves the entire experience in a single, dramatic dining room.
Google Reviews and Reputation
Enigma holds a Michelin star and enjoys a strong reputation among both critics and guests. Reviews praise the restaurant’s innovative dishes, immersive atmosphere, and the sense of theatricality that pervades every aspect of the meal. The restaurant is also noted for its exclusivity—entry requires a secret code, and seating is limited, making reservations highly coveted. High-profile guests, including PSG superstar Lionel Messi, have been known to frequent Enigma, further cementing its status as a destination for culinary adventurers.
Enigma Summary
Enigma stands at the cutting edge of Barcelona’s fine dining scene. Since its opening in 2017, Albert Adrià has transformed the restaurant into a temple of creativity, where each visit offers a new and unpredictable journey through taste, texture, and presentation. With its monthly-changing tasting menu, immersive design, and Michelin-starred pedigree, Enigma promises an unforgettable experience for those seeking the extraordinary in gastronomy.
Alkimia: Where Catalan Tradition Meets Culinary Innovation in Barcelona
Alkimia is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona, celebrated for its modern approach to Catalan cuisine under the leadership of chef Jordi Vilà. Originally opened in 2002, Alkimia relocated in 2016 to the main floor of the historic Moritz brewery on Ronda Sant Antoni, blending modernist architecture with contemporary design for a unique dining atmosphere.
Alkimia Menu List and Pricing
Alkimia offers two distinct dining experiences:
- Alkimia (Gourmet Experience):
This tasting menu delves deep into the roots and evolution of Catalan gastronomy, featuring dishes such as escudella (a traditional Catalan stew), seafood, game, and creative desserts. The menu changes seasonally to showcase the freshest local produce, with a strong focus on fish, seafood, and ingredients sourced from small Catalan producers and the restaurant’s own garden.
- Alkimia Unplugged (Casual Experience):
A more informal space with daily specials and straightforward recipes, allowing guests to enjoy high-quality Catalan cuisine in a relaxed setting. The “Unplugged” menu emphasizes exceptional raw ingredients, from organic veal to fresh vegetables and wild mushrooms, often prepared on a barbecue grill.
Pricing for the main tasting menu is typically around €150–€180 per person, with wine pairings available at an additional cost. The more casual Unplugged menu offers à la carte options at lower prices, making Alkimia accessible for different occasions.
Google Reviews and Reputation
Alkimia holds a strong reputation among diners and critics alike. It consistently receives praise for its innovative yet grounded take on Catalan cuisine, the quality of its ingredients, and the intimate, stylish setting. The restaurant maintains a Michelin star and has been recognized with multiple awards, including three Repsol Suns and accolades from the Macarfi Guide as the best restaurant in Barcelona. Guest reviews highlight the attentive service, creative dishes, and the open kitchen that adds to the overall experience.
Alkimia Summary
Alkimia stands as a benchmark for contemporary Catalan dining in Barcelona. Since its inception in 2002 and its bold reinvention in 2016, chef Jordi Vilà has crafted a culinary journey that honors tradition while embracing innovation. With its dual dining concepts, seasonally evolving menus, and commitment to local sourcing, Alkimia offers a memorable gastronomic experience that continues to impress both locals and visitors seeking the essence of modern Catalan cuisine.
Explore our curated guide at Barcelona Restaurants
