Seafood gastronomy on the Costa Brava

Seafood gastronomy on the Costa Brava: a unique culinary experience

The Costa Brava, a picturesque stretch of coastline in north-east Catalonia, is a perfect destination not only because of its beaches, turquoise waters and charming seaside towns, but also because of its rich seafaring gastronomic heritage. With a fishing tradition dating back centuries, this region offers a unique culinary experience, with fresh produce from the sea and a great variety of traditional dishes. For those who love food, the Costa Brava is a paradise that captures the spirit of the Mediterranean in every mouthful.

History, tradition and produce: an exquisite blend.

The Costa Brava’s rich cuisine is firmly rooted in its seafaring history. The fishing villages that grew up all along the coast have passed their recipes and techniques down through the generations. One of the most distinctive features of the Costa Brava’s seafood cuisine is the use of fresh locally sourced ingredients, from both the sea and the land. Fish and shellfish take pride of place in many of the most popular dishes. Palamós prawns (the only crustacean in the Mediterranean to have its own certified quality seal), with their sweet succulent flesh, are a delicacy that must be tasted. We also recommend sampling other treats such as anchovies from L’Escala and lobster from Cap de Creus, authentic culinary treasures from this region. Rice dishes are another of our specialities, such as arròs a la cassola, which combines meat and fish and is one of the traditional sea and mountain cuisine dishes you will find in this area, and Empordà arròs fosc, a traditional recipe in which caramelised onion is a vital ingredient. And don’t forget to try the famous suquet de peix, a thick soup of fresh fish and shellfish that is simply irresistible.

Discover the gastronomy of the Costa Brava: three unmissable restaurants

For a truly unforgettable gastronomic experience on the Costa Brava, we recommend three outstanding restaurants. First, El Far restaurant in Llafranc, located beside Sant Sebastià lighthouse at 175 metres above sea level. It offers diners a unique culinary experience with its traditional seafood cuisine, including rice dishes, fresh fish and shellfish straight from Palamós fish market. In Cadaqués, Compartir Cadaqués restaurant, which has a two-sun rating in the Repsol Guide and is recommended in the Michelin Guide, will surprise you with its innovative gastronomic experience. Run by well-known chefs Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch (with 3 Michelin stars for their restaurant Disfrutar in Barcelona), Compartir is in the historic centre of Cadaqués and offers sharing plates, as the name in Catalan suggests, in a social and relaxed setting, blending modern and traditional flavours. It is well worth visiting these restaurants to discover an authentic culinary delight on the Costa Brava. And for the most demanding and sophisticated palates, the best option is Restaurant Miramar, in Llançà, led by renowned chef Paco Pérez, who boasts 5 Michelin stars. With its own two stars, this restaurant serves classic seafood dishes with avant-garde touches in two tasting menus, all in a magical setting with huge windows overlooking Llançà’s fishing fleet.

Dive into seafood cuisine in an original way

After enjoying these flavours in the region’s restaurants, why not explore the Fishing Museum in Palamós, a unique gem in the Mediterranean that showcases the region’s rich maritime heritage. With guided visits to the fish market and live auction, the museum provides a fascinating insight into this seafaring world. Try one of the seafood cuisine workshops at Espai del Peix, the museum’s gastronomic space, where you can create different fish dishes taken from the region’s fishing tradition.

We also encourage you to discover these outstanding products and dishes at one of our gastronomic festivals, such as La Garoinada, a culinary celebration that turns Palafrugell into a foodie’s paradise from January to March to coincide with the sea urchin season. Here, the local restaurants and accommodation come together to offer special menus in which sea urchins (or garoina in Catalan) are the authentic star of the show. Visitors are invited to enjoy a unique opportunity to savour the intense flavour and smooth texture of sea urchins.

A destination for authentic foodies

Imagine losing yourself on the footpaths that wind their way along the coastline, accompanied by the delicate melody of the waves. Admire the idyllic landscapes, dotted with beaches and coves with transparent waters in every imaginable shade of blue. Discover charming coastal towns and explore their restaurants, true temples of gastronomic pleasure, whose dishes will transport you through maritime history, capturing the soul of this picturesque region of Catalonia.

Discover what this region has to offer and prepare for an unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back for more. Don’t miss it!