Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The Michelin Stars awarded to Spain.
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Malaga.
The second consecutive year, the Michelin Guide Spain 2026 At a gala in Malaga, the award was revealed. This confirms the Costa del Sol and Malaga as Europe’s most dynamic food destinations. Around 700 guests attended the presentation, which took place at the FYCMA Palace. This included chefs, journalists and industry figures from around the world. The evening concluded with an exclusive cocktail prepared by chefs of the nine Michelin-starred restaurant in the province, who together have eleven stars.
The menu was kept strictly under wraps until the last moment and coordinated by the only two double-starred chefs in Malaga, Benito Gómez (Bardal) and Marcos Granda, and featured 18 dishes, two from each establishment. Highlights included Bardal’s oyster in coloured tocino and fried squid, Skina’s reinterpretation of gazpachuelo with cuttlefish, Back’s chicle-foie and goat cheek with Andalusian curry, and Sollo’s smoked eel consommé with Iberian broth.
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Malaga
The Michelin Guide’s triumphant return is proof of Malaga’s remarkable momentum. In 2025, the province welcomed a record number of tourists, and saw an unprecedented influx in new residents. This was due to its 320 sunny days and 160 km of beaches.
Spain has now received 357 Michelin stars, a total that is up 9 from the previous night. This puts the country on a list of the top places to eat in the world.
Costa del Sol is a destination that has become renowned for its quality. From the grand hotels of Marbella to Malaga’s vibrant contemporary art scene, this region has become a place where you cannot compromise on anything. The eleven Michelin stars that are concentrated in only nine restaurants represent the pursuit of excellence. Restaurants such as Kaleja, Messina, José Carlos García, Back, Blossom, Skina, Nintai, Sollo and Bardal have turned the province into an obligatory stop on any international gastronomic travels.
As one attending chef remarked last night, “Málaga is no longer just sun and beach; it is a place where you can live surrounded by the finest things life has to offer – and now the world knows it.” For the Costa del Sol, the red guide is not only recognition; it is the seal that confirms its transformation into one of Europe’s most desirable places to visit – and to stay.
