Opened in 2012, this is an addition to the bustling area of Sa Penya (the old fisherman’s quarter) with its colorful bars, restaurants and clubs. It is French run, and celebrates the creation of absinthe, and the artists, writers and philosophers inspired by it. Every night kicks of with the serving of absinthe cocktails delivered in extravagant style.

365, the restaurant inside the hotel Son Brull, an elegantly restored 18th-century monastery outside of charming Pollença, has no a la carte menu. Instead, Michelin-star chef Andreu Segura offers two nightly six-or-eight-course tasting menus, one of which is entirely vegetarian. Both offer wine pairings. Each dish is artistically presented, leveraging local ingredients. Although expensive, the excellent food and overall experience are worth it.

The two-Michelin-starred restaurant of the ABaC hotel has been called one of the best in Catalonia. Most recently, it was named "Best Restaurant" by the Small Luxury Hotels of the World in 2017. Guests are welcome to walk through the kitchen to see the work of star chef Jordi Cruz, once the youngest Michelin-starred Spanish chef. The Versace tableware is a perfect match for the decadent food and décor.

The views—overlooking the river and the Torre del Oro—are almost as beautiful as the chic clientele that frequent this glass-enclosed restaurant, especially fitting for a trendy night out.

White-washed walls and a simple interior in no way resemble the artfully constructed plates served at Seville’s longest-running Michelin-starred restaurant. A short walk from the center of town, the haute cuisinery is a must for serious foodies.

Located at Hotel Akelarre, Akelarre is a three-Michelin star restaurant by Pedro Subijana serving innovative Basque cuisine with a focus on seafood. At Hotel Akelarre you will also find a cocktail bar by the renowned Patxi Troitino serving unbelievable cocktails, and Oteiza, a casual offshoot of Akelarre also by Chef Pedro. If Akelarre feels like too much of a splurge, head to Oteiza for a chance to try Pedro’s renowned dishes. At Oteiza, be sure to order the sea bass with green pepper and vegetable bolognese, but Hotel Akelarre is worth a visit just for sunset cocktails; the views are jaw-dropping from the property. The restaurant is located 15 minutes from the center of San Sebastián.

Alkimia’s chef, Jordi Vilà, is a follower of Ferran Adrià. Minimalist décor in the restaurant allows guests to focus on Vilà’s deconstructed dishes, including pa amb tomàquet, a typical Catalan dish of white bread rubbed with tomato pulp and olive oil, served in a shot glass; bacallà (salt cod) with eggplant and blood-orange foam; and traditional fried eggs and Mallorcan sausage served with preserved quinces.

Altuna is a middle ground between a restaurant and a pintxos bar. It’s an easy choice for a post-beach lunch or dinner, with slightly elevated and delicious Basque cuisine. Reservations for dinner are recommended.

Opened by restaurateurs Sandro Silva and Marta Seco of Ten Con Ten and El Paraguas, Amazonico has been drawing Madrid's trendiest crowds since its inception in 2016.  Guests come in off the manicured Salamanca street and are immediately immersed in a jungle-like environment with leaves adorning the ceiling. The menu is eclectic, featuring grilled meats that are presented on a spit, as well as a good mix of Indian, Asian, and South American inspired flavors (including a sushi bar). Once you have thoroughly sampled the carefully curated menu, head downstairs to the clandestine jazz club for a night cap.

Andra Mari is a traditional Basque restaurant in every way, from the waitstaff uniforms to the distinct wooden architecture to the local ingredients. The restaurant holds one Michelin star and was originally established by the Asúa family to create a place of rest and sustenance for pilgrims who were visiting the nearby Andra Mari Church (hence its name) in the early 13th century. The menu is authentic Basque, and the restaurant is in a beautiful countryside setting in a farmhouse overlooking the Ibaizabal river valley, just 15 minutes outside of Bilbao. When the weather permits, request a table on the terrace.

Located on the second level of the Hotel Arts, Arola offers diners an opportunity to try chef Sergi Arola’s cuisine in a casual setting. Catalan by birth, Arola travels to Barcelona each week to oversee the kitchen. The patio sits directly beneath Barcelona’s famed Gehry fish sculpture, and the views and sea breeze make this the perfect place for a long, leisurely lunch with a good bottle of wine. There have been some reviews of late, however, stating that the quality of the restaurant has slipped with inconsistent service. The food remains excellent however, if a bit overpriced.

The most famous of San Sebastián’s Michelin-starred establishments is Arzak, owned by renowned chef Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena, who can often be seen greeting guests at their table in the dining room. The three-star restaurant, one of the area’s first to feature the experimental nouveau cuisine that made the Basque Country famous, continues to be the most difficult reservation to secure. Stick to the classics, because while the luscious foie gras in a crispy wrap dusted with coffee and tea is exquisite, it is an Arzak staple, and newer plates can be less inspiring. Book at least two months ahead of time if traveling during high season.

Located in the historic town of Fuenmayor, and just a 10-minute drive from the Marques de Riscal in Elciego, Alameda is one of the most famous restaurants in Rioja. Spain’s steak culture is on full display at this family-owned asador, which boasts a menu that includes such specialties as ox chop and chuleta (thick-cut T-bone steak). Slowly cooked over a wood fire, the meat is typically from older animals, which gives it a delicious flavor. For non-carnivores, there is a nice selection of local fish, including grilled turbot, the other signature dish here.

Join the savvy Spaniards who lunch at the perfectly located Aurora Beach Restaurant. Specializing in seafood, this hidden gem boasts a warm, friendly staff and a fantastic manager. If it’s in season, get the red tuna salad with pineapple.

Azurmendi isn’t found in the shadows of the gleaming titanium-clad Guggenheim, but instead in a rather dull commercial district outside town. Don’t let this, or the somewhat institutional dining room, put you off, however, since Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa is very much the standard-bearer of the new generation of Basque chefs. Atxa’s short menu changes regularly, but such dishes as his oysters with caviar in seawater mousse and griddled scallops topped with flying-fish roe and bathed in squid bouillon are spectacular. And the dessert not to miss is his heavenly “textures of chocolate” trilogy of ice cream, soft cake and airy mousse.

Family-run restaurant Balafia has been a favorite for tourists and locals alike for years. There is no menu, just a huge open grill with a choice of prime meats, French fries and the most divine tomato salad. Be sure to try the wonderful pollo payes (free-range, locally farmed chicken). Balafia is definitely a meat lover’s paradise, so it is probably not recommended for anyone who is not a real carnivore.

Set back in a lush garden is the ultimate only-in-Ibiza dining spot for celebs and locals alike. Its owner, John Moon, goes from table to table nightly, spreading blessings of “peace and love.” Bambuddha started as a gathering place for Moon’s friends and morphed into a mini MediterrAsian village. In addition to serving fantastic vegetarian and Asian-fusion fare (try the Thai buffet), the complex has several lounge areas. You get cocktails on massive daybeds, Goa-inspired decor, incense, colored lights and mellow techno music, plus a hip clothes boutique, for an after-dinner spree. If you have only a few nights on the island, put this quintessentially Ibiza hangout on your priority list.

The décor of the Mandarin Oriental’s hotel bar references the building’s former life as a bank with a wall made entirely of safety-deposit boxes. The drinks menu, on the other hand, references the Mandarin chain’s Asian roots with offerings like the “Ruskichai”—a vodka-based cocktail with orange and cranberry juices and champagne, served in a teapot for two. Enjoy cocktails either in the clubby lounge area or in the narrow, but pleasant, open-air porch.

This nondescript bar and bodega in the charming, small inland town of Biniaraix is a local favorite that has been discovered by the many hiking groups that love exploring the island. Sit at tables outside in the village square, watch the families and hikers stroll by and eat delicious simple food.

Located in the historic center, this 30-year old establishment offers traditional Andalusian cuisine in a low-key atmosphere. With a focus on fresh seafood and alfresco tables set on the Altamirano square, this longtime neighborhood joint is great for an easy night out with friends and family or a relaxed lunch while strolling Marbella town.

Bedecked in vibrant velvet and creamy leather, the regal bar at the Hotel Alfonso XIII is ideal for a pre- or post-dinner drink.

While Bar Bosch might not stand out at first—it has the standard old-school waiters, a worn counter laden with tapas and a tourist crowd— regulars know it’s a legendary favorite among local intellectuals and that it serves the best grilled sandwiches in town. During lunch and in the early evening, finding a seat at one of the outdoor tables may be a challenge, but it’s well worth the wait. Order a slice of the famously thick tortilla along with a lomo y queso (pork loin and cheese) sandwich while indulging in some of Palma’s best people-watching.

Around the corner from the Liceu Opera House, Bar Cañete offers an extensive selection of creative tapas. The ingredients are fresh, with seafood coming in daily from nearby Catalan fish markets, and the long communal bar offers prime views of the kitchen. The long, narrow room can get boisterous, but that’s part of the fun—and an integral part of Spanish dining. Despite being located in a touristy area, it is a local favorite.

A great stop before or after visiting the Picasso Museum, Bar del Pla is part casual bistro, part bustling tapas bar—and wholly delicious. The extensive wine list and seasonal tapas manage to be both traditional and creative. The unassuming spot is easy to miss, so look for the black awning above a small white counter and Spanish tiles.

A true whole-in-the-wall, café Bar las Teresas is adored by locals and visitors alike who flock to the casual eatery for light bites like jamon serrano and manchego toast.