Villa Grau

This iconic restaurant, which held three Michelin stars for many years, has adopted a new, much more informal bistro format featuring numerous images and mementoes that highlight the career of legendary chef Carme Ruscalleda. Her son Raül Balam Ruscalleda and Brazilian chef Murilo Rodrigues Alves are now in charge, offering a contemporary, Catalan-influenced menu that includes unpretentious dishes, Brazilian touches and a nod to the history of the restaurant.

This culinary “institution” in the Maresme area, and one with many years of business behind it, is a standard-bearer for the fresh catch from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and more specifically from the fishing fleet in Cambados and the fish auctions in Blanes, Palamós, Arenys de Mar etc. On its extensive à la carte, the most popular dishes are always its superb fish and seafood, although it also offers a good choice of rice and meat options. The simple way of cooking here, either grilled or baked in salt, enhances the ingredients used to the full.