L'Amagatall de cal Tonedor

If you’re in or around Arbúcies, close to the Parque Natural del Montseny, this restaurant is a must for all food-lovers. Taking its name from the three mature magnolia trees that surround this 19C building, it has successfully and sympathetically upgraded its decor and levels of comfort. The focus of head chef Víctor Torres, who shares his time with the award-winning Quirat de la Ciudad Condal at the InterContinental Barcelona, is on modern, technical cuisine but without losing sight of traditional values, hence his strong commitment to local organic ingredients on an à la carte and two tasti

This bright restaurant with a strong family feel is run by several siblings. Everything here revolves around the counter in the centre of the dining space, with an unusual curved glass partition that enables guests to watch the live action in the kitchen. The traditionally inspired à la carte, which is well complemented by a daily menu, has a strong focus on the sea, although it also includes several top-quality meat dishes.

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.

Located in the heart of Mataró and boasting an intriguing interior décor, this restaurant features design details and curious aesthetic nods to Art Deco. Chef Pepi Sánchez, visible from the dining room thanks to the glass-walled kitchen, serves up a traditional yet updated menu that is full of creative touches and nods to other cuisines. The à la carte service is complemented by several set menus: Weekly (lunch), Sangiovese Nights (dinner only) and the Festival Tasting Menu.

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.

This family-run restaurant, founded in 1964 by the owners’ grandfather, has retained its original name in homage to its origins, but adding the 3.0 to symbolise the third generation that is now at the helm. Modern and functional in appearance, and with views of the Montseny mountains, it focuses on contemporary cuisine that changes in line with seasonal ingredients. This can be enjoyed on the à la carte (we recommend the “a la llauna” rice dishes) and various set menus: Express and Satisfecho (only available lunchtimes midweek), the De Tapes (available for dinner), and the more extensive Homen

A modern atmosphere, especially cosy, and with a profusion of wood, this restaurant invites us to stay a while. From the kitchen comes an updated Mediterranean proposal, with Catalan roots and nods to international cuisine, providing a fresh, almost botanical look, very much in line with the name of the restaurant. The à la carte is complemented by a set lunch menu on weekdays and a tasting menu.