Oria by Martín Berasategui
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"Nice evening and nice venue"
The restaurant, located inside the beautiful Monument Hotel, offers impeccable food and an impressive wine list. Unfortunately, the evening’s charm was overshadowed by the maitre d’hôtel, whose loud presence and rude treatment of a lady who joined our table left a poor impression. Thankfully, the sommelier was attentive, knowledgeable, and very pleasant, which helped balance the experience.
"Product quality in work routine."
The quality of the dishes and the explanations provided by the staff were appreciated, as were the ingredients themselves. However, the wine pricing was excessive — paying three times more for a bottle has nothing to do with Michelin standards. Pairing should elevate the experience, not feel exploitative. Service also fell short. Waiting 20 minutes between courses, such as from fish to meat and then meat to dessert, is unacceptable. Meanwhile, the chef greeted some tables while completely ignoring others, creating an air of exclusivity that bordered on disrespect. The overall atmosphere was diminished further by careless details, such as the bar being used by staff and the chef in full view of diners. Unfortunately, these attitudes in the dining room, including when the bill was presented, made it impossible to leave a tip. While the food was of good quality, the service and ambiance left a poor impression. We would not return or recommend this restaurant.
"fusion food"
Oria Restaurant, located inside the prestigious Monument Hotel — the only hotel in Barcelona with four Michelin stars — is directed by Martín Berasategui and Xavier Goikoetxea. The dining room is spacious, elegant, and designed with comfort in mind. Tables are well-separated, providing privacy, and even tables for two feel generous. We chose the tasting menu, which was beautifully executed from start to finish. Each dish arrived with precise presentation and detailed explanation, showcasing a creative fusion of modern and traditional flavors. Every plate felt like a mosaic of textures and tastes, thoughtfully paired and served on striking designer tableware. The service was impeccable — attentive, polished, and professional throughout. I can truly say I enjoyed every dish. If I had one suggestion, it would be to rethink the trend of minimalism in plating. While I appreciate refined cuisine, sometimes the portions on oversized plates feel too sparse, which takes away from the experience. Additionally, the price of drinks seemed a little disproportionate compared to the food. That said, Oria delivers the kind of sophistication you would expect at this level, and it was a memorable culinary experience.
"A shame"
The food was excellent and the service throughout dinner truly deserving of five stars. Unfortunately, a very unpleasant detail at the end left us with a bad impression. As we finished the menu and were still sipping our coffee, a staff member (Laura) approached without being asked and placed the bill and payment terminal directly in front of us. It felt as though we were being rushed out, even though we had dined at a normal pace and had no intention of overstaying. Worse still, when we handed over our card, a tipping screen was immediately placed in front of us with preset percentages, making it feel less like a choice and more like an obligation. We are usually generous tippers, especially when service is good, but this approach was intrusive and unwelcome. It’s a pity, because Barcelona has an incredible gastronomic scene, and such pushy tactics are unnecessary. Sadly, this experience means we would not return, despite the quality of the meal itself.
"Dissapointed experience for a one star Michelin restaurant"
Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations. Having dined at many Michelin-starred restaurants, including Martín Berasategui’s flagship in San Sebastián, we anticipated a higher standard. Instead, service was poor and inconsistent, with multiple staff members attending the same table without coordination. We had to request a copy of the menu several times, and even bread, olive oil, and butter had to be repeatedly asked for instead of being offered. Wine service was particularly disappointing. The second bottle of the same red wine we initially ordered arrived from a different year and was corked. When we raised the concern, the explanation given was simply that it was a different vintage, though it was clearly faulty. We accepted it at the time, but in hindsight, we should not have. Lesson learned. As for the food, while a few dishes were enjoyable, several did not meet the standard one expects from a Michelin-starred restaurant. To top it off, the table itself was wobbly, adding to the sense of carelessness. Overall, a disappointing evening that did not live up to the prestige associated with the name.
"Good food but expensive drink"
We tried the Menú Tradiciones and overall the food and elaborations were good. We enjoyed a bottle of cava during lunch, which was priced as expected for a Michelin-starred restaurant. However, what surprised us was being charged €14 for each single cava glass we had as an aperitif. Honestly, that felt excessive and out of line, especially compared to the bottle price. A detail like this leaves a negative impression, despite the otherwise positive dining experience.
"Option to taste sophisticated local cuisine."
The restaurant offers very good service, a pleasant minimalist atmosphere, and a well-executed tasting menu. The price is in line with what you would expect from a Michelin-starred establishment. However, I cannot give it five stars because Barcelona has so many extraordinary dining options at more affordable prices. Giving this the top rating would feel unfair to other excellent places we enjoyed during our stay.
"Truffle tasting menu…"
The food was complex, creative, and beautifully presented, and the service was attentive throughout. The setting is elegant, though it feels more like the lobby of a luxury hotel than an intimate restaurant space. Our main disappointment, however, was the excessive use of truffle in the menu. While truffles are undoubtedly special, their dominant and distinctive flavor tended to overshadow the other elements on the plate. At Oria, more than half of the entrées we tried included truffle, which left little room for variety and balance. That said, the €80 menu is fair value for a Michelin-starred experience, and if it weren’t for the overuse of truffles, we would have rated the restaurant more highly.
"Not worth it"
We visited as a couple and ordered the Itxasmendi menu, the most complete option. What we received were 9 dishes, each in a single bite, with very little actual product, mostly accompanied by drops and brushstrokes of sauce. The flavors were varied and the presentations were beautiful, but the portions left much to be desired. The total came to over €450, yet we left feeling hungry. While we understand that in fine dining it’s not about quantity, it feels unacceptable to have to request double portions of bread and finish all the butters and oils just to avoid leaving for another restaurant afterward. Overall, there was nothing truly remarkable. With so many Michelin-starred options offering more complete and surprising menus, this one simply doesn’t feel worth the price.
"Most incredible tasting menu"
This was one of the most delicious tasting menus I’ve enjoyed in a long time. We chose the Traditional Tasting Menu (there is one other option that’s a bit more expensive), and everything about the experience was spot on — from the service and food to the décor and the staff’s impressive knowledge. I often struggle to finish all the courses since I don’t have a big appetite, but this time I devoured every single dish, even the wonderful petit-fours! If I lived in Barcelona (and could afford it every day), I’d happily return again and again. The cocktail maker added a fun touch to the evening, crafting a house cocktail that was both delicious and entertaining to watch. The sommelier was excellent too — very knowledgeable and attentive, suggesting great options for someone like me who isn’t a red wine drinker. An absolutely memorable experience from start to finish.
Oria by Martín Berasategui
A Michelin-starred Mediterranean restaurant located in the Monument Hotel, led by chef Martín Berasategui.
Address
Pg. de Gràcia, 75, L'Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+34935482033