Cocina Hermanos Torres — Restaurant in Barcelona

Dining at Cocina Hermanos Torres was a masterful journey through flavors and textures, perfectly orchestrated to create an unforgettable experience. From the first bite to the last, every dish showcased the chefs’ extraordinary attention to detail and passion for innovation. Paired with perfectly accompanied Old Fashioneds, the meal unfolded seamlessly, setting the stage for an evening of refined indulgence. The experience was beautifully rounded off with a glass of exquisite 30-year Tawny Port, which offered the perfect end to a truly remarkable meal.

The experience began with the piparras and smoked anchovy bonbon, a deceptively overwhelming bite that revealed an explosion of salty, briny saltwater, evoking the pure essence of the sea, followed by a lingering heat from the pepper. What was immediately obvious was that the palate-awakening flavor, the vibrant presentation, and the stimulating, unique texture of the dish set the tone for the rest of the meal.

Another exceptional course was the Ruma Gallega pit with Iberian ham Fisan, delivering smoky, earthy notes that balanced richness with depth. The "cured squid" provided a delicate contrast with its unique cheese-like texture—smooth, almost creamy, yet still distinct and savory. This texture, paired with the caviar, created a perfect balance of flavors, where the briny pop of the caviar enhanced the richness of the squid and elevated the overall dish to something truly special. The visual appeal of the dish, with its clean lines and minimalistic elegance, reflected the harmony of its taste.

Among the standout courses, the Maresme green peas with Iberian ham and ‘migas de pastor’ was certainly one of the highlights. Grown locally and only harvested in certain seasons, the peas were extraordinarily fresh, bursting with sweetness and a unique popping texture that elevated the dish to perfection. Paired with Iberian Jamón, this dish brought a sense of simplicity and humility, evoking a nostalgic connection to home. The king crab with mussels and shrimp celebrated the natural elegance of seafood, combining the three meats with multiple sauces throughout the meal that begged to be soaked up by the freshly made bread served alongside. The delicate plating, with the seafood arranged artfully and the sauce glistening, enhanced the visual appreciation of the dish.

The ray fish, paired with piquillo peppers and pickled piparras, offered a masterful blend of Mediterranean flavors, with a nod to the opening dishes that included the same pepper. The fish's striations provided a smooth separation point for eating and a somewhat unintentional utilitarianism for harboring the buttery sauce and reduction poured over the top, perfectly highlighted by the briny pickle cubes and capers served with it.

The aged wild duck, accompanied by green mojo and kohlrabi, was bold and tender, leaving a lasting impression as one of the meal’s highlights. The rich, dark hues of the duck against the bright green of the mojo created a stunning visual contrast that complemented the depth of the flavors.

The evening concluded with a series of exquisite sorbets, each one refreshing and delicately balanced. Their vibrant colors and refreshing flavors provided the perfect finale, cleansing the palate while adding a playful yet sophisticated delay to the end of the meal before dessert.

Adding to the culinary excellence was the impeccable service. Each dish arrived with perfect timing, enhancing the natural flow of the evening. The staff’s attention to detail was unmatched, demonstrated by the uniform placement of every dish and by the subtle yet thoughtful gesture of adjusting each silverware presentation for a left-handed guest in our party without any prompting. This level of care and personalization elevated the dining experience to extraordinary heights.

Cocina Hermanos Torres delivered a flawless blend of culinary mastery, thoughtful presentation, and warm hospitality, leaving an indelible mark as one of the most extraordinary dining...

I’m writing this review to warn potential diners about the disappointing and unfair experience I had with Cocina Hermanos Torres in Barcelona. I hope others will read this and be aware of the questionable reservation practices and lack of transparency that I experienced firsthand for a dining experience I didn’t even get to eat!

During my first trip to Spain, I used the American Express Dining Concierge where the concierge assistant placed me on a WAITLIST for a few time slots at this restaurant. The understanding from the concierge was clear: I would receive a call from the restaurant to confirm if any slot opened up. I only ever received emails saying no slots were available.

To my complete shock, I later got a call from the restaurant asking if I was on my way—something I was totally unaware of. There was no phone call nor communication notifying me that a reservation had been confirmed. How does a 3 Michelin Star restaurant that is supposed to be known for its service not call to confirm reservations nor ask if we have any food allergies prior to dining?

A few weeks later, I discovered a $608.07 charge on my credit card for a no-show! This situation has been extremely distressing. I reached out via multiple emails and phone calls to resolve the issue amicably, but unfortunately, the restaurant staff was neither helpful nor understanding. (Because I tried to ask my credit card company to help and they also had trouble reaching out to the restaurant, this attempt at a resolution has been dragged out for a year!)

The American Express Concierge confirmed that I was simply on a waitlist and never agreed to a confirmed reservation without notification. Additionally, the reservation system didn’t follow standard protocols—no confirmation call, no inquiry about food allergies, which is especially alarming given my travel companion’s severe coconut allergy. Had we unknowingly dined and any food contained coconut, it could’ve been dangerous.

To make matters worse, the restaurant’s emails were completely written in Spanish and provided no warning about: 1) charges for a no-show if a waitlist slot becomes available, 2) how the waitlist transitions to a confirmed reservation, and 3) ANY protocol to confirm reservations with the diner directly [since there most definitely should be a confirmation from the diner that they’re aware of the (newly) confirmed reservation and that they’re even alive].

Despite my attempts to explain the misunderstanding, the restaurant showed no compassion or effort to address the issue or find an amicable resolution. I even asked if we could potentially find a way to credit for a future dining experience, if I could come back to Spain, and they completely rejected any idea of this. Their refusal to help resolve the situation has left me feeling scammed, especially given the reputation of such a prestigious Michelin-starred establishment. This experience is a far cry from the level of care and professionalism I’ve come to expect from fine dining.

I strongly advise anyone considering Cocina Hermanos Torres to proceed with caution. If this restaurant cannot offer transparency in their reservation policies, it leaves diners vulnerable to unexpected and unjust charges. My experience has been both emotionally and financially burdensome, and I hope others won’t have to deal with the same.

Avoid this restaurant unless you’re ready to deal with potentially confusing and unfair practices—and don’t expect them to care about resolving issues if you become ill, an emergency happens, or...

Have visited numerous Michelin star restaurants for a decade now. On our recent trip to Barcelona we had dined at Lasarte, Disfrutar, Cocina Hermanos Torres & Angle.

So, Cocina Hermanos Torres.

According to the Michelin guide: 1 star = A very good restaurant in its category 2 stars = Excellent cooking, worth a detour 3 stars = Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

Cocina Hermanos Torres meets the 3 stars criteria in every sense: exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey. Just like soccer fans visit Barcelona to watch an FC Barcelona games, foodies should travel to Barcelona to dine at Cocina Hermanos Torres.

First, the food. Exceptional food is measured, among other criteria, by whether or not we had at least one course that makes us want to revisit the restaurant. If that course is plant-based, that makes it extra special. For us that was the "Maresme Green Peas".

Some of the courses felt "Indigenous" to that institute. One constructive feedback. We are rarely remain hungry by the end of a meal. Here we had to take two slices of bread to be completely full. They should replace one of the (too) many desserts and sweets with one main course, offering more meat options (there was only one and it was rather small).

Service. The risk in any high-end restaurant is getting a cold, military service. The challenge is to be extremely professional while giving a sense of warmth and welcoming. Cocina Hermanos Torres offers exceptional service, professional and warm. From the Maître d'hôtel to the sommelier, all have emotional and professional intelligence and they met our needs seamlessly. We also appreciated owner and chef Torres' welcoming. Running to greet every table. Made us feel wanted and valuable. Also running to say goodbye and appreciated our business.

Wine service Attentive and professional. Really listened to our preference and budget constraint and perfectly matched the type of wines we described.

Atmosphere. Exceptional. Unique. Interesting. Warm. Intimate. Specious. The center kitchens are visually appealing. They are designed in such a smart way that they are eye-catching but not overwhelming or distracting from other elements in the environment and more importantly from the partner I was dining with.

Value. Exceptional as well. The experience we had was well worth the cost.

On another note, the Michelin guide is very inconsistent in Barcelona. We ate at a terrible one star restaurants in the past and overrated 3 stars. In this case, Cocina Hermanos Torres is a restaurant at its prime. The third star that was recently awarded is well deserved.

Great job team. You delivered an...