Spain, Portugal Michelin guide ratings revealed

The number of restaurants in Spain with the much-coveted rating of three Michelin stars has dropped from seven to five, it was revealed this week, as details of the new Michelin guide to Spain and Portugal were made public.

The world-famous, three-starred elBulli, near the town of Roses, Catalonia, was dropped from the guide after star chef Ferran Adrià voluntarily closed it down. Can Fabes, near Barcelona, dropped from three stars to two after the death of its chef, Santi Santamaría.

Establishments bumped up from two to three stars include Abac, in Barcelona; El Club Allard and Diverxo, in Madrid; and Ocean, in Faro, Portugal.

Spain now has 17 restaurants with two stars, and 117 with one. Portugal has two restaurants with two stars, and 10 with one.

"Quality has improved and the true values of Iberian cuisine are reflected ever more fully than ever on restaurant menus," Michelin said in an emailed press release.