Restaurante El Serbal

Classy seaside fine dining 

Bread service

El Serbal is one of the only two Michelin-starred restaurants located inside Santander, but the decision for me to pick El Serbal over the other place was a simple choice. It is located by the beach overlooking the Biscay Sea, so when there is a clear blue sky, you will be watching one of the most beautiful views in what Spain can offer. The restaurant offers a short tasting menu based on classic flavours from Cantabria but with a modern touch, or a longer tasting menu in which you live the chef to go creative with plenty of innovation.

All the bread I need!

Tomato, anchovies and beef tartar

Beans and meat stew dumpling

I opted for the short-tasting menu for my lunch visit. The first course was a fun dish with the kitchen has taken the local bean stew but presented in a whole new form. All the meats and beans have been rolled inside a dumpling pastry that was topped with a layer of Iberico ham before the stew sauce was added like a broth. It was light yet packed with flavours. The steamed hake was done to perfection, it was really moist and the use of cauliflower mouse offered a nice creamy nutty taste, but what completed the dish was the lobster head sauce which delivered a pool of umami seafood taste.

Hake and cauliflower with lobster sauce

Iberico pork belly, apple and pork sauce

Goat milk ice cream

I know many people might book El Serbal purely based on the beach location, but the food quality in this place is also outstanding. It totally warrants its Michelin star status. I enjoyed how the kitchen team has turned classic flavours, with a light touch of contemporary magic, and turned into something really delicious and simple to understand. If I ever return back to Santander, for sure I would love to try out its longer menu and watch the sunset over dinner.

Food 4/5

Average cost without drinks and services:
£80 (dinner)

Av. Manuel García Lago, 1E, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

http://www.elserbal.com/