Castell Peralada

Costa Brava, Spain

Traditional Tasting Menu with Wine Pairing

Final Score: 4.8 — Exceptional.

Maison Dane Distinction.

It’s hard to overstate how magical it feels to approach Castell Peralada in an evening light.

The building itself, which is a 14th-century castle, is complete with classic turrets and a stone moat. It has the kind of atmospheric gravity that can't be designed. It just exists. Walking through the gravel path toward the entrance, flanked by a beautiful pond, some light greenery, and soft uplighting, sets the tone immediately.

The interior is intimate and reverent. Maybe 25 tables total, each spaced beneath high ceilings and wrought-iron chandeliers. Tapestries line the walls. Old decanters sit on wooden shelves which I can only imagine to be centuries old. It feels less like a dining room and more like a private hall in some principality. Quiet, but not sterile.

We were welcomed with a crisp glass of in-house cava. From the first pour, it was clear that the wine program here is not an afterthought. Every bottle is produced by Castell Peralada itself, a flex that carried through the night with surprising depth.

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The Meal

The tasting menu leaned into its namesake: Innovation Tradition. It is indeed both. The courses felt like they belonged to this particular part of Spain, yet never veered into cliché, which I felt to be a major accomplishment. Too often, Spanish restaurants lean into this ham-and-egg-heavy push that is unnecessary. And while the structure of the menu is fixed, it never felt rigid. Each course was presented with the kind of casual precision that great kitchens know how to strike.

Some highlights:

A Walk Through The Garden

Three vegetable-forward preparations opened the meal. Ours included a delicate tomato gelee topped with edible flowers, and a bite of roasted pepper mousse served in a hollowed cucumber. It was clever and delicate.

Tuna Tartare

Shaped like a Michelin star, which seemed like a playful (albeit well-executed) nod. This was served alongside foie gras and port wine on a green asparagus roll. One of the more memorable tartares I’ve had. Bright, fatty, balanced, and chilled.

Red Prawn “Empedrat”

Torched tableside, which is sometimes gimmicky, but wasn’t. The char on the shell elevated the sweetness of the prawn. It was a bit softer on the inside, which I suppose is due to it starting completely raw until it makes it to the table. Served simply.

Line-Caught Hake with Seaweed Sauce

My favorite of the main courses. Perfectly cooked and layered with soft marine umami. One of the best pieces of fish I’ve had in Spain. No flourishes, no distractions.

The Cheese Course deserves its own entry. A rolling cart (more like a shrine) appeared near the end of the meal, displaying what must have been over 200 cheeses. A dedicated cheesemonger (the only correct word here) walked us through the regions, styles, textures, and levels of funk with the precision of a sommelier and the passion of a local. It was overwhelming, in the best way. I tried six. I would have gladly tried twenty. It was swiftly followed with two dessert rounds: a rice liqueur mousse served with pineapple and fennel, followed by a dark chocolate and elderflower medley. By this point, the meal had lasted nearly four hours, but the sweets still felt considered and composed.

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The Experience

The service was elegant, attentive, and intuitive. Napkins replaced quietly. Glasses topped discreetly. Our servers never once interrupted a conversation, but they always appeared when needed. The wine pairing, which included more than six generous pours, was surprisingly priced at just 25 euros per person. A shockingly fair figure given the quality and pacing of the pairings. The tasting menu itself was 135 euros, and frankly, I don’t know how they make that work financially. If I had a single note, it’s the length. At just under four hours, the experience does ask something of you. I wouldn’t change it but I’d plan accordingly. That said, it made me wonder how anyone survives the full extended tasting menu. This one was more than sufficient.

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The Dane Standard

Category Score

Palate 5.0

Atmosphere 4.8

Service 4.8

Identity 4.8

Final Score 4.8 Exceptional. Maison Dane Distinction.

Castell Peralada truly is a complete experience in a setting that could’ve easily rested on its surroundings but chose not to. Every detail was earned. Every course mattered. The meal walked the line between tradition and experimentation without falling into either trap. It's the kind of place you daydream about long after the last glass is poured. Well done.