End of an Era for Ebro Delta Cuisine in Barcelona

Xerta, the Barcelona restaurant renowned for bringing the flavours of the Ebro Delta to the city’s fine dining scene, has closed its doors after ten years of operation. Located in the Ohla Hotel in the Eixample district, the restaurant held a Michelin star from 2016 to 2024 and was celebrated for making high-end regional cuisine accessible. The closure follows a decision by the hotel to change its gastronomic direction. The restaurant’s team confirmed the move in an Instagram post on Thursday 29 October 2026, framing it as a transition rather than an end.

We are closing this chapter and opening the doors to a new one

.

Roots in the Terres de l’Ebre

Founded by chef Fran López, who previously earned a Michelin star at Villa Retiro at the age of 25, Xerta opened in 2015 as a tribute to the culinary traditions of the Baix Ebre region. Joaquim López, Fran’s brother, led the restaurant from 2019 onwards after their amicable separation. In 2023, he expanded the concept with Kintsugi, a Japanese-Mediterranean fusion restaurant also located at the Ohla Hotel, which has now closed alongside Xerta. The restaurant’s signature dishes highlighted local ingredients such as baby eels, cocochas in pil-pil, and langoustine with duck egg and truffle parmentier foam. Meat and game also featured prominently, including duck rice with slow-cooked artichoke and bone jus.

Commitment to Accessibility and Value

Despite its Michelin recognition, Xerta maintained a reputation for value, offering a midday menu for 45 euros during its starred years. This approach allowed a broader audience to experience its refined take on regional cuisine. The restaurant’s closure does not mark the end of the Xerta brand. Xerta Catering will continue to operate, providing gastronomic services for weddings, private dinners, corporate events, and as an official supplier to the Llotja del Camp Nou.

We continue to do what we love most: cooking, caring for the product, and creating experiences around a good table

, the team stated. They added that the brand will now bring its cuisine wherever you wish, adapting its offerings to external events and future projects.

Sources: Metrópoli Abierta (CA), Metrópoli, El Periódico.