David Munoz (also known as Dabiz Munoz) is the Spanish chef widely recognised as one of the most-decorated avant-garde chefs in modern global gastronomy and the only Spanish chef to be named Best Chef in the World three consecutive times by The Best Chef Awards. Born David Munoz Rosillo on 15 January 1980 in Madrid, Spain, Munoz trained at the Escuela Superior de Hosteleria y Turismo in Madrid and at Hakkasan and Nobu in London before opening DiverXO in Madrid in 2007. DiverXO earned its third Michelin star in 2013 at the Tetuan location, and subsequently relocated to the NH Eurobuilding Hotel in Madrid where it continues to operate as one of the most-recognised three-Michelin-star restaurants globally.
Munoz’s 2025-2026 work continues at DiverXO at the NH Eurobuilding Hotel in Madrid, which has retained its three Michelin stars in the 2025 and 2026 editions of the Spain Michelin Guide. The restaurant continues to be widely cited as one of the most distinctive avant-garde three-Michelin-star restaurants in modern global gastronomy. Munoz was named Best Chef in the World by The Best Chef Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023, three consecutive years. The Esmadrid Tourism Madrid feature on 15 January 2026 highlights DiverXO as one of the defining Madrid three-Michelin-star destinations, alongside his StreetXO casual concept and the wider XO group.
TL;DR
- Spanish chef born 15 January 1980 in Madrid
- Trained at Hakkasan and Nobu London
- Opened DiverXO Madrid 2007
- DiverXO three Michelin stars since 2013, retained 2025 and 2026
- Best Chef in the World 2021, 2022 and 2023 (The Best Chef Awards)
- Operates StreetXO casual concept and wider XO group
David Munoz key facts
| Born | 15 January 1980, Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Also known as | Dabiz Munoz |
| Training | Escuela Superior de Hosteleria y Turismo Madrid; Hakkasan London; Nobu London |
| Defining restaurant | DiverXO at NH Eurobuilding Hotel Madrid (opened 2007) |
| Michelin status | Three Michelin stars at DiverXO since 2013, retained 2025 and 2026 |
| Best Chef Awards | Best Chef in the World 2021, 2022, 2023 (three consecutive years) |
Early life and training of David Munoz
David Munoz Rosillo was born on 15 January 1980 in Madrid, Spain. He grew up in Madrid and developed his culinary interests through Spanish family cookery before pursuing formal training. He attended the Escuela Superior de Hosteleria y Turismo in Madrid in the late 1990s, gaining classical Spanish hospitality and culinary technique alongside the strong Madrid foundation that has informed his subsequent career.
Through the early 2000s Munoz worked at multiple Spanish restaurants including stages at Viridiana in Madrid, Balzac in Madrid, and Chantarella in Madrid. He subsequently moved to London where he undertook extended stages at Hakkasan and Nobu, gaining direct exposure to the Asian-fusion approach that would subsequently anchor DiverXO’s signature avant-garde cuisine combining Spanish, Asian and global influences.
In 2007 at age 27 Munoz opened DiverXO in the Tetuan district of Madrid with his then-partner Angela Montero. DiverXO under Munoz earned its first Michelin star in 2010, its second Michelin star in 2012, and its third Michelin star in 2013, making him at age 33 one of the youngest Spanish chefs to earn three Michelin stars at the time. The restaurant subsequently relocated to the NH Eurobuilding Hotel in Madrid in 2014.
David Munoz career timeline
- 15 January 1980: Born in Madrid, Spain
- Late 1990s: Escuela Superior de Hosteleria y Turismo Madrid
- Early 2000s: Stages at Madrid restaurants including Viridiana, Balzac, Chantarella
- Mid-2000s: Stages at Hakkasan and Nobu in London
- 2007: Opens DiverXO in Tetuan district of Madrid at age 27
- 2010: First Michelin star at DiverXO
- 2012: Second Michelin star at DiverXO
- 2013: Third Michelin star at DiverXO at age 33
- 2014: DiverXO relocates to NH Eurobuilding Hotel in Madrid
- 2014: Opens StreetXO Madrid casual concept
- 2016: Opens StreetXO London (later closed)
- 2018: Spanish Premio Nacional de Gastronomia
- 2020-2022: Restaurant continues operations through Covid-19 pandemic
- 2021: Best Chef in the World by The Best Chef Awards (first time)
- 2022: Best Chef in the World by The Best Chef Awards (second time)
- 2023: Best Chef in the World by The Best Chef Awards (third time)
- 2024: Three Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2024
- 2025: Three Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2025
- 15 January 2026: Esmadrid Tourism Madrid feature on DiverXO
- 2026: Three Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2026
David Munoz signature style: avant-garde Spanish-Asian cuisine
Munoz’s central argument, developed across more than 18 years from 2007 onwards, is that avant-garde cuisine combining Spanish, Asian and global influences with an irreverent and theatrical presentation can anchor a sustained three-Michelin-star restaurant in Madrid. The DiverXO menu under Munoz has continuously evolved across more than a decade of three-star status, anchored in his signature Asian-fusion approach gained from his Hakkasan and Nobu London stages combined with classical Spanish technique.
The second defining element is the multi-format XO group. DiverXO (three Michelin stars), StreetXO Madrid (casual concept), and the wider XO group operations together represent one of the more substantial Spanish chef-led portfolios of the 2010s and 2020s. The portfolio approach has anchored Munoz’s sustained presence across both fine-dining and accessible casual formats.
The third pillar is the three consecutive Best Chef in the World awards from The Best Chef Awards (2021, 2022, 2023). Within the global avant-garde three-Michelin-star cohort Munoz sits alongside peers including Dani Garcia, Carme Ruscalleda and Jordi Roca as one of the most-recognised Spanish chefs of his generation.
Notable David Munoz work
Several Munoz projects have become reference points in modern Spanish and global gastronomy. DiverXO at the NH Eurobuilding Hotel Madrid (opened 2007 in Tetuan; relocated 2014; three Michelin stars since 2013) is his defining 18-year operation. StreetXO Madrid (opened 2014) is his casual concept. The 2021, 2022 and 2023 Best Chef in the World awards from The Best Chef Awards establish him at the front rank of global chefs. The 2018 Spanish Premio Nacional de Gastronomia cement his sustained Spanish recognition. The 15 January 2026 Esmadrid Tourism Madrid feature on DiverXO continues to highlight the restaurant as a defining Madrid three-Michelin-star destination.
David Munoz awards and recognition
- 2007: Opens DiverXO in Tetuan district of Madrid at age 27
- 2010: First Michelin star at DiverXO
- 2012: Second Michelin star at DiverXO
- 2013: Third Michelin star at DiverXO at age 33
- 2014: Relocates DiverXO to NH Eurobuilding Hotel; opens StreetXO Madrid
- 2018: Spanish Premio Nacional de Gastronomia
- 2021: Best Chef in the World (The Best Chef Awards)
- 2022: Best Chef in the World (The Best Chef Awards)
- 2023: Best Chef in the World (The Best Chef Awards) – three consecutive years
- 2024: Three Michelin stars retained 2024
- 2025: Three Michelin stars retained 2025
- 15 January 2026: Esmadrid Tourism Madrid feature on DiverXO
- 2026: Three Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2026
David Munoz impact on modern Spanish and global gastronomy
Munoz’s most concrete contribution is the three consecutive Best Chef in the World awards from The Best Chef Awards (2021, 2022, 2023). The achievement is one of the most-significant individual chef recognitions of the period and establishes Munoz at the front rank of global chefs alongside the broader Spanish three-Michelin-star cohort.
The second contribution is the avant-garde Spanish-Asian cuisine approach at DiverXO across more than 18 years. The 2013 third Michelin star at age 33 made Munoz one of the youngest Spanish chefs to earn three Michelin stars at the time, and the continuous three-star retention through 2026 cement DiverXO as one of the most-recognised three-Michelin-star restaurants globally.
The third contribution is the multi-format XO group across DiverXO and StreetXO. Within the global Spanish chef cohort Munoz sits alongside peers including Dani Garcia, Carme Ruscalleda and Jordi Roca as one of the defining figures in modern Spanish gastronomy.
David Munoz FAQ
Has Munoz won Best Chef in the World?
Yes. Munoz was named Best Chef in the World by The Best Chef Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023, three consecutive years. The achievement is one of the most-significant individual chef recognitions of the period and the only Spanish chef to receive the award three consecutive times.
Does DiverXO have three Michelin stars?
Yes. DiverXO at the NH Eurobuilding Hotel in Madrid has retained its three Michelin stars in the 2025 and 2026 editions of the Spain Michelin Guide. The restaurant earned its third Michelin star in 2013 and has held three stars continuously since then.
What is StreetXO?
StreetXO is Munoz’s casual concept, opened in Madrid in 2014. The concept extends the DiverXO Asian-fusion approach into a more accessible casual format, and operates alongside DiverXO at the NH Eurobuilding Hotel as part of the wider XO group.
Where did Munoz train?
At the Escuela Superior de Hosteleria y Turismo in Madrid in the late 1990s, followed by stages at Madrid restaurants including Viridiana, Balzac and Chantarella, and subsequent extended stages at Hakkasan and Nobu in London. The London Asian-fusion stages provided the direct exposure that has anchored the DiverXO signature avant-garde cuisine.
How young was Munoz at his three Michelin stars?
Thirty-three. Munoz earned his third Michelin star at DiverXO in 2013 at age 33, making him one of the youngest Spanish chefs to earn three Michelin stars at the time. He had earned his first Michelin star in 2010 and second in 2012, a rapid progression from the 2007 DiverXO opening.
What is next for David Munoz
DiverXO continues with three Michelin stars at the NH Eurobuilding Hotel in Madrid through 2026. StreetXO Madrid continues. His public Instagram (@dabizdiverxo) is the best source for current updates.
