Ricard Camarena is the Spanish Valencian chef widely recognised as one of the leading figures in modern Valencian gastronomy and the chef behind the two-Michelin-star Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia. Born 17 November 1974 in Barx, Valencia, Spain, Camarena trained at multiple Spanish restaurants before opening Arrop in Gandia in 2004 and subsequently relocating to Valencia. He opened the eponymous Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia in 2012, which earned its first Michelin star in 2013 and second Michelin star in 2019. He has since expanded into a multi-restaurant Valencia portfolio anchored in Valencian seasonal ingredients and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine.
Camarena’s 2025-2026 work continues at Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia, which retained its two Michelin stars in the 2025 and 2026 editions of the Spain Michelin Guide. The restaurant ranked No 96 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list and is featured in the 2025 Smart Green Guide Valencia. The Repsol Sol Sostenible 2026 sustainability recognition cements his sustained sustainable-cooking advocacy. He continues to operate the Ricard Camarena multi-restaurant Valencia portfolio including Habitual, Canalla Bistro and Central Bar, anchored in Valencian Mediterranean ingredients.
TL;DR
- Spanish Valencian chef born 17 November 1974 in Barx, Valencia
- Founded Arrop in Gandia 2004; opens Ricard Camarena Restaurant Valencia 2012
- Two Michelin stars at Ricard Camarena Restaurant since 2019
- 2025-2026: Two Michelin stars retained; No 96 World’s 50 Best extended
- Multi-restaurant Valencia portfolio: Habitual, Canalla Bistro, Central Bar
- 2025: Smart Green Guide Valencia; Repsol Sol Sostenible 2026
Ricard Camarena key facts
| Born | 17 November 1974, Barx, Valencia, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish (Valencian) |
| Defining restaurant | Ricard Camarena Restaurant, Valencia (founded 2012) |
| Michelin status | Two Michelin stars since 2019, retained 2025 and 2026 |
| Other restaurants | Habitual, Canalla Bistro, Central Bar (all Valencia) |
| Worlds 50 Best | No 96 in extended list |
| 2025-2026 recognition | Smart Green Guide Valencia 2025; Repsol Sol Sostenible 2026 |
Early life and training of Ricard Camarena
Camarena was born on 17 November 1974 in Barx, a small town in the Valencia region of eastern Spain. He grew up in the Valencian Mediterranean food culture and developed his culinary instincts through Valencian family cookery before pursuing formal training. The strong Valencian rice and seafood foundation alongside the local Mediterranean ingredient tradition anchored his subsequent culinary direction.
Through the 1990s and early 2000s Camarena trained at multiple Spanish restaurants, including extended stages at leading Spanish fine-dining operations. The training period gave him direct exposure to modern Spanish technique alongside the Valencian foundation, and prepared him for his subsequent restaurant openings.
In 2004 Camarena opened Arrop in Gandia, in the Valencian Safor county. Arrop earned a Michelin star and established him at the front rank of young Valencian chefs of the period. In 2009 Arrop relocated to Valencia city, before Camarena closed Arrop and opened the eponymous Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia in 2012. The new restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2013 and its second Michelin star in 2019.
Ricard Camarena career timeline
- 17 November 1974: Born in Barx, Valencia, Spain
- 1990s-early 2000s: Trains at multiple Spanish restaurants
- 2004: Opens Arrop in Gandia, Valencian Safor county
- 2008: Arrop earns first Michelin star
- 2009: Arrop relocates to Valencia city
- 2010: Opens Canalla Bistro in Valencia
- 2012: Closes Arrop; opens Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia
- 2013: First Michelin star at Ricard Camarena Restaurant
- 2014: Opens Central Bar at Mercado Central in Valencia
- 2015: Opens Habitual at Mercado de Colon in Valencia
- 2019: Second Michelin star at Ricard Camarena Restaurant
- 2020-2022: Restaurants continue operations through Covid-19 pandemic
- 2024: Two Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2024
- 2025: Smart Green Guide Valencia 2025 recognition
- 2025: Two Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2025
- 2025: No 96 in World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list
- 2026: Repsol Sol Sostenible 2026 sustainability recognition
- 2026: Two Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2026
Ricard Camarena signature style: Valencian Mediterranean cuisine and seasonal ingredients
Camarena’s central argument, developed across more than two decades from 2004 onwards, is that Valencian Mediterranean cuisine combined with strict seasonal-ingredient sourcing and contemporary technique can anchor a sustained two-Michelin-star restaurant operation in Valencia. The Ricard Camarena Restaurant menu under Camarena since 2012 is rebuilt continuously around Valencian seasonal produce, anchored in the Valencia Mediterranean foundation.
The second defining element is the multi-restaurant Valencia portfolio. Ricard Camarena Restaurant (two Michelin stars), Habitual (Mercado de Colon), Canalla Bistro and Central Bar (Mercado Central) together represent one of the more substantial Valencian chef-restaurateur portfolios of the past decade, anchored in the Valencia city food culture.
The third pillar is the sustained sustainability advocacy, recognised through the 2025 Smart Green Guide Valencia and the 2026 Repsol Sol Sostenible distinction. Within the Spanish chef cohort Camarena sits alongside peers including Paco Morales, Dani Garcia and Jordi Cruz as one of the defining figures in modern Spanish gastronomy.
Notable Ricard Camarena work
Several Camarena projects have become reference points in modern Valencian gastronomy. Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia (founded 2012, two Michelin stars since 2019) is his defining flagship operation. Habitual at Mercado de Colon (opened 2015), Canalla Bistro and Central Bar at Mercado Central (opened 2014) extend his Valencia portfolio. Arrop in Gandia and Valencia (2004-2012) was his earlier Michelin-starred operation. The 2025 Smart Green Guide Valencia, the 2026 Repsol Sol Sostenible recognition, and the World’s 50 Best No 96 placing cement his sustained recognition.
Ricard Camarena awards and recognition
- 2004: Opens Arrop in Gandia
- 2008: First Michelin star at Arrop
- 2010: Opens Canalla Bistro Valencia
- 2012: Opens Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia
- 2013: First Michelin star at Ricard Camarena Restaurant
- 2014: Opens Central Bar at Mercado Central
- 2015: Opens Habitual at Mercado de Colon
- 2019: Second Michelin star at Ricard Camarena Restaurant
- 2024: Two Michelin stars retained 2024
- 2025: Smart Green Guide Valencia 2025
- 2025: Two Michelin stars retained 2025
- 2025: No 96 in World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list
- 2026: Repsol Sol Sostenible 2026 sustainability recognition
- 2026: Two Michelin stars retained 2026
Ricard Camarena impact on modern Valencian gastronomy
Camarena’s most concrete contribution is the 2019 second Michelin star at Ricard Camarena Restaurant and the continuous two-star retention since. Under his leadership the restaurant has become one of the defining Valencian fine-dining destinations of the late 2010s and 2020s and one of the most-recognised two-Michelin-star Valencian restaurants.
The second contribution is the multi-restaurant Valencia portfolio. The Ricard Camarena Restaurant flagship combined with Habitual, Canalla Bistro and Central Bar represent one of the more substantial Valencian chef-restaurateur portfolios of the past decade, anchored in the Valencia city food culture and Valencian Mediterranean ingredients.
The third contribution is the sustained sustainability advocacy. Within the Spanish chef cohort Camarena sits alongside peers including Paco Morales, Dani Garcia and Jordi Cruz as one of the defining figures in modern Spanish gastronomy.
Ricard Camarena FAQ
Does Ricard Camarena have Michelin stars?
Yes. Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia has retained its two Michelin stars in the 2025 and 2026 editions of the Spain Michelin Guide. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2013 and its second Michelin star in 2019.
How many restaurants does Camarena have?
Four. Ricard Camarena Restaurant (two Michelin stars, fine-dining), Habitual at Mercado de Colon, Canalla Bistro and Central Bar at Mercado Central. All four restaurants are located in Valencia city, anchored in Valencian Mediterranean ingredients.
Is Camarena recognised for sustainability?
Yes. Ricard Camarena Restaurant is featured in the 2025 Smart Green Guide Valencia and received the 2026 Repsol Sol Sostenible sustainability recognition. The sustainability advocacy has anchored his sustained recognition for sustainable Valencian Mediterranean cooking practices.
What was Arrop?
Arrop was Camarena’s earlier Michelin-starred restaurant, opened in Gandia in 2004 and relocated to Valencia city in 2009. The restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2008 and operated until Camarena closed it in 2012 to open the eponymous Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia.
Where is Ricard Camarena Restaurant?
Ricard Camarena Restaurant is in Valencia city, on Avenida de Burjassot 54, in the Valencia region of eastern Spain. The restaurant is anchored in Valencian Mediterranean ingredients and seasonal sourcing, and is widely recognised as one of the most-distinctive Valencian fine-dining destinations.
What is next for Ricard Camarena
Ricard Camarena Restaurant continues with two Michelin stars in Valencia through 2026. The 2026 Repsol Sol Sostenible sustainability recognition continues to anchor the sustainability advocacy. His public Instagram (@ricardcamarena) is the best source for current updates.
