Xavier Pellicer is a Barcelona chef celebrated worldwide for his vegetable cuisine, twice named the best vegetable restaurant in the world. After leading some of Catalonia’s most iconic kitchens, he built his own restaurant around a Healthy Kitchen philosophy rooted in organic and biodynamic produce.
Where many great chefs put luxury proteins at the centre of the plate, Pellicer puts the vegetable – seasonal, local and grown with respect for the rhythm of nature.
TL;DR
- Catalan chef from Barcelona, master of vegetable cuisine
- Twice named Best Vegetable Restaurant in the World (2018, 2019)
- Trained at Can Fabes under Santi Santamaria
- Won a Michelin star at Celeri in 2017
- Champions organic and biodynamic produce
Xavier Pellicer key facts
| Nationality | Spanish (Catalan) |
| Restaurant | Xavier Pellicer, Barcelona |
| Philosophy | Healthy Kitchen |
| Honour | Best Vegetable Restaurant in the World, 2018 and 2019 |
| Known for | Vegetable and plant-forward cuisine |
A classic apprenticeship
Xavier Pellicer trained under great chefs including Jacques Maximin and Alain Dutournier, and worked at iconic kitchens such as Can Fabes alongside Santi Santamaria, and ABaC. After Santamaria’s death he discovered biodynamic agriculture, studying at the National Biodynamic School in Spain and deepening his interest in healthy, plant-forward cooking.
A restaurant of his own
In 2018, after winning a Michelin star at Celeri in 2017, Pellicer opened his own restaurant in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district. For two consecutive years, 2018 and 2019, the We’re Smart Green Guide named it the Best Vegetable Restaurant in the World.
The Healthy Kitchen
Pellicer’s cuisine centres on locally grown vegetables and a Healthy Kitchen approach. Drawing on Mediterranean tradition and a close relationship with organic and biodynamic agriculture, he prioritises seasonality and respect for nature, offering vegan, vegetarian and omnivore tasting menus built around biodynamic produce.
Signature style
Pellicer’s style places the vegetable at the centre of fine dining. He treats seasonal, biodynamic produce with the technique and care usually reserved for luxury ingredients, creating refined, health-conscious dishes. It is one of the most influential expressions of plant-forward cooking in the world.
Xavier Pellicer in context
Pellicer is one of Barcelona’s most distinctive chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside Nandu Jubany and Albert Raurich.
Follow Xavier Pellicer
Xavier Pellicer – official site
Xavier Pellicer FAQ
Who is Xavier Pellicer?
A Barcelona chef celebrated worldwide for his vegetable cuisine.
What is he best known for?
Being twice named Best Vegetable Restaurant in the World.
Where did he train?
At Can Fabes with Santi Santamaria, and other leading kitchens.
What is his philosophy?
The Healthy Kitchen, based on organic and biodynamic produce.
Does he cater to vegans?
Yes – he offers vegan, vegetarian and omnivore menus.
