Barcelona Restaurant Baló to Close as Chefs Prioritize Personal Well-being

The establishment led by Lena María Grané and Ricky Smith will hold its final service on March 28.

Generic image of a fine dining restaurant interior with set tables.
IA

Generic image of a fine dining restaurant interior with set tables.

Chefs Lena María Grané and Ricky Smith have announced that their Barcelona restaurant, Baló, will permanently close on March 28 to allow the couple to focus on their personal well-being.

The restaurant, famous for blending Catalan traditions with British culinary techniques, will serve its last meal at the end of March. In a rare move for the industry, the owners shared the news with total honesty, citing a desire for evolution rather than project exhaustion.

"We have made the decision to prioritize a better quality of life and personal balance, choosing to close this cycle while we are at our best."

Lena María Grané and Ricky Smith · Chefs and owners of Baló
The project concludes on a high note, having earned recognition from the Michelin guide in 2022. The chefs emphasized that the closure is not due to financial issues but a conscious choice to start a new chapter in their lives.
The owners expressed deep gratitude to their dedicated team, suppliers, and the loyal customers in Barcelona who became an essential part of the Baló experience since its inception.