Congratulations are due to Nieves Barragán, Member of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino Español. The Spanish chef has been awarded a Michelin Star in the 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland, for her venue Legado, which opened in August 2025. This is in addition to the Michelin Star that she has retained for her other restaurant Sabor, first awarded in 2018.
Originally from just outside Bilbao in the Basque Country, a region renowned for its cuisine, Nieves has lived in the UK since 1998, when she started work as a kitchen porter at Simply Nico in Pimlico. After rising through the ranks to chef de partie, she was offered a position by the Harts Group at a new Spanish restaurant they were planning in Soho. Fino opened in 2003, with Nieves as sous-chef, quickly becoming acclaimed for its authentic Spanish menu.
In 2007, the Harts group opened its second venue, Barrafina, with Nieves promoted to executive chef of both venues. The 2013 Michelin Guide awarded it a Michelin Star, unusual for a bar-only tapas venue that offered no reservations. Two more Barrafinas were opened in 2014 and 2015, with Nieves overseeing all four, before leaving in 2017 to set up her own restaurant, Sabor on London’s Heddon Street.
In summer 2025, Nieves opened her biggest project yet in Shoreditch. Legado (meaning legacy) is her creative playground bringing together all her experience and inspirations. Ingredients are at the heart of everything she does, sourcing the finest meat from farms in Spain, such as Tabladillo el Cochinillo in Segovia, as well as specialist charcuterie and cheeses.
Similar care is taken over the 150-bin all-Spanish wine list, overseen by head sommelier Marcus Segurado. Guests can expect verticals of Prado Enea from Bodegas Muga, alongside a broad selection from Bodegas López de Heredia, complemented by wines from Mallorca and the Canary Islands and no fewer than six gastronomic Rosados.
Eighteen rotating wines by the glass allow guests to explore diverse grapes and styles. Sherry also takes pride of place, from en rama examples and rare single bottles to exclusive Almacenista releases from Bodegas Lustau. The sparkling offering spans Cava, Corpinnat, and traditional-method Txakoli, while dry unfortified Palomino wines from Andalusia also feature.