The soul behind the legendary Santiago Restaurant.
In Marbella, talking about gastronomy means talking about one of the cultural and social pillars of our city, which for decades has welcomed the world’s most discerning visitors, not only for its beaches, villas and quality of life, but also for its savoir-faire, hospitality… and culinary expertise.
Fortunately, Marbella still holds one of its true treasures, the main culprit behind this entire tourist and cultural transformation; a name that symbolises excellence, consistency and professionalism dedicated to service with a capital S: Santiago Domínguez.
To speak of Santiago is to speak of living history, of a figure who did not need influencers or fireworks to fill his restaurant with the most select clientele on the national and international scene, personalities from the world of royalty, politics, cinema, art and culture… It is no small matter that they all agreed and chose his emblematic restaurant. He was a true ‘reference point’ for generations of demanding gourmets and lovers of fine dining.
It was Santiago, this businessman from Burgos, who pioneered haute cuisine in Marbella and contributed to the development of ‘quality tourism’ and culture in the region.
His restaurant became the meeting place for the ‘beautiful people’ and ‘international high society’. Its tables were graced by personalities such as the King and Queen of Spain, Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, Salvador Dalí, Kofi Annan, Camilo José Cela, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Julio Iglesias and Antonio Banderas, among others.
His business philosophy was based on offering honest and reasonable prices, always striving for excellence, and purchasing products directly from the ports to guarantee the freshness and quality of his dishes.
Santiago Dominguez, up close, is a charismatic man who envelops you with his humility and energetic personality, with a capacity for work that those of us who have the honour of knowing him personally admire. Whether wearing a chef’s coat or a linen jacket or shirt, depending on the day, he has shown that success does not lie in being the latest trend, but in turning your business, with the tenacity that characterises him as an entrepreneur, into the benchmark for quality tourism in Spain.
Without a doubt, this great man has done his bit to put Marbella on the international map, maintaining his good name and reputation throughout his long business career, seven memorable decades, which is no mean feat in these times…
Santiago has turned his craft into a silent art, combining the best of our essence: excellence, warmth and know-how…
Because quality tourism is built on small gestures: a well-cooked fish, a timely smile, a wine recommended with knowledge and without haste, allowing diners to linger over their meal and enjoy an unforgettable moment…
This is something we now long for in today’s trendy restaurants, especially in Marbella.
His cuisine was unpretentious, it had soul. His dining room had no neon lights, it had its own light, and his management was not for show, it was deeply rooted.
His was a restaurant where professionalism was not a slogan, but a habit. And that, today, is more valuable than any star or viral review.
That is why, today, this city of Marbella, a symbol of luxury and excellence, should also pause and look with gratitude at what he built. Because the closure of his restaurant is the closure of a very important chapter in the history of our city.
Marbella, that elegant lady of the South, has witnessed many transformations, but few as constant as the presence of this great man, who needs no further adjectives, because his history speaks for itself: slowly simmered, like good wines.
In a city where names come and go with the rhythm of the waves and the headlines, he remained steadfast, with gusto, with that mixture of humility, high standards and ‘discretion’ that defines the ‘Greats’.
His departure leaves a void, leaves nostalgia and leaves that elegant silence of farewells that matter.
Today Marbella misses you and will always remember your restaurant, which so aptly represents your name, Santiago. Because while others seek to be trendy, you were Tradition, a pioneer who contributed significantly to the region’s tourism and cultural development, and that, dear maestro, never closes.
