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Chef Xavier Pellicer is responsible for this little piece of gastronomic heaven. The menu, short but always well chosen, changes seasonally and gives a new spin to local ingredients and traditional dishes, often mixing them with the exotic for surprising new tastes. The restaurant itself, a well-designed space done in soothing beiges and whites, is deserving of the excellent food served
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Chef Xavier Pellicer is responsible for this little piece of gastronomic heaven. The menu, short but always well chosen, changes seasonally and gives a new spin to local ingredients and traditional dishes, often mixing them with the exotic for surprising new tastes. The restaurant itself, a well-designed space done in soothing beiges and whites, is deserving of the excellent food served.
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Rice dishes, seafood and other Mediterranean fare are served up fresh at the trendy Agua, a stylish restaurant with a prime location by the beach. The large dining room can be a little noisy, but you won’t mind that a bit as you’re savouring specialities like rice served in squid’s ink. (It’s good, really!)
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Rice dishes, seafood and other Mediterranean fare are served up fresh at the trendy Agua, a stylish restaurant with a prime location by the beach. The large dining room can be a little noisy, but you won’t mind that a bit as you’re savouring specialities like rice served in squid’s ink. (It’s good, really!)
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A recent recipient of his first Michelin star, Alkimia’s chef Jordi Vila is one of the most talked-about chefs in the city. His popular restaurant, where cool, minimalist design reigns, is an excellent place to get a glimpse of Barcelona’s new gastronomic style. Dishes are re-inventions of local classics, like arrÚs negre (black rice) and steak tartare, and the menu changes seasonally
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A recent recipient of his first Michelin star, Alkimia’s chef Jordi Vila is one of the most talked-about chefs in the city. His popular restaurant, where cool, minimalist design reigns, is an excellent place to get a glimpse of Barcelona’s new gastronomic style. Dishes are re-inventions of local classics, like arròs negre (black rice) and steak tartare, and the menu changes seasonally.
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On a sunny day, the funky terrace of Bar Ra is one of the best places in Barcelona to grab a quick, healthy lunch with vegetarian-friendly options like salads, couscous with vegetables and other international fare. At night, the restaurant takes on a slightly formal air, with more indoor seating and a more refined menu.
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On a sunny day, the funky terrace of Bar Ra is one of the best places in Barcelona to grab a quick, healthy lunch. Vegetarian-friendly options like salads, couscous with vegetables and other international fare make this a popular venue, especially for those who might be coming from doing the morning’s shopping at the BoquerÌa market, a stone’s throw away. At night, the restaurant takes on a slightly formal air, with more indoor seating and a more refined menu
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Sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, muffins and other light lunch goodies make Bliss a perfect spot to grab a bite in the middle of a busy day. In fine weather, there’s a small terrace with tables. Or go inside to curl up in one of the plush chairs and sip a strong coffee. The tiny tables and international magazines strewn around make this a great place to come either solo or with a friend.
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Sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, muffins and other light lunch goodies make Bliss a perfect spot to grab a bite in the middle of a busy day. In fine weather, there’s a small terrace with tables. Or go inside to curl up in one of the plush chairs and sip a strong coffee. The tiny tables and international magazines strewn around make this a great place to come either solo or with a friend.
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In the Botafumeiro it could be 2006 or 1956 and not much would have changed. A classy place still stuck on the basics of excellent cuisine, Botafumeiro doesn’t try to be a new-fangled kind of restaurant, but who would want it to be? Known for serving the highest quality Galician seafood and for offering top service, this is sure to be a city classic for years to come.
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In the Botafumeiro it could be 2006 or 1956 and not much would have changed. A classy place still stuck on the basics of excellent cuisine, Botafumeiro doesn’t try to be a new-fangled kind of restaurant, but who would want it to be? Known for serving the highest quality Galician seafood and for offering top service, this is sure to be a city classic for years to come.
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A classic Barcelona meeting point, the Café de la Ópera is a great place to come for a mid-morning cappuccino and pastry, or a late-night hot chocolate. The café was once an elegant place serving high-class clients as they left the Liceu opera house (across the street), but now it’s a bit worn around the edges and caters mainly to tourists. Still, there’s a bit of magic left in the place and it’s well worth a visit.
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A classic Barcelona meeting point, the CafÈ de la ”pera is a great place to come for a mid-morning cappuccino and pastry, or a late-night hot chocolate. The cafÈ was once an elegant place serving high-class clients as they left the Liceu opera house (across the street), but now it’s a bit worn around the edges and caters mainly to tourists. Still, there’s a bit of magic left in the place and it’s well worth a visit.
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Pep has been serving Barcelona’s best tapas here since 1977, and his garlicky shrimp, crunchy pescadito frito (tiny fried fish) and tender sepia (squid) are legendary. You'll have to get here early if you want to avoid the inevitable wait at this popular bar. You can try to nab one of the five small tables at the back, but the real action is at the bar, a loud, lively and friendly place.
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Pep has been serving Barcelona’s best tapas here since 1977, and his garlicky shrimp, crunchy pescadito frito (tiny fried fish) and tender sepia (squid) are legendary. You’ll have to get here early if you want to avoid the inevitable wait at this popular bar. You can try to nab one of the five small tables at the back, but the real action is at the bar, a loud, lively and friendly place and great for solo dining.
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Casa Leopoldo, a family-run restaurant that’s been keeping diners happy for 75 years, is known for its back-to-basics Catalan cooking. Its version of the local staple pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato) is hands-down the best in the city, and the fresh fish dishes can rival those of any seafood restaurant. The soups and stews are extra special too—ask for the day's specials to ensure that you get the best on offer.
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Casa Leopoldo, a family-run restaurant that’s been keeping diners happy for 75 years, is known for its back-to-basics Catalan cooking. Its version of the local staple pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato) is hands-down the best in the city, and the fresh fish dishes can rival those of any seafood restaurant. The soups and stews are extra special too—ask for the day’s specials for the best on offer.
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New in 2004, Cinc Sentits has been causing a lot of buzz around Barcelona. Another avant-garde dining option with a cool, contemporary design and an international vibe, Cinc Sentits has nevertheless managed to set itself apart by offering innovative combinations, like a dish that combines locally sourced anchovies and vinegar with American peanut butter. After all, chef Jordi Artal is a Catalan who grew up in Canada. For a real treat, try the tasting menu, a parade of tiny dishes showcasing the restaurant’s best offerings.
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New in 2004, Cinc Sentits has been causing a lot of buzz around Barcelona. Another avant-garde dining option with a cool, contemporary design and an international vibe, Cinc Sentits has nevertheless managed to set itself apart by offering innovative combinations, like a dish that combines locally sourced anchovies and vinegar with American peanut butter. After all, chef Jordi Artal is a Catalan who grew up in Canada. For a real treat, try the tasting menu, a parade of tiny dishes showcasing the restaurant’s best offerings
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Chef Carles Abell·n is at the heart of Barcelona's top tapas restaurant—if you can call these exquisite dishes mere tapas. A disciple of Ferran Adri‡, Abell·n nods to his former boss in many subtle ways, from his unusual flavour combinations to his use of surprising textures. The restaurant itself is dark and intimate feeling
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Chef Carles Abellán is at the heart of Barcelona’s top tapas restaurant—if you can call these exquisite dishes mere tapas. A disciple of Ferran Adrià, Abellán nods to his former boss in many subtle ways, from his unusual flavour combinations to his use of surprising textures. The restaurant itself is dark and intimate feeling.
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El CafÈ de l'AcadËmia, with its dark interior, old stone walls and cosy booths, is an ideal place for sitting back and enjoying a good local wine along with hearty Catalan dishes like roasted meats, tasty stews, risottos and rice dishes. In summer you can eat on the outdoor terrace, which sits in a quiet medieval square. For something really special, ask to be seated in the downstairs wine cellar.
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El Café de l’Acadèmia, with its dark interior, old stone walls and cosy booths, is an ideal place for sitting back and enjoying a good local wine along with hearty Catalan dishes like roasted meats, tasty stews, risottos and rice dishes. In summer you can eat on the outdoor terrace, which sits in a quiet medieval square. For something really special, ask to be seated in the downstairs wine cellar.
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For those who’ve always longed to eat dessert first, this is for you. A restaurant where dessert is the meal, Espai Sucre has broken the boundaries of sweet and savoury with creations like chocolate, yoghurt, tea and sesame cracker ice cream. Not all the 'desserts’ are sweet, but many use traditional dessert ingredients (like fruit and chocolate) in new ways. Chef Jordi Butrón has become one of Spain’s most famous dessert chefs, and he also runs a pastry school.
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For those who’ve always longed to eat dessert first, this is for you. A restaurant where dessert is the meal, Espai Sucre has broken the boundaries of sweet and savoury with creations like chocolate, yoghurt, tea and sesame cracker ice cream. Not all the ‘desserts’ are sweet, but many use traditional dessert ingredients (like fruit and chocolate) in new ways. Chef Jordi ButrÛn has become one of Spain’s most famous dessert chefs, and he also runs a pastry school.
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The proud new owner of its first Michelin star, Mey Hofmann’s signature restaurant is a refined yet creative place where you can savour imaginative dishes like sardine tartar or lobster risotto. The best is saved for last— Hofmann's desserts are sinfully good. Hofmann also run’s Barcelona’s premier cooking school and many of the city’s top chefs studied here.
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The proud new owner of its first Michelin star, Mey Hofmann’s signature restaurant is a refined yet creative place where you can savour imaginative dishes like sardine tartar or lobster risotto. The best is saved for last—Hofmann’s desserts are sinfully good. Hofmann also run’s Barcelona’s premier cooking school and many of the city’s top chefs studied here.
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With countless dining rooms and a sprawling terrace overlooking the port, La Barceloneta is a huge restaurant. But the fact that it’s filled most nights of the week should be a telling sign. Known for its fresh fish, rice dishes and Mediterranean specialities, this restaurant has been a popular place for years thanks to a simple formula: excellent food, great location, friendly service. What more do you need?
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With countless dining rooms and a sprawling terrace overlooking the port, La Barceloneta is a huge restaurant. But the fact that it’s filled most nights of the week should be a telling sign. Known for its fresh fish, rice dishes and Mediterranean specialities, this restaurant has been a popular place for years thanks to a simple formula: excellent food, great location, friendly service. What more do you need?
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Offering good food at unbelievably fair prices, this busy restaurant on the PlaÁa Reial is hugely popular with both locals and tourists, so you’ll need to either get here early (1.30pm for lunch, 8.30pm for dinner) or be prepared to wait in line if you want to try its simple but tasty fare. Reservations aren’t accepted. This is a stylish but unfussy place where dishes like stewed fish, salads with grilled vegetables and home-style canelones make up the basis of the menu.
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Offering good food at unbelievably fair prices, this busy restaurant on the Plaça Reial is hugely popular with both locals and tourists, so you’ll need to either get here early (1.30pm for lunch, 8.30pm for dinner) or be prepared to wait in line if you want to try its simple but tasty fare. Reservations aren’t accepted. This is a stylish but unfussy place where dishes like stewed fish, salads with grilled vegetables and home-style canelones make up the basis of the menu
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Reminiscent of a New-York jazz club, Littly Italy is a unique place that manages to combine Italian food, American-style jazz music and a Catalan personality into a wildly successful restaurant and bar. Live jazz music is the draw on Thursdays and weekend nights.
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Reminiscent of a New-York jazz club, Littly Italy is a unique place that manages to combine Italian food, American-style jazz music and a Catalan personality into a wildly successful restaurant and bar. Fresh pasta dishes form the core of the menu, but just as appealing is the atmosphere. Live jazz music is the draw on Thursdays and weekend nights
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This sprawling restaurant, owned by the Bofarull family since 1835, is a Barcelona classic that’s seen everyone from the Spanish royal family (a signed photo of Prince Felipe hangs on the walls) to local business types, families and tourists. You could get lost in the maze of over-decorated dining rooms and cellars, where walls are adorned with photos of the famous people who've dined here, giving a 1960s, kitschy charm to the place. The food itself showcases the best and most traditional regional cuisine, such as delicious roasted chicken, garlicky caracoles (snails) and flaky fish dishes.
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This sprawling restaurant, owned by the Bofarull family since 1835, is a Barcelona classic that’s seen everyone from the Spanish royal family (a signed photo of Prince Felipe hangs on the walls) to local business types, families and tourists. You could get lost in the maze of over-decorated dining rooms and cellars, where walls are adorned with photos of the famous people who’ve dined here, giving a 1960s, kitschy charm to the place. The food itself showcases the best and most traditional regional cuisine, such as delicious roasted chicken, garlicky caracoles (snails) and flaky fish dishes.
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Located next to GaudÌ’s La Pedrera, the Maria Cristina is a simple but elegant restaurant where you’ll find some of the very best seafood available in the L’Eixample district. The dishes served here walk the line between traditional and inventive, but they never stray far from the basics of fresh fish and vegetables. This is a quiet, intimate-feeling restaurant with discrete service and a great wine list.
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Located next to Gaudí’s La Pedrera, the Maria Cristina is a simple but elegant restaurant where you’ll find some of the very best seafood available in the L’Eixample district. The dishes served here walk the line between traditional and inventive, but they never stray far from the basics of fresh fish and vegetables. This is a quiet, intimate-feeling restaurant with discrete service and a great wine list.
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Dine beside the yachts and sailboats at Port Vell in this classy restaurant by the sea. The covered terrace is open almost year round—it’s truly a joy in summer to sip a fresh white wine and indulge in a shellfish-laden paella or a delicate plate of local fish stew. You pay a little extra for the privileged location, but the experience is worth every Euro.
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Dine beside the yachts and sailboats at Port Vell in this classy restaurant by the sea. The covered terrace is open almost year round—it’s truly a joy in summer to sip a fresh white wine and indulge in a shellfish-laden paella or a delicate plate of local fish stew. You pay a little extra for the privileged location, but the experience is worth every Euro.
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Dine beside the yachts and sailboats at Port Vell in this classy restaurant by the sea. The covered terrace is open almost year round—it’s truly a joy in summer to sip a fresh white wine and indulge in a shellfish-laden paella or a delicate plate of local fish stew. You pay a little extra for the privileged location, but the experience is worth every Euro.
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Each mouthwatering French influenced dish from this creation of the world famous Roca brothers comes with a carefully selected wine: try fois gras and figs with a Pedro Ximenez, or entrecote with an Haut Medic. Genius. The bar is a hot ticket for the beautiful people of Barcelona too before they head to the club downstairs.
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In a city where 'Chinese restaurant’ usually means 'cheap meal and a stomach ache’, Out of China is a breath of fresh air. Home-made Chinese dishes represent specialities from several different regions. One of the best is the dim sum assortment. Come at lunchtime to try the inexpensive fixed-price menu, or at dinner for a more refined atmosphere.
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In a city where ‘Chinese restaurant’ usually means ‘cheap meal and a stomach ache’, Out of China is a breath of fresh air. Home-made Chinese dishes represent specialities from several different regions. One of the best is the dim sum assortment. Come at lunchtime to try the inexpensive fixed-price menu, or at dinner for a more refined atmosphere.
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A small bar tucked into the bustling BoquerÌa fresh market, this is the place to go for authentic tapas like callos (tripe), eggs with squid and garbanzo stew. You may have to wait your turn to perch on a bar stool and chow down, but it will be worth it.
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A small bar tucked into the bustling BoquerÌa fresh market, this is the place to go for authentic tapas like callos (tripe), eggs with squid and garbanzo stew. You may have to wait your turn to perch on a bar stool and chow down, but it will be worth it.
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A small bar tucked into the bustling Boquería fresh market, this is the place to go for authentic tapas like callos (tripe), eggs with squid and garbanzo stew. You may have to wait your turn to perch on a bar stool and chow down, but it will be worth it.
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Curiously, the Textil Café is much more popular than the Textil Museum it serves. That fact is probably due to the irresistible combination of its setting in a medieval palace courtyard and its menu of vegetarian-friendly, health-conscious food. The inexpensive lunch menu is a great value, or just come for a salad and drink. This could also work well as somewhere to grab a bit alone.
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Curiously, the Textil CafÈ is much more popular than the Textil Museum it serves. That fact is probably due to the irresistible combination of its setting in a medieval palace courtyard and its menu of vegetarian-friendly, health-conscious food. The inexpensive lunch menu is a great value, or just come for a salad and drink
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The ‘Tower of the High Seas’ sits 75 metres above ground, affording diners sublime views over Barcelona and the port—a spectacular setting for romantic dinners and the like. Although the food itself is tasty, it doesn’t quite live up to the location. The menu is based on typical Mediterranean rice and seafood dishes, but it’s the fabulous setting that makes this such a special place
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The 'Tower of the High Seas’ sits 75 metres above ground, affording diners sublime views over Barcelona and the port—a spectacular setting for romantic dinners and the like. Although the food itself is tasty, it doesn’t quite live up to the location. The menu is based on typical Mediterranean rice and seafood dishes, but it’s the fabulous setting that makes this such a special place.
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New in 2005, this enoteca-style restaurant is a must for wine lovers. The restaurant design is inspired by the wooden barrels used to age wine (the ceiling is made of rounded wooden beams, for example), and Vinya-Roel’s ample wine cellar is a temperature-controlled glass box in the centre of the restaurant. Best of all, wine here is sold at shop prices, meaning that instead of charging you the usual 50% to 100% mark-up for a bottle, you’re only charged a €3 corking fee. The competition must be furious. The food is predictable but tasty Mediterranean fare.
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New in 2005, this enoteca-style restaurant is a must for wine lovers. The restaurant design is inspired by the wooden barrels used to age wine (the ceiling is made of rounded wooden beams, for example), and Vinya-Roel’s ample wine cellar is a temperature-controlled glass box in the centre of the restaurant. Best of all, wine here is sold at shop prices, meaning that instead of charging you the usual 50% to 100% mark-up for a bottle, you’re only charged a €3 corking fee. The competition must be furious. The food is predictable but tasty Mediterranean fare.
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