There is no way I will capture even near half of the amazing places we ate at in Barcelona – the options are wonderfully endless, and at times I would even wonder how so many places could stay in business – tiny hole-in-the-wall spots serving incredible dishes, but easily overlooked by passerbys….but in the food-center that is Barcelona, amazing places thrive, big or small. Double the size of San Francisco, with a population of 1.6Million inhabitants, there is no shortage of options, from fantastic low priced meals to high-end expensive locations.
TIP Most true Spanish restaurants open their doors at 9pm (that’s why tapas, exist – a pre-meal warm-up!) – and don’t forget, no need to tip waiters in Spain – but 10% is more than generous for good service.
Download and use the “El Tenedor” app (“the fork”) for fantastic daily restaurant deals – easy to use and fantastic options for food, sorted by neighborhood, food type, indoor/outdoor, price level with immediate restaurant reservation confirmation. Most every restaurant will speak some English and be able to accommodate you.
TIP: Keep an eye out for menus/signage advertising ‘menu del dia’ or ‘mediodia’ (midday) – typically a 3-course meal with incredibly low prices and a fantastic way to sample local dishes and top it off with a dessert and coffee.
Below are a few standouts from our time in Barcelona – places we frequented on more than a handful of occasions – and get ready to be wowed by decor, too – whether it be simple and perfect or ornate, yet refreshingly tasteful!
Cachitos (Barca football team members can be spotted here – restaurant photographed above) – come for excellent pan con tomate, great pitchers of sangria, the lightest whipped cheesecake ever and stay for the people-watching…..grab and outdoor table or in-door and never be disappointed!
Acontraluz (uptown in the Sarria/Sant Gervasi area) Rustic indoor-outdoor elegance with impeccable service. We ate here on as a couple, but also with David’s parents when they visited. The ambiance is marvelous and although bread is an added cost (often the case in European restaurants), the dipping oil and smoked sea salt is worth it!!
Dos Torres(pictured above, Sant Gervasi area) My first dinner spot with David when I arrived in Barcelona — special, certainly, because of that, but a memorable meal no matter what the occasion. The setting is pure Spanish – set among trees, flowing out from the front porch – yet don’t be distracted wholly by the setting – the food is delicious with roasted meats, fresh vegetables and a lively crowd of locals in this hidden walled in yard.
Alba Granados Prime part of town along the quieter pedestrian walk-way of Enric Granados, this restaurant had a Michelin star for many years and the food and value are out of this world – a definite must on my list! Check your ‘el tenedor’ app for deals at this restaurant and book your reservation! If you’re a small group, ask for the upstairs outdoor balcony table overlooking the calm street and feel extra European 🙂 This was the setting of our last meal in Barcelona – a true treat and all items we tried over our visits were phenomenal – even the desserts get recommendations!
Bar Tomas As mentioned in my earlier piece ‘Premieros Dias’ this is a Barcelona local staple — though not for a full meal and not in the main part of town (Sarria area), wander your way here after a morning atop Tibidabo or after a night dancing until 5am and find the perfect cure to a better-day in the famed ‘patatas bravas’ – simple, a little messy, and purely Catalan.
Los Caracoles (The Snails) Located in a magical unforgettable setting in the Gothic Quarter, this famed local underground restaurant has been in existence since 1835 ! But not just the locals cozy up in a corner table with a newspaper and glass of vino – the likes of Robert De Niro, President Carter, Lenny Kravitz, Giorgio Armani have all found their way here. The proper way to enter is off a winding Gotico street, through the bar, through the kitchen (say hola to the hard-working chefs roasting chickens and snails), up a few stairs, then down a few stairs, watch your head and then sit at your table and await your snail-shaped bread roll to arrive. I came here all the time with friends visiting in town – was a staple!
La Fermata – a small chain dotted throughout the city, the flavorful fresh pizzas-to-go (“para llevar”) are so fresh and scrumptious – flavors out of a pizza you never imagined – David’s favorite was a caramelized onion pizza, mine was the basic marinara sauce….all you do is ask the person behind the counter to take out their scissor and snip away at the block of pizza depending on how hungry you are! My ‘slices’ were always huge.
Art’e In the Eixample area (close by Las Ramblas), stop by here for a relaxing afternoon coffee/tea & bites (all loose-leaf teas on beautiful display) or a fun flavorful dinner with live music. The artistic setting and cavernous ceilings are remarkable. Free wi-fi, too, so a great down-time place.
Cornelia &Co Self-titled a ‘daily picnic store’ – this hip and fantastic setting serves as both a terrific restaurant and also a phenomenal bakery…and also a mini-Catalan food store -all in the sleekest of settings with the local jet-set crowd popping in and out.
Boca Grande – DEFINITE celeb-sighting spot near the main center, Placa Catalunya – dress up and stop in for just even a drink at the top-level bar – swanky, amazing elixirs, fantastic bar bites and of course, a DJ spinning in the corner. Be sure to check out the eclectic creative designs!
Tickets How can one miss writing about chef Ferran Adria, when discussing Spanish food — El Bulli (number 1 restaurant in the world for several years) — Chef Ferran and his brother Albert have recently opened a lively gastrobar, near Montjuic location. Contemporary tapas and 6 mini-spaces from which to eat – cool setting to add to the list!
Welcome to tapas paradise !! My favorite spot to sit with visiting friends to take a break in the day. Though always packed and touristy, you definitely see locals pouring in with friends for drinks and bites. Service is fast and attentive and the factory-nature of churning out the food is a refreshing
Oval Gourmet Burgers a la Barcelona – near the city center – young and hip and open nearly all day – fun laid-back setting with tasting food!
Brunch and Cake A little slice of America – healthy, fresh, shabby-chic-esque and packed – always. Come early for an egg scramble with a fresh juice, oatmeal and an avacado spread toast – top off with a colorful cupcake!
For international cuisines – you have it all in Barcelona: phenomenal Indian, fondue, Sushi (check out Kibuka in the Gracia area – so delicious and incredibly reasonable pricing), French, Italian…..food memories here will for sure remain with you well after your visit.
Baluard Hands-down my favorite bakery in Spain – creative bread ingredients, baked right in front of you, pastries and mini-sandwiches (bocadillos) – all paired with your favorite coffee – and voila, a perfect afternoon setting to give your feet a rest! Don’t be discouraged by lines, they move quickly.
A must bar/tapas stop:
El Xampanyet Since 1929, famed for a well-known wine and small tapas bites – come here for history, a true Spanish setting, a taste of El Born neighborhood (next to Gotico and literally next to the Picasso Museum) – also mentioned in Facade Fetish
WINE AND FOOD TOUR – Highly highly recommended !! There are some great options here, but find a local guide and enjoy an evening bar/restaurant hopping while learning about fun histories of the city and its cuisine. David and I received as a wedding gift from dear friends a fantastic evening of touring the El Born/Gotico areas with a Catalan who showed us the inside-local spots with arancini stuffed with black squid ink
AVOID:
Fast food places
Menus that have photos of the items (though helpful to learn the foods, the quality at these places is not worth you spending the Euros)
Women del Mundo 