Barcelona is rightly seen as one of Europe’s most exciting culinary centres
Its chefs internationally recognised for their innovative dishes and modern, fusion restaurants. Alongside all this cutting-edge experimentation you’ll also find plenty of down-to-earth tradition and simplicity from the generous offerings of old Catalan-style farmhouse restaurants and homely mom ‘n pop style places to gritty, rowdy tapas bars. Lunch is generally served from 1.30pm until 3.30pm, and dinner is served from 8.30pm until 11.30pm.
Price Guide: Three-course dinner per head without drinks: up to € €1-25, €€25-40, €€€40-60, €€€€ 60+
Restaurants
ABAC
Rec 79-89 / 93 319 6600 / www.restaurantabac.com
Chef Xavier Pellicer knows that it takes more than fabulous food to create a truly memorable dining experience. Everything at Àbac, from the sophisticated service, to the almost-too-beautiful-to-eat appetisers and the soothing, all-beige décor, is impeccable. Dishes change seasonally but are always surprising combinations of Mediterranean and international flavours, like the Iberian suckling pig served with mango “potatoes”. Closed Sun & Mon lunch, open the rest of the week for lunch and dinner; €€€€.
ALKIMIA
Industria 79 / 93 207 6115
This ultra-minimalist restaurant, nabbed its first Michelin star in 2005 and plenty of buzz thanks to innovative chef Jordi Vil-a, who offers a delicious indulgence at a fair price, especially if you like unusual taste sensations like parmesan flan with macadamia nuts. Open Mon - Fri for lunch and dinner; €€€.
BARCELONETA
Escar 22 / 93 221 1211
This classic seafood spot by the water is a sure bet when it comes to paella, fresh shellfish and Mediterranean specialties such as suquet de peix (fish stew). Although the restaurant is huge, it fills up nearly every night thanks to its solid reputation for top seafood and efficient, personable service. In fine weather, ask to sit on the sprawling seaside terrace. Open daily for lunch and dinner; €€.
CASACALVET
Casp 48 / 93 412 4012
Attentive service, a solid wine list and a tasty selection of Mediterranean classics with a twist make Casa Calvet a fine choice. What really sets this restaurant apart though is its unbeatable location inside a luscious Modernist building designed by master Antoni Gaudí in 1898. Chef Miguel Alija’s savoury dishes - like veal stuffed with duck liver and smothered in almond sauce - have found their ideal match in this fabulously ornate and romantic setting. Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner; €€€.
CINC SENTITS
Aribau 58 / 93 323 9490 / www.cincsentits.com
Catalan-Canadian chef Jordi Artal has made a big splash in the Barcelona restaurant scene with his creative, international fare and space age tapas (like a shot of maple syrup, cava foam and sea salt and diver scallop with a Jerusalem Artichoke purée). The décor is sparse but comfortable. Closed Sun and Mon lunch, the rest of the week open daily for lunch and dinner; €€€.
COMWERÇ 24
Comerç 24 / 93 319 2102
You ain’t never seen tapas like these. Chef Carles Abellán’s exquisite creations – raw tuna on crispbread with wasabi; salt cod with artichoke cream, pinenuts and raisins; rice boiled in a rich crab stock stuffed into crab claws – combine Spanish, Mediterranean and Asian influences. The atmosphere is hip and an open kitchen gives you a prime view of the action. Slow service. Open Tue-Sat for lunch and dinner; €€€.
CUINES SANTA CATERINA
Mercat de Santa Caterina / 93 268 9918 / www.mercatsantacaterina.net
The airy, spacious restaurant of the Santa Caterina Market makes the most of the fresh produce to hand, offering a mix of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine with an emphasis on light fare. Check out the juice bar or savoury dishes like fried egg with baby squid, roast clams or grilled asparagus with Romesco sauce. Lunch and dinner Mon-Sat; €.
DROLMA
Passeig de Gràcia 68 / 93 496 7710/ www.hotelmajestic.es
Overlooking the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, the Hotel Majestic’s two-Michelin-starred Drolma is perhaps Barcelona’s most posh eating establishment with prices to match. A discrete and well-trained wait staff serves tempting French-Catalan dishes like woodcock with oysters (which pays tribute to two house specialties, game and shellfish) to the who’s who of Barcelona. Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner; €€€€.
ELS PESCADORS
Plaça de Prim 1 / 93 225 2018 / www.elspescadors.com
A hidden gem set on this quiet Plaza, Els Pescadors is one of the city’s best spots for traditional-style seafood. A favourite of the King of Spain, this intimate tavern is a hike from the city centre but it’s worth every step. Appetisers like fried fish spines (a dish invented in poorer times) set the mood for the unfussy fare chef Rafa Medrán is known for. Open daily for lunch and dinner; €€€.
ESPAI SUCRE
Princesa 53 / 93 268 1630 /www.espaisucre.com
For all those kids who wanted to eat dessert first, there’s Espai Sucre, “Sugar Space”. Mould-breaking chef Jordi Butrón serves sweet dishes for all three courses, offering surprisingly light fare like a cake of mixed grains with iced green apple and laurel. Espai Sucre shows its best side in the three or five course tasting menus and the expertly paired wines. You won’t even miss the savoury dishes. Open Tue-Sat for dinner only; €€.
HOFMANN
Argenteria 74-78 / 93 319 5889 / www.hofmann-bcn.com
The restaurant of Barcelona’s premier cooking school earned its first Michelin star in 2005 and has solidified its reputation as one of the city’s finest restaurants. Owner Mey Hofmann has created a refined atmosphere to serve rich and imaginative dishes like sardine tartar or lobster risotto. The best is saved for last - Hofmann’s desserts are sinfully good. Open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner; €€€€.
L'ORANGERIE
Carretera de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo 83-93 / 93 259 3000 / www.hotellaflorida.com
The elegant and ultra-romantic restaurant of the luxurious Hotel Gran Florida, L’Orangerie has a privileged position atop the Tibidabo mountain, on the outskirts of the city. This is a great spot for lunch, when you can see all of Barcelona laid out like a blanket at your feet. Try house specialties like lamb baked in a clay shell. Open daily for lunch and dinner; €€€€.
TORRE DE ALTAMAR
Passeig Joan de Borbó 88 / 93 221 0007 / www.torredealtamar.com
The “Tower of the High Seas” sits 75 metres above ground, affording diners sublime views over Barcelona and the port. The food, typically Mediterranean rice and seafood dishes, is tasty if a bit overpriced, but it’s the unbeatable setting that makes this such a special place. Closed Sun and Mon lunch, open the rest of the week for lunch and dinner; €€€.
TRAGALUZ
Ptge. de la Concepció 5 / 93 487 0621 / www.grupotragaluz.com
Drawing a mix of media types, executives, tourists and well-heeled locals, the flagship restaurant of the wildly successful family-owned Grupo Tragaluz is a stylish place serving fresh, Mediterranean fare. The main dining room is a gorgeous glassed-in terrace drenched in sunlight at mid-day and coolly romantic at night. Like everything at Tragaluz, it’s understated but elegant. Open daily for lunch and dinner; €€.
Cafés, Breakfast & Afternoon Tea
ARC CAFÈ
Carabassa 19 / 93 392 5204 / www.arccafe.com
A pleasing mix of local and international, this café and bar hidden in the Barri Gòtic does a bit of everything: salads and curries at lunch, a tea menu and cheesecake in the afternoon, low key drinks at night, friendly faces all day long. Open 1pm-1am.
CACAO SAMPAKA
Consell de Cent 292 / 902 181 940
Chocoholic heaven. A delicatessen and café serving the dark stuff liquid, solid, frozen and everything in between. Open Mon-Sat 4pm-10pm. There’s another branch on Carrer Ferran 43 (open Mon-Sat 10am-9.30pm and Sun 10am-3pm).
CAELUM
Palla 8 / 93 302 6993
Caelum is a heavenly experience - literally. Both the shop and the dim, romantic café below it offer only products made in Spain’s monasteries. The underground café is housed in what was the city’s ancient Jewish baths. Open Mon 5-8.30pm, Tue-Thur 10.30am-8.30pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-midnight, Sun 11am-3pm.
GRANJA M. VIADER
Xuclá 4-6 / 93 318 3486
Since 1870 this off-the-beaten-track café has been serving its signature cheeses (made by the owners), pastries, thick hot chocolates and the best breakfast in town. Open Mon 5pm-8.45pm, Tue-Sat 9am-1.45pm and 5pm-8.45pm.
LA VINYA DEL SENYOR
Plaça Santa Maria 5 / 93 310 3379
Late afternoon. The sun is setting and the Santa Maria del Mar basilica casts its shadow over the plaza. A glass of wine. Plates of cheese, ham and olives on the table. La Vinya del Senyor. Ahhh. Open Tue-Thur and Sun 12pm-1am, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am.
MIRABLAU
Plaça Doctor Andreu / 93 418 5879
Sitting on a ledge at the top of the Avinguda Tibidabo, the Mirablau offers enviable views over Barcelona. Come by day for coffee and vistas, or stay for drinks and dancing with the incredibly mixed crowd of students, tourists, kissing couples and more mature night owls. Take a cab. Open 11am-4am daily.
MIRAMELINDO
Passeig del Born 15 / 93 319 5376
This is a fantastic place for an afternoon coffee (the cappuccino is to die for) or after-dinner drinks with friends. Music runs the gamut from jazz to flamenco. Open daily 8pm-2.30am.
PINOTXO BAR
Mercat de la Boquería, La Rambla 585-606 / 93 317 1731
Head into La Boquería and hang a right, then wait in line to be served melt-in-your mouth raciones and tapas alongside regulars who include a long list of local celebrities. Open Mon-Sat 6am-5pm.