Today I would like to take you with me to my personal, favourite restaurants, bars, bodegas and cafΓ©s. Iβm pretty sure this list is going to expand quickly (you know I’m a foodie) but for now those are my hints for you:
Where to eat in Poble Sec:
MalamΓ©n – Bendita Bodega:
A small classy venue with delicious food. Excellent attention, nice decor, perfect for a romantic tΓͺte-Γ -tΓͺte. Try the burrata and the steak-tartar.
Sasha Bar 1968:
A bit quirky and funky, great unconventional food, yummy cocktails (i.e. the βbesoβ). Try the nachos with cheese and truffle with a smoked Old Fashioned.
Le Menhir:
A little taste of France in Barcelona. A lovely little crΓͺperie with a good selection of galettes and crΓͺpes, nice service, good Cidre, French TV or radio in the background. Try la super complΓ¨te.
The Tatami Room:
A Japanese experience. Good sushi, cosy atmosphere, japanese style sitting areas, yummy sake.
Quimet & Quimet:
Might be a bit βtouristyβ (probably because of Anthony Bourdainβs reviews) but worth popping in. A little place with a great selection of wines, beers, crafted vermouths and βfancyβ tapas. Fresh ingredients, vibrant atmosphere and taps of a βdifferent kindβ. Each item is an adventure. It’s an experience! Watch the guy remembering each and every order of the standing crowd chaos (no seating at all at this place) and counting your bill quickly in his mind!
Where to eat in San Antoni:
Lolita Taperia:
Lovely tapas, both traditional and modern. A bit pricy but delicious. Nice atmosphere. Always busy.
Els Sortidors del Parlament:
Delicious local cuisine, lovely tapas and a great sellection of wines. Cosy and charming atmosphere, very nice staff. Try the house vermouth and the fresh tuna.
TarannΓ CafΓ©:
Lovely hip ambience, great for brunch but not only. Simple but yummy food.
Bar Calders:
Buzzy and cosy tapas bar with terrasse, good food, known for their Vermouth.
Cafe Cometa:
Cute CafΓ© with great and healthy sandwiches and salads.
Mansoβs CafΓ©:
Spanish-Swedish fusion. Excellent coffee and great food. Fresh salads, nice cakes, yummy fresh juices, very nice staff.
Casa Martino (right next door to Mansoβs CafΓ©):
A lovely little Vermouth place with a small but delicious selection of tapas. Super friendly owners, always up for a little chat. Try the Oysters and the Cava! Fresh and yummy.
Bodega 1900:
Barcelonaβs famous chef Albert Adriaβs vision of the world of Vermouth. Not easy to book and not cheap but worth trying. Innovative tapas (or rather traditional recipes from 1900s, seen from today’s perspective). Try the Gordal & Piparra Oliva-S.
Ikibana:
A chic blend of Japanese and Brazilian cuisine. Cool design, kind of club-lounge ambience with a DJ. Yummy sushi & co. I recommend you sit at the bar to witness the art of making the sushi. Try the degustation menu.
LβAntic Magatzem:
Traditional Catalan cuisine, truly local tapas in big portions (brace yourself). My tip: donβt order too much at first, you can always add-on as you go.
Anardi:
Tapas and Pinchos. Small and cosy place with nice atmosphere and lovely little pichos. I especially love the ones with truffle oil.
Bohemic:
Interesting and well presented dishes. Innovative and chic but not expensive. Friendly family business. Try the bravas here, they are βdifferentβ.
Domino Bar:
Unpretentious and simple, friendly, local bar. Good food, fresh and well prepared. Good prices, friendly service, yummy cocktails.
Other yummy places in Barcelona
El Nacional (Passeig de GrΓ cia):
A restaurant in a market style. Different restaurants under one roof. Great experience (especially in a bigger group). The waiters walk around with different tapas and you just grab them as he passes. Good quality food. Trendy atmosphere.
Gola Taperia (Gracia):
Spanish Italian fusion. Yummy creations nicely presented. Homemade pasta. Newly opened but with a prospect of success.
Kibuka (Gracia):
Japanese cuisine with western influence. Good quality sushi with a βtwistβ.
Bodega del Fuegos (Hostafrancs):
Tapas and Rockβn Roll. An authentic charming little tapas bar with rock music and music documentary screenings. Good beer, good tapas, good prices, very local!
Cosmo (Eixample):
Sister restaurant of the CafΓ© Cometa (see above).
Els 4 Gats (Barri Gotic):
Inspired by the French cafΓ© βLe Chat Noirβ, this piano bar became a frequent haunt for bohemian artists during the modernist period in Catalonia. Picasso and Gaudi used to be frequent guests. Itβs a bit touristy but worth popping in for a tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Lovely traditional decΓ³r in Parisian style. Cosy restaurant at the back.
Addis Abeba (Sants):
Cosy place with Ethiopian cuisine. Nice ambience, good prices. Take the degustation menu with drinks and dessert and have the Amarula at the end. You will leave full and happy for only 16,50 EUR/pp ! My tip: if you like it spicy, let them know upfront. They adjust to the tastes of the clients (Spanish people donβt like it spicy so you might want to ask for an extra βhotnessβ).
Bangkok Cafe (Les Corts):
Very good Thai food. Tastes almost as in Thailand (I forgot I’m in Barcelna ;)). Small and cute place. Good prices, fresh ingredients.
Paradeta (ParalΒ·lel):
Fresh and yummy seafood. You choose from the counter as if you were on a market and they prepare it for you in an instant.
Where to drink in Barcelona
Xixbar (San Antoni):
Trendy cocktail bar, especially if you are into Gin. Custom prepared G&Tβs in all kind of flavours and colours.
Bobby Gin (Gracia):
A selection of sophisticated cocktails. Chic and trendy atmosphere. Small selection of tapas. Food is good but you should focus on the drinks. The Gins are the legend but an absolute hit is the Old Fashioned and its preparation. Sit at the bar and watch the bartender.
Bitter (San Antoni):
A cosy little bar, super friendly staff and yummy cocktails. I love the Old Fashioned here! You can also have it as a βXmas editionβ (Spiced Rum Old Fashioned). Should you want something virgin ask the bartender and he will create something as good that you dont’t even notice the absence of alcohol π
Mr White (San Antoni):
Nice and relaxing ambience and good cocktails. Good prices.
Redrum (Poble Sec):
Mexican bar with authentic tacos and a good selection of cocktails. Sit at the bar, have a Margarita and a chat with Carlos, the owner.
Hideout (Gracia):
Cool pub with funky design. Great bubbly-cocktails (Mimosa, Aperol-Spritz etc.). Interesting snacks.
Bon appetit!
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