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Restaurants We have selected 25 restaurants, which we have divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. Spanish VAT (IVA) is 7% and is included in all menu prices. If not, it will be stated that prices are exclusive of IVA. Tipping is not a widespread practice in Barcelona but, of course, should you wish to leave a gratuity, it is always appreciated. In the upscale restaurants, it is customary to leave a few Euros. Occasionally, a cover charge of about EUR1 is added to the bill but the menu should mention this. The prices quoted below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine; they include IVA but do not include tip. Gastronomic Agut d’Avignon Tucked away in a tiny street in the atmospheric Barri Gòtic, Agut d’Avignon is the creation of ex-lawyer and pharmacist Ramón Cabau. Known for his impeccable taste, the restaurant is a haven for writers, artists and politicians, and has attracted diners such as Miró and Yves Montand. Rustic yet elegant, employing top-quality produce and a first-rate wine list, it is evident why. The menu is seasonal, offering adventurous dishes such as partridge pâté and roast boar with raspberry sauce. Carrer de la Trinitat 3/Avinyo 8 Tel: (93) 302 6034. Fax: (93) 302 5318. Website: www.virtualsd.es/agutdavignon Price: EUR36. Wine: EUR6. Ca l’Isidre Run by the Gironés i Salvó family for over 25 years, Ca l’Isidre is an intimate restaurant boasting King Juan Carlos among its regular clientele. Isidre Gironés presides over the excellent wine list and exquisite food, personally selecting the best ingredients at the nearby La Boqueria market to conjure up timeless dishes, including duck liver pâté and figs, stuffed artichokes or saddle of lamb. The cosy dining room is a charming ‘home from home’ thanks to his wife Montse. Daughter Núria is an ace patisera, whose desserts provide a perfect finale to chef César Pastor’s seasonal Catalan dishes. Booking essential. Carrer Les Flors 12 Tel: (93) 441 1139 or 442 5720. Fax: (93) 442 5271. E-mail: isidre@mhp.es Website: www.isidre.mhp.es/calisidr.htm Price: EUR48. Wine: EUR9. El Racó de Can Fabes The recipient of three Michelin stars and numerous awards, El Racó is idyllically situated near Montseny, an area of outstanding natural beauty about 60km (37 miles) from Barcelona. Proprietor and chef Santi Santamaria is open, friendly and passionate about Catalan food. His quality-based, customer-orientated philosophy ensures that a visit to his rustic-style restaurant is an exceptional experience. Inspired by the fruits from the Mediterranean to the mountains, dishes range from wood pigeon with spring onions and cardamom to fish in seaweed sauce; postres (desserts) such as mango and plum ‘lasagne’ are deliciously inventive. Carrer Sant Joan 6, Sant Celoni (A7 from Barcelona, exit 7 for Sant Celoni) Tel: (93) 867 2851. Fax: (93) 867 3861. Website: www.racocanfabes.com Price: EUR66 (à la carte); EUR54-81 (menus). Wine: EUR12. Gaig Gaig started out in the 1800s as a small family tavern specialising in home cooking in the northern barrio of Horta. More than a century later, it is one of the city’s top restaurants and the recipient of many awards. Master chef Carles Gaig is at the helm creating brilliant, innovative versions of old recipes: pheasant with plums, canelones with truffle sauce and mango ravioli are but a few. The wine list is equally impressive. Carles’ wife, Fina, presides over the light, modern dining room. Passieg Maragall 402 Tel: (93) 429 1017. Price: EUR66. Wine: EUR12. Jean-Luc Figueras Housed in the former atelier of the fashion designer Balanciaga, the elegant, classically Catalan surroundings – all polished wood, lamps and tiled floors – are almost as outstanding as the food. Frenchman Jean-Luc Figueras creates modern, original dishes, such as fried prawn and ginger pasta in mustard and mango sauce, without submitting to the demands of fadiness or egoism. The menu tends to lean towards seafood but meat dishes are also included. Master patisero Jordi Butrón’s sublime puddings are outstanding. Carrer Santa Teresa 10 Tel: (93) 415 2877. Price: EUR54. Wine: EUR9. Business Botafumeiro Founded in 1973 by Galician José Ramon Neira in the bohemian barrio of Gràcia, Botafumeiro has acquired a solid reputation as one of Barcelona’s best seafood restaurants, specialising in mariscos: lobster, langoustines, oysters and also fish and meat stews. The Baroque-inspired dining room is spacious and comfortable, decorated in peachy shades set off by sparkling chandeliers and oil paintings. For the romantic, singers and guitarists are on hand for serenading. An impressive team can help plan business dinners in opulent private dining rooms. Carrer Gran de Gràcia 81 Tel: (93) 218 4230 or 217 9642. Fax: (93) 415 5848. Website: www.botafumeiro.es Price: EUR39. Wine: EUR9. Negro Conveniently located in the heart of the city’s financial nerve centre, Negro encapsulates the ‘less is more’ philosophy embraced by the new wave of Barcelona restauranteurs. Fashionably informal and stylishly decorated in minimalist black and white, it is a world away from traditional, somewhat ‘folksy’ Catalan restaurants. With nary a pig’s trotter in sight, Negro offers an eclectic fusion of Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine, featuring sushi, risottos and unusual salads, served in a cool, cosmopolitan atmosphere. There is live music in the basement Thursday nights and weekends. Avinguda Diagonal 640 (Caja Madrid Building) Tel: (93) 405 9444. Price: EUR27. Wine: EUR6. Neichel Neichel is one of Barcelona’s top restaurants, attracting a Michelin star and a panoply of plaudits for proprietor and chef Jean-Louis Neichel’s highly original Alsace–Catalan cuisine. Consommé of black truffles, deer in red wine and honey and lavender ice cream are but a few of the opulent treats to savour. Located in the affluent barrio of Pedralbes, the design is modern and the ambience relaxing. The cool cream and white dining room is tasteful and understated and overlooks a colourful Mediterranean garden. Carrer Beltrán i Rózpide 1-5 (before Avinguda Pedralbes) Tel: (93) 203 8408. Fax: (93) 205 6369. E-mail: neichel@relaischateaux.com Website: www.relaischateaux.fr/neichel Price: EUR54 (à la carte); EUR47-53 (set menus). Wine: EUR12. Ruccula Housed in the heart of the spanking new, ultra-smart World Trade Centre, Ruccula has rapidly become a favourite among the Catalan capital’s rich and glamorous. The reasonably priced food, prepared by top-class chefs, is Catalan-based with an ingenious Italian-Asiatic twist. A generous selection of dishes includes fresh pasta salad with langoustines in pesto or chicken yakitori with teriyaki sauce. Designed to resemble a magnificent floating vessel, the WTC is surrounded by sparkling sea views and makes for a luxurious setting. World Trade Centre, Port de Barcelona Tel: (93) 508 8268. Fax: (93) 508 8269. Price: EUR27. Wine: EUR9. Via Veneto Since opening in the late 1960s, Via Veneto has won a host of awards for its high-class Catalan cuisine and exceptional wines. Dishes include an exquisite fish soup, stuffed wild partridge or potatoes with purée of butifarra sausage. Located near the business district of Diagonal, it contains some of the best private rooms in Barcelona, accommodating four to 100 diners. With its pretty Belle Epoque-style dining room, wonderful food and welcoming staff, it is little wonder that it became one of Dalí’s regular haunts. A mirror, signed by the painter, is still on display. Carrer Ganduxer 10-12 Tel: (93) 200 7244. Fax: (93) 201 6095. E-mail: pmonje@adam.es Website: www.webs.adam.es/viaveneto Price: EUR63. Wine: EUR9. Trendy Arc Café A recent arrival on the Barcelona scene, Arc Café is a ‘gastrobar’ run by German duo Thomas and Willi. Hearty Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asian-influenced dishes, such as chicken curry salad and sublime spicy veggie burgers, are prepared in the spotless open-plan kitchen amid warm, softly lit surroundings and a backdrop of mellow sounds. Tending towards the vegetarian, there’s nevertheless a good selection of meat dishes too. Its location in a narrow, picturesque street near Plaça Reial makes it an ideal pre-club dinner venue. Carrer Carabassa 19 Tel: (93) 302 5204. Price: EUR15. Wine: EUR6. El Racó d’en Baltà A favourite among hip young Catalans, this design-led restaurant cleverly avoids the design over substance cliché. This is because it combines a modern approach to traditional dishes, such as meatballs with cuttlefish, fish mousse or turrón ice cream, with low prices, a decent wine list and a fascinating array of bizarre creations by British artist, Steve Foster. The upstairs dining room is a relaxing cocoon of gentle greens punctuated with eccentric odds and ends. Carrer Aribau 125 Tel: (93) 453 1044. Price: EUR14. Wine: EUR5. Mama Café Microwaves and processed or tinned foods are strictly prohibited in this stylish, fun vegetarian café-restaurant located in the Raval district, just off Las Ramblas. Using only the freshest ingredients, a range of innovative dishes, such as melon gazpatcho, are prepared daily. The use of bold, rainbow colours, recycled materials and laid-back sounds creates a happy, informal atmosphere. Carrer Doctor Dou 10 Tel: (93) 301 2940. Price: EUR15. Wine: EUR5. Sikkim Inspired by their travels to India, the owners have transformed this former grocery into a high temple of exotica complete with an abundance of candles, buddhas, wafting incense and rich, mood enhancing colours. The food is nevertheless Mediterranean, albeit complimented by ingredients from further afield, such as mangoes and yukka. Sikkim caters handsomely for vegetarians and carnivores alike with a decent range of dishes, including roast shark, vegetable risottos and homely cheesecakes. Plaça Comercial 1 Tel: (93) 268 4313. Price: EUR21. Wine: EUR6. Vildsvin Urban Barcelona meets old Czechoslovakia in this chic, fusion-inspired cerveceria situated near the Generalitat, where modern furnishings and original 19th-century features are stylishly juxtaposed to pleasing effect. The menu is an intriguing mix of Eastern European dishes, such as Hungarian goulash and traditional Spanish platos and tapas. A wide range of beers and also wine are available. Carrer Ferran 38 Tel: (93) 317 9407. Price: EUR15. Wine: EUR6. Budget Cantina Machito Even though the decor verges towards the unsophisticated with its riotous colours and abundance of Mexican kitsch, the food here is authentic and surprisingly good. Many of the ingredients are imported from Mexico and lovingly prepared by the Mexican-born chef. Standards, such as margaritas, tacos and guacamole, make an appearance, as do unusual puddings, such as lime and tequila mousse. Carrer Torrijos 47 Tel: (93) 217 3414. Price: EUR12. Wine: EUR5. Fil Manila A simple, homely restaurant overlooking a quiet square near Plaça de Catalunya, Fil Manila (Barcelona’s only Filipino restaurant) offers excellent value for money. The choice of dishes is vast, with main courses starting at around EUR4. In addition to meat and fish, there are some appetising coconut milk curries to be had and uncomplicated, but mouthwatering, puddings such as fried banana. Carrer Ramelleres 3 Tel: (93) 318 6487. Price: EUR8. Unlicensed. Habibi Of the growing number of Lebanese restaurants in Barcelona, Habibi is one of the best. A world away from the falafel and kebab brigade, the diverse menu caters for carnivores and vegetarians alike, including excellent houmous and other savoury dips, spicy rice dishes and sweet, succulent Arab puddings to finish. Considering that only organic produce is used, the value for money is almost astonishing. Carrer Gran de Gràcia 7 Tel: (93) 217 9545. Price: EUR12. Wine: EUR5. La Fonda Part of a highly successful, upmarket chain, La Fonda offers Catalan classics, such as butifarra sausage with haricot beans or the national dessert crema catalana, in well-designed, attractive surroundings. An abundance of plants, wood and a gallery create a light and spacious atmosphere. Very popular, especially at lunchtime, so booking is essential. Les Quince Nits (tel: (93) 317 3075), part of the same chain, is around the corner at Plaça Reial 6. Carrer Escudellers 10 Tel: (93) 301 7515. Price: EUR12. Wine: EUR5. La Habana Vieja Retro decor and a plethora of exotic cockails evoke the exuberant spirit of old Havana in this atmospheric Cuban restaurant, situated in a narrow passeig near the Picasso Museum. A feast of dishes, such as shredded beef, coconut and cheese pudding, and fried banana, make for an lively and inexpensive dinner. Carrer Banys Vells 2 Tel: (93) 268 2504. Price: EUR15. Wine: EUR6. Cocktails: From EUR2 each. Personal Recommendations El Convent El Convent is a sumptiously decorated fin de siècle-style restaurant, occupying four storeys of an 18th-century house in a minute street behind La Boqueria market. Individually decorated private rooms are available in addition to the attractive public dining areas. An extensive menu combines cocina Catalana and international cuisine, with dishes such as chicken with orange or hake in langoustine cream sauce. Inexpensive group menus start at under EUR12 per head and include homemade puddings, such as the ubiquitous crème caramel-like ‘flan’. Carrer Jerusalem 3 Tel: (93) 317 1052. Fax: (93) 302 3112. E-mail: rbmesa@softly.es Website: www.rbmesa.com/convent.htm Price: EUR21. Wine: EUR5. El Pla de la Garsa Tucked away amid a tangle of medieval streets near the Picasso Museum, this former dairy and stables has been converted into a cosy, bohemian retreat retaining many of its original 16th-century features. Antique tiles, an old spiral staircase and low lamps create an agreeable ambience in which to enjoy the wide selection of dishes, high-quality cheeses, pâtés and delicious puddings, such as caramelised figs. Carrer Assaonadors 13 Tel: (93) 315 2413. Price: EUR15. Wine: EUR6. Euskal Etxea Otherwise known as the Basque Cultural Centre, some of the best tapas in town are to be had here. Situated in an idyllic tiny square near the Picasso Museum and the wondrous church of Santa Maria del Mar, Euskal Etxea is an atmospheric bar offering a huge variety of tapas, ranging from the most simple to the most intricate creations. Tapas appear around noon and around 1900, so the best choice is to be had early. Placeta Montcada 1-3 Tel: (93) 310 2185. Price: EUR8. Wine: EUR6. Laurak Specialising in Basque cuisine, reputedly the best in Spain, Laurak is an un-stuffy, top-notch restaurant located near the Diagonal. The six-course set menu is amazing value, featuring modern versions of traditional Basque dishes, such as piquillo peppers stuffed with salt cod. Extraordinarily creative desserts include cheese mousse with sweet herb syrup. The decor is low key, as is the friendly and attentive service. Carrer La Granada del Penedès 14-16 Tel: (93) 218 7165. Price: EUR39 (à la carte); EUR34 (set menu). Wine: EUR12. Set Portes The building housing Set Portes is a national monument and has the distinction of forming the backdrop to the first photograph ever taken in Spain in 1840. Past diners have included kings, politicians and an array of famous names from Alexander Fleming to Ava Gardner. The large dining room is traditionally Catalan as are the individually decorated private rooms, seating two to 80. Its old-world charm and legendary paella, zarzuela (fish stew), fidueà (seafood and spaghettini), maintain its status as one of Barcelona’s favourite restaurants. Passeig Isabel II 14 Tel: (93) 319 3033 or 2950. Fax (93) 319 3046. E-mail: admon@setportes.com Website: www.setportes.com Price: EUR24. Wine: EUR6. |
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