|
|
 Best Restaurants in BarcelonaIn 2002 Barcelona was awarded the title of most
city in Europe by the prestigious Le Guide des
Gourmands, the first non-French city so named in the (at the time)
15 years of the publication''s run. Being the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia,
Barcelona''s restaurants specialise in Catalan cuisine, typically
flaunting the extensive use of garlic, olive oil and fish for many
kinds of meals. It is not uncommon, for example, to find fish mixed
with red meat in a stew. The
(bread smeared in tomato and seasoned with
olive oil and salt) is a signature Catalonian delicacy served with
every meal in most restaurants. Tapas, now popular worldwide,
originated in Spain and is a firm favourite in the city of
Barcelona. Catalonia is a premier wine region for Spain and the birthplace
of Cava sparkling wine. Dark red grapes in the region make for the
darker ''black'' wine, or
, a stronger red concoction. Dry white wines come
second to the Cava in popularity among tourists and locals
alike. Barcelona restaurants open around 8am and typically remain open
until midnight. Supper hours are very late, with most residents
opting to dine between 9pm and 10pm. |
ABAC
The only 1-star Michelin restaurant in Barcelona, ABAC is "el
bulli" style, but you can actually get a reservation. The tasting
menu (without wine) is about EUR125-175 per person. The sensory
experience and the amazing meal that accompany the price is well
worth digging a little deeper into the wallet than normal. ABAC is
known as one of the best restaurants in Spain.
CUISINE: Spanish
Address: Av. Tibidabo 1
Website: www.abacbarcelona.com/eng |
Paco Meralgo
Say it aloud and you'll notice the play on words if you know
Spanish. Paco Meralgo is a fabulous tapas (new style/alta tapas)
bar in the Eixample. Fresh food, simply prepared. A great place to
go for Catalan tapas, quieter than Cerveceria Catalana. Open seven
days a week for lunch from 1pm-4pm and dinner 8pm-12:30am.
CUISINE: Tapas
Address: c/ Muntaner 171 (chaflan Corsega)
Website: www.pacomeralgo.com |
Quimet & Quimet
This old family-run room is not an ordinary tapas restaurant and
is on the fly in more ways than one. With standing room only,
perfect for fast eats, the chef rolls out seemingly random (but
delicious) concoctions from a huge list of ingredients lining the
walls. A superb but also random wine list is best enjoyed quickly
with the unique snacks before carrying on one's way. Advisable to
call beforehand and check opening hours.
CUISINE: Local
Address: C/Poeta Cabanas 25 |
Comer?§ 24
This very trendy tapas hot spot dishes out extraordinary treats
under the creative direction of Carles Abellan. Unusual food
combinations are frothed, seared and caramelised until they
compliment one another. The dishes are more of a tasting experience
than a full meal but enough of them can add up to an eclectic way
to try local cuisine.
CUISINE: Local
Address: Carrer Comer?§ 24
Website: comerc24.com |
Amaltea
Serving creative vegetarian cuisine, with dishes from all over
the world and a keen eye for presentation, Amaltea is a well-known
and frequented Barcelona vegetarian eatery. The d?©cor is stylish
but down to earth, ensuring that all the limelight is afforded to
the colourful dishes of food that emerge out of the kitchen. For
lunch there is a choice of four starters, mains and various house
desserts with a fixed menu. Open for lunch Monday to Saturday and
dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.
CUISINE: Vegetarian
Address: Diputaci?? 164 (esquina Villarreal)
Website: www.amalteaygovinda.com |
Can Ravell
Some serious eating goes on here, in a little decorated and
unpretentious room in back of a delicatessen food store. Using
speciality ingredients from around the world, gourmet food never
felt so exclusive. Despite a city-wide reputation, the tiny
restaurant feels like a guarded secret. Can Rovell is open from
10am to 9pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and closes an hour later from
Thursday to Saturday. On Sundays this delectable restaurant serves
lunch from 10am to 4pm and it is closed on Mondays.
CUISINE: International
Address: Carrer Arag?? 313
Website: www.ravell.com |
Viena
For the best sandwiches in the city, and maybe the country, this
hole in the wall take-away sandwich shop doesn't put on airs.
Surrounded by fine dining restaurants and elegant tapas
establishments, staff at Viena simply and quickly throw together
the world's best ingredients between two delicious slices of bread
and slides it across the counter. The restaurant is open from
8.30am to 11.30pm during the week and 12.30am on weekends.
CUISINE: Local
Address: La Rambla del Estudis 115
Website: www.viena.es |
Rubi
Not called Rubi for nothing, this vibrant restaurant and
nightspot is ideal for couples and friends looking for a chic but
understated modern restaurant. With bright crimson booths, an
elegant bar and high ceilings, Rubi has become one of Barcelona's
quintessential nightspots. In true Barcelona style, Rubi is
friendly and laid-back. Serving contemporary fusion cuisine made
from only the freshest produce from local markets, Rubi also bakes
homemade breads and desserts. After 11.30pm the restaurant shifts
gears and the venue is transformed into a groovy bar with Latin
American and funk tunes, heating things up a little. Open for
dinner, Tuesday to Sunday.
CUISINE: Modern Eclectic
Address: Calle Banys Vells, 6 bis |
Oviso
One of the many unassuming sidewalk caf?© bars on Placa George
Orwell in the Gothic Quarter, Oviso offers reasonably priced food
and an intimate, bohemian ambiance. Good for breakfast or an
afternoon snack, this bar restaurant often serves as a place to
begin a night out or to end a long day. Great for people watching,
Oviso attracts many artists and students and is a good choice for
idling away a few hours in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
CUISINE: Local
Address: 5 Calle de Arai, Placa George Orwell |
Can Maj??
On the beachfront, Can Maj?? serves delicious seafood that can be
enjoyed on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.
Specialities include paella, but the fish is also superb. Choose
from a daily catch including barnacles, prawns, crab, oysters and
clams. Reservations required. Closed Monday. No dinner Sundays.
CUISINE: Spanish
Address: Almirall Aixada 23, Barceloneta
Website: www.canmajo.es |
Botafumeiro
One of the most well known seafood restaurant in Barcelona,
Botafumeiro consistently presents the finest regional cuisine of
Galicia and prides itself on the freshness of its fish, clams,
mussels, lobster, crayfish and scallops, which are either kept in
large tanks near the entrance or flown in daily from Galicia. The
impeccable treatment of customers and the private atmosphere makes
this a perfect dining experience for both business and pleasure.
Open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations essential.
CUISINE: Spanish
Address: El Gran de Gr? cia 81
Website: www.botafumeiro.es |
|
| Travel guide by (c) Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. |
|
