Gothic Quarter
Restaurants a short walk away (make reservations)
Le Bouchon
Directly opposite main gate
Excellent casual tapas and wines and lovely staff with English
Capet
Turn right from main gate when leaving and then take second right
Amazing food and slightly more upmarket but still affordable
Booking essential
Bodega La Palma
Take the first right from the main gate (small lane) and then right again and it is there
Our favourite local tapas restaurant! Opens around 7.30pm.
Café de Ľ Academia
Traditional tapas restaurant with tables outside in Plaça de Sant Just around the corner.
l' Antic Bocoi del Gòtic
Cosy place down the street set at the ancient Roman Wall serving great salads, flat breads and Catalan dishes.
Ginger (Bar)
Take a left from the main gate when leaving and it is one of the first places on the left (two entrances – both sides of the square).
Fun for a drink and light food with outdoor seating in summer.
Contraban
Fantastic restaurant tucked away in a boutique hotel with contemporary-style cooking. Check out the panoramic rooftop for its impressive views and its extensive array of tapas and cocktails. Adults only.
El Bon
Restaurants a short walk away (make reservations)
Honest Greens
Cool and casual vibe. Great salads and healthy foods, juices, coffee beer and organic wine.
We go to the one in El Born which is around a 10 minute walk, but there are other locations around the city. Can eat in or take away and reservations are not accepted.
Bar de Pla
Authentic, friendly and unpretentious restaurant with loads of character in the narrow streets of El Born serving high-quality, affordable and seriously delicious takes on traditional Spanish cuisine. Book ahead as it is always packed.
Tens
Modern, elegant tapas restaurant. Its extensive and progressive menu offers traditional Spanish tapas, modernised by chef Jordi Cruz.
Cal Pep
A long bar seating watching the chef’s prepare delicious traditional tapas. You only need to decide what to drink and they will bring will do the rest. Just remember to tell them to stop bringing food when you are full! Call for reservations or walk-in
Arcano
Casual restaurant set in a 17th century stable dining under large stone arches serving delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
Other favourite restaurants
Restaurants may require a taxi (make reservations)
Elsa Y Fred – El Born/El Ribera
Charming restaurant blending a New York vibe with a French character serving delicious takes on a wide variety of tapas and dishes made with local products and excellent quality.
Martinez - Mantjuic
This is a great place that overlooks Barcelona – up toward Montjuic – can do a great walk through some cactus gardens from the harborfont
(and would suggest making a booking)
Dos Prebots – El Raval
Is a very cool, fun, innovative and affordable restaurant. Not your everyday tapas created by former El Bulli chef.
Bar Canete – El Raval
Is an institution off of Las Ramblas and worth a visit. It’s in every tourist guide, so there is always a queue. Make a reservation!
El National – Plaça Catalunya area
This gastronomic multi-space restaurant concept features 4 restaurants and 4 bars where you can try traditional recipes from around the Iberian Peninsula in a lush and unique surroundings.
Tapas 24 - Plaça Catalunya area
Is where all the chefs go for delicious standard no frills affordable tapas. Go to the one near Plaça de Catalunya and get a table outside.
thefork.es for reservations
Berbena - Gracia
Is unpretentious and informal Mediterranean with influences from Asia and South America close to Casa Mila.
Compartir – Eixample
Amazing creative gastronomy by renowned chefs behind world top restaurant Disfrutar, but at a fraction of the price. A must!
Is a taxi ride away in the Eixample area and booking is essential
Enigma - Eixample
Is a culinary experience by some very talented chefs…everything inside looks like you’re dining in your own private cloud with an
amazing degustation menu.
Disfrutar - Eixample
Try to get in if you can! (we never have). Consistently the number 1 or 2 restaurant in the world.
Takes 9-12 months to get a reservation, so if you do let us know.