Barcelona Restaurants & Tapas Bars

Buen provecho! This is a city where the eating out experience can be edgy, quirky, authentic, traditional or fashionable. The fact is there are more than 3,000 dining options in the city where eating out dinning is part of the lifestyle. We at Apartments in Barcelona have assembled a short list of our favorites for your perusal. From some of the best tapas bars to exceptional Catalan cuisine only available in Catalonia dining experiences await.  English menu versions may be available but in most cases the entrees speak for themselves.

Tapas

Elisabets – Tapas on Friday. If it’s Friday it’s tapas. This is the place for hearty Catalan cuisine popular with the mid day crowd. The bar area offers drinks and sandwiches all day long.  (Carrer Elisabets 2, Old Town Barcelona. Tel: 93 317 58 26)

Mam i Teca – Food plus jazz, blues or rock. Tapas created with local cheeses, sausages, broad beans, and ham. A selection of lovely wines and Scottish single malts add to the experience. (Carrer Lluna 4, Barcelona 08001. Tel: 93 441 33 35)

Tickets and 41º - Live for designer tapas. This is the place for a creative food adventure. The synergy of two venues oozes excellence (pricey). Tickets offers a lively, party-like atmosphere with cocktails, trendy tasting, culinary surprises, and six themed taps bars.  41º is an exclusive 16-seat dining space. Reservations recommended at least 60 days in advance. (Avenue Parallel 164, Barcelona 08015. Tel: 93 292 42 50)

Taller de Tapas – Spanish comfort food. At Taller you will find typical tapas – affordable comfort food for the vacationing spirit. This location is a reference but the small restaurant chain also has restaurants in El Ramblas and Placa St. Joesph. (Carrer de L'Argenteria 51 Barcelona Tel: 93 268 85 59) 

 
Comerç 24 – Tapas fusion.   Located in one of the most beautiful parts of the city, the culinary creativity is exemplified by a fusion of global tastes making each dining experience unique. A signature element – a hot bowl of herb infused water not meant for drinking but for inhaling to cleanse the palate. Reservations suggested and plan to savor the experience. (Carrer Comerç 24 Barcelona Tel: 93 319 21 02) 

Cata 1.81- Edgy tapas in Eixample. Modern white space frames diners feasting on “Post Modern” tapas, the trendiest signatures of Catalan “new food”. (Carrer Valencia 181, Barcelona 08011. Tel: 93 323 68 18)

 
Catalan & Spanish Cuisine

Can Culleretes - Oldest restaurant in Barcelona. Since 1786 the establishment has been pleasing customers in the Gothic District next to Les Rambles. The atmosphere is old world with original tiles and frescoes adorning the walls. Service is efficient and menu choices a bargain. (Carrer Quintana 5, Barcelona 08022. Tel: 93 317 30 22)

Pla de la Garsa – For a romantic evening. This pleasant restaurant located in a 17th century stable offers diners a cozy place to enjoy an evening. Best known for an exquisite menu of cheeses meant to be paired with wine.  (Carrer Assaonadors 13, Barcelona 08003. Tel: 93 315 24 13) 

Onofre - Bohemian chic, vinos y viandas. This cozy neighborhood restaurant provides familial ambiance, quality dining, and reasonable prices, offering authentic Spanish cuisine and delicacies including cheeses, pates, and wines. (Magdalenes 19 Barcelona 08002. Tel: 93 317 69 37). 
 

Can Majó – Best for paella. Fresh seafood and vegetables and abundant menu make this a sure bet. Imagine combining luscious paella with a gorgeous sea view.  (Carrer Almirall Aixada 23, Barcelona 08003. Tel: 93 221 54 55)

Agut – A secret dining spot. Not so easy to find makes this a pleasant, non touristy spot. Located in an historic building not far from the harbor, Agut’s Bohemian 1950s atmosphere envelops the inventive dining experience.  Reservations required. (Carrer d'En Gignàs 16 Barcelona 08002. Tel: 93 315 17 09) 
Els Quatre Gats - Pablo Picasso’s old hangout.  4 Gats (four cats in Catalan) is located inside a modernist century –old building and is a piece of Barcelona’s living history.  A magnet for tourists, 4 Gats is one-of-a-kind. Tip: Checkout the toilets for the exquisite tile work. (Carrer Montsio 3, Barcelona 08002. Tel: 93 302 41 40)  

Asian Cuisine

Cirkus Experience – Fashionable sushi. Located within the Gothic District, Cirkus serves gastronomic works of art in a chic Japanese infused atmosphere. (Carrer d'Avinyó, 24, Barcelona 08002. Tel: 93 318 38 55)

Doble Zeroo - Thai dishes & creative sushi. This restaurant offers friendly service and a wide selection of appetizers including gyozas (fried dumplings) and hearty entrées with Thai risotto as well as artfully created sushi and well-conceived wine list. (Calle de Jaume Giralt, 53, Barcelona 08003. Tel: 93 315 17 44) 

Out of China Restaurant - Dim sum Barcelona style.  If one more tapas experience will be too much, how about dim sum?  Out of China offers homemade (MSG-free) Chinese cuisine in the center of Barcelona. (Carrer de Muntaner, 100, Barcelona 08036. Tel: 93 451 55 55)

Mediterranean Fare

Agua - Dine by the sea.  Located in Port Olympic, stylish and popular, this dining spot offers an array of typical Mediterranean choices. The bonus is terraced seating and panoramic sea views. (Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 30, Barcelona 08003. Tel: 93 225 12 72)

Margarita Blue - Best bar off Les Rambles. Centrally located in Barri Gotic, this is the place for drinks, lively entertainment, people watching, and affordable Mediterranean-Mexican eats. (Calle de José Anselmo Clavé, 6, Barcelona 08002. Tel: 93 412 54 89)

French

Creperie Bretonne – Best pancakes in Eixample. For more than three decades this affordable, French pancake house has been delighting diners.  On the menu there are more than 250 delicate crepes from which to choose – some salty with divine cheese and some sweet with luscious fruit. (Carrer Balmes 274, Barcelona 08006. Tel: 93 217 30 48)

Note: This information was accurate at time of posting but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Copyright 2012.

by Nancy Nelson-Duac