Barcelona is perhaps, alongside Madrid, one of the cultural capitals of the country. There's plenty to do in the Catalan city, from visiting museums and art exhibits, endless number of plays and musicals, sunbathing in one of its beaches and lots of shopping if that's what you like doing. But even walking down the streets of la Rambla is like going back in history, with its gothic architecture and tiny streets. One of the main past times of Catalans is dining out, below we present a selection of some of the best rating restaurants in Barcelona, from quaint and cozy places where you can eat for affordable prices to luxury restaurants with boutique cuisine.
Cullera de Boix
Where: Ronda de Sant Pere, 24, 08010. Hotel Urquinaona. Nearest Metro Station: Urquinaona
Prices: 20€ to 30€ per person
Reservations: +34 933 300 303
Visit Cullera de Boix' website.
Despite this Barcelona restaurant's modern decor, its cuisine is a combination of traditional Catalan and Spanish food with modern touches and excellent price-quality relation. Ideal for groups and families (though it's not so intimate as for a romantic dinner) the ambience is friendly and welcoming. The specialties are the variety of rices and an impressively extensive wine cellar. We recommend the black rice with clams, the grilled codfish with artichokes and Catalan cream for dessert.
El Disbarat
Where: C/ Montseny 14, 08036. Nearest Metro Station: Fontana
Prices: 20€ to 30€ per person
Reservations: +34 932 371 113.
This a great price-quality relation restaurant in Barcelona. Divided in two floors, this bohemian Catalan spot boasts with two floors, rustic decor (the marble tables are supported by antique sewing machines and wine boots hang from the walls) this young and vibrant restaurant presents a wide variety of dishes including salads and grilled meats that you can watch as they are prepared. We recommend the piquillo peppers stuffed with cod puree, the sauteed baby squid with beans or the grilled vegetables for vegetarians and death by chocolate for dessert.
L'Olivé
Where: Balmes 47, 08007. Nearest Metro Station: Passeig de Gracia
Prices: 45€ to 60€ per person
Reservations: +34 934 521 990
Visit L'Olivé's website.
Already an emblematic restaurant in Barcelona L'Olivé's minimalist decor, hardwood floor and olive green walls make an inviting, relaxing and clutter free atmosphere, ideal for tasting it's traditional mediterranean cuisine with brushstrokes of modernity and innovation. Excellent service and impeccable wine cellar. Among its specialty there is fish and shellfish broth and rices. We also recommend you to try the baked or grilled clams, sauteed cuttlefish in garlic and parsley and the breaded calçots.
El Pintor
Where: Carrer de Sant Honorat 7, 08002. Nearest Metro Station: Jaume I 08002
Prices: 30€ to 45€ per person.
Reservations: +34 933 014 065or book online
Visit El Pintor's website.
This Barcelona restaurant is located in the heart of the old Town, in the old atelier of a 19th century painter. The decor is rustic, with brick walls and wood finishes makes the atmosphere warm and cozy, the perfect setting to enjoy its homemade cuisine style made with season and top quality products. It also has a great wine cellar. The chef's own recommendations: mushroom’s assortment with little beans and ham, suckling-pig to the oven, monkfish suquet and Grand Marnier Crepes for dessert.
3 Food People & Music
Where: Carrer de Còrsega 231, 08036. Nearest Metro Station: Hospital Clínic.
Prices: 30€ to 40€ per person.
Reservations: +34 934 193 355 or book online
Visit website 3 Food People & Music's website.
This original proposal of low cost high gastronomy is a modern gastrobar that has a central bar surrounding the open view kitchen. This cool restaurant in Barcelona offers a new concept "showtaping", a select variety of tapas to choose from as well as delicious pizzas and dishes. We recommend the prawn ceviche, the monkfish cubes with romesco sauce and escavilada potatoes and whiskey cake for dessert.
Sensi
Where: Carrer Ample, 26, 08002. Nearest Metro Station: Jaume I
Prices: 20€ to 35€
Reservations: + 34 932 956 588 or book online.
Visit Sensi's website.
This Barcelona restaurant is located in the heart of the gothic quarter. With a creative culinary proposal and warm cozy ambience, Sensi has a great quality-price relation and offers a closed menu for lunch as well as a la carte. Sensi offers a large variety of tapas, including oriental tapas, paellas and pastas. The chef's own recommendations: homemade octopus terrine, cherry tomato and french brie salad with onion marmalade and finely chopped almonds, served with toasted bread, cod confit served with a courgette puree flavored with vanilla and cheesecake with “dulce de leche”
Tapeo
Where: Carrer de Montcada 29, 08003. Nearest Metro Station: Jaume I and Barceloneta
Prices: 20€ to 30€
Reservations: +34 933 101 607
Visit Tapeo's website.
Just as it's name suggest Tapeo is a tapas bar in Barcelona, albeit already a cult spot known for its combination of tradition and creativity with an excellent end product. . It's small and cozy, with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and modern decoration that invites you to taste some of it's traditional or original tapas after viewing how they are prepared. Some suggestions: cod fritter, Spanish style fried eggs and caramel leek.
El Túnel del Port
Where: Moll de Gregal, 12 - Port Olímpic, 08039
Prices: 30€ to 45€
Reservations: +34 932 210 321 or book online
Visit El Túnel del Port's website.
Túnel del Port first opened it's doors in 1923 though in a different location. In 1992 it moved to Puerto Olímpico, after the Olympic games. For almost 80 years this classic Barcelona restaurant's aim has been to provide tradition and quality and it offers typical mediterranean cuisine in a unique environment with views to the beach and the port. It's service is great and not overly expensive and offers menus from 21€. We recommend the ox sirloin carpaccio, the noodles with cuttlefish and lobster and profiterole with hot chocolate for dessert.
Biocenter
Where: Carrer Pintor Fortuny 25, 08001. Nearest Metro Station: Liceu and Catalunya
Prices: 10€ to 20€
Reservations: +34 933 014 583
Visit Biocenter's website.
If you're a health food lovers this restaurant in Barcelona is the place for you. For more than 20 years Biocenter offers a vegetarian and vegan gastronomy based on quality products, ecology farming and wholewheat products and proteins in form of seitan, tofu and kefir. But that's not all, it's prices are very affordable, the ambience is young and cosmopolite and the decor makes this joint a warm and welcoming places. Enjoy as many salads as possible in their salad buffet, try different gazpachos and hot soups. Recommendations moussaka and carrot cake for dessert.
Hisop
Where: Ptge Marimon 9, 08021. Nearest Metro Station: Diagonal
Prices: 50€ to 70€
Reservations: +34 932 413 233
Visit Hisop's website.
Hisop's gastronomy is defined as contemporary creative cuisine, so it you're looking for traditional market Spanish food restaurant in Barcelona best avoid it, however if you have an adventurous palate this may be exactly what you're looking for. But the staff and chefs at Hisop don't only want you to enjoy your meal, but have an entirely pleasurable experience. Great service, complete wine cellar. We recommend the urchin rice with broad beans, the suckling pig with boletus and caramel creme with citrus and thyme for dessert.
