One of Europe’s top mini-break destinations, Barcelona is jam packed with a wide range of restaurants catering to every palate. Set in amazing surroundings and boasting top-notch personalized service and inspired menus with dishes prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, like Xavier Pellicer, Fermi Puig and Mey Hoffman, Barcelona welcomes business travelers, romantics and families to its myriad of dining bets to try a world of cuisines in tranquil and peaceful environments.
Here is our pick of the best restaurants in Spain’s second city.
7 Portes
Established in 1836, 7 Portes is one of the city’s oldest standing and prestigious restaurants that is a real treat for those seeking some of the best seafood and paella dishes Barcelona has to offer. Festive and elegant, this classic restaurant is also a great getaway to enjoy a piece of Barcelona’s rich history reflected in the authentic charm left in the décor with wood paneling, tiles, mirrors and plaques naming some of the famous – such as Orson Welles – who have passed through. Rice specialties are the main attraction of this restaurant. Do not miss out the incredible tasty paellas and arrossos (rice dishes), fantastic seafood and traditional meat dishes. At night the restaurant is livened up with live piano music. The restaurant even served the young Picasso back when he was living in the city.
Dos Palillos
The creation of Albert Raurich, former chef de cuisine at the world famous El Bulli, currently considered the best restaurant in the world, Dos Palillos offers authentic Asian dishes served in the Spanish tapas style. The tuna sushi is one of the highlights of this restaurant, along with monkfish liver, Thai razor shell and meat pasty. The restaurant is found down the incredibly narrow Carrer Elisabets in the funky El Raval neighborhood, on the ground floor of the Casa Camper Hotel. In the year 2012 Dos Palillos received its first Michelin star. Tasting menu is €45 to €60.
Santa
Conveniently located next to the greens of Parc Ciutadella, at the southern end of Meridiana Santa is another popular restaurant in Barcelona offering seasonal cuisine. Run by Paco Guzman – the same owner as the Famous Santa Maria restaurant, who presents a modern setting with no room for ‘tapas,’ Santa features a fine menu, with bistro-inspired main courses, like baby cochinillo (suckling pig) with leeks and sage and rice cooked with lobster and artichokes. Guzman’s fusion-fabulous tapas journey will also take you from tataki of tuna with garlic chips and capers to pistachio soufflé with species and yogurt-and-lime ice cream to foie with quince jelly and cornuts. The restaurant is open daily from 1:30 to 4 pm and 8:30 pm to midnight. The set lunch menu is a mere €15, and the tasting menu has the reasonable price of €42.
Comerç 24
One of the city’s most forward-thinking restaurants situated in one of the central plazas in the hopping Born neighborhood, Comerç 24 invites locals and travelers alike to try mouth-watering creations by chef Carles Abellan – today’s wunderkind of New Catalan cuisine, trained by the master gamesman – chef Ferran Adrià of El Bulli. Delights such as ‘Huevos Kinder’ (a soft-boiled egg with truffle-infused yolk) and tuna sashimi pizza await the adventurous. No matter how ravenous you think you are, make sure to try the seven-tapa tasting menu, which is sure to delight event the most discerning diners. Dessert includes everything from Mel I Mato (a Catalan cheese and honey dessert), to apple and saffron to Conguito C, 24 – chocolate shells pairing with olive oil and salt. Do not forget to reserve well in advance. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
ABaC Retsaurant, Barcelona
Michelin-starred chef Jordi Cruz’s latest restaurant, ABaC is housed in an elegant turn-of-the-century mansion found on the Avenida del Tibidabo, and offers a changeable menu with completely original dishes. It would be a culinary crime to not try the seven-course tasting menu, which features such foodie fireworks as Iberian suckling pig paired with mango tatin and bamboo-steamed foie grass, all served on patterned Versace china. The restaurant offers rooms for private events, able to accommodate 20 to 60 diners respectively. Visitors will also find an extensive cellar, from which you can select your perfect wine. The restaurant is an ideal choice for foodies and romance seeking couples.
Most Barcelona restaurants are close to the city’s most popular attractions and hotels, and offer cuisine and personalized service sure to delight foodies and even non-foodies alike.
