Catalan cuisine is essential to experience when visiting Barcelona. Like its great architecture, this Western Mediterranean cooking is quite distinctive, and depends upon fresh vegetables such as tomatoes and eggplant, seafood, pork sausages, and breads. Garlic and olive oil are used frequently. While traditional Catalan employs a variety of sauces, you'll find some dishes that are much loved to be quite simple. Pa amb tomaquet, which is bread brished with tomato and olive oil, is often times a type of comfort food. Look forward to wonderful Tapas during your visit, and be prepared to explore the variety of tastes you'll find in this great city!
Popular Restaurants in Barcelona:
Euskal Etxea restaurant is in the heart of Barcelona Old Town and is considered one of the pioneers of 'pintxos' dining – tapas-like nibbles served on cocktail sticks (pintxos). This delightful restaurant is busy at both lunch and dinner with tourists and locals who enjoy the central location, stylish decor, fine wooden bar, warm atmosphere and enormous platters of some of the best tapas in town. If you your appetite requires something a bit more substantial, a fuller, authentic Basque menu is served in the dining room. Excellent ingredients, simple preparation and an informal family-style setting all combine to make Euskal Etxea a consistent favorite. Tapas are served around noon and again around 7:00pm – so arrive early at these times in order to have the best choice. Hours are from 13:30-16:00 and 20:00-00:00 Mondays through Sundays, and this restaurant is located at 1-3 Placeta Montcada, Barcelona, Barcelona. Prices are around 12 USD for mains. You can contact them at (93) 310 2185.
The original building which houses
Restaurant 7 Portes was erected in 1836 (originally a café and later converted to a restaurant) and has the distinction of starring as the backdrop in the first photograph ever taken in Spain in 1840. Now a national monument, the large dining room is traditional, old-world Catalan as are the individually decorated private rooms with marble floors, wood paneling, tiles and endless mirrors. Third and fourth generations of faithful patrons perpetually return for the legendary paella, zarzuela (fish stew), fiduea (seafood and spaghettini), herring with onions and potatoes, white bean and sausage stew, fresh fish as well as just about any kind of paella you can imagine. This steadfast loyalty cements 7 Portes' status as one of Barcelona's favorite restaurants. Hours are from 1pm-1am, and this restaurant is located at Passeig de Isabel II, 14, Barcelona, ES 08003. Prices range from around 27 to 36 Euros. Attire is "business dressy," and reservations are recommended. You can call them at 93 319 30 33 or 93-319-29-50, or visit
www.setportes.com /
www.7portes.com.
Nueve Reinas is one of the absolutely best restaurants in Barcelona for the spectacular menu of perfectly prepared steaks and sublime empanadas, the excellent service, the great location and the smooth, cool atmosphere. Hours are from 1:00-4:00pm and 8:30-11:30pm, and this restaurant is located at C/ Valencia, 267 (Entre Paseo de Gracia y Pau Claris), 08007 Barcelona, Spain. Prices for two are an average of 130 USD, which includes wine and dessert. Major credit cards are accepted.Reservations are recommended, and you can contact them at 932 724 766, or visit
www.nuevereinas.com.
Dominated by a huge antique gilt mirror and low lighting, charming El Salón Restaurant has long been a favorite for couples looking for a romantic dinner spot. The menu, which changes daily, pushes the definition of fusion and eclectic with Asian, Italian, and especially French influences on local market produce. It's been around long enough to have a firm and faithful following and service is usually very good. Based on a Catalan traditional menu with a French twist, some of the must-try dishes are the roast guinea fowl with chestnut confit or an aubergine tart with goat's cheese and pesto. This restaurant is open Mondays through Saturdays from 2pm-5pm, and from 8:30pm-midnight. It is located at Ciutat Vella: Barri Gòtic, and the address is Carrer de l'Hostal d'En Sol, 6-8, Barcelona, ES 08003. Prices for main courses range from 14 to 26 USD, and fixed dinners are at 28 USD. Major credit cards are accepted, and reservations are recommended. You can call them at 93-315-21-59.
Since opening in 1967, the very popular
Via Veneto has maintained its position as one of the best restaurants in Barcelona and has won countless awards (including the Michelin Star) to prove it deserves its elite status. "Catalan Moderist" describes both the art deco setting and the exceptional classic cuisine of Via Veneto. Specialties from the kitchen of Chef Carles Tejedor and his highly trained staff include Salt-coated wild sea bass with black rice and razor shells from "Delta Del Ebro," Red Mullets (sans bones) with juicy saffron rice from La Mancha, Roasted rack of baby lamb with a crust of fine herbs and carbonara stuffed macaroni, Roasted and lacquered suckling pig with crispy tail and mushrooms millefeuille, and Roasted Duck a la presse (pressed) (minimum 2 people - a classic at Via Veneto since 1967). Via Veneto also one of the most complete fine wine lists in the country; six foot underground, the wine cellar holds over 10,000 bottles from throughout the world. The service is nothing short of perfect - so good you barely notice the wait staff's presence. (Interesting note: Salvador Dalí was a regular guest at this well-heeled establishment for years.) Hours are from 1:15pm to 4:00pm, and from 8:15pm to 11:30pm. Via Veneto is located at Carrer de Ganduxer 10. Major credit cards are accepted, and as you have likely suspected, an epicurean experience such as Via Veneto does not come at discount prices. Full meals per person range from 125 to 175 USD. This restaurant is closed midday on Saturdays and all day Sunday. Via Veneto is not open the first 20 days of August. Reservations are essential, and you can call them at 93 200 72 44, or visit
http://www.viavenetorestaurant.com/.
El Vaso de Oro, a true favorite with food lovers from Barcelona and well beyond, this small counter-type restaurant serves some of the best beer and tapas in town. There are a plethora of different tapas from which to choose, including meatballs with cuttlefish, sausage, or squid. And if you think tapas are too light for your hunger, there are more substantial items offered such as the solomillo con foie y cebolla (beef filet mignon with duck liver and onions - an overwhelming favorite), delicately light croquetas de jamón (ham croquettes), and the fresh fish prepared a la plancha (on the grill). The beer, an artisan draught beer which is specially brewed for this classic bar, is drawn and served with just the right amount of foam and always at the correct temperature. The high consumption ensures you will never be served a stale glass. If you avoid peak local lunch and dinner hours (2-4 pm and 9-11 pm) you will have better luck finding space at the bar. If you are on a tight budget, be careful, as the portions here are small, so the bill can add up quickly. Entrees generally range from $5.85-$20, and they do accept Mastercard and Visa. Hours are daily from 9 am to midnight, and this no table, stand around & chat venue is located at Balboa 6, Barceloneta, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08003. You can call them at 93/319-3098.