Barcelona Restaurant Tips by Belsaita Top 5 Page for this destination

a few Dessert Places: where to have a sweet fix?

If you usually tend to reserve some room in your stomach for the dessert... why not to have a full menu of deserts? Or a "main" dish that is just an excuse before indulging yourself in creative sweet pleasures??

- DOLSO www.dolso.es
In Eixample. The website is only in Spanish but you'll get teh address and pictures of what they serve. It's a very small restaurants specialized in desserts (they have a few other dishes... but just to have something before the sweet grand finale).

- ESPAI SUCRE www.espaisucre.com

Espai Sucre (sugar space) was the first restaurant here offering a full menu of sweet things only

- If you feel hungry at mid afternnon and fancy something special:
BUBÓ www.bubo.ws
A place in El Born not to be missed.

- CACAO SAMPAKA www.cacaosampaka.com
This is a chain of chocolate shops (a few around town, and some in other cities). Not the usual chocolate tough.... very imaginative. And delicious!

- For having a "old style" merienda, you can head to MAURI in Rambla de Catalunya. www.pasteleriasmauri.com

- For incredibly good stuff (not cheap indeed) in one of the most beautiful shops in town, ESCRIBÀ in Rambla de les Flors (Las Ramblas). www.escriba.es

Favorite Dish: "I never met a chocolate I didn't like" (Deanna Troi, Star Trek ;))

Rating: 4

Theme: Dessert

"La Llavor dels Orígens" (formerly Origen 99.9%): a decent selection of local food origens 99'9% Review

Now and then someone asked me where to enjoy some good Catalan food at reasonable prices while in Barcelona. My problem was we usually don't go to 'typical' places when eating out... as I prefer to taste something different from what I have at home, so I did not know what to say!

Some friends recommended Origens. I did saw one of these restaurants many times passing by (there are a few round town) and I though it looks nice, but I never tried as I was afraid it could be yet another tourist trap. But it's not!

Favorite Dish: They have a good selection of both traditional and creative dishes made with local ingredients. The portions are not big, but prices are more than reasonable, and you can try a few different dishes. Leave room for the desserts!

The menu is great for those not so familiar with Catalan food (both foreigners or Spaniards from other regions, or even some of we Catalans :)) It is a "magazine" where each dish has a picture and an a trilingual explanation (Catalan, Spanish and English). In the magazine you'll find as well recipes, info abut Catalan products, traditions and festivals... and you can keep it as a souvenir :)

http://www.lallavordelsorigens.com/Revista.php?len=en

Address: There are a few around the city

Comparison: about average

Phone: 93 310 75 31

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.lallavordelsorigens.com/

Dos Cielos: Lovely venue for a special night

Dos Cielos = Two Skies

Small restaurant at the at the top of the ME hotel (one of the tallest buildings in town). Two chefs, the brothers Sergio and Javier Torres, run the place and make it really special.

I went there on a special occasion (its not an ‘everyday’ place) and it definitely meet our expectations, and more. You enter the restaurant through the open plan kitchen. We were welcomed by one of the chefs, and then he come to our table and chatted with us. He's a really nice guy, not stiff at all.

You can have a drink before your meal in the outside terrace with nice views (even trough the design metallic walls) over the city.

Being a top restaurant with a well deserved Michelin star, it still manages to offer a relaxed atmosphere. Every course was a surprise and everything was amazingly displayed and tasted delicious.

I definitely recommend it!

Address: C/ Pere IV, 272-286 08005 Barcelona

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Poble Nou area, nearest metro stations Diagonal or Poblenou.

Phone: 933 67 20 70

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

Website: http://doscielos.com/

Manairo: Worthy of the Michelin star

I went there with friends, using a special offer for their tasting menu. First good point: reception was excellent (can't say the same from other places when you use discount offers).

The dining room is lovely, decorated with 'earthy' tones, discreet decor an lighting that helps you to focus in the food. Excellent service. The tasting menu was composed of 7 inventive and unexpected courses, based of traditional Catalan food with a twist. Excellent pairing wines too.

All in all, it was a great meal. Would't mind to repeat (but there are so many places to try!)

Address: Diputació, 424

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Eixample.
Nearest metro station: Monumental

Other Contact: info@manairo.com

Phone: 93 301 29 40

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.manairo.com

Bar Pizzeria Diego: not only pizza... and in huge amounts!

A couple of days ago I met there some friends at Bar/Pizzeria Diego, it's a non-pretentious local bar where you can get full for 15€ or less. Not only pizzas, and in my opinion pizzas are not the best option there, despite its name. Their hamburgers and salads are huge. Basic honest food, great terrace for people-watching... what else you need? :D

You might be not able to sit down for dinner if you arrive later than 9pm (this says something here LOL) and incidentally, they do a pretty decent sangria (not easy to find in Barcelona).

Certainly not in the tourist track, but an option for those staying nearby or those who already 'did the must' and now want to explore the 'real' Barcelona.

Favorite Dish: As the portions are so big, I like to share a hamburguer or pizza and a salad with a friend.

Address: Rambla de Fabra i Puig, 35. 08030 Barcelona

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Take the metro to Fabra i Puig, the rambla starts near there. Walk down, its a nice traditional rambla full of shops and terrace bars.

District/neighborhood: Sant Andreu

Phone: 933 11 43 51

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://pizeriadiego.com/

Textil Cafe: A trendy terrace into a medieval palace Textil Cafe Review

The terrace is the entrance patio from a middle-age building, Palace of Marquises de Llio, from XIII Century. Two interesting museums are located in this building (Textil and Pre-Columbine Art). Of course, you can eat inside, but it's not so special.

You can eat reasonably well, all Mediterranean specialties, but be aware that portions tend to be too small. IMO it's a better place for having breakfast, or just a rest, sipping a good cafe or tea (my favourite is 'te a la menta', Moroccan-style tea with fresh mint).

As a summary: one of the nicest places in the area (that it is as well one of the nicest areas of Barcelona). The shop of the Textil Museum is quite interesting as well, you can find good souvenirs.

Plus: From March to December: Sunday evenings live Jazz sessions (5 euros entrance)

Address: Carrer Montcada, 12

Comparison: about average

Directions: El Born, in front of Museu Picasso.

Metro: Jaume I (L4)

Phone: +34 932 682 598

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Cinc Sentits: One of the best food experiences I ever had!

... and I have been to quite a few great restaurants in different countries.

This is not a place for everybody and even less for everyday. But well worth (IMHO) to give it a try... or more.

If you like getting stuffed and you're not adventurous, this is not your place. However, if you like creative cuisine based on local culinary traditions, sampling and being surprised, this place is ideal of a special meal. In my opinion it well deserves the Michelin star and I will not be surprised if they earn another one in the future.

Favorite Dish: The place only does tasting menus, we had the "Sensacions" with 8 small courses, 69€. We did not get the pairing wines as we don't drink much, so we preferred just a bottle between the two (that we surprisingly finished ;-). with wine, bread, tea, etc the final total coast was nearly 200€ (2 people). I was invited by my friend so I do not have the exact figure.

There is another menu of 5 courses, we were told both menus have the same total amount of food, so we got for the more varied.

The 8 courses are tiny but after so many (and the appetizers), both of us felt more than OK. They were very accommodating and changed one of the dishes as we dislike one of its main ingredients. I loved the bread, it was served warm and with 2 wonderful olive oil varieties to dip in.

We finished with herbal teas (not willing to get insomnia having a coffee!) and the brought us a lovely tray with 16 tea and herbal blends, the waiter explained each and let us smell them and decide...

The service was great, very nice and not stiff, but very knowledgeable. The decoration is elegant and minimal, as the pottery. As usually happens in Barcelona, no special dress code is required. A place truly devoted to food enjoyment and not to the appearances.

I have to say again I loved the place? ;-))

Address: Aribau, 58. 08011 Barcelona

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Carrer d'Aribau near Carrer d'Aragó. Eixample Esquerra.

Phone: 933 239 490

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.cincsentits.com

Can Toni del Poble 9: Great tapas

Update November 2010:
Last time I was there... well... it's not the same. The place is a bit "fancier" now and the prices are a bit higher. The food was still good but the portions were not as big as used to be and the waiters were extremely rude and slow (and I'm not usually that picky about service). Well, maybe they had a bad day, but I'm afraid I will look for other places in the area. There are so many to choose from! Still I believe Can Toni is an option to consider for a "menu del dia" in their terrace in a sunny day.

- - - - ORIGINAL TIP - - - - -

El Poble Nou (that means "New Town") is a relatively off-the-beaten-path area of Barcelona, part of the Sant Marti district. A former independent town, that raised around the factories of the Industrial Revolution on the XIX Century. If keeps a local feel, and may be a nice area to stroll around, even it has no monuments, or "must-sees".

Can Toni is a classic from the area, playing with the word "Nou" (new) and the number 9, that sounds identical in Catalan. Located in the middle of La Rambla del Poble Nou, the main avenue of the neighborhood, were everyone wanders around to see and to be seen. This avenue goes from La Diagonal to the beach of La Mar Bella, and you can easily arrive there with metro (L4). There are many other restaurants in that area, of all kinds.

Favorite Dish: Do not expect a fancy place. Just a very basic restaurant, with a few tables. If weather permits, better stay at the outside tables in La Rambla. You can there enjoy local specialties a la carte, or their special menus:
- "menu del dia": 2 main courses, dessert and drink, only available at lunch time on weekdays
- "menu de tapas" (to choose from a selection of tapas, of course)
- or their special tapas menu for two people, including a selection of 6 tapas, bread and a bottle of wine.

Address: Rambla del Poble Nou, 88

Comparison: about average

Directions: Metro, L4, Poblenou

Phone: +34 93 300 33 17

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Taverna Can Margarit: A genuine old tavern (not a fake one for tourists) Taverna Can Margarit Review

You'll not believe you're in Barcelona, it's like a countryside old "taverna". When you enter this very old local, you'll first find large barrels of local wine. Ask the waiter to arrange a table for you, and in the meanwhile you can help yourself and take a glass of your favorite wine to drink before dinner, at the tables at the entrance. Later, enter the main room, wooden old tables and walls decorated with rare objects, farming equipment old stuff. There you'll enjoy basic typical dishes as grilled meats or "butifarra amb mongetes" (local sausage with beans, my favorite, but quite heavy at night!). Not haute cuisine at all, only simple dishes, but prices are more than reasonable and the atmosphere is worth it.

Address: Carrer Concordia 21 (Poble Sec)

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Poble Sec, near to Metro Station at Av. Paral.lel

The place has not a webpage (afaik)

Open only for dinner, 21-23.30 h EXCEPT Sundays and holidays.

Phone: +34 93 441 67 23

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Senyor Parellada: Catalan cuisine Senyor Parellada Review

WARNING: I've not been there for a while. I don't want to remove/change my tip yet... but maybe better check more recent reports

Located in a building that's at least a century old, next door to the Hotel Banys Orientals (owned by the same family). Inside, you'll find a recently refurbished place, with a pair of yellow and blue dining rooms. The menu includes many traditional Catalan dishes, as Xato (kind of salad), Escalivada (baked vegetables), Esquiexada (salad of salt-preserved cod), roasted duck, fried fish, Canelons (like Italian canelloni).... and more. A few years ago it was always plenty of locals. Now, you will hear a lot of English and many other languages here, prices have increased and quality decreased a bit ... but it keeps being a place to try. Book in advance, or go there very early, otherwise you won't get in.

Favorite Dish: I do like going there from time to time to enjoy their fried fish and vegetable's dishes, or the day specials. Be careful about quantity! We usually order a main dish for each one and a "paperina" of veggies or a "escalivada" to share (to allow enough room for the delicious desserts :-)))

Address: Argenteria, 37 - 08003 Barcelona

Comparison: about average

Directions: El Born

Phone: +34 93 310 50 94

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local