Restaurants/Bars – Page 3

January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

El Magatzem

Okay, you’re in tourist-central down in Port Vell, but you may as well make the most of it. El Magatzem occupies a spot in the sun on the Barcelonetta side of the Museu d’Història de Catalunya, and is a pretty good place to sit in the sun and soak up the atmosphere.

The food’s actually pretty good too – which possibly makes it a stand-out in this area – but the location wins it here. Watch for busy days – service is excellent for the most part, but if the tables are full, it all becomes a bit haphazard.

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Placa Pau Vila, 1

January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Bar del Pla

A traditional-looking tapas joint that doesn’t look vastly different from the rest with it’s unassuming facade, but one that raises the food to a higher level.

You’re not coming here for the décor, and what is it with the floodlit restaurants in this town? But it is worth the (probable) wait for a seat.

There’s a little experimentation in the kitchen, but largely it’s the standards done really well. They may not be described very accurately on the menu either: the “fried small fish” turned out to be more like a fisherman’s platter, and bloody good too.

Bar del Pla packed with locals, so that’s a good sign, and definitely worth a stop if you’re in the El Born district (on the same street as the Picasso Museum, but far enough away not to be completely overrun with tourists).

Book ahead, or be prepared to wait.

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Calle Montcada, 2

January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Federal Café

An Australian-themed hipster café in Parliament street, that’s not too hampered by its coolness.

Good for coffees, cakes, sandwiches, brunch (have yet to do that, but the plates look pretty darned good), and lunch. I’d say it’s a lunch spot, but the smallish rooftop terrace may well make it a winner on a warm evening as well.

The burgers are excellent, and while a kangaroo burger sounds completely out of place here, it is one of the best burgers I’ve had in Barcelona.

Apparently there are queues on the weekends. There’s another outlet in the Gothic quarter.

Carrer del Parlament, 39

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January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Cup & Cake

You guessed it – cupcakes and coffee, plus a sandwich or two. On-trend with the design too. Not worth travelling out of your way to find, but if you happen to be in the area (home décor central here) it’s a pretty good choice. There’s an outlet in Carrer dels Tallers 79 near the university that we haven’t stumbled across yet.

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Carrer d’Enric Granados, 145 (Near Diagonal)

January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Cuines Santa Caterina

This place is hugely popular, and it’s easy to see why. Eat in the restaurant, at the bar, or al fresco on a nice day, but beware – it’s a tapas menu at the bar and outside, while the indoors dining area has the full menu.

The kitchen turns out an odd array of dishes – from Spanish standards to Thai noodles and sushi. Needless to say we stick with the Spanish.

The Catalan sausage with foie gras and Santa Pau beans is a standout on a menu that’s generally winners.

Avda Francesc Cambó, 16

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January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Suculent The Tavern

Suculent The Tavern, is the tapas bar, while the restaurant is two doors down.

The arroz with rabbit and black pudding is superb, and the fried octopus, and the anchovy too.

The menu is in Catalan, so you’re going to need help from the friendly wait-staff to order. Half of it was unavailable when we visited, plus the menu changes seasonally, so maybe none of our recommendations are available any more! Easy to rack-up a sit-down dinner type bill though.

Rambla del Raval, 39

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January 4, 2016November 28, 2018

Komo en Kasa

Hole-in-the-wall take-away coffee joint (unfortunately Gustavo has lost his battle with the authorities, and no longer has any window seats – shame). The friendly service remains, and the empiñadas are hard to resist.

Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 3

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January 4, 2016May 30, 2016

Lando

In the up-and-coming Parliament Street area near Mercat St Antoni, Lando is a decent enough offering. Tapas includes anchovies with roasted capsicum, kale and cod croquettes, and “Spanish omelette and…” (spoiler alert – when we went it was mushrooms).

Good service, and a decent enough space – which should be even better on long summer nights with the front open onto the quiet side street – though it is disappointingly brightly lit.

Passage Pere Calders, 6

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January 4, 2016October 12, 2018

Caravelle

Achingly hipster brunch/lunch joint. Waiters with beards and tattoos, naturally (okay – the males sport the former, while the females are adorned with the latter). It’s so hipster they have their own-label craft beer, their own smoked and cured pork products, and house-made pickles too. That means the burgers are pretty fabulous (though it’s a double cheeseburger, so go hungry).

The quinoa croquettas are pretty good too. Plenty of eggy options for those slow-start days.

In the evenings it’s a taqueria, and the quality of the food equals what you get in the daylight hours – winner!

Carrer Pintor Fortuny, 31

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January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Bar Cañete

Old-school tapas joint that’s popular with tourists and locals alike. No point bothering with the restaurant, sit at the bar (two doors down) and watch your food being prepared in the open kitchen in front of you. Bar Cañete isn’t going to surprise you with anything cutting-edge, but it’s a solid choice. Arrive early (i.e. Before 9:00pm) or you’re likely to have to wait for a seat.

Carrer de la Unió, 17
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