bar – Bottle Street

July 16, 2018July 16, 2018

Quimet y Quimet

Apparently the tiny, no seats, Quimet y Quimet is in every tourist guide. This may be because it is something special, but I’m not 100% sold. That’s not to say the tapas they create from behind the miniscule bar is not good – some of it is even great – but because it’s in every tourist guide, the crowd is almost entirely tourists (including this boy, I guess), and the atmosphere can seem somewhat lacking. I had Chinese tourists drinking Coke and screwing up their noses at some of the food, and even an American couple who arrived wheeling suitcases in. My advice? Pop in for a bite and a drink or two, and head off for a proper meal elsewhere.

Poeta Cabanyes 25

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July 16, 2018July 16, 2018

Bar Brutal/Can Cisa

Not a destination for masochists, necessarily. Some smartly prepared dishes with fresh produce, but the schtick here is the massive list of brutal (or natural) wines from across the globe. Unless you’re an anorak you’re probably not going to recognise any labels here – and you’ll be challenged by them too. A lack of sulphites means no next-morning headaches, but it may be a headache to find the right one for you. We went by the glass and tried a few – a safe choice, to be sure. If you’re a fan of natural wines, you may feel you’ve reached Nirvana, if not, you may wonder what the fuss is all about.

C/Barra de Ferro, 1 – enter through Can Cisa C/Princesa, 14

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July 16, 2018July 16, 2018

Viblioteca

Please, please, please, do not go blabbing about this place – it’s hard enough to get a table already.

The name gives the game away – it’s a wine bar. But it is so much more than that. In a space not much bigger a double garage, Viblioteca seats about 30, and somehow from behind the bar the small team conjures up incredible sharing plates. There’s no stove in the ‘kitchen’, so no grilled or fried dishes, but it doesn’t matter – smoked sardines on toast with idizibal cheese, tuna tataki and avocado salad, a brilliant deconstructed caprese salad, confit potato with jamon and a poached egg are just some of the many highlights here.

The owner is an oenophile and will help you choose wines by the glass or bottle – she has loads that aren’t on the list. The prices are reasonable and there are around 50 different cheeses to choose from to finish. Absolute gold. Bookings essential.

Vallfogona, 12

932 844 202

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July 16, 2018July 16, 2018

Tasqueta De Blai

In a street full of pinchos joints, La Tasqueta de Blai is always busy – surely a good sign. Fortunately the crowds ebb and flow, so even if there are no seats when you arrive the wait is usually not long, and worth it too. Select as few or as many pinchos from the bar as you fancy, save the toothpicks holding them together (at the moment they’re €1 for the short sticks and €1.80 for the fancy versions), and settle-up when you’re done. We can’t resist this place, and are inevitably back every week or two.

Carrer de Blai, 17

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May 30, 2016

Bianco Noir Bistrot

More a bar than bistro really, though there are some actual meals to be had along with an interesting selection of bar snacks, leaning towards more traditional French fare. The home-made hipster furniture is taken a bit too far, so you’re likely to find one half of your table reclined in a discarded sofa, while the others are on straight-backed dining chairs. Just about gets away with it though, as the bearded guy behind the bar knows his stuff.

C/Riera Alta 8

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May 30, 2016May 30, 2016

El Dinamic de Bcn

Hugely popular with a young crowd, El Dinamic can be a tricky place to find a table. Never mind – Lando is less popular for no particular reason I can tell, and is right next door. The space barely hides its warehouse origins, and the wait staff are too busy growing their beards to actually serve anybody, though when they do get around to it there are some nice tapas bites to be had here and a selection of local craft beers.

Passatge de Pere Calders, 4

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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

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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