By: Albert Pang
Last Updated: September 2003
The following is my biased guide to restaurants in Barcelona. It is all based on my personal experience (unless otherwise stated). In the first section, I list the restaurants that I have been to and would like to revisit. I list them in the order of my own preference. The ranking is purely subjective and more often based on nostalgia than anything else. In any case, I am sure that you wouldn't be disappointed with any of these.
Citrus Restaurantus
Price Range: moderate (20-30EURpp)
Category: Catalana
Area: Eixample Dret
Address:
Pg. de Gràcia 44,
08007 Eixample
Phone: +34 93 487 23 45
Albert's comment:
Citrus is definitely my favourite restaurant in Barcelona. Not only the
food is good and décor is nice. The location is
the great. It is right on the posh shopping street Passeige de Gracia.
This is the restaurant that I go back to everytime visit Barcelona.
The restaurant has an a la carte menu plus daily specials.
Be sure the to save some room for dessert. The 'three flans' was
my favourite. However, the last time I was there (May '02), I
had the 'Pecado de Chocolat (Sin of Chocolate)', it's so good that it is worth
going to hell for.
The downside is that this restaurant is popular with locals as well as tourists (featured in many guidebooks). It is better if you book in advanced. The last time I was there (May 2002), we only managed to get a table at 11:45p.m. on a Friday night.
Agua
Price Range: Moderate
Category: Mediterranea
Area: La Barceloneta/Port Olympic
Address:
Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 30,
08005 Ciutat Vella
Phone: +34 93 225 12 72
Albert's comment:
This restaurant is right by the beach at Port Olympica. 2 minutes walk from Hotel Arts. Good
food and pleasant atmosphere. Tables on the patio outside are worth it only when the weather is nice.
Others's comment:
Bona fide beachfront tables and a warm, modern interior make Agua a reliable bet for an
enjoyable meal. Dishes range from quirky starters such as Montadito de bacallà amb tomaquet
sec (layered cod cake with sun-dried tomatoes) to pasta or rice dishes such as arròs salvatgte
amb verdures i gingebre (wild rice with greens and ginger) and very good meat and fish. Plus,
you can watch the soothing Mediterranean waves while you eat.
Lungomare Ristorante
Price Range: moderate
Category: Italian
Area: Port Olímpic - Vila Olímpica
Address:
C. de la Marina 16-18,
08005 Sant Martí
Phone: +34 93 221 04 28 or +34 93 221 60 19
Price Range: moderate/expensive
Category: Vasco - Navarra
Area: La Rambla/Barri Gòtic
Address:
La Rambla 20-24,
08002 Ciutat Vella
Phone: +34 93 302 10 37 or +34 93 302 61 38
Albert's comment:
L'Escamerla
Price Range: moderate
Category: Marisquería
Area: Port Olímpic - Vila Olímpica
Address:
Pg. del Litoral 40,
08005 Sant Martí
Phone: +34 93 221 13 66
Les Quinze Nits
Price Range: inexpensive
Category: Internacional
Area: Barri Gòtic
Address:
Placa Reial 6,
08002 Ciutat Vella
Phone: +34 93 317 30 75
Others's comment:
This small chain has become hugely successful by offering modern Catalan food at low prices,
but lately both food and service often get patchy (or just poor) at busy times, and queues are
annoyingly long (other branches can be better than the Plaça Reial base). Menus are all similar,
with dishes such as parrillada de peix (seafood mixed grill) and arrós negre.
Branches: La Dolça Herminia C/Magdalenes 27 (93 317 06 76); La Fonda C/Escudellers 10
(93 301 75 15); Hostal de Rita C/Aragó 279, Eixample (93 487 23 76); L'Hostalet de la
Mamasita Avda Sarrià, Zona Alta (93 321 92 96).
Tapa Tapa
Price Range: moderate
Category: Tapas
Area: Eixample Dret
Address:
Pg. Gràcia 44,
08007 Ciutat Vella
Phone: +34 93 488 33 69
Price Range: inexpensive
Category: Parrilla - Carnes a la Brasa
Area: Eixample Dret
Address:
C. Casp 19,
08010 Eixample
Phone: +34 93 301 76 10
Set Portes (7 doors)
Category: All kinds. Seafood
Price Range: Expensise
Address:
Pg.d´Isabel II 14,
08003 Ciutat Vella
Phone: +34 93 319 29 50 or +34 93 319 30 33
Website:http://www.set-portes.mhp.es/
Albert's comment:
I still have not been able to go to this restaurant. The last time I tried
to get a reservation, I couldn't get one until a week later. Maybe next time.
Others's comment:
Founded in 1836 and a historic institution in itself, the huge 'Seven Doors' is on every tourist
list. It's regularly packed with foreigners, but also manages to maintain standards, and despite
the frilly fittings and the piano player, prices are generally acceptable. The speciality is paella
de peix: for maximum flavour ask for the shells to be left on the seafood. Bookings are taken
only for meals at 1.30-2.30pm and 8-9.30pm; you can expect long queues at most times, and
especially on Sunday evenings.
Agut
Address:
C/Gignàs 16
Metro Jaume I
Price Range: moderate
Phone: +34 93 315 17 09
Others's comment:
This long-established, comfortable family-run restaurant is well known for appetising traditional
Catalan food. Despite its location in a narrow old street near the port it has always drawn a
very varied clientele, although recent price rises may augur a (perhaps regrettable) move
upmarket. Agut is applauded for its cannelloni, steaks and home-made profiteroles.
Agut d'Avignon
Price Range: expensive
Address:
C/Trinitat 3
Avinyo 8
Metro Liceu
Phone: +34 93 302 60 34
Others's comment:
In a small alleyway, one of Barcelona's most prestigious restaurants offers comfort and service
belying the shabbiness of much of the surrounding area. Menus are based on classic Catalan
dishes (excellent farcellets de col, stuffed cabbage leaves), with others from various Spanish
regions, such as Castilian roasts, and creations of their own like wild boar with strawberry
sauce, duck with figs, or oyster soup.
Bracafé
Address:
C/Casp 2
Metro Plaça Catalunya
Albert's comment:
Passed by it many times, never got a chance to go in.
Others's comment:
A bustling, popular café just off the Plaça Catalunya, patronised by Passeig de Gràcia shoppers
and known for its Brazilian coffee, which has made it onto the 'best in Barcelona' list.