We love Barcelona. Its one of those cities that just resonates with us and we always have a great time. We have lost count of the number of times we have been in the last 10 years.
Where To Eat
Sadly, since the pandemic, some of our favourites are gone, including most of Albert Adria's restaurants like Tickets. But below you will find the list of our favourites that, thankfully, are still in operation. If you don't have time to read about all the restaurants below, the most important thing to know is that when we go back to Barcelona we will be returning to Bodega Lito, Dos Pebrots and either a splurge in Enigma or Disfrutar
Bodega Lito |
This was formerly in Albert Adria's elBari group as Bodega 1900. Adria brought this one was back with a new name, but everything else is the same. Since our first time going there in 2015, this restaurant has been one of our favourites anywhere in the world. Amazing Catalan produce served simply, but with a bit of flair. Don't bother look at the menu, just ask your server to decide and sit back and enjoy. |
Enigma Concept |
Google will tell you this place is permanently closed, but apparently is going to open again in 2022 - this Albert Adria restaurant was not part of the elBarri group. We went in 2017 when it was first launched and it was just remarkable. 40+ course served in 5 different rooms (you have to move around the restaurant). Delicious food, great wine, brilliant service and tremendous fun awaits. |
Dos Pebrots |
Before our visit to Dos Pebrots we were told it won't leave you indifferent. It didn't - it left us happy and content. Dos Pebrots takes old recipes and dishes from around the Mediterranean and modernised them. The results are spectacular - we enjoyed every dish. The wine list is small, but well curated and the service was brilliant - they made our kids feel welcome and special. We will go back here on every visit to Barcelona, for sure! |
Lasarte |
This is top Barcelona restaurant of Basque chef Martin Berasategui. Its full tasting menu is excellent. The service is polished and they have introduced a new lunch menu. If you want to splurge in Barcelona this is a good option |
La Barra de Carles Abellan |
In the W hotel at the end of the beach, this restaurant has a modern and trendy dining room. It is a largely fish based menu and the tasting menu is differently a great choice. First-class produce cooked with skill and finished with a bit of flair and originality, accompanied by a great wine list. If you are down by the beach, this is definitely worth a visit. |
Disfrutar |
The 5th best restaurant in the world in 2021, if you are into such lists. We have eaten here twice now and both were fantastic experiences. The food is playful, imaginative and, most of all, delicious. The service is top-notch. This restaurant is superb and is doing everything right. For your first visit, get the classics menu and then the festival menu on your next visit - you won't be disappointed. |
Pla B |
In the Gothic Quarter, Pla B offers traditional local dishes cooked with care using top quality produce. The ever-changing menu is very inviting and extremely good value. Add this to the enticing wine list and hospitable service and Pla B is a lovely spot for an afternoon lunch. |
Tens |
You can get tapas, oysters and a full tasting menu in this restaurant by renowned chef Jordi Cruz. We had the tasting menu, which is great value at €55 for 10 courses. |
Tapas 24 |
Tapas 24, run by chef Carles Abellan, is a great spot to stop in for some delicious tapas. There are a few locations, we sat outside on Passeig de Gracia and had a nice cava and some tapas. |
Oria by Martín Berasategui |
Oria by Martín Berasategui is in the same hotel as his more acclaimed, and more expensive, restaurant Lasarte, but Oria is not to dismissed. It serves generous and good valued tasting menus for lunch and dinner in a comfortable dining room with the same excellent service. It even has highchairs for the little ones. |
Estimar |
Estimar is a fish restaurant by chef Rafa Zafra hidden away in the El Born district of Barcelona. When you walk into this tiny dining room you will see the small selection of fresh fish for the day displayed in front of the kitchen. The cooking of this extemely fresh fish is spot on and everything we ate was absolutely delicious. Be warned, fish of this quality isn't cheap and its easy to run up a large bill in here. |
Fonda Espanya |
Fonda España, another restaurant by Martín Berasategui is a good spot for lunch in the centre of Barcelona. It's laid back, good value and the service is top notch, although the food isn't quite as good as Oria. |
Bar Jai-Ca |
Bar Jai-Ca is somewhat of an institution in Barcelona. It is a traditional bar still serving simple and moreish tapas dishes. The atmosphere is welcoming, mostly surrounded by locals, and the tapas are great value. Stop here if you are spending a day on the beach. |
Where To Sleep
We have kids so it is usually handy for us to stay in apartments. The best so far have been Grandom Suites and Aspasios Boutique Apartments. Good value, clean, well equipped apartments in central locations.
Barcelona with Kids
We love bringing our kids to Barcelona. For a large city it is surprisingly kid friendly. Emma has been three times and Amy twice so far and they loved it each time. We would really recommend the science museum, Cosmo Caixo, on the outskirts of town, its very interactive and our kids really loved it. It has a very good zoo, which has never been that busy when we were there. It is also centrally located and very easy to walk to - no need for transport. We have spent many mornings in the Zoo before going for a delicious lunch. Speaking of lunch, most restaurants have no problem at all accepting children in the restaurants, most will even have highchairs. We brought our kids to all the restaurants listed above with the exception of Disfrustar, Lasarte and Enigma. Most restaurants will even make dishes for the kids (ours love fish and prawns served quite simply) while Mommy and Daddy indulge in a tasting menu
Rental apartments will also supply a cot if you request one in advance. For a babysitter, we always use Miss Babysitter, which offer a service all over Spain. We have used them many times and always had a great experience.
Rental apartments will also supply a cot if you request one in advance. For a babysitter, we always use Miss Babysitter, which offer a service all over Spain. We have used them many times and always had a great experience.
Some Tips
- Getting a private transfer from the airport, booked in advance, can work out around the same price as a taxi and is very convenient.
- There are some great wine shops in Barcelona, the best is probably Vila Viniteca. I could spend hours browsing in this shop.
- Enjoy Wine have some really rare and unique old bottles of wine from around the world. They will also deliver to your accommodation when in Barcelona. We have brought home some old gems for great value
- La Boqueria market is great, but its always packed so get there early. There are other food markets around Barcelona that are never that busy, such as Santa Caterina Ninot, so don't forget those