Eating Out

When you're eating out at Barcelona restaurants, expect lots of olive oil, garlic and fish as the main ingredients in your dish. Additionally, pasta dishes are more popular in Barcelona restaurants than other areas of Spain. It goes without saying that no matter what dish you're opting for, it can be combined perfectly with one of the many fabulously tasty Spanish wines available. Generally you can ask for the open red or white wine or the 'vino de la casa'. The average quality of each wine is pretty good!

In general, Barcelona restaurants open at around 8:00 or 8.30 p.m. and they stay open until midnight. Eating out starts very late: often people go out for dinner at 9.30-10:00 p.m. Cheap Barcelona restaurants offer tasty home cooked cuisine and often excellent tapas. For the latter, go to 'Pinocho' near the Boqueria market. Omelette-lovers should try 'Flash-Flash', where they serve roughly 100 different omelettes and also a famous Barcelonian special -- the potato-tortilla.

For a traditional Catalan meal (mainly fish and other fresh ingredients from the market) try a moderately priced restaurant such as 'L'Olive'. Make your reservations at 'Can Ros' for a tasty paella or 'arroz negre'.

If you want to have a very exclusive meal, go to Via Veneto. This restaurant has won several awards for its exquisite and innovative Catalan dishes and is therefore worth trying. Another good option is 'Ca l'Isidre' where you might run into some famous artists- even King Juan Carlos of Spain has been here! They serve food based on the freshest ingredients. However, many visitors of 'Elderado Petit' claim that this is the best restaurant of Barcelona. It's a lovely turn-of-the-century building and they serve a menu that follows the availabilty of fresh ingredients from one of the many markets.

The streets of Doctor Dou and Carme are becoming the Restaurant Mile of Barcelona, with Mamacafe, DosTrece, Carmelitas, És and Ipoosa.  The food falls within the category of "Mediterranean fusion cuisine".

Top Barcelona Restaurants

Agut - Located in the Gothic Quarter, this 75-year-old Catalan favorite features a menu of Catalan, European and Spanish dishes well as nice selection of wines. Popular dishes include pork feet, a delicious sweet and sour wild duck dish, and eggplant terrine, to name a few. While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended. Address: Gignas 16, Ph: 93-315-17-09. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m., 9 p.m.-midnight; Sunday 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m.; Closed August.

El Raco de Can Fabes – El Raco de Can Fabes is considered one of the top three restaurants in Spain by culinary experts, individuals with the most discriminating palettes, and novices alike. The restaurant is a 30-minute drive north of Barcelona and a 45-minute train ride, but most fans would agree that El Raco de Can Fabes is well worth the trip. Tip: Try the taster’s menu. Address: Sant Joan, 6 Sant Celoni, Ph: 93-867-28-51; web: www.canfabes.com ; e-mail: canfabes@canfabes.com.

Torre d’Altamar – Love seafood? Then you’ll love Torre d’Altamar. The menu offers fresh seafood of all kinds – some standard others exotic. The menu also features foods for heartier appetites such as beef steak tartar or filet mignon topped with a mountain of duck or goose liver (foie). Torre d’Altamar is housed in a cable car tower, which offers breathtaking views of Barcelona. Address: Passeig Joan de Borbo 88. Torre Sant Sebastia, Ph: 34-93-221-00-07; web: www.torredealtamar.com , www.grupcosta.es; e-mail: reserves@torredealtamar.com.

Shunka – Considered one of Barcelona’s best Japanese restaurants, Shunka serves up an eclectic mix of Japanese and Mediterranean favorites. Expect raw starters such as fresh fish and hearty, but heart-healthy main dishes. Shunka is located behind Hotel Colon at Sagristans 5, Barri Gotic. Ph: 93 412-49-91.

Casa Leopolodo - If you like pork – if you really, really like pork, then head to the Rambla to Casa Leopolodo to get your fill on stewed head and hoof of pork (cap-i-pota). The menu also features a wide selection of seafood and fish dishes such as grilled turbot, Norway lobsters sautéed with crabs, and a meat seafood medley – meatballs with cuttlefish and prawns. Address: C/ Sant Rafael, 24, Ph: 93-441-30-14; website: www.casaleopoldo.com .  

El Foro - Dying for some pizza? Then head to the trendy and always lively El Foro restaurant near the Born. El Foro also serves up fresh salads and a variety of meaty dishes. After dinner, head downstairs for a jazz performance. Address: Princesa 53, Born-Ribera, Ph: 93-310-10-20.

El Tragaluz - A great place to go for light Mediterranean cuisine that’s considered “delicate” but “cutting edge” is El Tragaluz. The fare isn’t the only thing that’s light here. Patrons can look up at gaze into the light from the stars through the restaurants popular sliding glass roof -- which opens when the weather outside is nice. El Tragaluz attracts a sophisticated crowd that’s not afraid to spend a small fortune for an excellent and elegant meal. Address: Passatge de la Concepcio 5, Ph: 93-487-01-96.