There are hundreds of good restaurants in Barcelona and visitors can always find a great place to eat no matter what their taste.
These are five special restaurants which we have selected which are worth visiting when you are in Barcelona.
A visit to Dos Palillos is a must if you want to see what happens when traditional Spanish tapas meets exquisite Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese flavours. Chef Albert Raurich was behind the gourmet cuisine at El Bulli for ten years, and was head chef for the last six. Hence it is safe to presume he knows what’s what when it comes to inspiring and innovating. Highlights of the menu include delicacies such as fresh seaweed sunomono with molluscs, Japanese burger, meat gyoza and Cantonese style Iberian pork, to name just a few.
It is not difficult to see at a glance why Moments restaurant, located in the recently built and very attractive Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is worthy of a Michelin award. The menu features classic Spanish offerings such as rice with broth, as well as veal and fish stews. However, shrimp tartar, seabass with fig chutney and hibiscus salt and veal cheeks with turnip vegetable ravioli and red fruits also feature. Intriguingly, an anti-aging menu is also available, offering mini pizza pies with artichokes and Joselito ham, and buckwheat macaroni with scallops and vegetables.
A ‘menú degustación pica-pica’ is available at Arola restaurant, which consists of a delightful range of hot and cold tapas for €50. However, a comprehensive range of main courses is also on offer which shows off the skills of Catalan chef Sergi Arola at their best, and ensures the need to book every time one dines here. The cellar features an amazing selection of 900 wines. This former student of Pierre Gagnaire and Ferran Adrià is definitely one to watch out for in coming years.
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Passadís del Pep has a unique approach to dining; there is no set menu, but instead it serves whatever was fresh in the market or out of the sea on that particular day. Whatever the daily surprise (usually from the sea), one is sure that it will be cooked to perfection and impeccably presented. One cannot dine here without drinking copious quantities of Cava, which is the local Champagne. It has the reputation for being hidden away, as it is located in a very narrow laneway (called a passadis), but it is well worth the search. Booking is essential.
Can Vallès is located on Aragó street, adjacent to Rocafort, and may look deceptively like just another of the many bars in Barcelona. However, it is so much more than that. Its unassuming facade gives no indication of the outstanding dishes contained within, presented with much attention to detail and love. Only the best of quality ingredients are used to make sublime offerings such as chickpeas with lobster, pork feet cannelloni, fresh seafood, meat served on a hot stone, fresh salads and a variety of delectable tapas. Here is proof that good food is a vocation. Just two of the recommended desserts would be the chocolate cake with cinnamon ice cream, or their cheesecake. They also serve a brilliant range of wine. This establishment may be diminutive, but it is exceptionally popular, so advance booking is essential.
