How to Find the Best Restaurants in Barcelona

r of Spaingrilled clam in thyme foam and blood orange emulsion
Although Catalan cuisine is considered world-class,with tuna will make you wonder how you’re
Spanish regional cooking is nothing to laugh at. And ifpaying less than €30. Finally, try Gresca, (c
you can’t make it to all the corners of theProvença, 230), where the simplest ingredients
country, try some of the regional centers throughoutare transformed by amazing techniques.
Barcelona which let you sample the uniqueJust Desserts
gastronomy from north to south. The Casa GallegaIf you’re the type to rush through a meal just to
(Galician House) on La Rambla, 35, serves up some ofget to dessert, you’ll be in heaven at Espai
the regions finest shellfish with their famousSucre (c/Princesa, 53). But be warned – these
Albariño wine, a chilled white that is quicklyare not your typical cakes or ice creams.
become world-famous. Wines of a different hue takeHere’s you’ll find three- and five-course
center stage at Casa de la Rioja, (c/Peu de la Creu, 8)tasting menus featuring everything from salty toffee
which also features specialties such as marinatedcream with smoked whiskey; extra-virgin olive-oil cake
anchovies and broad beans with cuttlefish. Finally, forwith white peaches and green olives or a combination
some world-class tapas without stepping foot in Sanof cold raspberry sorbet, hibiscus soup, rose ice,
Sebastian, head to the Centre Cultural Euskal Etxeatomato foam and red wine gel. “Salads”
(Placesta Montcada, 1) where you can find amazinginclude cubes of spicy milk pudding on green apple,
octopus, slabs of award-winning idiazabal cheese andlettuce and toffee. Each dish comes with a wine
eggs with prawns.recommendation, and there is a small menu with
Gourmet on a budgetnon-dessert items as well. Don’t be scared by
Barcelona is nothing if not über-trendy, but thethe combinations; they might seem unusual at first, but
latest craze has less to do with gels and foams thanyour palate will thank you later. Be sure to call ahead
with pocket-friendly meals. “Bistronomia”for reservations, the place only seats 30 and is quite
is the newest sensation in the city, and it refers topopular.
“bistro” meals, which are traditionalBeing in the Catalan capital it seems only right that you
dishes, and “gastronomia,” which are theshould try the local cuisine. The best examples you're
avant-garde techniques used to make them. And withlikely to find can be found along Diagonal and the
highly trained chefs creating inventive dishes at half theRamblas, although these tend to be quite pricey.
price of Michelin-starred restaurants, here’sFor something a little more affordable you need to
hoping this trend is here to stay. Try Embat (c/Mallorca,veer off the beaten track. Our Barcelona restaurants
304) where the décor is nonexistent but theguide, has been designed with your needs in mind, you
lunch menu, featuring fresh cheese ravioli with lemoncan search for any restaurant by name, type of
and bacon, is divine. Or head to Hisop, (Passatgecuisine or specialty, area of Barcelona or price you
Marimón, 9) where the chefs seem right out ofintend to spend.
Ferran Adrià’s kitchen. Dishes such as