I thought it would be appropriate for my first post about my trip to be my favourite Barcelona restaurants because well, when I think back, around eighty percent of the days were spent eating and drinking.
Let me just start off by saying that there is an unbelievable amount of restaurants, bars and cafés in Barcelona. This means you could walk down any street and find somewhere to eat or drink. While I didn’t even scratch the surface, I did visit quite a few and unfortunately had to narrow the list down to five of the best.
My Top 5 Barcelona Restaurants
Pakta
A Japanese and Peruvian fusion restaurant with the option of a set tasting menu or a create-your-own tasting menu. This one is special because it was my first Michelin star restaurant experience and also one of the top restaurants in Barcelona.
From the exceptional service to the incredible food, this was one of my most memorable culinary experiences. Definitely worth every penny.
*Highlight – the desserts. Unexpected, innovative and so delicious!
Meneghina
Italian in Spain? Yes, because like any normal human being, I often experience uncontrollable cravings for Italian food. We found this little gem on a whim and well damn, I’m so glad we did. Tucked away in the narrow streets of Barcelona’s El Born district. The small menu offers excellent seasonal Italian cuisine based on pasta dishes. (Also on Time Out’s list of best Barcelona restaurants.)
Charming service, romantic atmosphere and dishes packed with flavour! Thumbs up from me.
Burrata with grilled vegetables and Romesco sauce
Cannoli with pistachio ice-cream
*Highlight – Burrata with grilled vegetables and Romesco sauce / Cannoli with pistachio ice-cream
La Paradeta
If fresh seafood is what you’re after, this is the place. Diners queue to make their selection at the freshly caught seafood counter, select a side salad or bread and order drinks. Take a number, find a table and wait for their food to be cooked. There is nothing fancy about this restaurant and it is this no-frills approach that makes it all about the food.
Fresh simplicity at it’s absolute best.
Steamed Mussels
*Highlight – Mussels so good you could eat a mountain of them!
Bodega Monumental
An unexpected gem that’s been open since 1937! Complete with vintage sailing photos and mosaic tiles, it’s as if you’re stepping into a restaurant on a marina.
Tasty food and friendly service. A great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch with the locals.
*Highlight – Some great tapas and a saucy pork/rice dish I have since forgotten the name of.
Tapas at Bodega Monumental
Tapeo
Though this tapas bar is across the street from the Picasso museum, it is certainly not a tourist trap. We sat at the bar with a view of the small but busy kitchen and enjoyed a bottle of Spanish rosé. The menu is made up of classic tapas with a creative spin.
Sweetbreads with mushrooms, bone marrow and figs
Delicious and interesting flavour combinations!
*Highlight – The Burrata was definitely worth mentioning but a highlight for me was the sweetbreads with wild mushrooms, bone marrow and fig.
My top tip for eating and drinking in Barcelona – aside from using helpful apps to find restaurants with great customer reviews, try to eat where the locals eat. The food is bound to be good and far cheaper!
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