Barcelona Restaurants
Establishment
neighborhood
Federal Cafè
39 Carrer del Parlament, Sant Antoni
This Aussie-style cafè, which opened in Sant Antoni in 2010, is best for brunch—sit in the pretty outdoor garden terrace if you can. The interior, a casual, cozy space, is split between an upstairs and downstairs, with a large communal table occupying most of the bottom floor. There is something to please everyone on the menu, from baked eggs with veggies, to hamburgers and salads, to pick-me-ups in juice, latté, and cocktail form.
Gallito
19-21 Passeig del Mare Nostrum, La Barceloneta
Gallito is part of the Barcelona-based, family-affair restaurant group that is also behind Madrid favorites Ana la Santa and Bosco de Lobos. The really delicious Mediterranean food at Gallito is matched by its seaside view and easy, LA-meets-Spain vibe (picnic-style tables, bright pillows lining bench seating, and a mix of fresh bouquets and potted plants). The terrace is great on warm days, but you can still glimpse the beach from Gallito's glassed interior, which has that inside/outside feel.
Granja M. Viader
4 Carrer d'en Xuclà, El Raval
A fifth-generation family-run establishment, Granja M. Viader feels like a Spanish take on the traditional American diner. Known for their pastries and thick hot chocolate, and traditionally dressed waiters (white button down, black tuxedo vest, and bow tie), this spot is best for a special treat kind of a breakfast. And if you don't have time for a sit-down meal, you can also order bakery items to go.
Cinc Sentits
60 Carrer d'Aribau, Eixample
Tuesday through Saturday, at lunch and dinner, Cinc Sentits serves a remarkable tasting menu, four or six course. (Nora Ephron, who told us she hates tasting menus in principle, called her lunch here "an astonishment.") The Catalan cuisine at Cinc Sentits changes based on what is currently in season and freshest: line-caught fish from villages along the Mediterranean coast, artisanal cheeses from Catalan towns, organic butter and beef from the Pyrenees. And you can opt to have your tasting accompanied by Cinc Sentits's thoughtfully curated wine pairings sourced from Catalonia, along with a selection from across Spain.
Can Martí
4 Carrer de la Font del Mont, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Can Martí is a very informal restaurant in the mountains, best accessed by a hike along the Carretera de las Aigües, a dirt road where people from Barcelona go to jog, bike, and walk their dogs. Accordingly, it offers great views of the city. The food is simple, with dishes like tortilla de patata, judías blancas, barbequed meat, salads, and barbequed calçots. It’s essential to reserve in advance, and if it’s calçot season, reserve those, too.
La Balsa
4 Carrer de la Infanta Isabel, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
With its wooden architecture and a wide open-air porch, La Balsa is the type of place where you'll want to stall a little while you finish off your bottle of wine post-meal.
Xiringuito Escribà
62 Avinguda del Litoral, El Poblenou
The paella is nice, but what’s great about this “chiringuito” is that it’s right on the beach so it comes with spectacular views. On a sunny day (and with some great company), it's a quintessentially Barcelona experience. Seats fill up quickly so call ahead.
Flash Flash
25 Carrer de la Granada del Penedès, Vila de Gràcia
Flash Flash is a Barcelona classic. It’s always open during the day and it doesn’t close until very late at night (the kitchen closes at 1 am). The interior—done in a sleek black and white—is a big part of the appeal.
Botafumeiro
81 Carrer Gran de Gràcia, Vila de Gràcia
Botafumeiro is a warm family restaurant where you're just as likely to see dignitaries as local celebs. Sit at the bar (kind of a Spanish version of an oyster bar) and have a late lunch.
Can Pineda
55 Carrer de Sant Joan de Malta, El Clot
Can Pineda is famous for really traditional Spanish cooking and an old-school style.