Sant Antoni

Hipster cocktail bars are the hallmark of up-and-coming neighborhoods, so locals were surprised that it took so long for a place like Bitter to open up in Sant Antoni. Tardiness aside, there's not much to complain about here—the menu is fully stocked with well-crafted cocktails that are inventive but still utterly drinkable, like the grapefruit margarita, a London mule (like the Moscow version but with gin), and a refreshing grape-centric drink called the Indian Summer. There's a lovely little tapas menu, too, to keep you from getting too wobbly.

A trip to Barcelona is inevitably a string of delicious meals, but when you need a break from the gorge-fest, head to the Juice House. The interior is light and airy, with a beautiful mural on one of the concrete walls and farm-y wooden tables littered across the floor. As the name implies, the menu is full of clean-eating goodness, from cold-pressed juices to superfood salads, to a few guilt-free vegan desserts. This is also a great resource for vegetarians and vegans.

The first thing you'll notice about El Cometa is the adorable interior—colorful, design-y stools cluster under the bar under oddly shaped Edison bulbs, and the walls are covered in mismatched posters and other artwork. There's also a lovely patio that lights up under twinkle lights in the evening. As for the menu, it's a simple selection of coffee, juice, and a few easy bites. It's equally suitable for a morning coffee run and an early dinner on the porch.

Bodega 1900 is just across the street from Tickets, another Albert Adrià spot, where you'll find a fresh spin on the classic tapas and vermouth bar. Bright white tiles and oversized cabinetry add to the charming, at-home vibe, though the real pull is the salty creations (salazones) served alongside smoked, grilled, and pickled plates that are a bit more innovative than what you'll find at your basic joint.

A creation of the brilliant Chef Albert Adrià (also of Bodega 1900 and Hoja Santa, and brother of famed Chef Ferran Adrià—a talented duo, to say the least), Tickets is a first-rate tapas restaurant. As the name suggests, the restaurant's decor is an homage to the movie biz—the entrance is a ticket booth corner and the interior is decorated with playful, bright lights. But it's the amazing food that is the real draw here.

A welcome Mexican addition to Barcelona's food scene, Hoja Santa is a collaboration between famed Albert Adrià of Tickets and Chef Paco Méndez, a Mexico City native. The menu here puts an innovative spin on traditional Mexican fare—tacos filled with duck and mole or slow roasted pork, oysters served with prickly pear juice, avocado gazpacho. (Side note: Next door to Hoja Santa sits the pair's more casual taquería, Niño Viejo.)

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.