Article published on July 29, 2015 in LF Recommends
#SpanishFoodieMonth: The Ultimate Guide to Restaurants and Clubbing in Barcelona
Restaurants
ABaC
Catalan chef Jordi Cruz became the youngest Spaniard ever to earn himself a Michelin star in 2002 aged just 24. He’s since taken the city by storm at his signature restaurant ABaC where he showcases the very top end of his talent. Set in the sleek, glassed-in garden room of the hotel, brace for some of the city’s most exciting eating featuring dishes like saffron and prawn bouillabaisse with plankton toast.
Avinguda del Tibidabo 1
08022 Barcelona
+34 93 319 66 00
Tickets
If you never made it to Ferran Adrià’s legendary El Bulli, now’s your chance. Tickets, headed by brother Albert, is the next best thing featuring a number of highlights from the mothership as well as new innovations. With a setting that’s more food festival than dining room, different themed stations range from spanking fresh seafood and hand-cut jamón Iberico to molecular treats like ‘smoking artichokes’ and spherico olives. Save room for the Willy Wonka inspired dessert trolley. It’s the greatest food show on earth.
Avinguda del Paral·lel 164
08015 Barcelona
+34 93 292 42 54
Disfrutar
Run by three El Bulli alumni, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas, Disfrutar is the sister restaurant to Compartir in Cadaqués, though the cooking takes things to a whole new level. Situated in a diaphanous dining room with geometric tiled walls and a vast, open-plan kitchen, the magic takes place at the table: beetroot puffs that rise magically from a sesame soil and a joyful ‘meringue’ sandwich with seafood.
C/Villarroel 163
08036 Barcelona
+34 93 348 68 96
Cinc Sentits
For my money this is one of the best value fine dining experiences in town. Chef Jordi Artal gave up a career in Silicon Valley to pursue his dream in his mother’s home country and now the family-run restaurant boasts one Michelin star. A must-do destination among in-the-know food lovers, the formal palette of gold, white and charcoal makes an appropriately starry backdrop to dishes like creamy pigeon liver croquettes and coffee rubbed lamb.
C/Aribau 58
08011 Barcelona
+34 93 323 94 90
Bar Mut
Arguably one of the most atmospheric little bars in town thanks to über host Kim Díaz’s keen eye for detail and passion for service. Smoked glass, marble topped tables and mahogany wood panelling create a cosy vibe that’s often lacking in Spanish bars, while pristine tapas and a superb wine list will keep you busy for several hours. Don’t miss his star dish: matchstick potatoes with a broken egg and truffles on the top. Sublime.
C/Pau Claris 192
08037 Barcelona
+34 93 217 43 38
Martínez
Perched at the top of Montjuïc with fabulous views over the port, this outdoor restaurant is the epitome of what Barcelona late summer is all about. Snag a spot overlooking the sea if you can, and come for a long lazy lunch that begins with a picnic basket of vermut (the local aperitif) and tapas, followed by a hearty seafood paella and lots of cold white wine.
Carretera de Miramar 38
08038 Barcelona
+34 93 106 60 52
Barraca
The old fisherman’s quarter of Barceloneta has transformed over the last year or so into the sort of hipster seafront you might expect to find at Venice Beach, California. With it come a dizzying array of new places to eat, but none beat Xavier Pellicer’s Barraca, which serves sustainable fish and seafood, vegetables and salads from their own garden and some top flight natural wines, all with fabulous views of the Med.
Passeig Maritim Barceloneta 1
08003 Barcelona
+34 93 224 12 53
Box Social
Australian chef Damien Bolger is fast making a name for himself at the newly opened Hotel Brummell in up-and-coming Poble Sec. With a focus on sourcing as local as possible – he grows much of his fruit and veg on the roof – he takes his inspiration from all over the world and breaks the rules with wild abandon. Think treats like Italian burratta with jalapeño salsa verde, chayote kimchi and kangaroo filet with sour apples.
Nou de la Rambla 174 (inside Hotel Brummell)
Poble Sec
08004 Barcelona
+34 635 334 453
Ajoblanco
For Catalan and Spanish classics with a fun, vintage twist look no further than Ajoblanco. Among my faves are a Bloody Mary seafood cocktail and rare Basque beef filet with a cheeky smudge of horseradish. Arrive in time for killer cocktails, but dine late to rub shoulders with locals who think nothing of reserving a table for 11pm. Prepare to stay until the small hours as their groovy in-house DJ ramps things up around 1am to get people dancing.
C/Tuset 20
08006 Barcelona
+34 93 667 87 66
Can Cisa Bar Brutal
The chic Born neighbourhood has always been curiously bereft of anywhere decent to eat, not so now that Can Cisa has arrived. Owned by a pair of gregarious Venetians, who also own the wonderful trattoria Xemei in Poble Sec, they bought in Kaya Jacobs (previously at Tickets) to revamp their menu with dishes befitting of their largely natural wine list. Expect the unexpected and prepare for one of the buzziest dining experiences in town.
C/Princesa 14
08003 Barcelona
+34 93 319 98 81
Nightlife
Balius
Mike Cruickshank and Rosa Sola’s prohibition inspired cocktail bar is a breath of fresh air on a scene that’s either in-your-face trendy or quaintly old-school. With a focus on vermouth inspired drinks, especially anything with heritage, they’ve fast become a hot destination for lovers of the craft. The food’s great too – a 21st Century twist on Spanish conservas (preserved foods) that are largely small production and organic.
C/Pujades 196
08005 Barcelona
+34 93 315 86 50
Bar Mutis
Upstairs from Bar Mut (see above) Díaz has converted a spacious apartment into a clandestine restaurant, cocktail bar and live music venue. It’s well worth booking a slot if you fancy an evening that feels far from the madding crowd – little wonder the celebrities love it – for expertly made classic drinks including a perfectly made Martini (rumour has it Robert de Niro passed on his personal recipe) and sultry jazz singers. It has New York style all over it, but feels thoroughly Barcelona.
Avenida Diagonal 438 (next door to Bar Mut)
08037 Barcelona
+34 93 217 43 38
Mary Boone
Situated in the heart of the gay Eixample, but beloved by gay and straight alike for its splendid lounge lizard décor and clever concept. The mythic ‘Mary Boone’ is a fantasy art gallerist and this, her imagined apartment complete with art installations (naturally), crystal chandeliers, snakeskin sofas, lashings of champagne and DJs twice a week. Unlike most of Barcelona’s club offerings it’s not so deafening that you can’t hold a conversation.
C/Valencia 194
08011 Barcelona
+34 93 532 10 32
Salt Beach Club
There’s still time in September, and most of October for that matter, to hit the beach in Barcelona and Salt is the perfect, barefoot-in-the-sand destination. Tucked into the elbow of Barceloneta beach hard against the W Hotel it gives fantastic views of the bay as well as upbeat house tunes and Mediterranean inspired cocktails like guava iced tea and a campari cooler. Good for a chilled out afternoon.
Passeig Mare Nostrum 19-21
08039 Bacelona
+34 93 295 28 19
Bling Bling
Handily located right next door to Ajoblanco (you can organise access through the latter if you book in advance) this is Barcelona most glamorous nightclub. Glittering like the inside of a jewel box in the dark it has some fun, 1970s inspired projections as well as a VIP zone and a private room if you’re looking for your own special party.
Word of warning in Barcelona: if you show up before 1am you’ll most likely be dancing on your own.
C/Tuset 8-10
08006 Barcelona
+34 664 244 209
View properties for sale on the Lucas Fox website
View properties for sale in Barcelona on the Lucas Fox website
