The restaurants in Barcelona were absolutely incredible and I wanted to share some of the places we went, as well as, venues I have heard great things about. I sorted each restaurant into groups of brunch, lunch, evening, and Michelin star to make it easier for you to navigate through. Barcelona is the ultimate city for seafood lovers and Nedi Martinis! Make sure to stop by the Mandarin Oriental and have a Nedi Martini before or after dinner – they make a great one! If you are interested in hotels and sightseeing, check out my previous blog post here.
Brunch Restaurants:
Surf House – A beachfront spot that has a great view, delicious food and an amazing atmosphere! This place is perfect for an outdoor brunch with friends because the menu has so many options that will definitely please your whole party. The Uluwatu salad, the Poke Tuna bowl and the Exotic Fruit Platter are great! I also recommend one of their wellness lattes such as the beetroot or the turmeric flavor.
Brunch & Cake by the sea – This cute, all-day brunch spot is also right by Barceloneta beach and has several Nedi Approved menu options! They make everything from scratch and use locally sourced, organic ingredients. Definitely try the Healthy Pancakes, Quinoa Burger (without the bun) or the Paleo Toast with organic peanut butter!
Flax and Kale – Mainly a plant-based brunch spot that focuses on taste and the nutritional value of its menu. They have everything from the best Gluten Free, High Fiber Pizzas, to Asian-Fusion Cuisine and even a Kombucha lab! Make sure to try the Matcha Pitaya Chia Pot, the Superfood Plant-Based Dumplings and the Truffle & Funghi Pizza.
Lunch Restaurants :
Carpe Diem on the beach – Carpe Diem is a beach-front restaurant by day and a nightclub by night. It has great selection of fresh seafood dishes and a fun atmosphere! This place is always super busy, so the service wasn’t great — but definitely worth it for a chill lunch by the beach. The Spicy Tuna and the White Fish Ceviche are really nice!
Cerveceria Catalana – Cerveceria is very popular for its tapas, so it almost always has a wait. It is also reasonably priced and a nice spot for lunch. There are so many great options, but I especially recommend the perfectly-cooked Artichokes and the Cod!
Paco Meralgo – Paco Meralgo serves a mixture of authentic Mediterranean and Catalan cuisines. They have several delicious tapas with fresh seafood and great wine. Some must-tries are the Padrón Peppers, the Sautéed Local Mushrooms, the Toro Carpaccio with Edamame and the Fresh Sea Bass Tartare.
Cal Pep – This legendary tapas and seafood restaurant is so delicious that it always has a long line. Their tapas incorporate mostly seasonal ingredients, such as fresh seafood and produce. If you manage to get a table, try one of the Shrimp Tapas, the Sautéed Veggies and the Octopus!
Bar Canete – This is a beautiful restaurant for both lunch or dinner. Since they mainly serve tapas, however, I recommend going during the day so that you can walk it off after. Otherwise you may feel too full in the evening and won’t be able to sleep! I recommend the Barcelona Bomba (spicy meatball), Toro Carpaccio, Green Bean Salad, Mellow Veal Cheek (super tender, melts in your mouth), and Spicy Octopus.
Disfrutar – This contemporary spot near the Ninot Market is inspired by the quintessential fishing villages of the Mediterranean. I recommend trying one of their tasting menus for a unique gastronomic experience. They have several different tasting menu options that include their classic dishes or seasonal specials.
Evening Restaurants:
Sensi Tapas – Sensi has several locations and is renown for its authentic tapas. The atmosphere is cozy and casual but the plates are superb. I recommend the Sautéed Squid with Mushrooms, the Lemongrass Sea Bass Lemon with Kale, and the Asian Style Tuna Tartare.
Bar Mut – This spot is perfect if you want a more trendy atmosphere, excellent wine and tapas. The sommelier was super helpful and helped us pick out an excellent Albariño. I recommend trying the Corvina Ceviche, Egg Carpaccio (must try), and Beef with Foie Gras. My cute grandma below with some of our starters!
Da Greco – Da Greco is one of the best Italian spots in Barcelona. Chef Tony Greco is known for his risotto, which is prepared inside the parmesan cheese itself. The Seafood Spaghetti and the Spaghetti with Clams are also popular!
Assunta Madre – I used to love going to Assunta Madre before it closed in London and was excited to visit this location. It is a cozy spot that is great for a date or dinner with friends and family. They have a selection of fresh seafood on display and I was impressed by the excellent service. I highly recommend the seafood platter and my absolute favorite dish – White Fish with Homemade Pasta!
El Nacional – This innovative restaurant is organized into several different “areas” that reflect traditional recipes from the Iberian Peninsula. It has 4 different bars: beer, wine, oyster and cocktail bars. It also has 4 different restaurants: La Braseria, La Llotja, La Taperia, and La Parada. I recommend any of their freshly picked produced from their own vegetable garden and the red prawns from Palamos.
Parco Sushi – This chic spot has a great ambiance and serves a unique selection of Japanese dishes. The trendy atmosphere is perfect for a girls night out! I recommend the Caramelized Jalapeños, the Black Cod, the Torched Sushi and especially the “Butter” Nigiri.
Robata Sushi – Robata is another trendy Japanese spot in the city. The food is simple, yet delicious and the cocktails are also great. Their tasting menu is a great way to try a little of everything and it is reasonably priced. The Tuna Tataki and the Octopus were my favorites!
Boca Grande – Boca Grande is a short walk from the Mandarin Oriental, located in a cute little street with other restaurants. The food was very good but the service was slow. We constantly had to ask for our table to be cleared or for missing items… definitely not something you would expect from a high-end restaurant. It does have a lot of healthy seafood options however.. The Tuna Tartare and Mixed Greens Salad with Avocado were great for appetizers.
Llamber – This gastronomic Austrian restaurant is situation inside a tavern and is known for its artisanal tapas. The dishes are prepared with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients and the wine list is extensive. The menu is great because it includes a variety of plant-based and gluten-free dishes. I recommend the Beetroot Carpaccio, the Mushrooms and the Roasted Octopus with Chimichurri.
Botafumeiro – This spot is known for its “from the sea to the table” menu. Their seafood dishes are incredible and so fresh. Try the Botafumeiro-Style Lobster, the Grilled Palomos Shrimp and the Seafood Platter!
Estimar – Estimar is one of the best restaurants for fresh Mediterranean seafood. It is tucked away in a little street inside the El Born neighborhood but it is always busy! I recommend the Grilled Green Peppers, the Sole Filet and the Smoked Turbot.
Alkimia – This cozy restaurant has a futuristic, creative ambiance but the food is simple and flavorful. The plates are carefully crafted and their ingredients are sourced from small, local producers. Their tapas menu changes seasonally but I loved the Artichoke Salad with Iberico Ham and the Cod with Green Beans.
Mextizo – Mextizo is a great Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant located near the Plaza de Cataluna. It is beautifully decorated and the twist on Mexican and Mediterranean food is creative and delicious. I recommend the Fresh Fish Ceviche with Mango, the Guacamole and the Octopus with Stewed Potato.
Michelin Star Restaurants:
Tickets – This Michelin star restaurant serves delicious tapas by chef Fran Agudo. The menu is always changing depending on what’s in season and can be customized to personal preferences. Try the Asparagus with Mushrooms and Hazelnuts, the Prawns and the Galician Lobster.
Pakta – Chef Albert Adria created a unique fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines in this Michelin star restaurant. The service is great and the staff welcomes you with almond juice with orange to start with. I recommend the Tuna Belly with Ham, the Prawns “al ajillo” and the Almond Tofu with Botarga.
Moments – this amazing restaurant inside the Mandarin Oriental has two Michelin stars and is directed by renowned chefs Carme Ruscalleda and her son Raul Balam. Moments is definitely one of the best restaurants in Barcelona and constantly wins awards for its healthy, Catalonian inspired menu. I recommend the Catalan Style Ceviche, the Green Pearls and the Tuna Loin. They have an excellent wine list as well!
Enoteca Paco Perez – This incredible spot by chef Paco Perez at The Arts Hotel was awarded 2 Michelin stars. It has the best selection of locally-sourced Mediterranean ingredients along with a list of more than 700 wines. The tasting menu is the best but I especially recommend the White Asparagus and the Sea Bass with Peas and Langoustines.
ABaC – Chef Jordi Cruz was awarded 3 Michelin stars for this gourmet restaurant located in one of the best boutique hotels in Barcelona. Its intricate menu is filled with a variety of beautifully presented dishes that are served in an intimate and chic environment. The Roman-Style Squid with Lemongrass Foam and the Iberico Ham were delicious!