Typical Barceloneta
JAI-CA
C/ de Ginebra 13 (Barceloneta)
Metro: Barceloneta
open 9:00-23:30 , mondays closed
The JAI-CA is a typical Barceloneta seafood tavern.
It is always packed with hungry and thirsty people and since you cannot make reservation you just might have to wait a while at the bar to get seated one of the small round tables. But if you don't mind to take the first beer or vermuth or even the first tapa at the bar you will be rewarded the waiting:
The JAI-CA offers a quite big variety of fresh fish, mussels and typical catalan and spanish tapas.
The chipirones (fried mini squids) are very crunchy and juicy and the perfect combination with other tapas like buñuelos de bacalao (codfish fritters) or mussels with marinara sauce. The are also a few non-fishy options, but in general I recommend this bar to fish eaters.
Attention, the JAI-CA is not the right place for romantic dates or formal dinners. It is always loud, crowded and an authentic experience in the former fishermen's neighborhood 'Barceloneta'.
- total on bill: around 15€ p.person for beers and shared seafood tapas
Tourist magnet: Paella
CHIRINGUITO LAS SARDINITAS (MONCHO'S)
Av. del Litoral 26 (beach esplanade - Nova Icária)
Metro: Cuitadella -Vila Olímpica
open every day 12:00- 02:00h
Ok, I have to admit, I was not sure about publishing this one. Because at first glance the CHIRINGUITO DE MONCHO'S has a lot in common with the tipical paella guiri (tourist) traps:
- it's location right in the first line of the beach esplanade
- paella is not a tipical catalan dish, though a national spanish favourite
- you will always see a bulk of hungry tourists and lightly clad beach folk infront
But in my opinion it is NOT a tourist trap, given that the value for money is really good: the succulent, rich seafood paella is 15,95 Euro per person, which is perfectly fine especially given it's situation and the great view on the busy Nova Icária beach.
If posible I recommend to get a table on the covered terrace with it's cool decoration and it's compfy chairs and benches - which by the way you will not only share with guiris but with a lot of locals and families.
- total on bill: ~25€ per person for a shared entry, seafood paella and wine
Surfer's Brunch
SURF HOUSE BARCELONA
C/ L’Almirall Aixada 22 (Barceloneta)
Metro: Barceloneta
open 13:00 – 20:00h on Wednesday & Thursday; 12:00 – 01:00h Friday & Saturday; 12:00 – 22:00h Sundays
Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays (check opening hours during winter months)
SURF HOUSE BARCELONA (SHB) is a great spot in front of the beach in Barceloneta. They serve up fresh fruit juices, cocktails, coffee, savoury brunch and lunch dishes using all fresh ingredients.
There are also quite a lot vegetarian, gluten- & lactose-free options. The staff is super friendly and can help you with the decision.
The inside of the restaurant is quite small and you can sit on individuals tables or shared ones on stools. But they also dispose a terrace, which in case of rainy or windy weather can be covered.
The prices are moderate, it is not a cheap place, but the location and the atmosphere are quite worth it. You can check their menu and prices here.
The SHB also offers amazing sporty activities, such as surf & yoga lessons combined with brunch on the weekend (check prices and dates on their website). I haven’t tried them yet, but I will keep you updated.
An institution for Paella: 7 PORTES
7 PORTES
Paseig d'Isabel II 14
Metro: Barceloneta
open every day 13:00- 23:00h
One of Barcelona's oldest restaurants (anno 1836!!) and an institution when it comes to seafood & rices: The 7 PORTES is a classic place to go on the weekend for a paella lunch feast, for Catalonians & tourists equally. The big restaurant in an historic building between Via Laetana & Barceloneta has history: The menu and the place are very traditional, the staff old-school friendly.
The place is huge, has two stories and different rooms, when you call for a table reservation you might ask for a table in the more fancy ground floor main space or a quieter table upstairs.
You can chose between seasonal dishes and Catalán classics and of course, the signature dishes: the seafood rices. We tried the Arroz Caldoso with lobster and it was amazing, it cost 29€ each person but since the rations are huge, you can easily share a rice for two between 3 people, if you had starters.
When bringing the bill, it tells you which famous movie star, singer or poet has dinned on your table before!
-total on bill: 40-50€ per Person incl. wine & shared starters
Straight From The Old Aztecs
OAXACA
C/ de Palau 19
Metro: Barceloneta
open: daily 13:00 - 16H and 19- 23:00h (kitchen), Fridays & Saturdays until 2:00 (drinks)
reservations here
This Mexican restaurant has been recomended to me so many times, before I finally tried it. For me, it was defineatly a special treat.
Oaxaca offers extraordinary Mexican cuisine, with a lot of fish & seafood and traditional dishes with Aztec roots.
The restaurant has two different entry doors and seperate dining rooms connected by the kitchen. The decor is tasteful and autentic and imediatly gets you in the mood for a cocktail.
The aguachile as a starter was an excellent choice and the vegetarian …. is defineatly something I would like to repeat.
- total on bill: 50-60€ per person including cocktail
Cava Cult in Barceloneta
LA CHAMPAGNERIA (Can Paixano)
C/ Reina Christina 7 (Barceloneta)
Metro: Barceloneta
open monday to saturday 9:00- 22:30h
Shop: monday to saturday 9:00-15h & 15:30 - 20:00h
Known by all locals and a must-recommendation to all tourists coming to Barceloneta the CHAMPAGNERIA is the perfect place to get tipsy on daytime.
The cult bodega is the selling point of their own catalan champagne, the famous cava. The Can Paixano rosé cava (Rosado) is light and sweet and costs only 1,10€ a glass. But with the drinks you have to order at least one shared tapa, which can be one of their cold iberian ham or cheese sandwiches or warm sausages (chorizo, chistorra, morcilla,…).
In the very same bodega they a little shop corner where you can buy their botteled cava (rosé & the white dry one). Caution: Their shop closes at 20:00h.
The CHAMPAGNERIA is extremely popular and always overfilled with people so it can be hard for you to find a spot and you may have to count with some cava getting spilled over you. But the lively and authentic atmosphere is definitely worth it. Also you could please help me to find how on earth the waiters behind the bar manage to match all the faces with the orders, because although the place is a chaos of drunk and hungry people they somehow manage to get everything right on your bill before leaving.
- total on bill: 9,65€ for 4 glasses of rosado and a plate of Manchego cheese
Veggie for veggies. Veggie for non veggies.
THE GREEN SPOT
C/ de la Reina Cristina 12
Metro: Barceloneta
open: daily 13:00 - 24:00h (kitchen), Fridays & Saturdays until 2:00 (drinks)
see menu here
The GREEN SPOT is an elegant, fascinatingly modern decorated place, which is full of good looking people and good looking food.
The interior design of this place is amazing, if you wait for your table you can seat on amazing sofas right in the middle of the spacious restaurant and flick through expensive designer magzines.
Everything on their menu is vegetarian, and of course they offer also a lot of vegan, raw or gluten-free dishes. The food is without exception exotic, creative and off-beat. The platters are reasonably sized and a bit pricy and so are the drinks.
Food pictures: Japanese seaweed salad & Indian black pizza. Other pictures: from their website ©.
- total on bill: 30-35€ p.P. including wine
Don't trust Tripadvisor, trust me!
Hi, my name is Kristin.
I'm from Germany but for over ten years I have been living, working and eating in Barcelona. Receiving a lot of friends from all over the world I always have been asked for references and recommendations where to enjoy a good meal or having a drink in the city.
Find out more about this blog here! Enjoy!
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