TABERNA MAITEA

C/ Casanova 155 (Eixample)

Metro:  Hospital Clinic

open monday to saturday 11:00 - 24:00h

Telephone for reservations: 0034- 934395107

For an authentic taste of the traditional basque cuisine you have to go for dinner at MAITEA.

This spacious, rustic tavern offers pinxos, tapas and dishes from the north of Spain. The basque cuisine is famous for it's variety of seafood, beef and simplicity of the ingredients.

At MAITEA you should start with cold pinxos (bites for 1,70€ each) that you can simply take yourself from the variety at the counter and maybe order some typical basque dish or soup from the menu. Nevertheless around 21h the waiters start offering hot pinxos (1,70€) to the guests passing table by table.

I recommend to call in advance to reserve a table given that it tends to get very busy. (Attention: Even on the tables there are only small stools without back rest.)

-total on bill:  < 20€ per person including wine or beer

The TAVERNA EL GLOP in Gràcia offers us a taste of the traditional catalan-spanish cuisine in Catalonia.

On their menu we can find catalan classics such as cargols, snales in a delicious tomato salsa, and the extremely popular calçots scallions (from february to march). The atmosphere in EL GLOP is very familiar and the decoration rustic. From plastic chairs and plaid table-clothing to the constant smell of the carcoal-barbecue the Glop fullfills every single one of our expectations about a traditional spanish tavern.

The portions are really generous and the pan con tomate just enormous. If you order an entrance salad 'Ensalda El Glop'  you can easily share it between 2-3 persons.

- total on bill: 20€ including wine

BAR CELTA PULPERÍA

C/ Mercé 9  (Barrio Gótico) & C/ de la Princesa 50 (Born)

Metro:  Drassanes/Jaume I

open daily: 12:00 - 0:00h (Born: 8:30-0:00h)

This unpretentious and inexpensive Galician tapas bar is an easy stop to have lunch or dinner when strolling through the old town of Barcelona.

The CELTA with it's very humble and rustic interior is especially famous for it's octopus 'pulpo' - a Galician delicatesse. The tentacles of the mollusk are being cooked and chopped onto wooden plates, just seasoned with salt and sweet paprika. Alongside with the pulpo you can order typical Spanish tapas, for example a slice of their enormous tortilla de patatas.

The atmosphere is always buzzing throughout the day, you might have to have some patience with the seating and the service.

- total on bill: around 15 € p.P. for shared tapas and beers for lunch

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.

EL XAMPANYET

C/ Montcada 22  (Born)

Metro:  Jaume I

open monday to saturday 12:00 - 15:30h & 19:00 - 23:00h, sundays only until 15:30h

This place is somehow very famous and always packed with hungry and thirsty tourists and locals.

Their homemade white cava is nice and fresh but in my opinion no comparision to the rosé Can Paixano from the CHAMPAGNERIA.

The big assortment of tapas is very seafoody and they serve a lot of canned mussles - which is a delicatessen in Spain! But I tried a plate of sundried tomatoes with sheep's cheese and it was delicious.

If you can find a spot it is a great place to stop for a drink and a pica-pica (small snack) when visiting the historic old city, Born or the Picasso museum.

RABIPELAO

C/de la Mercé 26 (Barri Gòtic) & C/ Riera alta 50 (Rawalistan)

Metro:  Drassanes & Sant Antoni

open from Monday to Sunday: 20:30-3:00h (Gòtic) & 19:30-3:00h (Raval)

The CERVESERIA CATALANA is not longer an insider tip to have real good tapas in Barcelona! Actually nearly every day you have to be pacient and wait around 1 - 1,5 hours after you have been registered on their waiting list to get a table in the CATALANA.

Is it worth it? Yes, indeed. So you can have a glass of wine just around the corner or start with a beer on the busy counter in the entrance of the restaurant.

The CATALANA sells tapas á la carte. From the same owners like the Flauta the food is really good and the service is really quick. The food is also very much the same like in the Flauta, means delicious spanish tapas and creative montaditos.

The prices are ok and the simple but elegant decoration of the restaurant makes it a really good value for money.

- total on bill: 20-25€ per person including wine

The CAFÉ SALAMBO is a really nice mixture between a coffee shop, restaurant and bar in the neighbourhood of Gràcia.

It has a small terrace close to the Plaza Vidreira in the same street like the Mexican deli shop TEICAWAY.

I appreciate the SALAMBO overall for a relaxed sunday afternoon coffee with a little cake or pastry or for a Sunday morning vermuth on the terrace.