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 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 12,95 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: <20€ per person for a shared entry, seafood paella and wine
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
My Seafood Favorite: Galician Feast
O'RETORNO
C/Urgell 168 (Eixample)
Metro: Hospital Clinic
Tuesday to Sunday 8:00- 02:00h, Mondays closed
The O'RETORNO is an unpretentious Galician restaurant in Eixample, which is known for it's abundant platters of seafood. The place is nothing fancy though: corny decorations and the facts it's always busy and a bit noisy definitely gives it a local vibe.
The Galician cuisine from the north of Spain is known for its simple savoury flavours without need of a lot of spices. Octopus and shellfish are the main typical dishes people usually want to order when frequenting a Galician restaurant in Spain.
O'RETORNO sells such great amounts of shellfish, octopus & fish everyday you can be sure to always get fresh & tasty dishes. The plates are infact huge and you might ask the friendly staff (in Spanish) to help you to recommend the right dish and amount for you appetite.
I recommend to reserve a table in advance. In case they are booked, maybe you are still lucky in their other local O'Retorninho around the corner.
In the picture: Grilled lobster (20€)
- total on bill: aprox. 25-30€ for dinner w/wine
Paella & More: My Local Favorite
KULETOS
C/ Doctor Trueta 220 (Poblenou)
Metro: Poblenou
open Tuesday to Saturday 12:30 - 23:00h, Sundays 12:20-16:00h; Mondays closed
This place a a hidden gem in the neighbourhood of Poblenou, although often recommended by locals.
I like to go to this place for lunch to have rice: Paella, Arroz Caldoso or the alternative seafood noodles Fideuá (in the picture). They are one of the best you can get in the area, although lacking sea view.
The rest of the extensive card is also really good, from classic tapas to fine catalán dishes. The desserts are all homemade and the friendly staff will be happy to recommend you specials.
For lunch you can order different options of fix menus during the week (13€) or paella options during the weekend (19-25€) or just order from the card.
The decoration of KULETOS is something special:
The main big dining room has an Andalusian style indoor patio and the smaller room in the front does not only feature a piano, but also Tintin-comic decorations all over.
KULETOS is the perfect place to go with friends and family for local spanish and catalán food. You should call in advance if you want to go on the weekend or with a bigger group.
- total on bill: 25-30€ for dinner or paella lunch w/wine
NOTE!
If you order fix menu on the weekend it includes 1 bottle of wine for each 4 people, charging a supplement if you are less people.
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
Fresh & Fish
LLURITO
LLURITO: C/ Torrent de los Flors 71 (Gràcia)
LLURITO 2: C/ de la Virtut 11
Metro: Joanic
open weekdays 13:30-15:30 & 23:00H and Saturday, Sunday 13:30-23:00H
Website und Reservierungen hier!
This small restaurant names itself "mariscaría desenfadada" (casual seafood) and you get just that: a casual, simple space that sets the focus on fresh fish - without fuss.
Since both of their locations are quite small, I recommend you to book a table in advance - especially for the weekend.
- total on bill: 25-35€ per person
Octopus all around
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
Mussel lover's paradise
LA MUSCLERIA
C/Mallorca 290 (Eixample)
Metro: Girona
Open every day: 13:00- 16:00h & 20:00- 24:00h
The Belgian restaurant in the heart of Eixample concentrates on the basics: mussels and french fries!
The simple restaurant in a basement with just a small terrasse in the street serves quite generous and very economic portions of mussels with all kind of flavouring spices, stews, salsas and toppings. The homemade potato fries are delicious and - after having certain doubts about it - perfectly go with the mussels.
- pot of mussels & portion of fried potato: around 10€
- total on bill: <20€ per person
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!
If you like the content on this page feel free to share it via mail, on Twitter and Facebook.