Restaurants

Restaurants

Restaurants
Expensive

Alkimia
Alkimia is one of Barcelona's best modern restaurants, thanks to the creative cuisine of audacious young chef Jordi Vilà, whose avant-garde twist on traditional Catalan cooking has gained him a Michelin star. Signature dishes include guinea-fowl terrine with pistachio and green apple guacamole and steak tartare served with olive-oil ice cream. The stark white minimalist dining room is a perfect backdrop for imaginative cuisine and the ultra-cool clientele. Booking essential.

Carrer Indústria 79
Tel: (93) 207 6115.
Website: www.alkimia.cat

Arola
Since its opening, the eponymous restaurant of the dazzling Michelin-starred Catalan chef Sergi Arola at the ultra-chic Hotel Arts has been the talk of the town. Its informal menu is based on the regional tradition of pica-pica (sharing a variety of different dishes with friends), and includes such tempting flavour combinations as smoked sardines with romesco sauce, tuna carpaccio with jamón oil, and his signature patatas bravas with a piquant chilli sauce. The ambiance is contemporary and laid back, with a garden terrace during summer months, and a DJ every evening.

Hotel Arts Barcelona, Carrer Marina 19-21
Tel: (93) 483 8090.
Website: www.arola-arts.com 

Jean-Luc Figueras
Housed in the former atelier of fashion designer Balanciaga, the elegant, classically Catalan surroundings (all polished wood, lamps and tiled floors) are almost as outstanding as the food. Frenchman Jean-Luc Figueras creates modern, original dishes, such as fried prawn and ginger pasta in mustard and mango sauce, without submitting to the demands of food fads or egotism. The menu tends to lean towards seafood but meat dishes are also included. Master patisero Jordi Butrón's sublime puddings are outstanding. Booking essential.

Carrer Santa Teresa 10
Tel: (93) 415 2877.

Arc Café
Arc Café is a ‘gastrobar' run by German duo Thomas and Willi. Hearty Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asian-influenced dishes, such as Thai curry and sublime spicy veggie burgers, are prepared in the spotless open-plan kitchen, amid warm, softly lit surroundings and a backdrop of mellow sounds. Tending towards the vegetarian, there's nevertheless a good selection of meat dishes too. Its location in a narrow, picturesque street near Plaça Reial makes it an ideal pre-club dinner venue.

Carrer Carabassa 19
Tel: (93) 302 5204.
Website: www.arccafe.com

La Fonda
La Fonda offers good-priced Catalan classics (such as butifarra sausage with haricot beans or the national dessert, crema catalana) and various Mediterranean dishes in well-designed, attractive surroundings. An abundance of plants, wood and a gallery create a light and spacious atmosphere. The restaurant is very popular, especially at lunchtime, so booking is essential. Les Quinze Nits (www.lesquinzenits.com), part of the same chain, is just around the corner at Plaça Reial 6.

Carrer Escudellers 10
Tel: (93) 301 7515.
Website: www.lafonda-restaurant.com

Set Portes
The building housing Set Portes is a national monument and has the distinction of forming the backdrop to the first photograph ever taken in Spain, in 1840. Past diners have included kings, politicians and an array of famous names from Alexander Fleming to Ava Gardner. The large dining room is traditionally Catalan, as are the individually decorated private rooms seating two to 80 diners. Its old-world charm and legendary paella, zarzuela (fish stew) and fidueà (seafood and spaghettini) maintain its status as one of Barcelona's favourite restaurants.

Passeig Isabel II 14
Tel: (93) 319 3033.
Website: www.setportes.com  

Cantina Machito
Even though the décor verges towards the unsophisticated, with its riotous colours and abundance of Mexican kitsch, the food here is authentic and surprisingly good. Many of the ingredients are imported from Mexico and lovingly prepared by the Mexican-born chef. Standards, such as margaritas, tacos and guacamole, make an appearance, as do unusual puddings, such as lime and tequila mousse.

Carrer Torrijos 47
Tel: (93) 217 3414.

Euskal Etxea
Situated in an idyllic tiny square near the Picasso Museum and the church of Santa Maria del Mar, and part of  the Basque Cultural Centre, the atmospheric Euskal Etxea serves some of the best tapas in town, ranging from simple to the most intricate creations. Tapas appear around noon and again around 1900, so arrive early.

Placeta Montcada 1-3
Tel: (93) 310 2185.

Mama Café
Microwaves and processed or tinned foods are strictly prohibited in this stylish, fun vegetarian café-restaurant located in the Raval district, just off La Rambla. Using only the freshest ingredients, a range of innovative dishes, such as melon gazpacho, are prepared daily. The use of bold, rainbow colours, recycled materials and laid-back sounds creates a happy and informal atmosphere.

Carrer Doctor Dou 10
Tel: (93) 301 2940.
Website: www.mamacaferestaurant.com