Restaurants in Barcelona?

[Susan Veness]

Anyone have recommendations for good restaurants in Barcelona? We're spending a few days there as a side trip to our upcoming UK visit, and will probably spend most of our time in the historic city centre, staying about 10 minutes walk from the Gothic quarter and Las Ramblas.

We're looking for the real 'flavour of Barcelona' type restaurnants. Authentic, with good atmosphere. Doesn't have to be upscale, but would also like one or two finer dining meals.

Any tips and suggestions gratefully received. :)

[ELAINE]

Can't help with the restaurants but a word of warning, a group of our friends recently went to Barcelona for a long weekend and during the 4 days, 5 out of 6 of them got pick-pocketed. One of them said that if it wasn't so annoying you'd have to respect their skill:thumbsdow:thumbsdow cos after the first incident they were obviously all more careful but to no avail... They have a special tourist police station because so many tourists get stolen from. !!!!
When are you europe bound?

[Susan Veness]

A good reminder, Elaine. :) We're always very careful when we visit big cities. :happy-thumb

[CP_1808]

When I was there last year I went to a couple of restaurants on the beach front.

One was called Shoko which was a kind of Asian/Mediterranean mix and was very nice.

The other which I cant remember the name of was right on the sand, and you could watch the waves lapping up whilst eating dinner - Very Romantic.

Both are down at the bottom of Las Ramblas and turn left on the beach. There were lots of restaurants around that area.

Didnt need reservations for either of them.

[Simon Veness]

Very much like the sound of those, CP, thanks a lot! :happy-thumb

[Ret400]

Barcelona is great.

Have been on a number of occasions including a Catalan wedding which included a range of Barcelona superstars. I felt I was in a episode of the Sopranos (Catalan/Spanish style)

I fully agree with the comments about pickpockets etc. This is not just an occasional problem but is endemic on the ramblas and especially Gothic and Ramblas section.

However, on the up side lots of restaurants.

If you want one that gives you a real Catalan Spanish feel and in the Gothic area try

los Caracoles.

http://www.loscaracoles.es/

Use the link and watch the video they have. This place has been frequented by all the famous and infamous.

They roast chickens outside and its just good food and a bit of fun.

Dont miss the Sagrida Familia and if you want a really interesting and fun side trip go North by train to Figures and search out Salvidor Dalis, Home and Museum. Bizzare and quirky. (enjoyed the musem in St petes but this is the real thing).

Most of the places on the Ramblas are overpriced and of questionable value but its worth a drink and people watching.

Dont forget that for US visitors :happy-smi the Spanish tend not to eat until about 8pm

One other place on the Ramblas thats worth a breakfast/coffee and croissant is called The Opera (I think). Its opposite the Opera House (funny that) and is a main ground floor building on the East side of the Ramblas. (very Spanish very relaxed and great pastry/coffee i a very raditional (30s feeling)

You find a number of small and traditional Tapas places off the ramblas on the South EAst side.

I would not recommend walking off the bottom end of Ramblas to the West. Its :redconfus area.

As mentioned above lots of seafood restaurants down by the marina.

Great town

Oh and are you going to Pont Aventura ?

[Susan Veness]

Oooooh, los Caracoles looks like exactly the sort of thing we're looking for! And what a hoot reading their website in English! Some things just don't translate. :D

I adore Spain, can't wait to see more of it, but agree you've got to keep your wits about you even as you keep none of your valuables about you. ;) Same thing in Naples and Paris, if I recall correctly.

And yes, the dinner time is out of the ordinary for us Americans. I love the later dining when we're overseas but wouldn't want to do it on a daily basis. Just way too late to eat when you have to be up at 6am for school the next day. I wonder if Spain's children have a later start to their day.

[Ret400]

I think the Spanish children actually start earlier, certainly office staff do (its cooler) and then in the middle of the day (for that read 10:30/11ish) everyone stops for lunch, has a calm glass of wine, chats about life and then falls asleep for a few hours.

At about 3 pm (if your keen) you get up. Perhaps head to work/do a bit of shopping and then you start thinking about dinner.

After a couple of hours thinking you take a walk, everyome promenades around the Ramblas and at about 8 pm you gently head to a restaurant.

Sip more wine, chat and gently watch the world go by (in Barcelona you have to add in 'talk about football') and at about 11:30 they send in the road sweeper/water sprayer and it all starts to pack up.

Calm and peaceful

One of my favourite experinces ever in Barcelona was a numnber of years ago and an American carrier battlegroup had docked at the port on its way to Bosnia.

All around the town it was like Top Gun meets Officer and a Gentleman, including MPs with battons.

I was in the Hard Rock Cafe. It was wall to wall Navy pilots, navigators and Ships Officers. Onto the Music system comes The Village People. Up on the tables go about 100 Uniformed members of US Navys finest and start doing the actions to YMCA and In the Navy. I just wish I had a video then.

The next night I returned with a few of my students and sit down with them. We sit beside this guy who the students start chatting to. Its Paul Heaton of the Beatiful South/House Martins. You dont expect a real popstar to be in the Hard Rock. We still keep thinking is it really him or ust a good fake.

He chats away all night (probably the female students might have tipped the balance here)

He is in Barcelona to get space to write a new album, so he says. So he scribbles down a few words onto the back of an envelope for one of my students and says that he has just, that moment,had an idea for a new song. Later on he gives it to her to keep.

A couple of months later the Beatiful South Album 'Choke' is released. Student digs out the envelope and brings it in to Uni. Its the lyrics for 'Perfect 10' one of thewir biggest hits.

He also took them all out for Dinner that night and acted as a perfect gentleman.

Great trip:happy-thumb

[Simon Veness]

Wow :eek: Amazing story, Ret. We'll have to keep our eyes peeled, then! (Although I'm not sure if I'll get my parents into the Hard Rock Cafe at any stage! :D ).

[Susan Veness]

Wonderful story! :clapping2:

I cringe in shame for the YMCA-performing American service people. Very sorry you had to see that.

But the lyrics thing is seriously cool. What a treasure!