Restaurants
La Cassola
Sant Sever 3, 08002 
933 181 580
Open Monday–Wednesday 9am–4pm, Thursday–Friday 9am–4pm and 8pm–11pm
Metro Sant Jaume, Liceu
Bus 45, 59, 120, V13, V15, V17
There is wheelchair access but no adapted toilet facilities
Run by four hardworking sisters, the atmospheric Cassola has been serving up classic Catalan dishes for more than 20 years. It’s music-free and cosy, and you can choose to dine at street level or in the old cellar below. Typical main courses might include salt cod with a garlic mousse or Catalan sausage stuffed with mushrooms. Unfortunately vegetarians are not well catered for, but a cream of celery soup might be a perfect winter dish for a non-meat eater at lunchtime. A few Catalan newspapers are available for lone diners, who are very welcome in this friendly, hospitable restaurant.
Restaurant Torre de Alta Mar
Passeig de Joan de Borbó 88, 08039 932 210 007
www.torredealtamar.com Open Sunday–Monday 8pm–11.30pm, Tuesday–Saturday 1pm–3.30pm and 8pm–11.30pm Metro Barceloneta Bus 39, V15
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible
There are a number of restaurants overlooking the sea here, but this is the only one situated at the top of an iron tower. Its unusual location and panoramic views of the city, alongside a simple and sophisticated interior, make for an attractive dinner destination. The food is also excellent – as with many restaurants on the port, seafood is king. Opt for the prawn risotto or bluefish Catalan stew.
Neri Restaurant
Sant Sever 5, 08002 933 177 442
Open Daily 7.30am–11am, 1.30pm–4pm and 8.30pm–11pm
Metro Jaume I, Liceu Bus 45, 91, 120, V15, V17
There is a steep step at the entrance to the restaurant
This elegant restaurant can be found on the ground floor of the sophisticated Neri Hotel. Loud music is played indoors though, so if possible choose a seat in the quiet square opposite the church. The food is good, but tends to come in smaller portions so order a few dishes if you feel hungry. The black rice lobster risotto is lovely – follow it up with a passion fruit and white chocolate eclair.
Manairó Restaurant
Carrer de la Diputació 424, 08013 932 310 057
Open Monday–Saturday 1.30pm–3.30pm and 8.30pm–11pm
Metro Monumental Bus 7, 405, 614, 640, 643, 648, H12
There is a small step at the entrance to the restaurant
Typical fare at Michelin-starred Manairó includes French mackerel à la meunière (breaded mackerel fillets with a butter and parsley sauce), seafood gazpacho, squid broth with onions and pork with mashed beans. Although meat and fish dishes dominate the menu, you’ll find the occasional vegetarian dish such as fried pizza with gorgonzola and truffles. The chefs seem to enjoy experimenting with unusual ingredients and combinations of flavours here, as can be seen in the pumpkin and carrot caked served with sweet orange sorbet. The restaurant is particularly special at night, when diners are directed towards their tables by candlelight – a very romantic setting for a meal before a trip to the nearby National Catalan Theatre.
Afrodita
Carrer d’en Carabassa 3, 08002 931 770 769 Open Daily 1pm–midnight
Metro Liceu, Drassanes Bus 45, 120, V15, V17
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible (call ahead to request the ramp) but has no adapted toilet facilities
Next to Plaça de George Orwell, this small, friendly restaurant has a lovely outdoor terrace. Highly recommended by locals, Afrodita offers great food at reasonable prices. It’s described as having a creative Asian/Mediterranean menu, so you’ll find some really tasty dishes including burgers with rustic potatoes and the signature Afrodita salad, with avocado, rocket, strawberries, figs, pine nuts and mini mozzarella balls. Close to Barcelona Cathedral but far enough away from the crowds on La Rambla, this is a good place to drop by after a few hours walking around the city. The restaurant occasionally plays bossa nova music, but it is quieter outdoors.
Gut Restaurant
Carrer del Perill 13, 08012 931 866 360
www.restaurantgut.com Open Monday–Thursday 1pm–4pm and 7pm–11pm, Friday–Saturday 1pm–4pm and 7pm-midnight
Metro Diagonal, Verdaguer Bus 6, 33, 34, H8
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible but has no adapted toilet facilities
Despite its location in a trendy, up-and-coming area, this is a surprisingly unassuming place to eat. The decor is sparse but homely and the service is attentive and friendly. But it is the food that is the star attraction here. It draws on traditonal Catalan cuisine but with a modern twist, so you never quite know what delicacies might appear on your plate. The delicious bacalao (shredded cod) salad is a treat, as is the thinly sliced seared beef and new potatoes served on a simple grey slate. There are numerous gluten-free and vegan dishes as well, and the chefs seem to be able to cater for anyone. The restaurant starts the evening by playing background music but this fades away as more diners appear. During Gracia Festival Week in mid-August you can reserve a table in the street to soak up the friendly, festive atmosphere in the open air.
La Mar Salada
Passeig de Joan de Borbó 59, 08003
932 212 127 or 932 211 015
Open Monday–Friday 1pm–4pm and 8pm–11pm, Saturday, Sunday 1pm–11pm
Metro Barceloneta Bus 45, 59, D20
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible
This charming portside restaurant offers a real taste of the Mediterranean. Albert and Maria started La Mar Salada ten years ago and the family business has become well known for its high-quality food – Albert used to be a pastry cook at the famous Oriol Balaguer and their chef, Marc Singla, used to work at the prestigious Talaia with the celebrated Ferran Adrià. The inexpensive three-course menu changes every week according to season and the fish is bought straight off the boats each morning. Despite playing soft music, it retains a restful atmosphere and provides a welcome alternative to the tourist traps nearby.
Iaia Cristina
Carrer de la Llacuna 22, 08005 934 617 311
Open Monday–Thursday 7am–11.30pm, Friday 7am–1am, Saturday 8am–1am, Sunday 8am–midnight
Metro Llacuna, Poble Nou Bus 6, 26, 36
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible but has no adapted toilet facilities
Iaia means ‘grandma’ in Catalan and the owner of this airy, modern restaurant is justly proud of his traditional family cooking. If you have a liking for gnocchi, Iaia serve it in a deliciously rich tomato-basil sauce. Near to a few chain hotels, this is a quiet corner in a part of town where tourists tend not to linger. They are missing a treat.
Casa Amalia
Passatge del Mercat 4–6, 08009 934 589 458
Open Tuesday–Saturday 1pm–3.30pm and 9pm–10.30pm, Sunday 1pm–3.30pm
Metro Girona Bus 7, 50, 54, 62, H12, H10, B24, 39, 45, 47, V17
There are steps at the entrance to the restaurant
Right next to Mercat de La Concepció, this down-to-earth eatery is the ideal spot for a hearty lunch after a morning of shopping. The restaurant has an à la carte menu that includes gazpacho, hake with mushrooms, seafood paella and esqueixada de bacalao (a traditional Catalan dish of shredded cod with olive oil, tomatoes and onions).
