Price Categories
Prices for a three-course dinner per person with a bottle of house wine:
€ = under €25
€€ = €25–40
€€€ = €40–60
€€€€ = over €60
Restaurants
This once-forgotten neighbourhood is rapidly becoming fashionable. The only difficult aspect of finding a place to eat here is making the choice. There is a wide range of venues for all tastes, tending towards new ideas of fusion, or new concepts in eating, although there’s no shortage of genuine local places, plus multicultural options, and several vegetarian choices.
Catalan
Ca l’Isidre
Les Flors, 12
Tel: 93-441 1139
Open: Mon–Sat L & D. €€€€ [p [map], E2]
This is a family-run business that has grown into one of the city’s most respected restaurants. The smart clientele appreciate the meticulous attention to detail in food, decor and service. Classic Catalan dishes exquisitely prepared, using whatever’s in season from the nearby Boqueria market.
Can Lluís
Cera, 49
Tel: 93-441 1187
Open: Mon–Sat L & D. €€ [Q [map], E2]
Can Lluís is the kind of genuine Catalan restaurant you would hope to find in a small village, so it’s a pleasant surprise to encounter it in the heart of the city. Delicious food, like favetes minis amb xipironets (tender broad beans with baby squid) or suquet (a rich fish stew) is served amid noise and bustle, and no pretensions. Excellent value lunchtime menu.
Sant Rafael, 24
Tel: 93-441 3014
Open: Tue–Sat L & D, Sun L (closed Sun June–Sept). €€€ [W [map], E2]
Just off Rambla del Raval, a family-run Barcelona classic with plenty of history and great atmosphere. Particularly known for its fish and its own version of the Catalan staple, pa amb tomàquet.
Suculent
Rambla del Raval, 43
Tel: 93-443 6579
Open: Tue–Sat L & D, Sun L. €€ [E [map], E2]
A great addition to the area with superstar chef Carles Abellan in the wings, though young chef Antonio Romero produces traditional Catalan dishes with a contemporary edge masterfully. Try their take-away fried potatoes if nothing else.
International
Dos Trece
Carme, 40
Tel: 93-301 7306
Open: Daily L & D. €–€€ [R [map], A1]
Fashionable place with a laid-back attitude and good atmosphere. Unconventional, tasty dishes show the influence of the owner’s Mexican/LA background. Serves good brunch at weekends.
En Ville
Doctor Dou, 14
Tel: 93-302 8467
Open: Tue–Sat L & D, Sun–Mon L. €€ (set menu L & D €) [T [map], A1]
Creative Catalan cooking with a French edge in charming, spacious surroundings. Marble tables, palms and gentle live music (Tue and Wed) complete the picture. Good value.
Iposa
Floristes de la Rambla, 14
Tel: 93-318 6086
Open: Mon–Sat L & D. € [Y [map], A1]
A very popular, lively spot to hang out just behind La Boqueria market with a terrace alongside the Jardins Dr Fleming, where kids can play. Its excellent-value menú del dia and snacks reflect the influence of its French owner.
Maharaja
Rambla del Raval, 14
Tel: 93-442 5777
Open: Daily L & D. € [U [map], E2]
The ultimate in Spanish-Indian crossover has to be the biryani paella served here on an open-air terrace in the middle of this new rambla. The more traditional Indian dishes are good, too, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
Rita Blue
Plaça Sant Agustí, 3
Tel: 93-342 4086
Open: Mon–Sat L & D, Sun L. €–€€ [I [map], A2]
Serves ‘Tex-Med’ fusion food featuring light snacks as well as more substantial mains. Try a cocktail in the basement lounge bar or on the popular terrace on the square alongside the church, which houses St Rita, saint of the impossible.
Silenus
Àngels, 8
Tel: 93-302 2680
Open: Mon–Sat L & D. €€ (set menu Mon–Fri L €) [O [map], E2]
Comfortable and arty café/restaurant with an appetising selection of Mediterranean and international dishes, including plenty of seafood. In warm weather, tables are set up in the street.
La Verònica
Rambla del Raval, 2–4
Tel: 93-329 3303
Open: Daily L & D. € [P [map], E2]
This ultra-trendy spot selling pizzas del mercat topped with whatever is in season has moved here from the Gothic Quarter, a sure sign of just how up-and-coming the new Raval really is. Eat alfresco on their terrace on the Rambla. A great option for before or after the Filmoteca just down the rambla.
Spanish
Elisabets
Elisabets, 2
Tel: 93-317 5826
Open: Mon–Thu & Sat L, Fri L & D. € [Œ [map], A1]
A bustling local bar, serving hearty winter stews and a good-value set menu, conveniently en route to the MACBA and CCCB. Only serves tapas in the evenings, except on Fridays.
Fonda Espanya
Sant Pau, 9–11
Tel: 93-550 0010
www.hotelespanya.com/es/fonda-espana/
Open: Mon–Sat L & D, Sun L. €€€ [„ [map], A2]
Radical refurbishment in this legendary hotel has included installing Basque star chef Martín Berasategui in the kitchen. Top-notch cooking in a dining room decorated by modernista architect Domènech i Montaner.
Romesco
Sant Pau, 28
Tel: 93-318 9381
Open: Mon–Sat L & D. € [‰ [map], A2]
The fluorescent lighting and Formica-topped tables deter no one. Old favourite Romesco is famous for its frijoles (black beans, rice, minced meat, fried egg and fried banana, all on one plate) to fill the hungriest poor student, as well as simple grilled fish.
Vegetarian
Biocenter
Pintor Fortuny, 25
Tel: 93-301 4583
http://restaurantebiocenter.es
Open: Mon–Sat L & D, Sun L. € [Â [map], A1]
This was one of the first vegetarian restaurants in the city. You can choose between an enormous, nutritious menú del día (four courses) or a substantial plato combinado (one dish with accompaniment). Either way you will enjoy a hearty meal in soothing surroundings. Good-value set menu in the evening.
A few drinks at Betty Ford’s.
Greg Gladman/Apa Publications
Juicy Jones
Hospital, 74
Tel: 93-443 9082
Open: Daily L & D. € [Ê [map], E2]
Latest branch of this vegan restaurant selling organic juices all day, as well as tasty Hindu and European dishes. Excellent value for money.
Organic
Junta de Comerç, 11
Tel: 93-301 0902
Open: Daily L & D. € [Á [map], A2]
Wholesome organic food in an impressive former industrial space. The set menu offers a self-service salad bar, soup and bread for starters, then a choice from three or four main dishes (if you can manage more). Massages are also available.
Bars and Cafés
Almirall
Joaquín Costa, 33
[‹ [map], A1]
This old timer, dating from 1860, stands out in the middle of this buzzy street where kebab houses and Asian grocers alternate with trendy cocktail bars. Enjoy beer or wine at small tables surrounded by exquisite modernista decor.
Barceló Raval
Rambla del Raval, 17
Tel: 93-320 1490
[› [map], A2]
The rooftop terrace of this cutting-edge hotel that towers over some of the darker streets of the area is a great place for Sunday brunch or sunset cocktails with a panoramic view.
Betty Ford’s
Joaquín Costa, 56
[fi [map], A1]
One of the trendy bars that’s attracted the night crowd to this Raval street with its eclectic mix of furniture and good atmosphere. Also serves burgers.
El Colectivo
Pintor Fortuny, 22
Tel: 93-318 6380
[fl [map], A1]
With its pale wood and clean lines, this peaceful coffee bar has a serene atmosphere, perfect at breakfast time when there is a range of cereals, croissants and pastries to accompany the excellent coffee.
El Jardi
Hospital, 56
Tel: 93-329 1550
[‡ [map], A2]
Charming terrace café away from the din in the medieval courtyard and gardens of the Antic Hospital de Santa Creu. A peaceful spot for coffee, a light lunch (delicious salads) or early evening cocktail.
La Paciencia
Rambla del Raval, 53
Tel: 93-441 5387
[° [map], A2]
A real local bar with a trendy edge, attracting both locals and film buffs from the nearby Filmoteca. You may have to queue to catch a table on its terrace on this crossroads, where there’s plenty of world to watch going by.