RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

In 2002 Barcelona was awarded the title of most gourmand city in Europe by the prestigious Le Guide des Gourmands, the first non-French city so named in the, then, 15 years of the publication's run.

Being the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Barcelona's restaurants specialise in Catalan cuisine, typically flaunting the extensive use of garlic, olive oil and fish for many kinds of meals. It is not uncommon, for example, to find fish mixed with red meat in a stew. The pa amb tomàquet, bread smeared in tomato and seasoned with olive oil and salt, is a signature Catalonian delicacy served with every meal in most restaurants. Tapas, now popular worldwide, originated in Spain and is a firm favourite in the city of Barcelona.

Catalonia is a premier wine region for Spain and the birthplace of Cava sparkling wine. Dark red grapes in the region make for the darker 'black' wine, or vi negre, a stronger red concoction. Dry white wines come second to the Cava in popularity among tourists and locals alike.

Barcelona restaurants open around 8am and typically remain open until midnight. Supper hours are very late with most residents opting to dine between 9pm and 10pm.

Botafumeiro

$$$$$ | Spanish

One of the most well known seafood restaurant in Barcelona, Botafumeiro consistently presents the finest regional cuisine of Galicia and prides itself on the freshness of its fish, clams, mussels, lobster, crayfish and scallops, which are either kept in large tanks near the entrance or flown in daily from Galicia. The impeccable treatment of customers and the private atmosphere makes this a perfect dining experience for both business and pleasure. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations essential.

Address: El Gran de Gr�cia 81; E-mail: info@botafumeiro.es; Telephone: 93 218 4230

Agut	$$$$$ | Local

For almost a century this restaurant has been a family-run business and today the homey atmosphere still welcomes with its old-fashioned wooden panelling, and time-tested culinary fare. Catalán paintings from the 1950s serve as reminders of Agut's time as a meeting place for artists and writers. The hearty food includes such dishes as sweet and sour wild duck, layers of pastry filled with Catalán sausage and mushrooms, or monkfish with prawns, while desserts are light and creative. Not to be confused with the Agut d'Avignon restaurant nearby. Closed Monday; no dinner on Sunday. Closed in August.

Address: Gign�s 16, Ciutat Vella (Gothic Quarter); Telephone: 93 315 1709

Can Maj�

$$$$$ | Spanish

On the beachfront, Can Majó serves delicious seafood that can be enjoyed on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Specialities include paella, but the fish is also superb. Choose from a daily catch including barnacles, prawns, crab, oysters and clams. Reservations required. Closed Monday. No dinner Sundays.

Address: Almirall Aixada 23, Barceloneta; Telephone: 93 221 5455

Oviso

$$$$$ | Local

One of the many unassuming sidewalk café-bars on Placa George Orwell in the Gothic Quarter, Oviso offers reasonably priced food and an intimate, bohemian ambiance. Good for breakfast or an afternoon snack, this bar restaurant often serves as a place to begin a night out or to end a long day. Great for people watching, Oviso attracts many artists and students and is a good choice for idling away a few hours in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Expect to pay only €7 for a soup and a main.

Address: 5 Calle de Arai, Placa George Orwell

Rubi	$$$$$ | Modern Eclectic

Not called Rubi for nothing, this vibrant restaurant and nightspot is ideal for couples and friends looking for a chic but understated modern restaurant. With bright crimson booths, an elegant bar and high ceilings, Rubi has become one of Barcelona's quintessential nightspots. In true Barcelona style, Rubi is friendly and laid back. Serving contemporary fusion cuisine made from only the freshest produce from local markets, Rubi also bakes homemade breads and deserts. After 11.30pm the restaurant shifts gears and the venue is transformed into a groovy bar with Latin American and funk tunes, heating things up a little. Open for dinner, Tuesday to Sunday.

Address: Calle Banys Vells, 6 bis; Telephone: 933 106 824

Viena

$$$$$

For the best sandwiches in the city, and maybe the country, this hole in the wall take-away sandwich shop doesn't put on airs. Surrounded by fine dining restaurants and elegant tapas concoctions Viena simply and quickly throws together the world's best ingredients between two delicious slices of bread and slides it across the counter.

Address: La Rambla del Estudis 115; Telephone: 93 317 14 92

Ravell

$$$$$

Some serious eating goes on here in a little decorated and unpretentious room in back of a delicatessen food store. Using speciality ingredients from around the world, gourmet food never felt so exclusive. Despite a city wide reputation, the tiny restaurant feels like a guarded secret.

Address: Carrer Arag� 313; E-mail: josepravell@ravell.com; Telephone: 93 457 51 14

Amaltea

$$$$$

Serving creative vegetarian cuisine, with dishes from all over the world and a keen eye for presentation, Amaltea is a well-known and frequented Barcelona vegetarian eatery. The décor is stylish but down to earth, ensuring that the all the limelight is afforded to the colourful dishes of food that emerge out of the kitchen. For lunch there is a choice of four starters, mains and various house deserts with a fixed menu of €10. Open for lunch and supper, Monday to Saturday.

Address: Diputaci� 164; Telephone: 934 548 613

Comer� 24

$$$$$

This very trendy tapas hot spot dishes out unordinary treats from the creative direction of Carles Abellan. Unusual food combinations are frothed, seared and caramelised until they compliment one another. The dishes are more of a tasting experience than a full meal but enough of them can add up to an eclectic way to try local cuisine.

Address: Carrer Comer� 24; Telephone: 93 319 21 02

Quimet & Quimet

$$$$$

This old family run room is not an ordinary tapas restaurant and is one the fly in more ways than one. In a standing room only, perfect for fast eats, the chef rolls out seemingly random, but delicious, concoctions from a huge list of ingredients lining the walls. A superb but also random wine list is best enjoyed quickly with the unique snacks before carrying on one's way.

Address: C/Poeta Cabanas 25; Telephone: 93 442 31 42