Barcelona - eating out

Barcelona is a great place for eating out, and has quite a reputation even amongst the French, who are well-known chauvinists when they talk about foreign foods and wines. You can taste a variety of foods and cuisines, from fish to meat dishes, from regional to national to international, for a variety of prices.

Meals are usually taken much later than everywhere else in the continent, which is typical for most of Spain. Breakfast is whenever you get up, and is not considered and important meal. Lunch is eaten between 2 and 4 pm, and dinner from 9 onwards, with restaurants very often open until 1am (even though the kitchen will close earlier than that).

Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, and although the main definition for such places will be restaurant/restaurante, you will also find meson, which are generally cheaper places, or marisquerias will serve mostly seafood. Meals in restaurants are usually subdivided in appetizers, first and second course (the latter is often accompanied with a side order of vegetables or the like) and desserts. In cheaper restaurants you will find touristic menus which will comprise all of the above at a reasonable price, but the quality might be sensibly lower than if you order a la carte. Catalan cuisine is particularly strong in terms of meats, seafood, vegetables and fruits, often served in delicious and unlikely combinations, and with great sauces. Another renowned speciality are mushrooms, which abound in the region.

Do not forget the Tapas, appetizers served with drinks at any bar. They can be anything from seafood to small tortillas. A great way to get something in your stomach during a drinking trip, and if you make several stops they can sum up to a proper dinner. While they used to be given free with the drinks, in some places you’ll have to pay for them.

Founded in 1786 as a pastry shop, Can Culleretes, is Barcelona’s oldest restaurant located in the Gothic quarter. The restaurant retains many original architectual features, including a long bas-relief mural in wood depicting folkloric Catalunya. Every dish on the menu is a Catalan standard, which makes it the perfect place to learn what the simple traditional form of this regional cuisine is all about. Rabbit with garlic and mayo and sausage with beans is typical. You can find these guys at Quintana 5.

El Gran Café serves typical Spanish foods with fish and game dominating the menu. The dining area peers over the service bar while a piano entertains the polished night crowd. Situated on Avinyo number 9.

For tapas well beyond the traditional norm you must try this little tavern by the harbour on Palca del Palau, Estrella de Plata. Everything is fresh and most dishes are made to order, prices are very reasonable.

Biocenter is Barcelona’s largest and hippest vegetarian restaurant, a funky place on one of the better streets in Raval, west of La Rambla. Fill your plate with self-service soups and salads while a waiter will bring you your choice of four main courses. Inexpensive prices, ranging from 2,50 to 7 euros.