Barcelona : Tapas and Casual Dining

I have been expanding my horizons beyond France with a four day visit to Barcelona in Spain. After the grey skies and cold in northern France it was a relief to arrive to warm sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. I use 'warm' here as a relative term. It was a mild 16°C. Certainly nothing like the mid 40°C that family have been experiencing in Australia.

High on my priorities for Barcelona was eating tapas. Here are some of the tapas bars that I have tried.

Ciudad Condad

I found this standout tapas bar thanks to a recommendation from staff in our hotel. It is only a short walk from La Rambla. There is an area with table service but it is much more fun in the bar area. I ended up chatting away with people from Andalucia, Catalonia, and Italy. As it was crowded the strategy for obtaining a seat at the bar is just to hover around and catch the eye of the patient and helpful staff behind the bar who will help you secure a stool. 

The tapas are a little dearer than I tried elsewhere but the quality are also a step up. I found them to be good value for money. They do have standard offerings which are supplemented by the daily specials of approximately another 12 tapas. Some are pre-prepared, whilst others such as the seafood are cooked to order. The ingredients were very fresh and tasty. A menu in English is available on request but we found that pointing to what others were eating and those already prepared was actually better than trying to pick from the English version of the menu. The daily specials are not included in the translated menu. Without doubt some of the best tapas anywhere. I have never tasted olives so bursting with flavour and with such perfect texture. Neither too soft nor too hard. I finally tried the shellfish that I had seen in a tapas bar in Seville. It appears to be a very popular choice but I found it not really to my taste.

As the food, service and atmosphere was so good we went back a second time and were thrilled that our server remembered us. This bar is highly recommended. 

Fresh produce makes great tapas

A part of our tasty selection

Unknown shellfish 

Pinotxo  Bar

This institution in the Mercat (Market) de la Boqueria was recommended by a Spanish friend. Like Ciudad Condad it is well known, appearing in many travel guides hence there may be a bit of a wait for a stool. This is all part of the fun giving you a chance to observe the activities at the neighbouring market stores.  One of the staff managed 'crowd control' so that it was fair for everyone.  He was able to confidently translate into English the day's seasonal offerings from his list. 

I made the mistake of assuming that the dishes would be very small 'tapas-size' servings. The servings were generous and approaching main-course size. It become evident very quickly that I had over-ordered. I was so enthused by what they were offering I wanted to try lots of dishes. As with tapas, the dishes were brought out as they were prepared. We enjoyed the tastiest rabbit dish ever, variety of fried mushrooms, toast rubbed with garlic, tomato and olive oil, grilled lamb, chickpeas, chevre and the list goes on. The dishes were not the prettiest but they well and truly made up for it in terms of flavours.

More casual than Ciudad Condad, I would highly recommend it for brunch when you visit what I think is one of the best food markets anywhere.

Toast

Chevre

Mushrooms

  

Bar Lobo

Jamon on bread

This bar, only one street back from the hustle and bustle of La Ramblas, provides a haven with delicious food and a laid back atmosphere. It may have been the time that I was there, but it has a much quieter, slower pace than the exuberance and noise of Ciudad Condad. A great place in terms of food when you want to be able to sit back, relax, chat with friends etc

Quirky fun setting with lights made from books and huge old fashioned meat safes or cold storage set into the walls.

Spot the problem. Not an ideal location for those in a wheel chair.

Sagardi Euskal Taberna

I found this tavern in the El Born area by chance. This tavern has seated outdoor eating, standing in the bar area and a seated restaurant area.  The tapas (Basque style)  is available in the bar and outdoor eating area. It is more expensive when eating outdoors. Another menu is available for the restaurant. The tapas is self-serve which makes it much easier when you don't speak the language. All tapas was served either on bread, or in a roll or croissant. The roll I had was not as fresh as I had at other tapas bars. It was a pleasant meal sitting outside at night (under a heater) in January. I certainly was not cold. I probably would not rush back here for the food given the superior quality available at other locations. The atmosphere outdoors in the pedestrian only square however does make it worthy of another visit.

Olives, anchovies with green peppers; croissant with crab; anchovy and red cabbage 

Bar Cañete

This bar was one of three recommended by the concièrge at our hotel. Like Ciudad Condad and Bar Lobo we really enjoyed this bar. Don't be put off by the dingy sidestreet of Las Ramblas where it is located.  There is no menu in English but pointing at what others eat makes it easy to order. The standard of the food was again excellent as was the service. The bar is narrow and, noisy but provided us with the perfect vantage spot to observe the skills of the cooks in the kitchen. The kitchen is completemy open forming part of the bar area. Lightning fast and exceptionally well organised we watched as if in a trance. Cooking and serving staff seemed to dance around each other. It appeared that there may be more seating next door but it was undergoing renovations.  If you would like something more substantial, they do serve full size dishes and desserts. 

Observing the cooks was highly entertaining

Only one of the waiters appears to be allowed to slice the jamon

Group enjoying côte du boeuf

Ciudad Condad

Rambla de Catalunya, 18, 08007 Barcelona

Open every day 8.00am to 1.30am

Pinotxo Bar
La Rambla, 91, (Barcelona). Boqueria market, 66-67
Closed Sundays
www.pinotxobar.com/

Bar Lobo
Carrer Pintor Fortuny, 3, 08001 Barcelona
Open 9.00 to 12.00am (Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 2.30am)
www.grupotragaluz.com/restaurantes/bar-lobo/

Sagardi Euskal Taberna
Placeta de Montcada, 1-3, 08003 Barcelona
10.00am to 0.30am (Saturday and Sunday until 1.00am)
www.euskaletxeataberna.com/

Bar Cañete

Carrer Unio, 17, 08001 Barcelona

1.00pm - 1.00am Monday to Saturday

www.antiguobarorgia.com/