Day-trip in Barcelona (in English)

Day-trip in Barcelona (in English) - will be updated soon

Food

Here is some suggestions translated form the Lithuanian entry of my blog about places to eat at in Barcelona (be aware these suggestions are from my memories in 2009 so things might have changed):

First, some general advice: 

·     Try not to eat in turist places like Rambla – it is typically very expensive and has nothing to do with the local cuisine. Get off the main street and try smaller restaurants.

·     Paella – is neither Barcelona nor Calatan dish. God forbid eating it on Rambla or similar places – it will not be decent quality and you’ll be very disappointed. If you really want one, try Barceloneta district (by the sea) but think that it’ll be on the more expensive side (40 eur or more per person).

·      Also, don’t forget there are strict times when people eat in Spain. Lunch is typically from 1pm to 4pm, and dinner anywhere from 8pm to 12am. On other times all normal places will be closed.

Here are some good restaurants to try:

·     La Flauta (C/ Aribau, 23 arba C/ Balmes, 164) – Tapas (small few bites-sized plates of food). Among the best tapas in Barcelona. There are two restaurants the better one is in Aribau street although it’s always full of people too. Sometimes you might need to wait 30-40 minutes to get in. They don’t take bookings.

What to eat: I normally would eat there Pan amb Tomaca (roast bread with tomato – the famous Catalan entry), patatas bravas (roast potatoes with special dressing), huevos rancheros (very tasty egg meal), calamares a la romana (fried calamari)… But anything you’ll try will be very good.

For desert don’t miss the Crema Catalana and Flan.
Comments: This place is very good. Very tasty, high quality and generally low prices.

·      Retorno - (C/ Comte d'Urgell, 168) – Sea food. Among my most favorite places in Barcelona. Very small and not fancy looking but the food quality and price don’t have equal in the whole of Barcelona. It’s best to make a reservation in advance at tel: 93 415 51 86  (you could ask your hotel to do it for you).
What to eat: very worthy to try pescaditos fritos (small fried fish), calamares (calamari), pulpo a la gallega (Galician octopus – their specialty), and mejillones (muscles). The dishes are Massive! So for two people take 3 dishes (half a portion) and share. If you feel a bit adventurous try their non-filtered white wine (I loved it) called Vino Turbio – it’s very cheap, very traditional and tasty.

·      For a little classier cousine try Balthasar (C/ rosello 189), Attico (Rambla 120) – good food and not crazy pricing in general.

As much for non-Spanish foods if you would like:

·      Tagliatelle – Italian food. Very very recommendable. Very neat atmosphere, fascinating Italian food and good prices (their pizzas and pastas will blow your mind). There is a few of them. See which one is closest to you on the internet.

·      La Carassa (C/ Brosolí, 1) for Fondue (Swiss cheese pot with bread). Is extremely good. A little pricier, with wine you would spend about 70 EUR for two people but it’s worth it.

·      Panchito – Mexican food. Good food, good prices. There is a couple of them – check on the internet which one is closer.

·      Restaurants in Gracia. The district is amazing – worth visiting in the evening. The whole district is full of great food places and nice atmosphere. As in your hotel for an exact street as I cannot recall the names.

• Some very good Italian pizzerias. La Bella Napoli (C/ Villarroel, 101), Il Golfo di Napoli (C/ De Lleida, 38).