The Best Restaurants in the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona

As the name suggests, this is a tapas haven. Complete with a long bar and modern décor, Tapeo hosts wonderful chefs who combine tradition with creativity to deliver delicious tapas made from the highest quality produce. Spreading the flavor of Barcelona through their wide variety of tapas dishes, from Spanish omelette to glazed beef cheek stew, presentation and taste alike are truly impeccable at Tapeo. This tapas bar is a popular place to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine in one of Barcelona’s trendiest areas.

This fairy tale restaurant offers a unique and magical dining experience far from anything else you will find in Barcelona or, for that matter, in Spain. Tucked away in the bustling tourism hub of Las Ramblas, this is an unsuspecting treasure. Not a detail has been spared when it comes to the fairy tale-like interior decoration. Complete with artificial woodland, trickling waterfalls and fairies, the novelty of the décor itself is enough to warrant a visit. Enjoy the many surprises of El Bosc de Les Fades whilst feasting on the hot sandwiches, tapas and snacks on offer. For a foodie getaway, book our four-day Mini Trip to the Basque Country – you’ll take a pintxos (local tapas) tour and visit San Sebastian.

Located on the Plaza Real, this is an elegant and formal restaurant with a traditionally Mediterranean focus, guests can enjoy everything from old favorites to slow-cooked meals made to perfection and using fresh market produce. Les Quinze Nits brims with sophistication, offering guests a comfortable and relaxing, yet classy environment. Moreover, the restaurant’s main key to success is that it offers style on a budget and is very reasonably priced.

Warm, friendly, and welcoming, El Salón was founded in 1995 as the first French style diner bistro in this area of Barcelona. Serving home-made Mediterranean cuisine with specific Catalonian and French influences, El Salón ensures they serve top quality dishes from an extensive menu, but in a relaxed and informal environment. True to its origins, it oozes charm with its recycled furniture, sofas at the entrance, and library themed décor. Not only does its antique interior offer guests a unique dining experience, the restaurant also has a terrace on the Plaça Traginers with a Roman wall backdrop.

Famous for being one of Picasso’s haunts, El Quatre Gats prides itself on being the host of Picasso’s first ever exhibition, as well as playing host to numerous musicians, artists and architects alike including Albéniz and Gaudí. Their artistic influence is still evident, with their impressions scattered all over the walls of El Quatre Gats. Opening in 1897, it has been, from the very beginning, an unusual and artistic place to gather and eat. Today its rich and inspiring history has made it a popular dining spot. With a menu featuring delicious meals, from grilled duck’s breast to a variety of fish dishes, it is well worth visiting El Quatre Gats to enjoy a tasty meal whilst basking in the historical charm. Interested in Picasso? Visit his birthplace when you join our four-day Mini Trip to Málaga in Andalucia.

Starting life as a friendly cafe, the now large and successful Set Portes is one of the classic places to eat in Barcelona. Most famous for its always perfect paella, it also offers a variety of other seafood and rice dishes, prepared in traditional manners. Try the monkfish stew with crayfish and potatoes. Getting its name from its seven public doors, this bustling restaurant is one of the must-visit eateries in the Gothic Quarter.

A place where attention to detail is of utmost importance, the chefs at Restaurante Ferran finalize every single detail of each dish to deliver a beautifully presented, creative meal with a perfect blend of traditional influences and contemporary methods. Serving delicious dishes true to Mediterranean roots, Restaurante Ferran offers a classic and elegant environment for guests to enjoy its tapas and seafood dishes. Spread over two floors, Restaurante Ferran features a bar, as well as two comfortable dining rooms, perfect for groups.

Located on the Plaça Sant Jaume in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, Pla was opened in 1998 and has slowly but steadily earned its name as one of the best dining locations in Barcelona. With its restless and inventive spirit taken from the post-Adriàn Catalonian cuisine (Ferran Adrià being a famous Catalan chef), Pla offers the best of Spanish cuisine, offering a diverse edge to the typical conservative dishes. With a low-lit, comforting ambiance, and a personal feel with friendly and waiters willing to explain the innovative menu, it’s a winner for the best dining atmosphere in a central tourist location.

Hidden in the narrow alleyways of the Gothic quarter, the Café de l’Academia is a local townhouse treasure offering modern Catalan cuisine, naturally featuring a delicious number of fish dishes. An intimate and comfortable dining experience, Café de l’Academia offers privacy with its different dining rooms and terrace, and is a popular meeting place for academics (hence the name). This charming and friendly cafe offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist streets, however its increasing popularity means it is increasingly busy.