One of the largest neighbourhoods in Barcelona, the Eixample is known for its wide streets, its many boutiques and for being home to some of the best restaurants in the city. Whether you want a fine-dining experience that will really knock your socks off, or some simple home-cooking, these are some of the best places for authentic Catalan food in the Eixample.
Restaurant Embat
Restaurant, Spanish, $$$
Open since 2007, Embat underwent a major facelift in 2014 when it shed its traditional appearance for a much more modern interior with a near-Scandinavian feel to it. However the food of chef Santi Rebés is proudly Catalan, revisiting classic Catalan flavour combinations and dishes with a contemporary approach to presentation. An alumni of the Espai Sucre patisserie school – famous for owning Barcelona’s only dessert restaurant – the chef’s desserts must not be missed.
This two Michelin-star restaurant is one of the most coveted dinner destinations in the city. The three chef-owners, Oriol Castro, Mateu Casañas and Eduard Xatruch, are ex-elBulli – five times voted best restaurant in the world – and were recently rewarded for their efforts when Disfrutar was voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. Boundless imagination, technical skill and a taste for the unexpected are what define the food at Disfrutar. There’s no a la carte option, diners can choose between three tasting menus, ranging between €150 and €190 per person.
Tucked away on a side street off the glamorous Passeig de Gràcia, Petit Comitè is run by chef Nandu Jubany of the Michelin-starred farm to table restaurant, Can Jubany, located in the Catalan countryside. Here in Barcelona the food offering is similarly inspired by local produce and Catalan cuisine with regularly changing daily specials.
Gresca is one of those great Barcelona restaurants the locals are desperate to keep for themselves. Elegant dishes offer a new take on Catalan cuisine, while the recent addition of a wine-bar within Gresca has brought with it an offering of bistro-style sharing plates as well. Wine-lovers will appreciate the hefty wine list which features some choice Spanish and European wines.
If world-famous wine critic Jancis Robinson says of a place ‘any wine lover within range should spend much of their lives there’, then chances are you should. If Monvínic could look a little intimidating at first, with its sleek modern décor and wall-to-wall wine racks, it is in fact a very welcoming place, where you’ll soon find yourself wanting to order a second glass – or bottle. There are some outstanding bottles of Cava to be found in their cellar and while some are on the more expensive side, there’s a suitable choice of medium-range bottles on offer too.
The Cervecería Catalana is widely regarded as one of the best places in Barcelona for good old-fashioned tapas. You won’t find any signature dishes or fanciful plating here but there’s an ample selection of cured meats, fresh seafood, grilled vegetables and classic dishes, such as Russian salad or croquetas. Whether you want to perch on a stool at the counter or sit at a table in the back, be prepared to wait, as there’s often a queue.
The Mont Bar is located not far from the University of Barcelona and is a popular eatery offering gourmet Catalan and Spanish dishes in a cozy but stylish bistro setting. The dishes reflect local ingredients but are more than your usual tapas and diners can expect modern, elegant dishes creatively presented. Check out the wine list which boasts over 200 different wines from mostly Spanish producers.
