L'Actiu

Jordi Rufino of Granja Mabel in C/Marina – where they do one of the best set lunch menus in Barcelona – heads up the kitchen at L’Actiu, the restaurant at Barcelona Activa, a municipal organisation dedicated to helping boost small businesses and the entrepreneur. L'Actiu has stuck with the same formula that transformed Granja Mabel from a small bar with combo plates passed down from their parents, into a force to be reckoned with in the area: every day they create a different set lunch menu that's creative and uses simple and carefully prepared ingredients, and which also includes something fancy from time to time. Don't even dream about eating here without a reservation.

On any given day at L’Actiu, you can try a gorgeous 'escalivada' (marinated grilled vegetables) with plenty of tuna, or Asian-style fried rice. Other options include a green salad followed by a main dish of bluefin tuna with kimchi sauce; roasted pork ribs with barbeque sauce and chips; or grilled steak fresh from the Boqueria. The desserts are good and home-made (like everything there). And all of this for an incredibly fair price. All of this is available when you pay the popular menu of the day price. At L’Actiu, you can have lunch in a bit more space than you might find in Mabel, and without any pressure to get up and get out the minute you're finished, as they can seat 150 diners. Remember that if you're looking for a place for a group or an event, and they'll tailor-make a meal for you. Plus, the terrace is magnificent.