Restaurants
The best places to eat and drink in Barcelona, reviewed anonymously
Recommended restaurants and cafés
Xerta
Barcelona haute cuisine that uses raw materials and recipes from the Delta d'Ebre
Fine dining
Moments
Raül Balam, son of Carme Ruscalleda, earned his second Michelin star in 2013 with this leading hotel restaurant. Like the original in Sant Pau, the...
Most popular online restaurant bookings
Il Birrino
In this Italian corner in the heart of Barcelona's Eixample, you can taste typical Italian cuisine, as well as accompany your dishes with delicious artisanal...
Osmosis
Over the years, Osmosis has established itself as a place for affordable, creative and excellent cuisine – a fine-tuned machine when it comes to set...
Moments
Raül Balam, son of Carme Ruscalleda, earned his second Michelin star in 2013 with this leading hotel restaurant. Like the original in Sant Pau, the...
Amassame
Here's a happy surprise in Sants. Just next to the neighbourhood municipal market, Carmen Ramírez runs Amassame, a restaurant inspired by her love for...
Il Giardinetto
Il Giardinetto is frequented not only by those with great palates who know quality when they taste it, but also by romantics as well as those nostalgic for a...
Fonda Espanya
A spectacular modernist restaurant that is home to a traditional style of cooking adapted by the creative genius of Martín Berasategui. In summer, it...
5 romantic restaurants
Casa Xica
There's a saying in Spanish that translates roughly to 'Small house, big heart', and the owners of Casa Xica (which means Small House in Catalan), Marc and Raquel must have very big hearts indeed. The easiest way to describe what they do is to call it fusion cooking. But that term has become so overused, and in their case it's more of a compilation of tastes they've learned in faraway lands with their own touch added to tempt even the fussiest of diners. Take, for example, the tabbouleh: it's delicious, healthy, made from local ingredients and enhanced with fish practically taken right from the sea. Casa Xica provides that little push you might need on your date to make the all-important first move.
Wagokoro
Kenia Nakamura and Anna Peray go hand in hand in this welcoming space where 'kaiseki' rules. This Japanese cooking concept varies throughout the year depending on the season and you’ll find the essence of the product on every plate. The pair have developed a harmonious menu, one that is thoughtful, aesthetic, ceremonial, and stripped of any pretentions. It’s not only a gastronomic project but a life project.
El Pla
Passing by El Pla you'll see that it's a romantic spot by definition. As you make your way amid the dark and narrow streets of the Barri Gòtic, the scene is being set for your arrival into this restaurant with exquisite low light and an informal yet elegant decor that pairs perfectly with the cuisine. The wines and desserts also go well with the starters and mains, and they're outstanding. El Pla has been open for two decades now, and the work of chef Andrew Smith has lifted it to an especially sweet spot, with dishes charged with flavour and creativity, like the grilled carrot carpaccio withelderflower and horseradish.
Le Cucine Mandarosso
It's great for lunch, sure, but dinner at Le Cucine Mandarosso with a friend or family member might be a bit strange. Because the ambience emanates an intangible intimate and cosy quality that's just right for a romantic date. It's all subtle, casual, with retro furniture, and products and books on the shelves that line the walls. Plus the Italian cuisine itself raises the bar on sensuality. If your dinner date still isn't clear on your intentions, Le Cucine will help you out in that capacity. A word of warning (or advice): the burrata cheese can make you lose all your inhibitions.
Torre d'Alta Mar
In the game of seduction and coupling, the element of surprise and a certain blast of excitement can mark a turning point in a relationship. You could meet your partner at the door wearing just sexy underwear and a rose between your teeth. But inviting your sweetheart to a restaurant inside the tower of a funicular could win you even more points, given that it's a frivolous whimsy of sorts in itself. This is when you're ready to bring out all the heavy artillery to say: 'I'm starving, but I'll sell a kidney for you to have a stunning meal.'
