What to Eat: 4 Days in Barcelona

A friend recently told me they were going to Barcelona and wanted to know what we would do if we only had 4 nights in Barcelona. We’d definitely start our stay the same way we start all our visits and that’s to check into our favorite hotel, The Serras Barcelona, upon check-in, we’d go right up to the rooftop lounge and pool area to relax after our flight.

I always try to make dinner reservations 4+ weeks in advance, as the best places always book up quickly. The Serras concierge is also very helpful. For snacks and lunch, we have our must go to’s, while we do love wandering around the city to find something new.

HOTEL

THE SERRAS HOTEL - our favorite boutique hotel in Barcelona.  The staff makes us feel like we’re family (family you like), they are friendly and attentive.  The hotel is at the edge of the Gothic Quarter and the rooftop lounge overlooks the marina, it’s the perfect location… most things we do are within 20 minutes walking.  It’s also where Pablo Picassco’s had his first art studio when he was about 15 years old. They make it hard for us to visit anywhere else, as we always want to go back to Barcelona.

DINNER

Bar Canete – this is our #1 MUST GO place! When making reservation ask to sit at the counter overlooking the chefs

El Chigre – this place is casual, great food more local vibe for dinner.  Great food

La Textil Collective – our friend Chef Danko is now working here, he’s an amazing chef and has surrounded himself with other amazing culinary geniuses.  This is a three part concept… the bar is in the front, and they have a microbrewery on site. Behind the bar is the restaurant, the chef kitchen is in the center of the room with bar seating around it. When making reservations ask to sit there. If you see Chef Danko, tell him Chef Eric and Lynn say “hello”. Downstairs is a live music venue and they bring in al kinds of artists.

Disfrutar – if looking for Michelin Star. We’ve been to other Michelin Star in Barcelona, this was our favorite. We went there for lunch and of course sat at the bar so we could watch some of the food preparation. Lunch lasted about 3.5 hours and every dish was creative and unexpected.

LUNCH/SNACK

El Quim De La Boqueria – AMAZING tapas in Mercar De La Boqueria, stalk people sitting at the counter waiting for them to finish OR get there when they first open

Vila Viniteca – wine, cheese & charcuterie shop, with small café area (LOVE THIS PLACE)

Santagustina – great for an afternoon stop for tapas, if it’s nice outside they have nice seating in the square

Xarchuterie La Pineda – cheese, charcuterie, wine

GELATO

Parallelo – the best gelato in the world.  Any of the typical highly rated gelato shops in Barcelona are better than what we get in the US and I think we tried most of them. Then one of our Italian friends, living in Barcelona, recommended Parallelo, he said it’s better than any he’s tasted in the world… we’ve never been to Italy, but I’d guess he’s right… it was THAT good!

COOKING CLASS

The Paella Club – if you want a fun cooking experience. You and your partner have your own cooking burner and you get to cook your own paella. The other folks in class are also making paella’s. When the cooking is done, you all sit at a communal table and eat and share all the paella’s that were made. Learn how to make a great paella, drink cava and meet some wonderful people