Eating, drinking and dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Barcelona.

Restaurants

La Vinya del Senyor

Stop at this bar on Plaza Santa Maria for a glass of wine before hitting the shops in the Gothic Quarter.

7 Portes

Barcelona’s oldest restaurant serves an authentic Catalan menu, in a formal environment. There's a pianist from 22h30.

Passeig d’Isabel II
+34 (93) 319 30 33

La Barra de Botafumeiro

Fish-lovers should head to this traditional restaurant.

Gran de Gráci
+34 (93) 218 42 30

Commerç 24

This restaurant is a fashionable, modern tapas bar.

Carrer Commerç
+34 (93) 319 21 02

Passadis del Pep

You like seafood ? This is where to come – they call the shots on what you eat, too, which can be fun.

Pla de Palau,
+34 (93) 310 10 21

Acontraluz

This place is a bit out of the way, uptown, but it’s a cool, contemporary restaurant with a lively atmosphere and great Mediterranean food; ask for a seat in the conservatory.

Milanesat
+34 (93) 203 06 58

Agua

This popular restaurant is fab for seafood and is especially pleasant in summer, if you get a table on the terrace looking out to sea; booking well in advance is advisable.

Beachfront
+34 (93) 225 12 72

Cafés

Cal Pep

A traditional tapas bar with all the favourites – cured hams, daily specials and a bustly atmosphere in the evenings.

Plaça de les Olles
+34 (93) 310 79 61

Bars and clubs

Danzatoria

Very beautiful, very glamorous ...

Avenida del Tibidabo

Gusto

A laid-back drinkery that gets going around midnight

Calle Francisco Giner

Mas y Mas

For a lively, post-diner drink, try this uptown favourite.

Carrer Maria Cubi

Universal

We like this lively uptown bar for an after-dinner drink.