Hotel Pulitzer

The desk staff at the Pulitzer are very well informed and helpful about the best bars and restaurants, though this Mrs Smith is also an obsessive travel researcher, so all we needed was confirmation of making wise choices. Our first night out – an easy 10-minute stroll from the hotel – was at Tapac24, a highly recommended source of traditional tapas, given a new gourmet twist by an ex-El Bulli chef (and therefore on any foodie hit list). Don't miss the 'Bikini' (a tiny cheese and ham toastie with a surprise luxury ingredient: truffles) and the Barcelona 'bombs'. The staff there don't speak much English and it's not a tourist place – but you'll be made very welcome and the bill is half what it would be in the UK for equivalent standard food and wine. We also treated ourselves to Arola (+34 939 3483 8090 ) at the Hotel Arts on our anniversary – again, an envious/approving nod from the receptionist when I said we had reservations there (and lots of restaurants close on Sunday, making booking ahead very advisable). It was very glam, in a laid-back funky way, with great food – probably the best lamb I've ever had. The swanky Terrace Bar at the Arts is a fabulous place for an aperitif, but it will set you back many euros. The Pulitzer's bar is also very nice and considerably cheaper...