Located in the Raval, this place is the place to go if you want to listen to good music in live. Moreover they offer very different kind of concerts.

Monday: jazz concert
Tuesday: Pop/rock/blues/funk jam session
Wednesday: jazz concert
Thursday: Latin concert
Friday: Flamenco concert
Saturday: jazz, latin jazz jam session
Sunday: pop/rock/blues/ funk jam session

The place uses to be kind of crowded so I would advice you to arrive in advance. All the concerts I have been there are really great and before the concert starts, you can have a beer at the bar situated just at the entrance of the place.

The atmosphere is dynamic, overwhelming and enthusiastic. A great place to spend a good night.

Details about this spot
Jazz Sí | Bars, Music | Entrance € 5.00
Calle Requesens, 2 | El Raval (area map) | +34933290020
21:00 - 00:00 daily

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Visiting Rambla del Raval is a must during your stay in Barcelona. The multicultural and diverse neighborhood El Raval shows you how Globalization brings people together from all over the world.

On its very own Rambla, Moroccan cafes, Turkish fast food places, Italian pizza restaurants, and Indian and Pakistan eateries go hand in hand, sharing their multinational clientele.

Also Catalans found their place back in this buzzing mix: cafe-bar “Les Delicies” is the perfect place for a relaxed afternoon beer (go local with Moritz beer!) and some olives, or a Cortado (coffee shot with milk) with yummy American chocolate cookies a la Catalana.

It’s also a perfect place for a cosy dinner with friends (highly recommendable: vegetarian lasagne), preferably on their terrace directly on the Rambla del Raval.

Nice side effect: watch the Arabian men and Catalan seniors having a chit-chat at sunset.

After dinner, go and chill in the lounge area in the back of this pretty cafe. Until recently I didn’t now that the 70’s Jukebox in the back of the bar is really working. Try it out and relax in the cosy sofas in the back while listening to the cheesiest music ever!

Details about this spot
Les Delicies | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (International) | Lasagne € 7.00
Rambla del Raval 47 | El Raval (area map) | +34934415714
Sun - Thu 19:00 - 02:00, Fri - Sat 19:00 - 03:00

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As you can see from the posters and press cuttings plastered across the front of the bar in the photo above, this fantastic little bar, which opened in 1947 and hasn’t changed since, is being threatened with closure.

If it is closed it will be a tragedy - an absolute tragedy. Angels, the owner, is battling a trumped-up charge of excessive noise. He’s organized a petition, and friends have rallied round to organize a gig to publicize the issue.

The only noise that emanates from this cosy little nook is laughter, chatter and Edif Piaf, or French accordion music. The bar hosts occasional gigs - chanteueses and tango - but they’re never THAT loud. Ridiculous. This petit bar is my son’s favorite bar in the world (Hi Harls!) and it’s one of my very favorite bars too.

If it’s still open by the time you get here you’ll find a cosy little, arty bar, about the size of a small living room, decked with paintings, sketches and prints layered with nicotine. Angels serves his own labeled absinthe and pastis, good cold draft beer and a spread of French wines and spirits.

R.E.M. once called in to try the absinthe. How cool is that? It’s a popular haunt too for local transvestites and prostitutes. With property prices as high as they are this sort of thing happens all too often in Barcelona.

It’s too easy for property speculators to bribe neighbors to denounce a bar or restaurant and put it out of business so they can move in and clean up. It’s just around the corner from El Cangrejo (see this article) , which was also closed for quite a few months because of noise problems.

Details about this spot
Bar Pastis | Bars | Absinthe & pastis € 3.50
C/Santa Monica 4 | El Raval (area map) | +34933187980
Mon - Thu 19:00 - 02:00, Fri - Sun 20:00 - 03:00

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Let them fry, cook and steam, but baking? No. Being all good in cheese and ham, it seems that the Spanish did totally forget about their bread.

After years of suffering white, boring and unhealthy, it took some people from Iceland to bring Barcelona the joy of baking: stylish Barcelona-Reykjavik bakari offers everything yummy and healthy; banana carrot scones, cakes, pastries, pizza, bread, quiche, vegan products, with sugar and without, everything comes overloaded with taste and good ingredients.

No recommendations, just this much: try everything! Maybe a bread is triple the price (about ? 6.00, price goes by weight) of a Spanish one, but be sure that your stomach is filled for half a day or more.

Apart from that, the personal is super friendly and helps you making your choice in this wonderland of plenty.

Everybody loves the healthy and delicious bread and that’s why Barcelona-Reykjavik opened a new great place in one of the most famous streets in Gracia (Calle Asturias, 20).

Details about this spot
Barcelona - Reykjavik | Snacks, Shopping | Bread € 6.00
Calle Doctor Dou 12 | El Raval (area map) | +34933020921
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 21:00

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This place is located in an amazingly dirty and noisy street full of drunk daydreamers. But once you pass the gate you find yourself in a cosy and a little bit retro atmosphere either to eat at the restaurant, have a drink at the bar or hear good music and even dance at the lounge time.

I could not afford to have dinner there myself, but at lunch time they have a good menu at a price I would be able to pay once a month.

I personally recommend their home made desserts. Just like grandma’s!

Just when they close the kitchen, the dj session starts. It lasts until 03:00.

Details about this spot
Before | Bars, Music, Restaurants (lunch) | Beer € 3.50
Santa Monica 2 | El Raval (area map) | +34933013503
Mon - Wed 13:00 - 16:00, Thu - Sat 13:00 - 16:00 & 21:00 - 03:00

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One of the few centrally located places open for live performances of emerging bands in Barcelona!

It was opened in 1992, the year of the Olympic games, big hotels and huge impersonal malls. Fortunately it was also understood that the bohemian mood is something that gave the city its popularity.

In order to play there, bands must pass the filter of the bar manager, a frenetic indie music fan who is quite aware of his roll as a gate keeper for bands that have to struggle their way into this fortified jungle of commercial mass. No wonder there is a comedian representing the country in an international music contest!

Either a jam session or a concert, there is live music every night!

Details about this spot
Big Bang Bar | Bars, Music | Concerts € 3.00
Botella street 7 | El Raval (area map)
Tue - Sun 23:00 - 03:00

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Barcelona’s oldest cocktail bar, opened in 1933, is just a few steps off the Ramblas, a hundred metres or so down from the Canaletes fountain.

It’s a good central spot to meet up with friends after work before going on to another bar and then dinner. Nonsmokers will likely have a tough time of it here as it’s small, not well-ventilated and soon gets filled with people and smoke.

It’s a classic art deco bar with bartenders in tuxedos who will mix you a cocktail with style. There’s no menu of drinks - but the bartenders are well-practiced at serving over 60 different cocktails. If you’re undecided just ask for the cocktail of the day.

Take a look at the sketches, drawings, photos and letters on the walls here. You’ll see drawings by Miró and a photo of Kevin Costner among portraits of locally known luminaries. It’s a popular haunt for media types and politicians. I’ve often seen locally prominent politicians in here arguing a point of policy, or just gossiping, with senior journalists.

If you visit between 19:00 and 20:00 you’ll likely hear a familiar voice face from Catalan radio above the lively, loud chatter. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart called in once when visiting the city. A cool, but smoky, spot for meeting up with friends before a night on the town.

Details about this spot
Boadas | Bars | Cocktail € 6.00
C/Tallers 1 | El Raval (area map) | +343189592
Mon - Sat 12:00 - 02:00

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Having lunch inside the Boqueria market is one of the well hidden secrets of Barcelona’s local people. You would not expect eating in a market hall, would you?
This is something you definitely have to try out, as the market in the heart of the city is actually hosting some of Barcelona’s best restaurants.

Have the freshest fish, home made pizzas or delicious tapas in one of the numerous little bars/restaurants such as El Quim, Pintxo or Antonio’s restaurant.

If you are only thirsty or would like to have a small snack you can buy a recently prepared fruit salad or a freshly squeezed juice.

Enter the market hall from the Rambla, have a stroll around the market and see the beautifully arranged fruits and vegetables until you arrive in the backside of the Boqueria. This is where the local buy there food. In the back you will also find the bars/restaurants where you can have a tasteful lunch.

Details about this spot
Boqueria | Bars, Restaurants (lunch) | Tapas at El Quim from € 3.00
Plaza de la Boqueria | El Raval (area map) | +34933182584
Mon - Sat 08:00 - 20:30

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Oscar Wilde said once that “with the first drink of absinth you see things as they are not, with the second you see things as you wish they were, and after the third one you see things as they really are, and it was the worst view ever”.

So if you want to stick with the second drink of the so called aphrodisiac of the soul, with all the ritual of melting the sugar cube with the proper spoon then don’t be frightened … no harm will come to you.

Details about this spot
Casa Almirall | Bars | Absinth € 4.50
Carrer de Joaquín Costa 33 | El Raval (area map) | +34933189917
12:00 - 03:00 daily

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Discover and enjoy the sights and the spirit of Barcelona by the freedom and pleasure of riding a bike.

It is a real and authentic way of getting to know the city, it’s people, colors, smells and noises. Stop and stay wherever and how long you like.

By bike you’ll discover much more places, and enjoy a much more intense experience.

It also makes you feel better about the tons of ice cream and tapas you had the days before, and you can enjoy a cold beer or a sangria on the beach with a pure conscience.

The Bikes are high quality classic models, the prices are very decent by offering a great service; the staff is friendly and is always pleased to help you.
Renting a bike for 2 hours costs € 6.00, for 24 hours € 15.00, for 2 days € 25.00 euros and for a whole week € 55.00.

For € 21.00 they also offer guided tours that show you in only 3 1/2 hours the historical details and the fascinating experiences of the day to day life and the symbolic places of Barcelona.

Always lock the bike to a pole or a fence…Otherwise it won’t last for long.

Details about this spot
Classic Bikes | Relaxing | Bike 2 hours € 6.00
Calle Tallers 45 | El Raval (area map) | +34933171970
09:30 - 20:00 daily

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There is a coarse Barcelona or at least there was a few years ago a coarse Barcelona, some places where only “bad people” were going. Without any doubt, the Cangrejo is one of the most emblematic places of this riffraff Barcelona.

Today, the clientele is mainly gay and the music is from the the 80’s, great for dancing and having a lot of fun with your friends. Music and decoration are totally kitsch making you feel in the best Pedro Almodovar’s movie. Moreover the star of the bar is Carmen de Mairena, a very famous drag-queen in Spain

There is a dinner and a very funny animation with a drag-queen every Saturday. The bar opens from 10 pm for people going there just for a drink and dancing.

The Cangrejo has been redecorated lately, losing part of his charm and character and the music, because of the neighbors, is lower but anyway it’s worthy to see this legendary place located in the heart of el Raval, next to La Rambla.

Details about this spot
El cangrejo | Bars | Entrance € 5.00
Calle de Montserrat, 9 | El Raval (area map) | +34933012978
Fri - Sat 21:00 - 03:00

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Located in the Raval in a very peaceful street, you will find this very small place with a few sew tables, a lot of wine barrels hanging on the walls and a few tapas to eat, mainly ham, chorizo, “fuet” (catalan pork sausage) and cheese of high quality. Products are simple but good.

The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming and quiet and the owner of the place, a guy from Guinea equatorial is one of the nicest owners in Barcelona. Always smiling and in a good mood, he really cheers you up.

This bar is one of these place I feel as comfortable in as at home. People who go there are regular customers. Very discrete place. It’s hard to find it at random.

Details about this spot
El celler d’en Frank Peterssein | Bars | Beer and cheese tapa € 6.00
Calle Bisbe Laguarda, 3 | El Raval (area map) | +34933295615
Mon - Sat 11:00 - 23:00, Sun 11:00 - 04:00

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A new trend in Barcelona: playing ping-pong on one of the numerous public ping-pong tables in the city center.

You have two options:

1. You buy a ping-pong set (2 rackets and a ball) for € 3.00 at the Chinese-cheap-cheap “Cien y mas” - shop on Calle de Carmen in the Raval neighborhood and you play a match on the shady and beautiful square on Calle Floristes de la Rambla between the back-entrance of the Boqueria market and the Art school Massana.

2. You just have a seat on the square an watch the cute guys playing ping-pong.

Whatever option you take, try to get it done before 14:00 because from 14:00 - 16:00 you should enjoy the daily changing lunch menu (€ 8.00) at the Iposa restaurant situated on Calle Floristes de la Rambla.

They have a beautiful terrace outside on one of the most cheerful squares in the Raval under huge trees next to the cute ping-pong guys. Watch the birds in the trees, especially when you are having lunch!

The French chef is always trying to offer something special rather than the usual tapas and paella. As the Boqueria market is only a stone’s throw away, the vegetables and the fish are always super fresh.

Also try their main courses for decent prices such as their couscous golden-oldie and their delicious salads (€ 5.00 - € 9.00) with homemade raspberry dressing.

Iposa is also very suitable for parents as a very cool fenced playground is situated right next to the terrace.

Details about this spot
Iposa | Relaxing, Restaurants (Lunch) | Lunch menu € 8.00
Calle Floristes de la Rambla 14 | El Raval (area map) | +34933186086
Mon - Sat 13.30 -16:00 & 21:00 - 00:00, Aug 21:00 - 00:00 daily

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You might have gotten hungry from strolling around the Raval neighborhood, visiting museums, playing ping-pong on one of the public ping-pong tables (see this article), and having beers on Rambla del Raval.

But you spent way to much money already in eating out in fancy restaurants? Here is the perfect solution: Kapadokya on Rambla del Raval.

From the outside it might look like an ordinary bland Kebab - hut but from the inside it offers a lot more than you would expect.

The staff is usually very friendly and they prepare the food in front of you so you can see that they only use fresh ingredients - everything prepared with a smile.

The interior is all self-made and decorated with love. If you don’t find a table on the ground floor you can have plenty of space in the cute rustic orient-style basement.

Anyway, the chicken or beef durums (€ 4.00) are definitely the best in town and they also have plenty of vegetarian options such as the delicious halloumi cheese durum for only € 3.50!!! Mmmmmmh.

Details about this spot
Kapadokya | Restaurants (Turkish) | Durums € 4.00
Rambla del Raval 15 | El Raval (area map)
11:00 - 03:00 daily

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I went to the Marmalade some weeks ago because of some girlfriend’s birthday party and I can’t wait to go back. Oh my… I won’t lie to you. I think this place is just perfect! Actually I’ve dreamt about this place at least two times since then. Why? You could ask… Perhaps because of the Mojito’s effect on me or maybe its exclusive atmosphere? I don’t know yet. What I can assure you is that this is the place where I’ve spent the best night along of this year.

Just few times in my life I’ve been positively surprised by some place as the Marmalade did with me. I’m sure you will find a lot of special places in Barcelona but the Marmalade Bar-Restaurant is one of the best places I could suggest to you feeling such self-confidence about its quality. You will know I’m right since the very first second you get in.

Correct and kind attention, a fine decoration, quality and good taste are the stronger points of this place. What I found there it’s an exquisite level of sophistication. I must confess I did not try their menu, but somehow I know it must be good. I will try it the next time. I’m so sure about it…

Details about this spot
Marmalade | Bars, Restaurants (Mediterranean) | Dinner € 30.00
Riera Alta, 4-6 | El Raval (area map) | +34934423966
19:00 - 03:00 daily

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Mendizabal bar is a Barcelona golden-oldie, a gathering point for people from all backgrounds and nationalities.

Its perfect location right on a street corner just one block from the Ramblas makes it a very integrated and easy to find place to meet people and start the day with a newspaper and a coffee - or the night with some beers and olives.

Coffee and sandwiches are delicious (try the mango and melted brie or the jamon and avocado sandwich).You can enjoy them while just watching the different kinds of tourist, freaks and locals passing by or the dogs playing in front of the cafe.

Lean at their bar, or sit down at one of the colorful tables on the opposite of the street and let Barcelona’s spirit inspire you.You also have the luxury to enjoy the view on one of the most beautiful streets in Barcelona- Calle Junta de Comercio.

Mendizabal shows how Barcelona is meant to be: a relaxed yet arty place where people meet casually, and locals mix with tourists.

Mendizabal also offers several freshly squeezed juices of the day (€ 3,50), all full with vitamines to jazz you up and recover from last night’s heavy drinking. All in all, the best start for a great day.

Details about this spot
Mendizabal | Bars, Coffee & tea | Sandwich € 4.50
Carrer de la Junta de Comerç 2 | El Raval (area map)
Jun - Oct 10:00 - 01:00 daily, Nov - May 10:00 - 00:00 daily

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Every morning, I go there to have my Galician baguette and my Madeleine for breakfast. Among all the bakeries I have tried in Barcelona, this one is by far the best. That’s why it’s always crowded and the shop assistants are always very busy.

Located in the very center of Barcelona next to the Universitat place, this small red bakery has been run by the same family since 1879. The Mistral Bakery offers you all kind of homemade breads and much more: typical pastries from Cataluña like San Joan’s coca, San Jordi’s bread, sweet and salt cakes…

You need to take a ticket at the entrance and wait for your turn. If you prefer you can go to the cafeteria they have and enjoy a nice coffee with a good chocolate croissant. Or you can see too the workshop just next to the bakery where bread is exposed.

Even if it’s a little expensive, the high quality of the products justify the prices.

It’s one of the most emblematic place in Barcelona.

Details about this spot
Mistral | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Baguette € 1.00
Ronda Sant Antoni, 96 | El Raval (area map) | +34933018037
Mon - Sat 07:00 - 21:00

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Mediterranean multicultural cuisine in a wide space to eat healthy and tasteful in a relaxing atmosphere.

Due the quantity they serve you, I wouldn’t consider it a gourmet meal. And if you take the self service salad open bar you’ve got to bring your tupperware.

The vegan paella Boqueria is a must! And to reach the climax, get an holistic massage after dessert.

Details about this spot
Organic restaurant | Restaurants (Mediterranean) | Dinner € 15.00
Junta Comerç street 11 | El Raval (area map)
12:00 - 17:00 & 20:00 - 00:00 daily

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Nobody just walks there (well, maybe the tourists..) - the place is for skating, biking, sitting, strolling, watching and taking sun baths.

Dress yourself on your most fabulous, get a coffee to go and some typical Catalan pastries at “Fleca els angels” bakery and start playing the games big people play.

You’ll end up with a cute date, a shaky hand from too much coffee and a big fat sunburn- which is totally worth it.

If you need a break, just turn around and enter the Macba, the Museum of contemporary art, or the CCCB, the cultural center of Barcelona hosting the most interesting exhibtions.

Details about this spot
Plaça dels Angels | Relaxing
Plaça Dels Angels | El Raval (area map)
24 hours daily

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Ras is probably one of the most interesting book shops in town owned by the Barcelona based Actar editorial.

Specialized in architecture, design and art, it offers a variety of books and magazines from international editorials.

Besides being a book store, Ras is also an exclusive gallery exhibiting contemporary art and design.

Check their website for exposition openings and get some chocolate, nuts and wine for free! But watch your alcohol consumption; you might end up buying some of the gorgeous accessories, displayed in the entrance area.

Ras is one of the gathering points of Barcelona’s urban scene, as it also offers many books on street art, and you might as well end up with a hot skater date!

Details about this spot
Ras bookshop | Art & culture, Shopping
Calle Doctor Dou 10 | El Raval (area map) | +34934127199
Tue - Fri 11:00 - 21:00

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Try some freestyle fusion cooking in one of Barcelona’s coziest restaurants!

If you are lucky to find a table, you are going to enjoy a mix of Middle East, Italian, Greek, Mexican etc. cuisine, accompanied by the best wines, a Libanese beer, or a Palestinian tea. They don’t serve Coca Cola.

Not only the food is international, also the staff: all together, they speak eleven languages.

The friendly staff , the delicious food, and the decent prices make Kabara a place to linger and have conversations about everything under the sun all night long.

The interior is arty and colorful, the furniture is painted by many different artists of different nationalities.

The restaurant is also a gallery, showing expositions of modern art and documentary movies. Once a month, they organize an “open mic poetry” night where everybody is welcome.

Opened in 2000, Kabara was one of the first restaurants in the beautiful street Calle Junta de Comercio. It was one of the pioneers in the in that time quite shabby neighborhood Raval. Many other restaurants and cafes followed, and made the Raval one of the most flourishing neighborhoods.

Details about this spot
Restaurant Kabara | Restaurants (International) | Dish from € 4.50
Calle Junta de Comercio 20 | El Raval (area map) | +34934127698
Sun - Thu 19:00 - 02:00, Fr - Sat 13:00 - 03:00

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Finding a good vintage store in Barcelona is not easy- it seems that Spanish people are not really into the idea of wearing other people’s old clothes.

Luckily there is one street that saves the recalling of old spirits - Calle Riera Baixa.

Door on door, second hand stores offer everything a vintage lover’s heart desires: boots, sunglasses, 70s summer dresses, jeans, bikinis from the 40s…Here you’ll find the good old dress for good old fun!

The best shop to go to is definitely “Le Swing”, unfortunately also the most expensive one. Just don’t get intimidated by their staff - probably everybody would develop that attitude when working in this shop. Apart from that, the Catalans are not famous for their customer-friendliness…

When tired from shopping, you also find a beautiful old cafe in the same street: stylish in its old spirit- just like you.

Details about this spot
Rierra Baixa | Shopping
Calle Riera Baixa | El Raval (area map)
Mon - Sat; 11:00-14:30, 17:00-19:00

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Located in The Raval, the most intercultural neighborhood, this is a place you shouldn’t miss when coming at Barcelona. It’s good, cheap and situated in the vintage shop’s street most famous of Barcelona.

Between the two second hand shops, you can enjoy a good meal in a very simple and urban way. It’s a peaceful place next to the busy Rambla del Raval.

The atmosphere is young, loud and happy. The decoration is simple and authentic, stylish and at the same time it gives you the feeling of being at home: a lot of mirrors all over the place, wooden decoration. Old and modern at the same time. Not a sophisticated place among all this fashion bars opening everywhere and looking alike.

The food is good and cheap. The waiters are very friendly too. There is a big black board where the restaurant advises you the best dishes to eat. But if you don’t want to eat, you can just have a nice coffee at the terrace outside with the owners of the vintage stores.

Details about this spot
The Resolis | Restaurants (Tapas/ meat/ fish) | Meal € 15.00
Calle riera baixa 22 | El Raval (area map)
Tue - Sat 13:30 - 03:00

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The first thing I can say about this place is that it is cheap. So cheap you think food must be disgusting.

After a while I get over my prejudices and decided to go there myself. What a surprise it is when you discover that the food is just like the food you have been eating all your life at home. The same food cooked by your grand-mother and then by your mum…

Everything is very traditional. There are no big surprises but you really feel like you were in your living-room and are expecting your mum to come out of the bathroom from one moment to another.

It’s located at the very busy heart of Barcelona, in the Raval, next to La Rambla. But maybe because the restaurant doesn’t show off at all, the people who go there are people who know what’s going on there: the neighbors, the locals…

Service is fast and efficient and the atmosphere is loud. All ages go here.

Details about this spot
The Romesco | Restaurants (traditional Spanish) | Meal € 10.00
Calle San Pau 28 | El Raval (area map) | +34933189381
Mon - Sat 13:00 - 00:00

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