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SpanishEixample
El Nacional in Barcelona's Eixample is the Passeig de Gracia food hall: four kitchens around a single bar, all Spanish, all open midday to 01:00.
OrderGalician octopus from La Llotja and a 3-meat platter at La Paradeta.
TipWalk-in for the bar, book the table; open 12:00-01:00 daily.
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Catalan TapasEixample
Paco Meralgo in Barcelona's Eixample is the long-marble-bar tapas room locals send out-of-towners to. Cantabrian anchovies and Iberico are the headlines.
OrderCantabrian anchovies on bread, plus the Iberico ham flight.
TipOpen daily; book the bar for solo dining, the back room for groups.
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Basque PintxosBorn
Sagardi in Barcelona's Born is the Basque pintxos chain with a charcoal-fired txuleta room in the back: order pintxos by toothpick, count at the end.
OrderSix pintxos at the bar, then a shared txuleta in the back.
TipNo reservations for pintxos. The grill room books out Fri-Sat.
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Basque PintxosBorn
Euskal Etxea in Barcelona's Born is the cultural-centre pintxos bar where the Basque counter runs from 19:00 with cider, txakoli and tortilla toothpicks.
OrderFour pintxos and a glass of txakoli poured from height.
TipBar opens 19:00. Closed Sunday-Monday. Pay at the end by toothpick count.
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Catalan TapasBorn
Tapeo in Barcelona's Born is the smaller-room counter on Montcada with a sister to El Xampanyet's vibe and a chalkboard list of daily Catalan plates.
OrderWhatever is chalked as today, plus the sirloin tapa.
TipWalk-in for the bar.
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SpanishBarceloneta
Can Paixano in Barcelona's Barceloneta has poured pink cava out of bottle-lined tile walls since 1969. Priced at €. Kitchen leans cava and tapas.
OrderThree pink cavas and a chorizo bocadillo. Repeat.
TipNo reservations, no tables. Bar closes early; arrive before 22:00 to get a corner.