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SpanishEixample
Bar Mut in Barcelona's Eixample is the marble-counter standard for natural-wine-and-market-produce dining. The Iberico steak tartare is the dish.
OrderThe Iberico steak tartare and whichever off-menu fish board the kitchen runs.
TipMid-week dinner is easier than weekend; bar seats walk-up only.
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Tasting menuSant Antoni
Enigma in Barcelona's Sant Antoni is Albert Adria's two-star elBulli heir: a 25-course tasting through six stations across four hours, currently 34th.
OrderThere is only the chef's tasting menu; trust the kitchen.
TipReservations open 60 days ahead through enigmaconcept.es; you receive a code, the door opens by keypad. Closed Sun-Mon.
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Catalan TapasBorn
El Xampanyet in Barcelona's Born has poured house cava out of a marble bar since 1929. Anchovies, conserves and that is it; standing only at the counter.
OrderTwo glasses of the house cava and a plate of anchovies with bread.
TipOpen Tue-Sat lunch only. Pile into the bar at 13:00 or wait outside on Carrer de Montcada.
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SpanishPoble Sec
Quimet i Quimet in Barcelona's Poble-sec is the four-generations standing bar where bottles line the wall and the cook builds montaditos on demand.
OrderThe salmon-yoghurt-truffle-honey montadito and a flight of tinned mussels.
TipOpen Mon-Sat lunch and early dinner only; closed Sunday. Arrive before 19:30 for a hope of a corner.
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Spanish tapasRaval
Dos Palillos in Barcelona's Raval is Albert Raurich's Asian-tapas counter behind a black curtain inside Casa Camper. Dim sum, yakitori, sushi-bar service.
OrderThe full Asian tasting menu; sit at the counter to watch.
TipClosed Sun-Tue. Counter seats book up two weeks ahead; the back dining room is easier.
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JapaneseGotic
Koy Shunka in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is Hideki Matsuhisa's one-star Japanese counter where the sashimi and nigiri arrive piece by piece from a U-shaped.
OrderThe Omakase tasting menu and the seaweed-and-yuzu starter.
TipCounter seats face the chef; book those over the back tables. Closed Sunday.