Elsa y Fred in Barcelona's Born is the neighbourhood bistro on Rec Comtal that runs Catalan tapas with a vermouth list and a weekend brunch carte.
Signature dishes: Tartare de buey, Vermouth pours
Must order: The buey tartare and a glass of the house vermouth.
Tip: The brunch service runs Sat-Sun 11:00-16:00; the weekday menu del dia is the lunchtime deal.
Address: Carrer del Rec Comtal 11, 08003 Barcelona
Montiel in Barcelona's Born is a small-room tasting kitchen by Javier Montiel: a market-led menu that changes weekly, priced for a sub-fine-dining bracket.
Signature: Market tasting, Tuna belly tartare
Order: The market-led tasting; ask for the wine pairing.
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue. Book two weeks ahead for a Friday or Saturday seat; the Wednesday turn is the easier walk-up.
7 Portes in Barcelona's Born has run since 1836: arched rooms, brass plaques on regulars' tables, a paella for each day of the week.
Signature: Parellada paella, Catalan cream
Order: The Thursday paella Parellada and the crema catalana to finish.
Tip: Lunch is easier than dinner; the noon paella is held on the menu every day of the week.
Dos Pebrots in Barcelona's Raval is Albert Raurich's Mediterranean-historical bistro: dishes researched from Roman and Phoenician cooking, plated for now.
Signature: Roasted bone marrow, Ancient-grain breads
Order: The bone marrow starter and the wholegrain wood-fired bread.
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue. Lunch is the easier seating; the wine list is short and Catalan.
Pakta in Barcelona's Poble-sec is the Adria brothers' Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei tasting room behind a sliding door near Tickets. Counter seating.
Signature: Tiradito, Nikkei sushi
Order: The full Nikkei tasting menu with the sake pairing.
Tip: Reservations open 2 months out at midnight. Closed Sun-Mon. Counter is the only seating.
Mont Bar in Barcelona's Eixample is Iván Castro's tapas-counter-with-a-Michelin-star: tasting plates over a wooden bar with an obsessive natural-wine list.
Signature: Tasting menu, Iberico pluma
Order: Whichever tasting menu they call; the wine pairing is the move.
Tip: Counter seats book 4 weeks ahead. Tue-Sat dinner only. Closed Sun-Mon.
Montiel in Barcelona's Born is a small-room tasting kitchen by Javier Montiel: a market-led menu that changes weekly, priced for a sub-fine-dining bracket.
Signature: Market tasting, Tuna belly tartare
Order: The market-led tasting; ask for the wine pairing.
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue. Book two weeks ahead for a Friday or Saturday seat; the Wednesday turn is the easier walk-up.
Manairo in Barcelona's Eixample is Jordi Herrera's one-star room where the deconstructed paella in a tomato shell and live-flame fillet built the reputation.
Signature: Deconstructed paella, Foie gras crema
Order: The signature deconstructed paella and the live-flame fillet.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The 45 euro menu del dia at lunch is the entry; dinner doubles it.
7 Portes in Barcelona's Born has run since 1836: arched rooms, brass plaques on regulars' tables, a paella for each day of the week.
Signature: Parellada paella, Catalan cream
Order: The Thursday paella Parellada and the crema catalana to finish.
Tip: Lunch is easier than dinner; the noon paella is held on the menu every day of the week.
