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 dishes: Market tasting, Tuna belly tartare
Must 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.
Address: Carrer de Flassaders 19, 08003 Barcelona
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.
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.
Casa Amalia in Barcelona's Eixample is a 1950s neighbourhood dining room where bacallà a la llauna and esqueixada sit on the carte every weekday lunch.
Signature: Esqueixada, Bacalla a la llauna
Order: The esqueixada starter and the bacallà a la llauna oven dish.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The 19 euro menu del dia at lunch is the value pick.
Somorrostro in Barcelona's Barceloneta is the modern Catalan room where the black rice with squid is the order and the natural-wine list is the surprise.
Signature: Black rice with squid, Catalan fideua
Order: The black rice with squid and aioli, plus an albariño.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. The lunch carte is the price point; dinner adds 25 percent.
La Pepita in Barcelona's Gracia is the writing-on-the-wall counter where the croquettes and the tuna tataki built a Friday queue that runs into Sunday.
Signature: Croquettes, Tuna tataki
Order: The ham croquettes and the tuna tataki with avocado.
Tip: No reservations. Pile in at 12:30 or 19:30; bar walk-up easier than table.
Bar Bodega Quimet in Barcelona's Gracia is a corner-bodega vermouth bar with tin sardines, anchovy boquerones and house draught vermouth poured cold.
Signature: Olive vermouth pour, Anchovies
Order: Vermouth on tap with two olives, anchovies on the side.
Tip: Open daily lunch and early evening; closed mid-afternoon. Cash easier than card on busy days.
