Pakta in Barcelona's Poble-sec is the Adria brothers' Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei tasting room behind a sliding door near Tickets. Counter seating.
Signature dishes: Tiradito, Nikkei sushi
Must 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.
Address: Carrer de Lleida 5, 08004 Barcelona
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.
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.
