Barcelona La Ribera

The eclectic gourmet restaurants of La Ribera cater to a young crowd. The neighborhood is home to a relatively high concentration of Asian restaurants, tapas bars, and wineries.

La Llavor dels Origens, C. d’Enric Granados, 9 (☎934 53 11 20; www.lallavordelsorigens.com); C. de la Vidrieria, 6-8 (☎933 10 75 31); Pg. del Born, 4 (☎932 95 66 90); and C. de Ramón y Cajal, 12 (☎932 13 60 31). A hip dining room with a new-school twist. Delectable entrees include beef-stuffed onion (€6.40) and rabbit with chocolate and almonds (€6.40). Soups, meat dishes, and some vegetarian dishes €4.30-7. Open daily 12:30pm-1am. AmEx/MC/V.
Petra, C. dels Sombrerers, 13 (☎933 19 99 99). Jaume I. Some of the best food in the area at shockingly low prices. Clever decor—stained-glass windows, menus printed on wine glasses, and light fixtures made from silverware—give the place a charming bohemian feel. Try the duck with brie and apple or the rigatoni with foie gras sauce and peach. Salads and pasta €5. Entrees €8. Open Tu-Th 1:30-4pm and 9-11:30pm, F-Sa 1:30-4pm and 9pm-midnight, Su 1:30-4pm. MC/V.
El Pebre Blau, C. dels Banys Vells, 21 (☎933 19 13 08). Jaume I. A nouveau gourmet restaurant serving Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusion dishes under starry lanterns. Throw in a cheeky menu (available in English) and an attentive waitstaff for the win. Most dishes €10-18. Open daily 8pm-midnight. Reserve ahead, especially for weekend. MC/V.
El Xampanyet, C. de Montcada, 22 (☎933 19 70 03). Jaume I. Near the Museu Picasso. Crowds spill onto the street, drinks in hand. The house special xampanyet (wine; €1.10) is served with pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato) and anchovies (€4.20) or jamon cerrano (€1.50). Over 25 varieties of cava. Sidra (cider; €1.80). Bottles from €8. Open Sept.-July Tu-Sa noon-3:30pm and 7-11pm, Su noon-3:30pm. MC/V.
La Pizza del Born, Pg. del Born, 22 (☎933 10 62 46). Jaume I. The best of Argentine thick-crust pizza meets the best of Spain, with toppings like artichokes, jam serrano, and goat cheese. Lunch menú (€3.90) is 2 slices and a drink. Slices €1.80. Open M-Th and Su noon-1am, F-Sa noon-2am. Cash only.
Tèxtil Cafè, Pl. Montcada, 12-14 (☎932 68 25 98; www.textilcafe.com). Jaume I. A terrace cafe nestled in an old stone courtyard. Mediterranean salads (€7.50), tapas (€5.30), and a good vegetarian selection. Live jazz Su 9-11pm (cover €5). Lunch menú €11; dinner €18. Entrees €8.50-11. Wheelchair-accessible. Open from mid-Mar. to Nov. Tu-Th and Su 10am-midnight, F-Sa 10am-1am; from Nov to mid-Mar. Tu-W 10am-8:30pm, Th and Su 10am-midnight, F-Sa 10am-1am. MC/V.
Va de Vi, C. dels Banys Vells, 16 (☎933 19 29 00). Jaume I. An inconspicuous but romantic spot for tapas and drinks in a candlelit 16th-century stone tavern. Choose from over 300 varieties of wine and cava (€1.90-7.70). Wide selection of cheeses €4.60-20. Tapas €1-19. Wheelchair-accessible. Open M-Th 7pm-1am, F-Sa 8pm-3am. Cash only.
Bodega La Tinaja, C. d’Esparteria, 9 (☎933 10 22 50). Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princessa, make a right on C. de Montcada, take it to C. d’Esparteria, and make a left. Vaulted ceilings and stone walls hung with pots and pans, barrels of wine, and fresh flowers make this bodega rustic and charming, if slightly touristy. Serves Iberian comfort foods like ham-and-cheese plates and paella. Entrees €12-30. Occasionally hosts live flamenco guitar. Open M-Sa 8pm-midnight. AmEx/MC/V.
Bubo, C. Caputxes 10 (☎932 68 72 24). Jaume I. This artisanal sweet shop sells brightly colored, jewel-like chocolates, pastries, petit fours, and macaroons. Small sweets have big names: try the “light lychee cream and brilliance of strawberry and raspberry à la vanilla” or the “candied sunflower seeds with fleur de salt, candied orange-peel, and a sable coat of dark chocolate.” Most sweets €1. Open M 4-10pm, Tu-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sa 10am-1am, Su 10am-10pm. MC/V.
Gades Fondues, C. l’Esparteria, 10 (☎933 10 44 55; www.gadesfondues.com). Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princessa, make a right on C. de Montcada, take it to C. d’Esparteria, and make a left. Wearing your lederhosen and not sure what to do next? At Gades, you’ll find salads, carpaccio, and over 15 different fondues, including a cava and truffle cheese and melted-chocolate desert. The pots of melted cheese are served with chunks of bread or crudites such as small pickles and pickled onions. Exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and geometric modern lights. Fondues €12 per person. Open M-Th 8:30pm-12:30am, F-Sa 8:30pm-1:30am. AmEx/MC/V.
El Rovell, C. de l’Aregenteria, 6 (☎932 69 04 58; www.elrovelldelborn.com). Jaume I. Walk down C. de l’Aregenteria. “Rovell” is the Catalan word for the yolk of an egg. Accordingly, while this restaurant serves tapas, bruschetta, grilled meat and more, its emphasis is on egg specials. Wine buckets hang at the end of the venue’s tall, wood tables. Eclectic and fun. Try the salmon tartar and lettuce with anchovy vinaigrette (€7.50). Entrees €6-12. Open daily 1-4pm and 7pm-midnight. AmEx/MC/V.
Lonja de Tapas, Plaça de les Olles, 6 (☎933 10 78 45; www.cellerdelaribera.com). Walk down C. de la Princessa, make a right on C. de Montcada, and another right on C. del Bonaire. This 2-tier restaurant has exposed brick walls, sleek black tables, and a long menu of fancy tapas. Try the deep fried camembert with red fruits sauce (€3.60) and the grilled oyster mushrooms with Catalan sausage and garlic dressing (€4.60). Tapas €3.60-13. Open M-Th noon-midnight, F-Sa noon-1am, Su midnight-1am. AmEx/MC/V.
Euskal Etxea, Pl. Montcada, 1-3 (☎93 310 22 00; www.euskaletxeak.org). Jaume 1. This standing-room-only bar greets its many patrons with sharp decor and offers a little more elbow room than the competition. Vast array of tapas (€1.80). Beer from €1.90. Wine from €2.20. Sit-down restaurant in the back serves Basque food. Restaurant open daily 1-4pm and 8pm-midnight. Bar open M-F 10am-12:30am, Sa-Su 10am-1am. MC/V.
Golfo de Bizkaia, C. de la Vidrieria, 12 (☎933 19 24 31; www.golfodebizkaia.com). Jaume I. Routinely packed with young revelers, this tapas bar serves a large spread at good prices. Tapas €1.50. Beer €1.90. Open daily 7pm-1am. MC/V.
Habana Vieja, C. dels Banys Vells (☎932 68 25 04). Jaume 1. Cuban music, cuisine, and mixed drinks reign in this lively restaurant and bar. Most rice and meat dishes (€6-15) are meant to be shared. Mojitos €6. Open M-Th and Su 1:30-3:30pm and 7:30-10:30pm, F-Sa 1:30-3:30pm and 7:30pm-midnight. MC/V.
Cafe del Born, Pl. Comercial, 10 (☎932 68 32 72). Jaume I. Walk up C. de la Princesa and turn right onto Pl. Comercial. This spacious cafe is great for an early morning coffee (€1.30) or midday entrepà (sandwich; €1.80-5.50) as you read the paper and recover from the night before. Free Wi-Fi. Wheelchair-accessible. Open M-Th and Su 8am-1am, F-Sa 8am-3am. MC/V.
Nou Cellar, C. de la Princesa, 16 (☎933 10 47 73). Jaume I. Half a block up C. de la Princesa. This old-fashioned restaurant serves simple, hearty català cuisine. Meat and fish entrees €10-14. Open daily 10:30am-11:30pm. MC/V.