Barcelona Around Passeig De Gràcia

Pg. de Gràcia is lined with nearly as many tapas bars and cafes as it is with shops and Modernista structures. Most are tourist-oriented, have sidewalk tables, and are on the expensive side. Eating outside is especially pricey; many establishments charge up to 15% extra. On the weekends, this neighborhood is a good choice for late-night food, as many places stay open until 2am. Sweet (and savory) deals on bocadillos and tapas are found on every corner.

La Rita, C. Aragó, 279 (☎934 87 23 76; www.laritarestaurant.com). A killer afternoon lunch menú has made Rita a local favorite for a cheap but quality midday meal. Bright red awnings draw crowds to enjoy everything from gazpacho to salmon carpaccio in orange-and-dill sauce. Lines frequently extend out the door; reservations recommended. Menú M-F €9. Entrees €6-10. Open daily 1-3:45pm and 8:30-11:30pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Taktika Berri, C. Valencia, 169 (☎934 53 47 59). Universitat. Walk up C. d’Aribau and make a left onto C. Valencia. Many consider this Basque restaurant the best one in Barcelona. While you can always eat pintxos (skewered tapas) such as monteditos (small sandwiches) at the bar, you won’t get a table unless you call weeks in advance. Entrees like battered cheek and cod omelette are delicious, but not cheap—expect to pay €35 for a full meal, whether of tapas or entrees. Good selection of Basque wines. Open M-F 1-4pm and 8:30-11pm, Sa 1-4pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Kirin, C. Aragó, 231 (☎934 88 29 19) Rda. Universitat 20 (☎93318769). All-you-can-eat sushi, edamame, and other Asian delicacies roll by on a conveyor belt for you to choose from. While you’re at it, grab some raw seafood and vegetables and have them grilled on the spot. Weekday lunch buffet €9.70. Dinner and weekend buffet €14, children €5.50. Open daily 1-4pm and 8pm-midnight. MC/V.
Acalia, C. Rosselló, 197 (☎932 37 05 15). Sparkling French restaurant with an ambience as light and airy as its crepes (€4-7). Lunch menú €12. Dinner menú €16. Open Tu-Sa 1-4:30pm and 8:30-11:30pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Thai Gardens, C. Diputació, 273 (☎93 487 98 98; www.thaigardensgroup.com). Catalunya, L1/3/5. The extravagant decor, complete with a wooden bridge entrance, lush greenery, and colorful silk pillows, makes for a romantic meal. Call ahead to reserve a traditional kantok table (cushions on the ground). If all you want is some Thai food, order take-out at reduced prices. Entrees €14-18. Dinner menú €31. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 1-4pm and 8-11:30pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Txapela (Euskal Taberna), Pg. de Gràcia, 8-10 (☎93 412 02 89 www.angrup.com). Catalunya, L1/3/5. Decide between delicious offerings like eggplant with goat cheese or anchovy with mozzarella and cherry tomato. Tapas €1.40-2. Wheelchair-accessible. Open M-Th 8am-1:30am, F-Su 10am-2am. Tapas served starting at noon.
Menjar Enrotllat, C. Valldonzella 33 (☎654 17 01 74). Universitat. Take Ronda Sant Antoni away from Pl. Universitat and take the 2nd left onto Valldonzella. Small, futuristic-looking joint boasts healthy and diverse food on the cheap. Maki from €1.50. Pasta €3.50. Lunch menú from €5. Open M-Sa 1-5pm and 8pm-midnight. Cash only.
El Japones, Passatge de la Concepció, 2 (☎93 487 25 92; www.grupotragaluz.com), 2nd location at C. Princesa, 35. Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. Just off of Pg. de Gràcia. Serving all the Japanese cooking you could want: from tempura and skewers to noodles and sushi. Stylish red interior will leave you feeling chic as you fill your stomach with (and empty your wallet for) these tasty plates. Entrees €3.50-13. Wheelchair-accessible. Open M-W and Su 1:30-4pm and 8:30pm-midnight, Th-Sa 1:30-4pm and 8:30pm-1am. No reservations accepted. AmEx/MC/V.
El Ultimo Agave, C. Aragó, 193 (☎934 54 93 43). Universitat. Walk up C. d’Aribau and make a left onto C. Arago. This popular Mexican restaurant, which shares its name with a brand of tequila, serves dishes like tacos with marinated pork, pineapple, onion, and coriander (€11). Try the special, El Ultimo Agave (“something better than fajitas”; €14). A real cantina: boisterous, fun, and often standing room only. Reservations are a must on weekends. Open daily 7pm-3am. MC/V.
52, Valldonzella, 52. Universitat, L1/2. Take Ronda Sant Antoni away from Pl. Universitat and take the 2nd left onto Valldonzella. Learn directly from the students and have a late bite at this funky, orange-lit eatery. Order one of the healthy Asian-Mexican-Catalan fusion concoctions and wash it down with a beer (€1.5o). Tapas €4.10-7.10. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 7:30pm-1am, kitchen open 9pm-midnight. Cash only.
Madrid-Barcelona (Pa Amb Tomàquet), C. Aragó, 282 (☎932 15 70 27). Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. At the intersection of Pg. de Gràcia. Named for the railroad line that used to run here, this classy lunchtime hotspot attracts legions of native businessmen and shoppers. Waiters ladle soup and rice at your table straight from the stove. The classic Catalan dishes are tasty. Entrees €7-15. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 1-4pm and 8:30-11:30pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Mauri, Rambla de Catalunya, 102 (☎93 215 10 20). Diagonal, L3/5. This pastisseria (pastry and sweet shop) has been turning out delicate sweets, mouth-watering bonbons, and gourmet bocadillos (€1.80-3) since 1929. Come to buy delectable gifts, have lunch in the delicatessen-style restaurant (lunch menú; €13), or simply to drool at the cake displays. A second location (☎932 15 81 46) across the street specializes in candy and gift baskets. Open M-F 8am-9pm, Sa 9am-9pm, Su and holidays 9am-3pm. MC/V.
Cervecería Catalana, C. Mallorca, 236 (☎93 216 03 68). Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. All-in-one Catalan bar: they’ve got flautas (€3-7), tapas (€3-12), seafood, salads, burgers, and beers (€2.50). Crowded, noisy, friendly; you’ll feel as at home as the locals who fill the place. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 8am-1am. AmEx/MC/V.
Tapas 24, C. Diputació, 269 (☎934 88 09 77; www.carlesabellan.com). Pg. de Gràcia. Chef Carles Abellan, formerly of the legendary El Bulli, offers tapas at this less expensive alternative to his acclaimed Comerç 24. Sit at the pearl white bar if it’s not too crowded and have a glass of wine (from €3) with your plate of patatas bravas. Tapas €2.50-8. Raciones €9-12. Open daily 8am-midnight. MC/V.
Cata 1.81, C. Valencia, 181 (☎933 23 68 18; cata181@hotmail.com). Universitat. Walk up C. d’Aribau and make a left onto C. Valencia. This classy, modern wine bar has stainless-steel benches with orange seat cushions and matches its drinks with market-fresh food. Try a glass of cava (€2.50-3.50) and the black spaghetti with chicken and prawns (€6.60), or opt for bottles of high-end wine. Open M-F 1pm-midnight, Sa 1pm-1am. AmEx/MC/V.
El Raim, C. Muntaner, 75 (☎934 53 59 53). Universitat. Wak to the left down C. Gran Via de les Corts Catalans. Make a right onto C. Muntaner and walk for 3 blocks; the cafe is on the left. Looking for the authentic Barcelona? This local cafe serves immensely satisfying yet inexpensive tapas like chicken leg with stewed plum and stuffed eggplant (€2-3). Salads €3.90. Combination plates €5.10-9.10. Open M-Sa 9am-1am. MC/V.
O’Peixe, C. Aragó, 199 (☎934 53 12 24; www.opeixe.es). Universitat. Walk up C. d’Aribau. Make a left onto C. Aragó. This bar-restaurant has white-washed walls hung with a few nautical prints. O’Peixe’s specialty is seafood: try the crawfish, the mussels, or the grilled shrimp. Entrees €8-15. Night menù €12. Open M-Sa 9am-11pm. MC/V.
Yamamoto, C. Aragó, 197 (☎934 51 87 02). Universitat. Walk up C. d’Aribau and make a left onto C. Aragó. This self-serve Japanese restaurant is a convenient place to refuel with a wok of tempura. Befriend the fish in the restaurant’s tank while you eat their relatives. Lunch buffet €8.50. Dinner buffet €13. Open daily 1-4pm and 8:30pm-midnight. MC/V.
Indochine, C. Muntaner, 82 (☎934 51 17 96; www.indochinelyleap.com). Universitat. Walk to the left down C. Gran Via de les Corts Catalans and make a right onto C. Muntaner; the restaurant is 3 blocks up on the right. The warped wooden bar stools at this Asian fusion restaurant are striking works of art—they fit in nicely with the restaurant’s black decor and abstract floral arrangements. A good choice for a special occasion. Try the Tom Yun, or a curry. Entrees €15-25. Open daily 1-4pm and 8pm-midnight. AmEx/MC/V.
Han In Restaurante Coreano, C. Aribau, 32 (☎934 54 05 63; www.haninjung.com). Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau. Brick walls, wooden tables, and a TV in the background give this Korean restaurant a hotel lobby feel. Try the soy omelette (€7.50) or the grilled pork ribs korean-style (€14). Entrees €6.50-13. Open noon-4pm and 8:30pm-midnight. MC/V.
Face to Face, C. de Provença, 277 (☎932 72 66 00). Diagonal. This colorful cafe offers cheap sandwiches with typical combinations of meat, cheese, and pâté (€1.70-5.50). Grab your midday bocadillo underneath a Gaudí-esque lizard on the ceiling. Wheelchair-accessible. Open M-F 7am-1am, Sa 7am-3pm. MC/V.