Barcelona Nou Barris

La Esquinica, Pg. Fabra i Puig, 296. (☎933 58 25 19). Vilapicina or Virrei Amat. Locals flood this traditional tapas restaurant, where their favorite dishes are executed to perfection. The atmosphere can be hectic, but the restaurant maintains a subtle charm with quaint details like the antique keys on the walls. One key opens the safe in the back, in which Eusebi Güell hid his gold before his death. Just kidding. Tapas €1.70-6. Open daily 8:30am-midnight. Cash only.
Conde Dracula, Via Júlia, 68-70 (☎933 50 82 89). Via Júlia. This vampire-themed cervecería is adorned from wall to wall with bats, counts, and spooky paintings (but no mirrors). Tapas (€2.60-5.80) and torradas (€4.10-5.50) are the main offerings. Watch your jugular. Open M-Th and Su 9am-1am, F-Sa 9am-2am. Cash only.
Taberna Txapeldun, Pg. Fabra i Puig, 159. (☎933 52 91 01; www.tabernatxapeldun.com). Fabra i Puig or Virrei Amat. Classy tapas restaurant with small culinary concoctions made from fun ingredients, including artichokes, mussels, and tripe. Montaditos €1.30-5. Tapas €4-7.90. Grilled fish and meat entrees €8.80-15. Midday menú €10. Open M-Th and Su 1-4pm and 7-11pm, F-Sa 1-4pm and 7pm-midnight. Closed Aug. MC/V.
Fragola, C. Lorena, 97 (☎933 59 28 54). Llucmajor. Quintessential pizzeria, complete with booths, thin crusts, and eccentric matriarch. Small pizzas (€4.20-6.30) with plenty of toppings to choose from. If you’re really hungry, try the pizza da tutto, piled high with ham, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, tuna and salami. Ice cream €1.30-2.40. Open M and W-Su noon-2am. MC/V.
The New Orleans, Pere d’Artès, 10 (☎933 57 79 57). Virrei Amat. Just off Pg. Fabra i Puig. One of the best joints around for a coffee (€1-3) to perk up in the morning or a fruity iced tea (€2.40) to cool off in the afternoon. Pastries €1-2. Bocadillos €2.30-3.30. Small pizzas €5.20. Open M-Th and Su 7am-midnight, F-Sa 7am-2am. Cash only.