Bon Appetit

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• La Fabrica-Tapioles 53 read more ›
  (53 Tapioles. Tel. 93 329 2238)
  A new photography gallery/bookshop at the rear of the acclaimed restaurant Tapioles 53. So pop in to peruse the exhibitions, then enjoy a delicious soup and sandwich for about €5 on your way out.
• Udon read more ›
  (23 Princesa. Tel. 93 310 5969)
  Oodles of noodles are served up hot and steaming on communal tables in this branch of the restaurant chain. Try the thick and tasty ramen and soba soups.
• Kapadokya read more ›
  (15 Rambla del Raval. )
  This Turkish restaurant is a cut well above the rest of the kebab joints in town, serving tasty, döners and dürüms.
• Piscolabis read more ›
  (27 Rambla de Catalunya. Tel. 93 306 9669)
  A tapas bar with a twist, Piscolabis recently opened on the pedestrianised Rambla de Catalunya. An ideal place for a quick bite, it offers some 65 tapas.
• Can Culleretes read more ›
  (5 Carrer Quintana. Tel. 93 317 3022)
  Honest, hearty Catalan cooking (think stews, soups and roasted meats) makes this old-fashioned place in the Old Quarter a hit with locals and out-of-towners.
• Les Quinze Nits read more ›
  (6 Plaça Reial. Tel. 93 317 3075)
  With a cheap lunch menu, quick service and great views of the Plaça Reial, this reliably good Mediterranean restaurant is worth queuing for.

• Fragments read more ›
  (12 Plaça de la Concòrdia. Tel. 93 419 6613)
  Residential Les Corts is better known as the home of Camp Nou than good dining. Set on a pretty square, Fragments serves excellent tapas and more substantial Mediterranean fare in its rear dining room and garden.
• Lia d'en Vicius read more ›
  (28 Blai. Tel. 93 441 6072)
  This cosy bar/restaurant in Poble Sec will warm the cockles of your Gaelic heart with barrelled wine and French-inspired home cooking. Don't leave without trying the mushroom croquettes. Evenings only.
• Wushu read more ›
  (1 Marquès de l’Argentera. Tel. 93 310 7313)
  For the best cocina wok in town, warm interior and friendly service look no further. The bargain lunchtime menu generally consists of a tasty curry, glass of wine and an exotic dessert.
• Zinc-Bar read more ›
  (115-117 Carrer Calàbria. Tel. 93 252 5285)
  With its enticing mix of minimalist and baroque décor, trendy Zinc is a great choice for a sophisticated lunch. The seasonal menu features Mediterranean dishes like carpaccio, and prawns with pine nuts.
• Ikibana read more ›
  (32 Passeig Picasso. Tel. 93 295 6732)
  This hip restaurant in the Born district marries traditional Japanese recipes with tropical Brazilian flavours.
• Mexiterranée read more ›
  (599 Gran Via Corts Catalanes. Tel. 93 396 4801)
  As the name suggests, this is an urbane spot to try Mexican-Mediterranean fusion dishes like salt-baked sea bass with guacamole.

• Xemei read more ›
  (85 Passeig de l´Exposició. Tel. 93 553 5140)
  It may look like an ad-hoc neighbourhood café but connoisseurs of authentic Venetian cuisine will eat nowhere else. Start with a salad of mozzarella de bufala then choose the tagliatelle ragu: it may make you break out into operatic song.
• Santa read more ›
  (2 Avinguda Meridiana. Tel. 93 309 7078)
  Paco Guzmán's new bistro is as playful as his new wave 'small plates'. Save the best for last; the 'Dracula' dessert is an explosive combination of Coca-Cola creme and pop rocks!
• Stush and Teng read more ›
  (209 Roselló. Tel. 93 368 9393)
  Barcelona's only Jamaican restaurant may not be what you expect. The all-white décor is highly stylish and the cuisine more à la móde than à la home cooking. Try the jerk chicken for a taste of the islands.
• El Tritón read more ›
  (16 Carrer Alfambra. Tel. 93 203 3085)
  Catalan classics like grilled prawns from Palamós, home-style canalones, golden croquettes and cod salad are presented with impeccable service at this stately, family-run restaurant.
• Goliard read more ›
  (6 Carrer Progrés. Tel. 93 201 9375)
  The service may feel harried at this popular spot in Gràcia, but you'll find truly excellent Catalan and Mediterranean specialities at fair prices.
• Espai Sucre read more ›
  (53 Carrer Princesa. Tel. 93 268 1630)
  A quirky-chic restaurant where sweet dishes are served for all three courses, Espai Sucre (Sweet Space) surprises with its innovative takes on dessert.

• El Lobito read more ›
  (9 Ginebra. Tel. 93 319 91 64)
  For the ultimate seafood blow-out, head to this unassuming looking restaurant in the backstreets of Barceloneta. The plates of prawns, mussels, clams and whatever else is fresh off the boat will keep on coming until you say 'basta'.
• Nuclo read more ›
  (Avinguda Joan Carles I. Tel. 93 233 4989)
  Part of the Gran Via trade fair complex, this powerhouse restaurant combines cutting-edge cuisine with an interior to match - the work of Korean architect Toyo Ito. To really seal the deal with your client, try the tasting menu.
• L'Àbac read more ›
  (1 Avinguda Tibidabo. Tel. 93 319 6600)
  Michelin-starred chef Xavier Pellicher has moved to a jaw-dropping, converted modernista mansion. There are fifteen hotel rooms, in case you feel like stopping overnight and enjoying more of his superb cuisine for breakfast.
• Peixample read more ›
  (383 Avinguda Diagonal. Tel. 93 237 3412)
  The cool, industrial-chic air of this new Eixample-district seafood house ensures that diners aren't distracted from the food by fancy surroundings. The attention is focused on one thing: fish. Market-fresh, delectable fish and shellfish are the raison d'être.
• Casa Calvet read more ›
  (48 Carrer Casp. Tel. 93 412 4012)
  Housed in a building designed by Antoni Gaudí, Casa Calvet is a marvellous celebration of Modernism, dripping with mosaics, stained glass and fancy flourishes. The French-Catalan food is worthy of the surroundings, but the real draw is the vibrant atmosphere.
• Tragaluz read more ›
  (5 Passatge de la Concepció. Tel. 93 487 0621)
  A city classic, the airy Tragaluz is a sleek and stylish place for up-market Mediterranean cuisine. Lunches (€20 for the set menu) are less formal.

After Dark

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• Bar Kasparo read more ›
  (4 Plaça Vincenç Matorell. )
  Shoot the evening breeze with a tapa and glass of wine on this buzzing terrace on a pretty square near the MACBA museum.
• Monvinic read more ›
  (2 Avinguda Meridiana. Tel. 93 309 7078)
  This swish wine 'cultural centre' offers more than 3,000 wines from all over the world. Spoilt for choice? Choose from the daily by-the-glass sommelier's choice or navigate the interactive menu.
• Cafè del Born read more ›
  (10 Plaça Comercial. Tel. 93 268 3272)
  Opposite the fin de siécle Mercat del Born, this neighbourhood café is famous for its great carrot cake, chapatas (sweet pastries), coffee and congenial atmosphere.
• Velcro read more ›
  (10 Carrer Vallfogona. Tel. 678 973 556)
  Settle into one of Velcro's big leather loungers as you sip on a cocktail and soak up the alternative rock and pop tunes of this inviting Gràcia-district bar.
• El Bar de la Celina read more ›
  (46 Carrer Ribes. )
  A café, cocktail bar and cultural space rolled into one, Celina exudes a friendly boho charm.
• Pitin Bar read more ›
  (34 Passeig del Born. )
  A two-storey bar in the heart of El Born, the classic Pitin draws a thirtysomething crowd for drinks in a cosy, inviting atmosphere.

• Bar Pastís read more ›
  (4 Santa Mónica. Tel. 93 318 7980)
  This little slice of Marseille has changed little since it opened in 1947, and stages intimate jazz, tango or French torch song performances most nights of the week.
• El Paraigua read more ›
  (2 Pas de l’ Esenyança. Tel. 93 302 1131)
  Just behind the city hall, this atmospheric cocktail bar offers low-key live music from Thursday to Saturday. Enjoy soulful jazz with your whisky sour.
• Little Italy read more ›
  (30 Rec. Tel. 93 319 7973)
  For a taste of New York (by way of Rome) this Italian restaurant offers nightly jazz, swing and blues. There is a bar area for non-diners.
• Jazzman read more ›
  (238 Roger de Flor. Tel. 667 618 593)
  Classic jazz notes form the sultry background at this dark little bar-cum-club in L'Eixample. On Monday night, musicians perform for an audience of regulars.
• Café Vienés Jazz Club read more ›
  (132 Passeig de Gràcia. Tel. 93 417 9279)
  On Thursday nights from 9.30-11.30pm, the Hotel Fuster's gorgeous Modernist café hosts a live jazz concert, which you can accompany with drinks or dinner.
• Elèctric Bar read more ›
  (233 Travessera de Gràcia. )
  Head to this intimate club in the Gràcia district for nightly shows ranging from Brazilian music to jazz, experimental and live piano.

• B Lounge read more ›
  (17-21 Rambla del Raval. Tel. 93 320 1490)
  DJ sessions from Thursday-Saturday liven up the party in this swish bar on the ground floor of the designed-to-death Barceló Raval hotel.
• Lotus Theatre read more ›
  (22 Bailén. )
  The avant-garde, underground set come out to play in this ex- cabaret club that has hung onto its inherent decadence. Anything can happen and generally does.
• Danzatoria read more ›
  (World Trade Centre, Plaça de Drassanes. )
  Barcelona's hottest club has moved to the port, so now you can groove by the water's edge from Thursday-Saturday.
• Jäger Room read more ›
  (2-4 Rambla de Catalunya. Tel. 93 362 0413)
  On Sunday from midnight-5.30am indie music takes over the City Hall club in the form of the young-at-heart Jäger Room. Flyers distributed in the area will grant you free entry until 3am, otherwise entry is €12, with a drink.
• Ceferino read more ›
  (88 Carrer Pamplona. Tel. 93 309 9998)
  For more than a quarter of a century, this bar hidden in Poblenou has been known for spinning the best Spanish rock 'n' roll. There are occasional live concerts, too.
• Valhalla read more ›
  (68 Carrer Tallers. )
  A gutsy bar dedicated to rock 'n' roll, Valhalla is a favourite with hard-rock lovers. Come on Tuesday night for the Guitar Hero competitions.

This month...

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Tips

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