Image by Bill Sinclair

Can Josep is one of the very best simple restaurants in the city, serving unfussy hearty food.

Josep, a lovely, big, bearded bear of a man, sources, buys and prepares all the food himself. He’s an excellent and discerning cook – and a paid-up member of the Slow Food movement – only using the freshest and best ingredients.

The menu changes regularly according to seasonal availability, though often features such delights as cargols (snails), estofat (rich, thick tasty stew), espàrrec (asparagus) peus de porc (pig’s trotters) ànec (duck), mongetes (beans) de Santa Pau, atun (tuna) and lovely big salads.

If you can’t read Catalan and can’t speak Spanish you may struggle a bit – the staff are helpful (though do not speak English) – but the struggle will be worth it.

No tablecloths, no fancy waiters, no pretension, just well prepared food and a relaxed atmosphere.

It’s a very popular spot for locals and you’ll almost certainly need to book ahead for a table on a Friday night. It’s just around the corner from Pep’s (see this article) so you may want to make a night of it and pop into Pep’s for an aperitivo before a meal here.

Be aware Josep’s is not open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Josep is an ardent Republican, so it wouldn’t be wise to sing the praises of any kings and queens when enjoying your meal. And you won’t find it listed anywhere – so, if you really do want to go where the locals go … Bon profit!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Can Josep | Restaurants (Catalan) | Main course from € 6.00
Call Roger de Flor 237 | Eixample | +34630816565
Mon – Fri 13:15 – 15:15 & 20:45 – 22:15