Image by Anna Boluda

I love this restaurant both for the food and the decoration. Opened in 1970, it keeps the same kind-of-pop style: it is all painted in white, with the image of a young female photographer on every wall. The wall lamps are actually the flash light of her painted camera.

Some people go there because of the hamburgers as they are supposed to be some of the best in the city, even though they are served with no bun. Their secret is that the meat is mixed with capers, and that offers a very peculiar flavour.

But what I really like about this place is the variety of omelettes to choose from: over 70. Yes, you got it right: 70!!! They seem to be able to cook anything with beaten eggs. My first choice, in winter, is the artichoke one (they only serve it when the veggie is in season). The spring baby garlic and the eggplant ones are great too, as well as the cod omelette. Of course they also have the typical Spanish omelette with potatoes, and some with cheese, sausage or even a tasting option with some of them in one dish. 

One more great thing about the place: you can eat there almost anytime, as they don’t close in the afternoon as most local places do, and they keep the kitchen working until well after midnight. 

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Flash Flash | Restaurants (Intern.) | Omelette € 9
La Granada del Penedès, 25 | Above diagonal
13:00 – 01:30 daily

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

I’m going to talk about one of your favourite places in Barcelona, even though probably you don’t know it yet. If you consider yourself as a “Special-Corners Hunter” and you enjoy Thai food you really have to know El Petit Bangkok. It’s a tiny cozy restaurant that can hold just a few people, that’s why it’s always convenient calling to make a reservation before going there.

If you live in Barcelona you know that there are a lot of places that pretend to be much more than they can really offer. This never happens with El Petit Bangkok because it’s a place without other aspirations beyond of what it actually is: A tiny Thai corner.

If you’re looking for a special way to start a remarkable night or ending a hard day I recommend this place to you. The main secret of this place is perhaps its simplicity and quality. The price is honestly fair, considering the culinary offer in this city.

If you go once, you will go twice… at least.

Update: They just moved to a new address about one block away. (Check it out!) It’s one bigger yet cosy place. Enjoy!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
El Petit Bangkok | Restaurants (Thai) | Dinner from € 15.00
Carrer de Saragossa 85 | Above diagonal | +34616185196
Tue – Sat 13:00 – 16:00 & 20:00 – 23:30

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

After 6 years of living here I have gotten to know a lot of pizzerias in Barcelona. This time I will talk about one of my very favorites. I want to recommend to you the Nova Fontana Pizzeria.

They offer slices of pizza so you can try many flavors. The pizzas are crusty and delicious. Every time I go I ask for a beer and 2 pizzas, usually a “Nova Fontana” and the other a “4 cheeses” because I’m one of those cheese lovers who can’t help to enjoy the flavors and textures of melted cheese in the palate.

I know 2 other similar places at Barcelona that offer pizzas in the same way, however I think you will find the best ones at this place. It’s a great place to eat and it’s located in my neighbourhood. What else could I say? I feel lucky and I’m happy to share this secret with you.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pizzeria Nova Fontana | Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Pizza € 12.00
Santjoanistes 8 | Above diagonal
Tue – Sat 12:30 – 16:00 & 20:00 – 00:00

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

Perhaps the best way to describe the Catalonian coque (English – coca. Pronounced cohcah) is this: Crusty thin and long bread as versatile and multipurpose as a pizza. It’s not a pizza at all, I know, but I need to use it as a reference because it’s much more known than coques for sure. Coques can be sweet or salted, you can eat them at any temperature. Wow! Now that I think about it, maybe astronauts should carry coques to outer space.

Indeed. Most human beings don’t know coques and pizzas represent one of the most common flavors of the Mediterranean Sea, but this fact is kept by the locals as a secret and coques mean a sort of regional proud always present in their traditions and holidays.

You should consider La Coqueria as a bank of regional secrets, a place to find a good selection of wines, cheese and sausages; a sophisticated spot to know the other side of these Mediterranean flavours you don’t know yet.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Coqueria | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Meal € 18.00
Saragossa 66 | Above diagonal | +34934161560
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 00:00

Image by Anna Boluda

Catalan food is great… but might be a little bit greasy. Fres Co is a great option to get a healthier lunch or dinner, with fresh Mediterranean ingredients and an unbeatable price. 

There are a dozen Fres Co restaurants all over the city (see the entire list here), and they are always full at lunch time, specially with people from office buildings nearby, either to eat there or to take away (most of the Fres Co restaurants offer that option too, at an even cheaper price). Once you try them, you understand their success.

These all you can-eat-restaurants have a great salad bar: fresh lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots… plus boiled eggs, pasta, seeds, olives… You decide your combination. It is by far my favorite part of the menu. The fresh spinach are usually great. If you are a vegetarian (which I am not), this might be a kind of last supper paradise. 

There are also a couple of soups to choose from. In summer-time, cold ‘gazpacho’ is usually one of them, and it’s good. Complete that with some meat or fish, pasta or pizza and grilled veggies, and keep some room in your belly for ice-cream or fruit. 

Every time I go there I get out feeling both that every cent has been worth it, and that my body is suddenly overdosed with great vitamins!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fres Co | Restaurants (Mediterranean) | Main meal € 10
Gran de Gràcia, 30 | Above diagonal | +34933016837
13:00 – 23:00 daily