You’ll find TRAM-TRAM in Sarrià, an interesting, well-heeled barrio above Diagonal.

This family owned, family run restaurant is a good spot for small get-togethers or, perhaps, a romantic rendezvous, and a good introduction to contemporary Catalan cuisine. And, unlike many restaurants in the city centre, you will not have to raise your voice, you can actually hear yourself, and your companions, speak while you chat.

Isidre Soler, the chef, (who spent time training with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli) takes evident, painstaking pride in the preparation and presentation of his exquisite dishes.

The 38 euro fixed price evening menu offers a starter, a first course, a second course, served with bread, and a dessert or cheese plate. Wine is extra.

The menú del día is just 22 euros, or you could try the executive menú at only 19 euros.

It’s a small, perfectly formed and tastefully decorated restaurant, with private dining-rooms and a pleasant terrace.

The food – original variations on classic dishes such as seafood paella and cochinillo (suckling pig) – is flavoursome without being rich, and is very, very good.

The wine list offers a selection of 150 excellent unpretentious wines, and 16 euros will buy you a very tasty bottle.

Service is very good, if, perhaps a bit formal. Having said that the very knowledgeable maitre’d will help you navigate the menu, and off-menu specials. (An English version of the menu is available).

All in all, excellent value and highly recommended.

Why TRAM-TRAM? Well, the Number 12 tram used to stop outside. Check out the website.

¡Bon profit!

You’ll find El Vell Sarrià situated on the corner of the square in front of the Town Hall in the old part of the very pleasant district of Sarrià. 

Like Gràcia, Sarrià used to be a town in its own right – and, in many ways, it still is. It has a unique vibe and charm. It’s a district well worth exploring.

El Vell Sarrià is one of the few restaurants in the city which still prepares food on a wood-fired stove. You’ll likely scent the woodsmoke when you enter this old building, built in 1745.

It is, without doubt, one of the very best restaurants for Catalan rice dishes in Barcelona.

If your only experience of a paella in Barcelona has been one of those Godawful marmalade coloured concoctions they serve on Les Rambles then prepare to be amazed.

The star dish here is the poetically named “The rice dish which reminds me of the fountain at Can Guitard, with prawns, pork ribs, and cuttlefish.” It’s a hearty mar i muntanya – (sea and mountain) dish combining the fruits of the earth with the fruits of the sea. It’s thick and rich with the colour of very fertile soil. Don’t let this put you off. The combination of artichoke, prawns, crab and cuttlefish creates a real depth of flavour, while the ribs add unforgettable texture.

When you dig into this dish you’ll feel like you’re turning over the native soil, or tilth, and tasting Catalunya’s coastline on your tongue at the same time.

¡Bon profit!

I’m a seafood monster – mussels, crab, clams, prawns, lobster, octopus, squid – I love it all. You won’t find a better place to enjoy well-prepared seafood at a reasonable price than at one of La Paradeta’s four restaurants in Barcelona.

It’s a chain – but, apart from the unifying funky crab, octopus and clam logo, you wouldn’t really know it – each of the restaurants has a different atmosphere.

The restaurant at Sants, the “original and best” (and probably the best bet for avoiding the sometimes incredibly long lines at their outlets in El Born and Sagrada Familia)) is a fun, friendly place and very popular with families, especially Sunday lunchtimes. Don’t expect tablecloths and waiters – they’re aren’t any – just simple, basic tables and chairs.

Line up at the market-stall like counter (paradeta means market-stall) cast your eyes over the mouth-watering selection of seafood, choose what you want and tell the assistant how much you’d like. They will weigh and put all your selected food on a tray and give you a numbered ticket. Move on to the next counter and order your drinks.

Put your drinks, cutlery and napkins on a tray, find a table, and wait until you hear your number called over the tannoy. When you hear your number called (which is sometimes difficult because of the chatter and clatter) go up to the serving-hatch and collect your food.

Simple and fun – a tasty meal for not very much more than the cost of the ingredients. ¡Bon profit!

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!

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.