Barceloneta – Local tips (bars & cafes)

This brewery and tapas bar is yet another great and authentic place to hang out in Barcelona.

The place is nearby the beach and very tiny but popular; it’s basically only one long bar packed with locals zipping delicious creamy and foamy home brewed beer. Ask for a “flauta” and you will also get one.

The tapas are high quality and exceptionally tasteful. Ask for “pimientos del padron” (fried green peppers), morcilla (typical sausage) and “solomillo” (juicy meat). The specialties of the house are “granjero” (toast with special filling) and “foie a la plancha” (grilled liver). The tapas differ from € 4.50 – € 15.00.

It’s fun to watch the chefs and the waiters offering a serious and efficient but also very Spanish service.

Try to avoid the “tapas-rush-hour” at around 20:00 and try to moderate you appetite. The bill might end up unexpectedly high.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
El vaso de oro | Bars, Restaurants (Tapas) | Tapas from € 4.50
Calle Balboa 7 | Barceloneta | +34933193098
Mon – Sun 09:00 – 00:00, Closed first week of September

This café-restaurant is situated on the top of the National History Museum in the harbourside building called Palau de Mar.

It enjoys one of the most interesting panoramic views of the city. From the terrace you’ll get a different perspective on the city.

It’s a good place to meet up with friends for a coffee on the terrace and a good spot for a 3 course menu del día.

The Museum occasionally hosts special events and conferences but generally the café-restaurant is never over busy – it’s rare you’ll have to wait for a table. And it’s considerably cheaper than the swanky restaurants stretched along the paseo below – you’ll likely get as good a meal, a much better view of the city, and save yourself 30 euros.

The café-restaurant is remains open after the museum closes at 19:00, pass through the main door, head for the escalator to the second floor and take the lift to the terrace.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Miranda del Museu | Bars, Restaurants (Spanish) | Lunch (incl. wine) € 9.90
Placa Pau Villa 3 | Barceloneta | +34932211746
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 23:30, Sun 13:00 – 16:00

The beach side of Barcelona is hosting many different cafes and restaurants, but Santa Marta is definitely the most stylish one.

Offering fancy tapas, guacamole and delicious salads served by their friendly staff, this cafe/bar/restaurant is an exception in the line of overpriced and very touristic eateries in Barceloneta, Barcelona’s neighborhood right at the sea.

Sit down and enjoy a refreshing Clara (beer with lemonade), or the specialty of the house, the Italian inspired Spritz (ask for Aperol, not Campari!) while watching the sea and the surfers (drinks for 3,50 – 10 Euros). You can linger the whole day at the same table, breathing the fresh sea breeze and after sunset you just continue inside the cozy bar.

They also offer wifi internet which is a perfect solution for those who want to check their mail or have to work while enjoying a delicious apple cake.

Sometimes Santa Maria is hosting DJs. Don’t miss to hang out at the bar while listening to their funky tunes.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Santa Marta | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Drinks up to € 10.00
Carrer de Grau i Torras 59 | Barceloneta | +34691236801
10:00 – 22:00 daily

Located in la Barceloneta, the old fishermen neighbourhood, this is the best place to go for vermouth on Week-ends.

This more than one century old bar makes you feel like you were travelling into the past: wooden tables and wine barrels all around the walls. Old stylish waiters, kind of raw but funny and spontaneous. One of them looks exactly like……Robert de Niro, Spanish version. This guy is always messing around with the customers making you feel very comfortable.

It has a noisy and young atmosphere. Not a sophisticated place at all. The appetizers are also very good. I would advice you to have a variety of seafood with a bottle of vermouth. The best place to go to after going here: straight to the beach…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Electricitat | Bars, Snacks | Vermouth & tapa € 7.00
Calle Sant Carles, 15 | Barceloneta | +34932215017
Tue – Fri 07:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 22:00 Sat 07:00 – 15:30 & 19:00 – 23:00, Sun 07:00 – 16:00

Founded in 1969, Can Paixano still keeps the atmosphere of a traditional sailor’s tavern.

Its a place to enjoy a wide range of sandwiches and tapas as an excuse to drink the tasty rose cava (sparkling wine). They don’t serve you alcohol unless you eat something.

Anyway, you can always go to the store in the back and buy some bottles to take home. Just to take home, since they don’t sell you the cava at the proper temperature to start drinking it right away. They don’t want to be held accountable of any disturbance you might cause to the neighbors by getting drunk near the tavern with a bottle of their lovely rose cava.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t miss the chance to meet others unconditional staunch cava lovers, and perhaps have a sip of some of that love.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Xampanyeria Can paixano | Bars | Sandwich & Cava (3 cups) € 5.00
Carrer de la Reina Cristina 7 | Barceloneta
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 22:30, Sun 09:00 – 13:00