Small spots come out every week in Barcelona but sometimes it takes ages before you finally discover them – something like that happened in my neighborhood when Nakashita came around. It was so clearly out there, in the open, that it didn’t seem to be a special thing at all – oh, but it is!

In a city filled with restaurants for tourists and so-called Japanese restaurants actually run by Chinese tenants, there’s a big charm on a real Japanese run by a Brazilian chef. Nakashita features classic Japanese with a twist you would only expect in Sao Paulo – like fresh oysters with maracujá sauce. It’s not the cheap option for Japanese – you don’t want it after you’ve tasted the extra fresh fish and the superb combinations they offer for lunch or dinner.

With the place so small and cozy a recommendation from the chef will always do – he definitely knows what is doing. Services is quite good, but it can be that sometimes you’ll get too much of an explanation. If you’re on your own or with a small group and there are not too many patrons, a good choice is to sit in the bar and ask, ask, ask. You’ll get more for your meal.

Nakashita offers a set menu on week-days: not cheap, but definitely a good choice for real Japanese food lovers. Also, they have a discount if you order to-go… Good local wines and extra cold Japanese round up a good choice for oriental cravings.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Nakashita | Restaurants (Japanese) | Lunch menu € 25
Rec Comtal 15 | El Borne | +34932955378
13:30 – 16:30 & 20:30 – 00:00 daily

You’ll maybe see a few strolling by but you won’t see or hear many tourists in Casa Albert – they’re all too busy spending their money in the nearby overpriced trendy bars and restaurants. For about the same price of a starter (€7.50 incl.tax) at a nearby ‘name’ restaurant you can sit yourself at a table in the small square just around the corner from the grand church of Santa Maria and enjoy a three-course lunch complete with bread, water and a bottle of table wine.

This unassuming restaurant-bar serves locals good, cheap traditional wholesome food.

You’ll have a choice of five or six first courses and five or six second courses and a selection of desserts (including homemade chocolate mousse).

You won’t have to make a reservation, you won’t have to join a line, and you won’t have to pay a supplement to eat on the terrace.

Probably the best lunchtime deal you’ll find in the old part of the city (Barrio Gotico and El Born). It’s not fancy but it’s friendly, and the waiter and waitress will speak English if you need help. A good place to eat and drink while watching the world go by. ¡Buen provecho!

Please be aware Casa Albert closes at 15:30 and is not open in the evening.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Casa Albert | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Catalan-Spanish) | Mon – Fri lunch menu € 7.50
Plaça de les Olles 4 | El Borne | +34933191040
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 15:30

I remember my mother saying it was a good option to cut your hair during new moon because it was supposed to grow quicker. However, when I came to Barcelona I realized there were other perks in cutting it in a full moon.

One of the most attractive hair saloons I had noticed was “La Pelu”. They have some stores around downtown, where you can always see interesting colors and styles in both the people that work and are served there.

La Pelu has a lot of special perks, but one of the longest running is the opening of the store at Argenteria (Argentería 70, near Santa Maria del Mar church) at night one Saturday a month, when the moon is full – from 22:00-01:30. On their web page they have the dates for these “special nights” – next ones are June 2, July 7 and September 29th (2012). August has a full moon – but also vacations.

An appointment is needed and you will get a reduction on the normal price – plus a fresh glass of cava and a very “Barcelonian” look. It is not possible to pay with credit cards.

If you want to take home a very personal souvenir, this might be a good experience. And well… maybe you even get your hair to grow faster than what you were expecting. Opening times change during summer months.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Pelu | Shopping | Haircut +/- € 40
Tallers 35 | El Borne | +34933019773
Mon & Sat 12:00 – 20:00, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 20:00

In honest truth, sometimes during vacation one needs a little time off from restaurants. However, one doesn’t feel so adventurous as to cook or only eat sandwiches.

This little place near the Borne market offers a good solution. From a simple salad to an impressive sushi plate – going into different tradition Catalan meals – you could get most interesting things from the international diet – with, of course, a special interest in the Mediterranean meal.

I won’t say it is especially cheap because it is not – it is a about great food ready to eat. Don’t be scared, either: a plate of sushi is around € 8 and a roasted chicken can be around € 10. You don’t have to give a great deal of thinking (and cooking) for your special at home meal, with everything prepared and ready to microwave. They have all the range from starters to dessert, and a great selection of wines.

I was drawn in by the sushi platters but the selection of cheeses, oil, vinegar and other delicatessen canned product is worthwhile the visit. A little hint of Catalan: Bon àpat means, literally, good meal. And, if you ever need it, they offer catering service – to be arranged at the Borne store.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bonàpat | Shopping, Snacks
Pg. del Born 34 | El Borne | +34932954262
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 23:00

If you are staying at at 4+ star hotel at Barcelona most probably you have a pool there that you can enjoy. But if you’re not, there is a local secret that might come in handy. All around the city, there are partly-government-owned gyms where you can pay per visit. And of course, use their pools.

There are many to choose from. In the picture, you can see the recently opened gym at the Ciutadella park (check the Ciutadella park article). The wooden building blends beautifully with its environment and has a great open-air pool in the upper deck. it is open until 23:00 on weekdays, but the pool is closed half an hour before.

Also worth a visit is the Club Natació Atlètic, at the Barceloneta. It has more pools, one overlooking the sea and a special entrance to the beach, as well as a wellness area. It is located at the Plaça del Mar s/n.

The municipal pools are used for fitness swimming, but you can also chill out in the hot tubs and jacuzzis. Keep in mind that you can only buy a day-ticket if the gym is not over capacity at the moment. If so… just come back a little later.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Municipal pools | Relaxing | Adult € 14
Pg Circumval.lació, 3 | El Borne
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 08:00 – 20:00

For people staying in Barcelona who have an acquired “American” taste, just a few years ago it was very difficult to find a decent hamburger. However, lately small and tasty places seems to spring up in every corner, making the choices better and more interesting.

Bacoa is in an interesting neighborhood, just behind the recently renovated Mercat de Santa Caterina. A close walk from the Cathedral, to find it you have to be a little adventurous and leave the Gothic area and start walking through the Ribera. And stop next to the light, as you see in the picture.

The main idea is as simple as a hamburger restaurant can be: good meat, specially made buns and great sauces. Be adventurous and ask for a Japanese burger with teriyaki sauce. Or, if you are very hungry, try the double-meat Bacoa burger. Or go easy with the Classic or Manchego one.

The people behind the counter are extra nice, but the fame of the place has spread quickly hence generating a great success and bringing in a lot of people at once. Be patient and try to get a chair somewhere. Or just take your burgers to eat at home, in front of the cathedral or in any park a warm Barcelona night.

My choice: try the Bacoa potatoes with special sauce – they’re like a nicely twisted version of the traditional “bravas” and the Japanese burger. Bacoa closes early but they can give you directions towards Kiosko – other burger joint (same owners) – 15 minutes away.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bacoa | Snacks, Restaurants (Hamburgers) | Burger € 6
Colomines 2 | El Borne | +34932689548
Tue – Thu 13:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 13:00 – 00:00

In a world where Italian food has become one of the most sought after type of food, the quest for the perfect pasta seems a necessity. Le Cucine Mandarosso is like a real treasure: well hidden in the small streets leading to the Palau de la Musica, it doesn’t stand out so much from the outside but the moment you enter you’ll realize that something amazingly good is cooking in there. Let it be their rich pasta sauces or the luscious desserts, it all smells simply wonderful.

At midday, they have the typical lunch menu. For € 10, you’re offered one plate, a beverage, dessert and coffee. But please, don’t be fooled thinking you will leave this place hungry: the pasta plates are big and rich. Not a pasta lover? Take a Mozzarella salad or a burger. Another nice exception: they offer the same menu on Saturdays.

The menu changes everyday but if you happen to run into a “lasagna with pesto” when you’re there, don’t hesitate. Also, try the “pasta al horno”. Most of the fresh produce comes from Barcelona but the pastas as well as most of the conserves are straight from Italy. And they have great cappuccino.

For dinner it is always advisable to make a reservation – none taken for lunch, except on Saturdays. On Sundays, they have an appero: Italian tapas with live DJ music in the afternoon. No lunches or dinners, though. And Monday they rest, as should we all. As I said: a small hidden treasure.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Cucine Mandarosso | Restaurants (Italian) | Lunch menu € 10.00
Verdaguer i Callis 4 | El Borne | +34932690780
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 01:00, Sun 20:30 – 01:00

When you eat at Mescladís, you’re not going to a regular restaurant. This one is run by an NGO whose main interest is to re-integrate to society both newly arrived immigrants and people who are having problems getting a job. During the weekdays, the restaurant is as busy as a beehive, with dozens of “cooks in the making” going in and out the kitchen – expect, nevertheless, good service and fresh and seasonal food.

Every day, they offer a menu that changes according to what is available and fresh on the market. Besides that, they regularly make great quiches and empanadas (Argentinean pastries filled) with meat, chicken, eggplant, corn and vegetable ratatouille.

A full menu on a weekday is less than € 15. They can also arrange for a special meal for a group or even for a birthday party with a cooking lesson (ask for their choice of international native cooks). On their website, you can see the program for cooking workshops open for the community to participate. So, it’s not only about eating, but also about experiencing how food can actually make somebody’s life better.

They just opened another restaurant a couple of blocks from the original place, so if it is crowded, they will send you there to enjoy the same delicacies on a lovely terrace.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mescladís | Restaurants (International) | Lunch menu € 14
Plaça Sant Pere 5 | El Borne | +34932955012
Tue 13:30 – 16:00, Wed – Sat 13:30 – 00:00

A small pedestrian plaça not so busy and in the middle of down town – it’s possible. And La Candela owns the only few tables on it, thankfully serving good food as well. If you’re visiting and it’s just too cold, don’t worry: the inside is cozy as well.

They open early to take advantage of the morning sun, serving basically coffee, croissants and small sandwiches. At midday, you can have full lunch for less than 15 euros – the menu changes every day and you can see it in a table outside the restaurant. At night there’s no established day menu but some menu options that change seasonally. They kindly offer to serve half rations – and if you had a lot of starters, it might be a good idea.

The service – never extraordinary, is getting better. At midday and at night you will be asked to eat either lunch or dinner to stay in your terrace table. If you can deal with that, both the cooking and the view are worth the visit.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Candela | Restaurants (International) | Lunch weekday menú € 13
Plaça Sant Pere 12 | El Borne | +34933106242
Mon – Sat 12:30 – 00:00

If you don’t feel like hitting the city but want to watch a DVD in your rental apartment, this is where all your dreams come true. Ciclic is an apparently small video club store in the best tradition: maybe you don’t want to have them all at home, but it’s nice to know where to find the series, documentary or funny movie that you where longing to see.

Yes, it’s “arty” and cinema lovers will be very fond of the collection organized by author, but they also have a great commercial cinema area and a big space devoted to children’s movies.

Recent addition to the catalogue are for 24 hours rent only. Other movies, documentaries and tv series are for a 48 hour period. And they have a flat rate: you pay 30 euros and can always have one movie at home.

I have many reasons to go there and one in particular: the people working at Ciclic love movies and like their job, thus are have to give you a good opinion on most of the movies displayed. Usually, they have great music playing, they sell ice cream and movie posters.

And their system warns you when you are renting a movie for the second time – great device for people who forget – like me. They also have a great art store just two doors ahead, with books and magazines.

The store is only open in the afternoons, but you can deposit your movies in a mailbox at anytime of the day.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Ciclic video club | Art & culture, Cinemas | Blockbusters from € 4
Rec Comtal, 7 | El Borne | +34935013383
16:00 – 23:00 daily