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The first thing you’ll see when you come in at Mundial Bar (or Bar Mundial, as the people refer to it): dozens of boxing pictures that give certain authenticity to the place. Besides that? A very busy bartender that will see that you get seated if there’s any available place – that is, if you didn’t call to reserve a table.

This is one of the tapas places that, living in Barcelona, I think is definitely worth the visit at least once a month even if you have to call in advance to get a table or get there very early and is not cheap at all. The reasons: simple, perfect food. Patatas bravas that are well fried and spicy enough, but not dripping with excessive fat. Very well done and selected sea food, in simple preparations.

They also have wonderful “suggestions of the day”: they are not in the menu but you shouldn’t worry. They are really surprises of what the chef found in the market. They also have a reasonably priced wine menu. And great desserts.

The site then, is lovable. However, it’s important to take into consideration that not all waitresses are equally helpful and/or nice all the time. But mostly, they don’t go into blunt rudeness and the food is always well worth the visit. Mundial Bar is a great option for dinner and weekend lunch.

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Mundial Bar | Restaurants (Seafood, tapas) | Meal & wine from € 25
Plaça Sant Agustí Vell 1 | El Borne | +34933199056
Tue – Thu 13:00 – 16:30 & 21:00 – 23:30, Wed 13:00 – 16:30, Fri – Sat 13:00 – 16:30 & 21:00 – 00:00, Sun 13:00 – 16:30 & 20:30 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by AC Uribe

I discovered this place thanks to one of my classmates for University, who told me her mom used to take her here to eat “the best chocolate croissants” in Barcelona. And they are not only delicious – they can be tiny.

One of the best sellers at the Forn Mistral (literally, Mistral Bakery) are the small chocolate croissants, sold by weight. But you can also take home regular sized croissants and other sweets delights, without even taking into consideration different kinds of bread – designed to please even the most picky eater. They also make traditional birthday cakes and if you need anything special in terms of size, it is just a matter of asking.

The main shop is at Ronda Sant Antoni, but in the street just behind it (Torres i Amat 7), there is also a big cafeteria where all the fresh produce in the shop is sold to eat at the place, along with coffee, tea, orange juice or other refreshments. The baguettes turn into delicious and traditional bocatas and the white ensaimadas are better when soaked into a cup of warm café con leche.

No English is spoken, but you can get around pointing at things. The way in the cafeteria is ordering, eating and paying at the counter before leaving. When ordering a coffee with milk, you’ll be asked if you want it “muy caliente” – very hot. If you say yes, be careful not to burn yourself. And don’t miss those croissants!

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Forn Mistral | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Chocolate croissant € 1.80
Ronda Sant Antoni 96 | El Raval | +34933018037
Mon – Sat 07:30 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by AC Uribe

Visiting China, one of the most appealing things was having dumplings and dim sum for breakfast. A few months ago, I discovered I can have them for dinner in a small restaurant downtown. And they are the real ones – Chinese cooks work hard every midday and night at Mosquito to get them fresh and quickly to your table.

Mosquito is mostly an Asian tapas (small portions) bar with a great selection of beers: Belgium, Dutch, French and, of course, Catalan beers brewed near Barcelona or in the city. Don’t expect fusion food or Spanish tapas because you will find none of those.

The menu is difficult to understand the first time, but the waiters are quite happy to explain it to you -in English too. If you are not a beer person, you can always try their supreme selection of vermuts or a nice white wine.

I love the fact that it is open late and they actually serve food late on weekdays. They don’t take reservations and the place is small, so if you pass by and see a table, grab it.

Mosquito is partially “hidden” in the small streets of the Borne, but it is easy to find if you turn right in the first street going up – towards the mountain (check my article locating yourself in Barcelona) – after Princesa, by Metro stop Jaume I. The street is called “Boria” but it will eventually change into Carders… and you’ll find Mosquito at the end of the road. Enjoy!

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Mosquito | Restaurants (Asian) | Main meal +/- € 16
Carders 46 | El Borne | +34932687569
Mon 19:30 – 00:30, Tue – Sun 13:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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This is not the typical tapas joint for tourists – it is so not it, they don’t open on Sundays! They cater mostly to people that work around and look for a nice combination on good price and excellent food. From breakfast to late dinner.

Their name (Flauta – Flute) comes from the small sandwiches they make with very fresh bread, not to big, which allows you to taste more than one. But they also have all kinds of salads and a great variety of fresh tapas, always according to what is available in the market.

La Flauta can take groups with lovely rooms upstairs, but it should be booked in advance: everything, from working lunches to birthdays, happens here everyday. Many people also just stay in the bar for a quick bite and a fresh glass of beer – or caña. It’s also a classic for people working around, since the midday menu on weekdays is reasonable in price (around €12) and really worth the trip.

Another good thing is that their tapas kitchen is open all day long, so you can have early dinner or late lunch. However, if you get in around 21:00 at night be prepare to wait along the bar – but the wait is worth it.

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La Flauta | Snacks, Restaurants (Tapas) | Lunch menu € 11
Aribau 23 | Eixample | +34933237038
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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One new traditional Italian plate is sweeping Barcelona: the piadinas. They are easy to eat, not very expensive and can be as imaginative as the client adventurous. The idea is simple: a basic bread, thin (very much like Mexican tortillas, I have to say) that you can fill with both savoury and sweet foods.

At Santa Piadina they make the artisan mixture in-situ to serve the piadinas fresh and authentic. The fillings keep on changing, with “Piadina del Día”, and also some seasonal or market variation, includying for example, fresh calamari. You can have them with a soda, a beer or a glass of bubbly Italian lambrusco. If your salty tooth is satisfied, don’t leave without some sweet discovery: maybe one with Nutella and banana or other fruits, honey and sugar.

Somewhere between a crêpe and a taco, it’s a quick and tasty way to eat for me, even on the go. And if none of the “standard” combinations really attract you, it’s always possible to make your own combination. Ask! They are friendly!

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Santa Piadina | Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Per piadina € 6
Plaça Sant Pere 11 | El Borne | +34932683359
13:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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One lovely thing about Barcelona is that you get to know people from all countries on the world – or at least it seems like it. One of my closest friends is a Serbian guy who discovered this tiny place that prides itself in being the only bar with original Rajika in Barcelona.

The Rajika is a typical and strong liquor distilled from different kinds of fruits – very typical in the Balkan region. When you go to Paspartú and you order it, the Balkan owners will ask you if you want a soft Rakija/Rakia (around 22º) or a strong one (40º). They have different flavors to try but I have to say I that those involving red fruits (cherries, any kind of berries) are very nice.

If you’re not in the mood for strong new alcoholic experiences, you can also try a very cold beer or a normal mixed drink. Not too expensive, not too big, not too loud – those seem to be the codes that make this tiny place a great new discovery. Thanks, Vlada!

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Paspartú | Bars | Shot of Rakija € 3
Basses de Sant Pere 12 | El Borne
Mon – Thu 19:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 20:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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This is common to most people, but until a few years ago I didn’t know vegetarian could be so nice and even exciting. La Báscula, a small place hidden in the middle of smalls streets at the heart of the Borne, is a good example on how good work and good ingredients can turn into superb plates without the need of meat protein.

The menu is not always constant since they change from season to season, but if you’re really hungry be completely sure that a big “bocadillo” will completely satisfy you. It’s not that you have too many things to choose from, but else a lot of possible combinations. Dare and go for a sandwich that you had never try before – with apple, perhaps – and enjoy the texture of good natural bread.

One thing that I absolutely love are their frozen cocktails. But they are not typical ones: I keep on falling for that called “Corazón Latino” that is fresh strawberry with red wine and a lot of ice. Beware – some items in the menu might not be available off season.

You can sneak into the kitchen and see the hectic movement. No credit cards accepted, no fancy china. They do have a small bike parking, though. Go healthy and try…

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La Báscula | Restaurants (Vegetarian) | One BIG sandwich € 9
Flassaders 30 bis | El Borne | +34933199866
Wed – Sat 13:00 – 23:30, Sun13:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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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 March 3, May 5 and June 2 (2012). 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.

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La Pelu | Shopping | Haircut +/- € 40
Tallers 35 | El Borne | +34933019773
Mon & Sat 12:00 – 20:00, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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La Campana is a store well known in Barcelona for their delicious turrones – the typical Spanish toffees, classic for Christmas. But the fact is that this high-calory treats are great whenever you feel a little chilly.

Be warned – being La Campana, one of the traditional turrón stores in Barcelona, you can find huge queues outside to get something – for Christmas dinner or to enjoy on a sweet-tooth afternoon. But if you can stand the challenge, just go and try. Indulge in the delicious smell coming out from the store and on the great holiday wrappings and package gifts.

Being a family business, you’ll find people behind the corner eager to explain the candy and even let you test it. If you want to take something back home or give a nice souvenir, don’t even hesitate. This is as local as you can get.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Campana | Snacks | Per kilo € 20.00
Flassaders, 15 | El Borne
Winter 10:00 – 21:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa

Barrio Gotico is the heart of the nightlife in the city.

Along with Born, Raval and Gracia are one of the most bohemian districts in the city, filled with parks, squares, bars, clubs and clandestine underground after hours, as well as some rare unique unusual exotic delicious litle sins, like Belgian crepes and smoothies.

Don’t miss the 69 combo. No my friends, they don’t sell horizontal experiences, though you might become infatuated by the combination of a salty and a sweet crepe!

Or let it loose to experience certain internal conditions and emotions, which might be noticed externally, that will drive you to a different state of consciousness with the mango passion smoothie.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Belgious | Bars, Snacks | Combo 69 menu € 6.90
Carrer Avinyo 50 | El Barrio Gotico | +34934124965
Mon – Thu 13:30 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 13:30 – 03:00, Sun 16:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona