The Art of Slowing Down
106: Barcelona's Culinary Secrets: A Guide to the City's Hidden Gems 3/4
If you have followed me for the past two years you have most likely seen my guide to some of my favorite places in Barcelona, Spain which is a city that I spend a fair amount of time in. I thought it would make sense to update the list (Part 1 and Part 2) with some other places that you may find interesting to try if you’re visiting this summer.
Bar Canyí – is from Francesc Beltri and his team at Slow & Low which was awarded a Michelin star opened Bar Canyí as a more casual establishment focusing on Catalan cuisine. The space is open with the focal point being the long bar that runs through the space.
The menu is spectacular with the highlights, in my opinion being the clams, gambas, oysters and bomba de la Barceloneta. Highly recommend stopping by, sitting at the bar and ordering a glass of wine or a beer with your meal. You’ll most likely end up spending a few hours chatting with their team and others at the bar while listening to their huge selection of vinyl records!
Masil – opened in Winter 2025 and is Korean restaurant in the Sant Antoni neighborhood of Barcelona. The space is warm and inviting and the owner and her team are extremely friendly and welcoming. I like to stop by and enjoy a Korean beer with an order of kimchi, Korean fried chicken, cold noodles and tofu. I know that many people will ask “Pierre, why on earth would you want Korean food when you’re in Spain?”. My answer is that you will inevitably suffer from what I call “tapas fatigue” and when you do, I highly recommend Masil as it’s in my opinion my favorite Korean restaurant second only to Joomak Banjum and DDOBAR in New York.
Bodega Universal – is a wine bar that opened in Winter 2025 and that I discovered while walking by to meet friends. They have an excellent selection of wines and if you’re not familiar with the Spanish options their team is very helpful in guiding you to making what will inevitably be a great selection. My favorites are their Spanish white wines and Cava by the glass.
14 De La Rosa – 14 De La Rosa in Barcelona offers a cozy yet upscale cocktail experience, drawing visitors with its relaxed, intimate vibe. Their martinis are a highlight, showcasing a balance of craftsmanship and creativity. Using high-quality ingredients and precise techniques, the bar crafts both classic and inventive martinis tailored to guests' preferences. Located in the vibrant Gràcia neighborhood, 14 De La Rosa blends neighborhood charm with a touch of elegance, making it a must-visit spot for martini enthusiasts in Barcelona (they made “Intern Pierre’s Top Martinis in 2024” list).
I came upon 14 De La Rosa while walking to meet a friend at dinner when I was visiting Barcelona. After dinner my wife and I decided to stop by for a drink and we had an excellent experience. If you’re looking for a cozy intimate atmosphere for date night, pre or post dinner drinks or to catch up with a friend 14 De La Rosa is an excellent place to go! The price to quality is also excellent.
Makan Makan – is another excellent Asian restaurant located in Raval if you have been in Barcelona and are starting to get “tapas fatigue”. My favorite menu items are the Wanton Sichuan, Rendang and Pangsit. This is a great option for a casual lunch on a Saturday or dinner.
Chula Vista Raval – I am always open to sitting in a nice outdoor setting, drinking an excellent cocktail and enjoying Mexican food. Chula Vista checks all of these boxes. They have a great outdoor dining space that is in a beautiful tree-lined courtyard in the Raval neighborhood of Barcelona.
The drinks, specifically Paloma and Michelada are fantastic. The food is “San Diego style Mexican” and my go to are the build your own nachos, quesadilla and chicken Cesar wraps.
The team at Chula Vista is fantastic and really fun. The space is also dog friendly which for many people is a huge plus!
ALAO – is a new wine bar from the team at Bandini’s. As I’ve mentioned a number of times Bandini’s is one of (if not my favorite) restaurants in Barcelona. Carmen and her team have curated an excellent selection of natural wines and are always extremely helpful when it comes to choosing one. They also have a great selection of tapas (my favorite is the cheese board) and is an excellent place to visit for date night, catching up with friends or getting a drink while you wait for a table next door.
I’ll follow up with a Part 4 to this update for Paid Subscribers next week. In the meantime enjoy the start to your summer and if you have any questions, comments or places to add feel free to comment!
