Getting your Chocolate Hit in Barcelona

Chocolate and Barcelona may not seem like an obvious pairing, but chocolate addicts will be pleased to know that there is s long history of chocolate-making in Catalunya, and local chocolate makers are some of the most respected in Europe.

When people think Spanish chocolate they generally think chocolate con churros: a cup of think dark drinking chocolate accompanied by thin, tube-like donuts. Although popular in Madrid, they are hard to find in Barcelona (especially outside the winter months) except at the emblematic Café de la Opera (Las Ramblas 74), a fin de siècle café that generally has them all year round. Instead you could opt for a suizo—a wicked cup of steaming chocolate or a Cacaolat, a light hot chocolate that comes in a bottle. Both are sold at the charming Granja Viader (C/ d'En Xuclá 4).

Barcelona’s vibrant design scene has made a happy marriage with chocolate making. For the funkiest packaging try Xocoa (shops all over the city) and for the most exquisite elaboration, head to Bubó in the hip Born neighbourhood (C / Caputxes 10).

Further afield in the upscale residential neighbourhood of Sarriá, world-renowned pastry and chocolate maker Oriol Balaguer has a minimalist chocolate boutique (Plaça Sant Gregori Taumaturg 2) where products are displayed with the reverence of fine jewellery (with prices almost to match). More down to earth is the Museu de Xocolata (Plaça Pons I Clerch, S/N, also in El Born) where you can find out all about the history of chocolate in Spain, and enjoy a treat in the museum’s café after the visit

Eating Tapas in Barcelona

Most people come to Spain with the idea that paella and tapas is available everywhere. This is only partly true; many purists would argue that the only place to eat paella is Valencia - where the dish was invented – and without doubt the great tapas capitals are in the south.

That said, there are bars in Barcelona that serve great tapas, albeit spread out over the city as opposed the ‘tapas streets’ that are a feature of many other Spanish cities. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Cervecería Catalana, Mallorca, 236 - This hectically busy, buzzing place tempts you in with a bar laden mountains of deep fried seafood, grilled gambas (prawns) and classic tapas concoctions such as Russian salad and patatas bravas.


• Taller de Tapas, Placa Sant Josep Oriol, 9 - For some of the best Barcelona food including tapas for the novice, this is one the best bets. You can order from a menu (as opposed to pointing and shouting) and if still in doubt the multilingual staff with guide you through it. Although it may look slightly touristy the tapas served here is actually of very high quality.


• Euskal Etxea, Placeta Montcada, 1-3 - Pintxos, or the Basque-style of tapas are on offer here. Pintxos are bite-sized snacks generally served on a small round on bread, held together with a toothpick. Help yourself but don’t throw the toothpicks away- the bar staff uses them to tally up your bill.


• Bodega La Palma, La Palma de Sant Just, 7 - Not tapas exactly but torrades, the Catalan version. Here you’ll find pa amb tomàquet (rustic bread topped with tomato pulp) topped with all sorts of local cheese and charcuterie.

Madrid Barcelona - Barcelona's Best restaurant

I have eaten in probably a hundred plus restaurants, bars and cafes in Barcelona over the last few years and there is a clear winner in my mind when balancing quality, to cost, to service and to location.

I do not work for the restaurant and have no association with it - and my favourite restaurant and place to eat in Barcelona is the interestingly named Catalan restaurant "Madrid Barcelona".

'Madrid Barcelona' is located very centrally on Carrer d'Arago, 282 and generally open from around 8-830pm. The great thing about this place is that they serve very affordable food, have menus in different languages, are very efficient service wise and the food is outstanding.

This restaurant is based on the place where the old Madrid to Barcelona train used to stop at the start of the last century and this restaurant has remained one of the best places to eat every since. Yet, it is relatively unknown and discussed by tourist.