Whether you’re bringing your whole family or you’re spending time with your partner, it’s hard to deny that Barcelona is a pretty romantic city. With narrow streets, a stunning old town and breathtaking views, there is no better place to unwind and spend some quality time with your loved ones. But once you’ve planned your trip to Barcelona and have booked a sightseeing adventure, the chances are that your attention will turn towards food – and where best to eat.
At Barcelonina, we’re passionate about helping tourists discover the real Barcelona, and encourage everyone to go off the beaten track to see what life is really like in this stunning city. A huge part of our city and culture is our food, with many restaurants offering delicious, authentic Spanish cuisine. Below, we’ve put together the most romantic (and scrumptious!) restaurants to consider if you’re planning a loved-up getaway with your partner this year…
1881 per SAGARDI
After spending the afternoon exploring the History Museum of Catalonia, take a short walk to the 1881 per SAGARDI restaurant – an eatery that’s actually part of the museum grounds. As its name would suggest, 1881 was built almost 140 years ago, originally serving as General Trade Warehouses before it was converted into a museum, recounting the fascinating history of Catalonia.
Part of the SAGARDI Group, this restaurant offers diners freshly prepared rice, meats, seafood, and fish – fresh from the fish market in Barcelona – and showcases some of the very best local produce, representing Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine like no other.
1881 is unique in that guests can enjoy their cuisine atop a large terrace, offering truly breathtaking views of Barcelona’s skyline. You and your partner can sample some of the best food Barcelona has to offer and loosen up with a cocktail on a site steeped in history.
Bacaro: Romantic Italian Style
The authentic Venetian tavern located close to the Mercat de la Boqueria is another popular choice amongst couples, offering fresh produce and an excellent, ever-changing menu, filled with pasta and fresh fish dishes. Bacaro serves as an alternative to the commercial eateries dotted around the city – it offers authentic, traditional food at a great price, and with round tables and a charming, casual dining environment, it’s hard not to fall in love with the place!
Serving up dishes such as pickled sardines, gnocchi, beef liver, artichokes, and tiramisu, there’s something to suit even the fussiest of diners and to top it all off, Bacaro boasts of a wine selection that’s to die for (we recommend trying the Aglianico Igt Beneventano).
Can Recasens: let’s get trendy
Recasens is one of the busiest romantic restaurants on our list, so make sure you call in and book your table in advance. Based in Poblenou, this restaurant specialises in charcuterie and cheeses – something you’ll discover the second you walk into the old building when the aromas of cheese hits! Sporting an eclectic decor with reposeful nooks for unwinding with your significant other, you can spend a good couple of hours sampling the Recasens menu, or trying one of their many platters and boards, which come in at around €20 a head.
What really sets Recasens apart from other restaurants in the area, all four corners of the building feature art exhibitions from local and international talents, including photographs, sculptures and paintings, and a three-month window means there’ll be something new every time you visit. On top of that, guests can enjoy jazz performances every other Wednesday.
Dos Pebrots: the heart of the Mediterranean cuisine
You’ll find Dos Pebrots off the beaten track in the Raval neighbourhood, and whilst this romantic restaurant may look like any other tapas bar from the outside, we all know that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Dos Pebrots sports comfy bar stools and cosy corners for relaxing after a busy day of sight-seeing and, because it’s popular amongst both locals and tourists, there’s a warm and friendly atmosphere that only adds to the experience. Enjoy dishes cooked with fresh Mediterranean ingredients, like roasted peppers, hams, omelettes, and seafood – but be prepared to wait for a table, as the restaurant can get very busy!
Marea Alta
Specialising in chargrilled fish and smoked dishes, Marea Alta brings together “a wealth of coasts in a culinary space” and offers some breathtaking views of Barcelona. Recently given the new name of The Sky Restaurant, this nautical eatery is the ultimate romantic restaurant if you love fish and want to sample some of the freshest and most delicious that Spain has to offer.
The team has travelled to major cities around the world to hand-pick the highest-quality ingredients, and boy does it show! Try their Wild Turbot or red bream and finish off your romantic meal with their baked apple, flan, or aged cheese by Eva of Vila Viniteca. Delicious!
El Pla
Opened in 1998, the El Pla restaurant can be found on a hidden street, with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Music, fires, and candles are the norm here – it’s a secret getaway from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, and perfect for a romantic evening with your other half. Offering a casual dining experience, you’ll find salads, meat, fish and vegetarian options – and because the menu is constantly refreshed, you’ll likely want to sample one of their limited-time dishes to really make the most of your visit.
Wash down your meal with a Rias Baixas wine, and don’t forget their cocktail menu if you really want to let your hair down!
Il Giardinetto
Located in “the middle of an asphalt jungle”, Il Giardinetto offers a peaceful escape from day to day life with a homely and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a popular meeting point for those on first dates and couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries and offers delicious Italian pasta and Mediterranean cuisine that has to be tasted to be believed.
With a garden ceiling painted green, an unmatched cocktail menu and a kitchen that’s open until 1 AM, consider Il Giardinetto your top choice if you’re looking for a vibrant, romantic restaurant in Barcelona.
Le Cucine Mandaroso
Whilst no visit to Barcelona should be complete without sampling some authentic Spanish cuisine, there’s no reason not to stop by Le Cucine Mandarosso for some delicious Italian food.
This intimate, homey eatery has nice decor, good food and live music.
For lunch, you’ll find a traditional Italian menu, offering dishes prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, whilst its cake menu offers a tempting range of sweet treats with traditional Italian pastry that you can share with your partner, like the Pasticciotto De Limon and the Cassata Siciliana.
Sal Café
Situated on the Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, the Sal Café is another popular choice for couples to get together and catch up over a delicious plate of food.
Whether you’re in the mood for dry-hung tomatoes on a flatbread, a crunchy goats cheese salad with pomegranate dressing, or paella with pork, artichokes, and mushrooms, you’ll find something to suit every taste at Sal Café, and all at a reasonable price.
Make your meal even more special by sitting on the terrace, but note that a 10% surcharge will be added to your bill for the privilege.
Torre d’Alta Mar
The final romantic restaurant to consider when planning your next visit to Barcelona is the Torre d’Alta Mar, one of the world’s most spectacular eating places with a panoramic view of the harbour, the beach, the city, the mountains and the entire coastline of Barcelona. 75 meters high, Torre d’Alta Mar not only boasts stunning views with all-round glass windows but it also takes the dining experience to a new level, with elegant and modern cooking and a signature Mediterranean menu.
Perfect for a romantic date or even a proposal, their tasting menu (priced at €98, and available between 8 PM and 11 PM) offers dishes such as Blood Sausage, Red Mullet, The Petis, Fried Niguiri, Octopus, and Beef Sirloin, whilst the a la carte menu includes Barceloneta fresh prawns, creamy seafood rice, and sea urchins. Yummy!
If you’re looking for something a little different, then why not consider one of our Barcelona food tours? Covering city markets, the Raval Area, the history of our city and our wineries, these tours are not to be missed and give you some food for thought when travelling. Get in touch with the Barcelonina team today to book your tour – we look forward to seeing you!