Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING & DRINKING TIPS
1. OPENING HOURS
The Spanish eat much later than much of Europe; lunch starts around 2 or 3pm,
with dinner any time after 9pm. Restaurants are usually open 1:30-4pm and
8:30-midnight.ManyareclosedonedayoftheweekandduringthemonthofAugust.
Cafésandbarsareopenfromaround7:30am,closingaround2am.Itisdifficulttoget
a drink or bite to eat after 4am.
2. THE MENU
Multilingualmenusareincreasinglythenorm.Manyrestaurantsoffertheirbestdeal
forlunchfromMondaytoFriday,sodoastheSpaniardsdoandfillupfromthe
menú
del dia
between1:30and4pm.Thefixed-pricemenuofthedayusuallyincludesthree
courses, wine and water.
3. CATALAN CUISINE
Catalancuisineischaracterizedbythemeetingof
marimuntanya
(surfandturf),and
signature dishes include
llagosta i pollastre
(lobster and chicken). Side dish main-
staysare
samfaina
(aubergine/eggplant,grilledpeppers,tomatoesandonioninolive
oil and garlic) and
escalivada
(sweet peppers, aubergine, onion and garlic). Other
Catalan favourites are
botifarra amb mongetes
(Catalan sausage with white beans)
and
pa amb tomàquet
(bread smeared with tomato and drizzled with olive oil). If
innards are your thing, ask for
call
(tripe). For dessert, enjoy
crema catalana
, a cus-
tard topped with caramelized sugar.
4. SEAFOOD & PAELLA
For prime seafood, head for the sea. Along Passeig Joan de Borbó in Barceloneta is
astringofrestaurants,manyspecializinginseafoodandpaellas.Seafoodrestaurants
also abound in the Port Olímpic, where you can feast on fresh-off-the-boat fish and
seafood on open-air terraces. Fresh seafood is served year-round, but the traditional
day for paella is Thursday.
