Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
48; mains €26-31; icon-hoursgif
h
1-3.30pm & 8.30-11pm Mon-Sat; icon-metrogif
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Urquina-
ona)
An early Gaudí masterpiece loaded with his trademark curvy features now houses a swish
restaurant (just to the right of the building's main entrance). Dress up and ask for an intimate
taula cabina
(wooden booth). You could opt for sole and lobster on mashed leeks, with
balsamic vinegar and Pedro Ximénez reduction, and artichoke chips. It has various tasting
menus for up to €70, and a lunch menu for €34.
6
Drinking & Nightlife
Much of middle-class L'Eixample is dead at night, but several streets are exceptions. Noisy
Carrer de Balmes is lined with a rowdy adolescent set. Much more interesting is the cluster
of locales lining Carrer d'Aribau between Avinguda Diagonal and Carrer de Mallorca. They
range from quiet cocktail bars to '60s retro joints. Few get going much before midnight and
are generally closed or dead from Sunday to Wednesday. Lower down, on and around Carrer
del Consell de Cent and Carrer de la Diputació, is the heart of the Gaixample, with several
gay bars and clubs.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
THE GAIXAMPLE
The area just above Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and to the left of Rambla de Catalunya
is popularly known as the 'Gaixample', for its proliferation of gay bars and restaurants. We
include some of the best here, such as
Mat Bar
,
Átame
,
Arena Classic
and
Aire
(this last one
for the ladies), but note that some old favourites are also to be found in adjoining neighbour-
hoods, such as
Metro
in Sant Antoni.
6
L'Esquerra de L'Eixample
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Dry MartiniBAR
d'Aribau162-166;icon-hoursgif
h
1pm-2.30amMon-Thu,6pm-3amFri&Sat;icon-metrogif
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Diagonal)
