Cafés, tapas bars and restaurants - The Rough Guide to Barcelona - page 293

La Soleá Pl. del Sortidor 14 934 410 124, barlasolea.com ; Poble Sec; map . This
place's terrassa , on a down-to-earth square, is a great place for sunny days, while in the
cheery if cramped interior there's a backdrop of vibrant colours and young guns behind
the counter singing along lustily to flamenco nuevo sounds. It's a bistro menu (lunch from
1.30pm, dinner from 8.30pm, dishes €5-12) and all pretty good value - salads and dips to
start, followed by proper hamburgers, stir-fries, pasta or a reassuringly old-fashioned Sunday
brunchplateof fideuà (Catalannoodles). Tues-Satnoon-midnight,Sunnoon-5pm(openun-
til midnight on Sun during summer).
La Tomaquera c/de Margarit 58, no phone; Poble Sec; map . Sit down in this chatter-
filledtaverntoadishofolivesandtwoquails'eggs-andanydelicacyendsthereasthechefs
settohackingsteaksandchopsfromgreathunksofmeat.It'snotforthefaint-hearted,butthe
grilledchickenissensationalandthe entrecôtes enormous(mostmains€8-15).Localslimber
up with an appetizer of pan-fried snails with chorizo and tomato. Tues-Sat 1.30-3.45pm &
8.30-10.45pm; closed Aug.
< Back to Cafés, tapas bars and restaurants
DRETA DE L'EIXAMPLE
CAFÉS
Café del Centre c/de Girona 69 934 881 101; Girona; map . This quiet coffee stop is
only four blocks from the tourist sights on the Pg. de Gràcia, but it's well off the beaten track
asfarasmostvisitorsareconcerned.It'swellworththewalkforacaféthat'sbeenheresince
1873 and that retains its elegant modernista decor, plus the lunch menu is a bargain at €9.90.
Mon-Sat 9am-11pm; closed Aug.
Forn de Sant Jaume Rambla de Catalunya 50 932 160 229; Passeig de Gràcia; map .
Classic uptown pastisseria whose glittering windows are piled high with croissants, cakes,
pastries and sweets. The small adjacent café has outdoor rambla seats, or you can take away
your goodies for later. Mon-Sat 9am-9pm.
TAPAS BARS
LaBodegueta RambladeCatalunya100 932154894, rambla.labodegueta.cat ; Diag-
onal; map . Thislong-establishedbasement bodega servescavabytheglass,aseriousrangeof
other wines and good ham, cheese, anchovies and other tapas (from €3-15) to soak it all up.
In summer you can sit outside at tables on the pretty uptown rambla . Mon-Fri 7am-1.45am,
Sat 8am-1.45am, Sun & hols 6.30pm-1.45am.
Ciudad Condal Rambla de Catalunya 18 933 181 997; Passeig de Gràcia; map . The
bestofthelargeuptowntapas-hall-styleplacesisahandycity-centrepitstopthatcatersforall
needs.Breakfastseesthebargroanundertheweightofadozentypesofcrispybaguettesand-
wich,pluscroissantsandpastries,whilethedailychangingtapasselection(€3-10)rangesfar