Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
from little baskets of dim sum to steamed bream with soy and ginger - suggest wider South-
east Asian sources. No matter, the daily weekday lunch is widely recognized as a good
deal (otherwise mains €10-13) and the sleek restaurant fills quickly.
Mon-Sat 12.30-4pm &
8.30pm-midnight, Sun 12.30-4pm.
Me
c/de Paris 162 934 194 933,
www.catarsiscuisine.com
; Diagonal;
map
.
In a
stylish neo-colonial setting,
Me
is all the rage for its clever fusion of cuisines from Vietnam
and New Orleans by way of Barcelona - all places dear to owner Javier's heart. Expect fish
steamed in banana leaves with coconut milk and spices or grilled Saigon rib-eye with lemon-
grass.Mainsare€15-24,thoughlunchisasimpler,cheaperaffair.
Tues&Sat8.45-11.30pm,
Wed-Fri 1.45-3.30pm & 8.45-11.30pm.
Out of China
c/de Muntaner 100 934 515 555,
outofchinabarcelona.com
;
Provença;
and-red decor,frilly lanterns andjazz-lounge soundsset the tone foracontemporary Chinese
menu that's particularly hot on veggie options, from fried vegetables with caramelized nuts
to tofu curry. The food doesn't always hit the heights, but lunch is a good deal and even
at night prices won't break the bank, with most dishes around €8-14.
Mon-Sat 1-4pm &
8pm-midnight, Sun 1-4pm.
Soda Bus
c/d'Aribau 125 934 531 044,
balta1900.com
;
Diagonal;
map
.
Formerly
known as
El Racó d'en Balta
(it has now joined forces with the century-old
Balta Bar
next door), this funky hangout serves a popular weekday lunch, while at night you can eat
for around €30 from a Mediterranean market-led menu, chowing down things like veget-
arian
ceviche
or fish and hand-cut chips.
Mon-Wed 9am-5pm, Thurs & Fri 9am-5pm &
10pm-2.30am (3am on Fri), Sat 10pm-3am; closed 2 weeks in Aug.
SAGRADA FAMÍLIA AND GLÒRIES
RESTAURANTS
Alkimia
c/de la Indústria 79 932 076 115,
alkimia.cat
; Sagrada Família;
map
.
Ask
Barcelona foodies which is the best new-wave Catalan restaurant in town and once they've
all stopped bickering, this is the one they'll probably plump for. “Alchemy” is what's prom-
ised by the name, and that's what chef Jordi Vilà delivers in bitingly minimalist style - think
gazpacho
dottedwithdollopsofcucumbericecreamandalmonds.It'saMichelin-starredop-
eration, so reservations are vital - expect a bill north of €100 a head, though the €39 lunch is
a comparative bargain.
Mon-Fri 1.30-3.30pm & 8.30-11pm; closed Easter week & 2 weeks
in Aug.
Gorria
c/de la Diputació 421 932 451 164,
restaurantegorria.com
; Monumental;
Sanguesa
(a sort of white-bean stew), wood-grilled lamb, clams in salsa verde or monkfish
