Chef (Daan) Van der Lecq's favorite places in Barcelona
I once did a six-month internship in Barcelona. A terrible internship, by the way. I worked as a cocktail shaker on the rooftop terrace of the Grand Hotel Central. The summer passed quickly, and after that, it was mostly polishing cutlery. Fortunately, I had a whole group of fun friends from hotel school around me, all sharing pretty much the same fate. And the free time? That was legendary.
I was living in Barceloneta at the time, and after work I would go into town. Sometimes to places I already knew, sometimes just to walk into a place because it looked nice. These are a few of the places I still enjoy visiting.
Bar del Pi happened to be around the corner from my hotel. I walked past it and was immediately drawn to the interior: a wooden bar, marble, mirrors, and one of those display cases completely filled with tapas made every day. I love places like this. A simple menu, but just plain good. I can walk in at nine in the morning for an espresso, but just as easily in the evening for a beer.
Cerveseria Vaso de Oro is located in Barceloneta, the neighborhood where I used to live. Barceloneta is an old fishing district that still has a very local feel: small, dark houses, narrow streets, and lots of little places with fluorescent lights where local Spaniards sit eating and drinking. Cerveseria Vaso de Oro is exactly one of them. Simply excellent tapas, period. Let this be an invitation to dive into the streets of Barceloneta and discover many more authentic spots like this.
This is by far my favorite restaurant in El Born. I lived in the neighborhood at the time, and this is exactly how I prefer to dine out. Every day, there was already a twenty-meter line half an hour before opening, but I joined it with pleasure. Once inside, you are served quickly and choose your own fresh fish and preparation method: from plancha prawns to crab, lobster, mussels, and squid. Literally everything the Spanish sea has to offer. You eat wonderfully with your hands here and sit feasting for a hundred euros with your partner at a packed table.
I love pintxos. For me, it's the perfect transition from drinks to dinner. Or actually: you don't have to choose at all. At Euskal Etxea Taberna, there are all kinds of different pintxos ready, and you can simply try a bit of everything. Order a beer, and before you know it, you'll be eating all evening.
This is a place I discovered, but I still like it. I used to go here regularly, and my main tip is: try to get a spot at the bar. You can see the people making all the pintxos right there and scooping them out of the trays. It is incredibly busy, with a healthy mix of both Spaniards and tourists, but there is a lot of delicious food. It might not be Barcelona's best-kept secret, but sometimes tourist spots are just good.
This is the hotel where I did my internship. I worked there for six months as a cocktail shaker on the rooftop terrace. As I said: a terrible internship. But the rooftop terrace really is beautiful. You have an infinity pool and a very good view of Barcelona. Don't go there expecting the very best food in the city, but for a drink and the atmosphere, it's nice. There is a minimum spend of €34 and cocktails cost around €17. So order two cocktails and you'll be just fine.
And then my favorite sandwich shop: Bo de B. There is a line outside the door every day, but do not worryFortunately, it goes fast. They make gigantic, freshly made sandwiches with all kinds of sauces and toppings. You can choose what you want on them yourself. When I went there, I think you paid about five euros; now it's something like six euros. After ten years, I actually still think that's pretty reasonable.
I don't like really trendy spots, but according to people around me, Bar Brutal, where you can drink natural wine alongside good food, is a real winner. Small plates with a Spanish twist, and a sommelier who can let you taste all kinds of crazy wines. It's nice and robust and cozy, without those cold stainless steel stools you see in similar places these days. The perfect combination, then.
And a tip for getting yourself between all these places: take a Lime bike! And definitely rent a scooter for a day trip. Then you can, for example, ride all the way up the mountain towards Tibidabo. You’ll end up coming a long way and might find out that there’s actually nothing to do at the top. But that’s exactly the point. It’s about the journeyYou see Barcelona in a totally different way along the way and you are away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
Feeling warm after all that exploring? If you’re getting a bit tired of the beach – and it can get pretty crowded in Barcelona – head to Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc. The pool is situated high up on the mountain and offers a great view of the city. It’s simply lovely to swim and hang out there for a few hours. You can also grab a simple bite to eat and have a beer.
Good to know: the pool is only open during the summer months (June through early September). You can enjoy the bar above it a little longer. Salts Montjuïc, with stunning views of the city and the pool, is open from April through October.
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