Paella in Barcelona
Aug 15th, 2011, 06:31 AM
#2
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The go to places are in Barceloneta, the district near the beach. You probably already know this, but in case not, do note that paella is not a specialty of Barcelona, although you can find it. There are other dishes to seek out that are more local. If you do go, you might enjoy the scene on weekend afternoons. Be sure to book in advance if you go on Sunday.
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:40 AM
#3
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Someone with better knowledge will probably pounce on this as a tourist trap b/c it was listed in our Citypack guide, but had a fabulous Paella at Siete Portes (7 Doors) in Barcelona. The restaurant was full of Spanish families, which we took as a good sign. Definitely book in advance - the place was packed and we were lucky to get a table
http://www.7portes.com/
http://www.7portes.com/
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:44 AM
#4
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Try Elche, c/Vila i Vila 71 or Can Majo C/Almirall Aixada 23 for fideua, the Catalan version of paella (vermicelli instead of rice).
Avoid restaurants serving paella for dinner, they cater for tourists. Locals don't eat paella in the evening. Paella is often on the menu on Thursdays.
Avoid restaurants serving paella for dinner, they cater for tourists. Locals don't eat paella in the evening. Paella is often on the menu on Thursdays.
Aug 15th, 2011, 09:08 AM
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Another vote for Ekscrunchy's suggestion.. Barceloneta.
There are many places along Passeig de Joan de Borbó, the major "artery" leading to the beach. The look pretty touristy with the multi-lingual menus, but esp. on weekends you have them packed with local folks. Eating times are not as restricted as elsewhere: As many have something to eat there on their way back home when the sun is going down, they are already lively around 6 or 7pm.
And, since I love those moments when I can split some hair and wisea$$ on some totally irrelevant topic:
The name of the famous restaurant is Set Portes, not Siete. And if you need the say the name when you get a cab to get there: The "e" in Portes becomes and "a" as it is not stressed, so you say "ssset portas" with a sharp "s" in set and the emphasis on the "o" in Portes.
There are many places along Passeig de Joan de Borbó, the major "artery" leading to the beach. The look pretty touristy with the multi-lingual menus, but esp. on weekends you have them packed with local folks. Eating times are not as restricted as elsewhere: As many have something to eat there on their way back home when the sun is going down, they are already lively around 6 or 7pm.
And, since I love those moments when I can split some hair and wisea$$ on some totally irrelevant topic:
The name of the famous restaurant is Set Portes, not Siete. And if you need the say the name when you get a cab to get there: The "e" in Portes becomes and "a" as it is not stressed, so you say "ssset portas" with a sharp "s" in set and the emphasis on the "o" in Portes.
Aug 15th, 2011, 09:39 AM
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We have eaten at Set / Siete Portes twice. On our first visit we thought the service was a bit snooty and the food OK. A couple of years later we were visiting friends in Barcelona and they wanted to treat us - this was a Spanish businessman used to wooing clients - and guess where he took us - Set Portes! he insisted we order the paella with squid ink - it has become one of my memorable meals. And yes, the place is full of Spaniards dining with their extended family. Make a reservation! It is probably more elegant than a restaurant in Barceloneta so maybe that will help you choose which type of place you are looking for.
Aug 16th, 2011, 01:45 AM
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175 years of Barcelona history in the walls of 7 Portes. Gets in general very favourable comments from Spanish guests. Comments and photos: http://11870.com/pro/restaurant-7-portes
Carmen Amaya (1913-63), the finest flamenco dancer of all times and from the close by Barceloneta/Somorrostro area, made her debut six years old - accompanied by her father - in front of the guests at 7 Portes .
Carmen Amaya (1913-63), the finest flamenco dancer of all times and from the close by Barceloneta/Somorrostro area, made her debut six years old - accompanied by her father - in front of the guests at 7 Portes .
Aug 16th, 2011, 03:31 AM
#16
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Sometimes great restaurants become famous and as they do they atttract tourists in the know. Of course many tourists go to Siete Portes -- why wouldn't knowledgeable tourists go to a good restaurant that has been in business for a couple hundred years and has a great reputation among locals as well? And if the restaurant wants to actually accommodate those people by printing menus in other languages why is that a bad thing and why does that suddenly make it a "tourist trap"? I think some people need to redefine tourist trap.
But to the point. I just made a reservation at Siete Portes for this Saturday night. I was surprised by this post for paella, as I never thought about eating that there (I remember some great goat on the menu among many other things). Is it really "the" place to have paella (which we must do somewhere for my friend)?
But to the point. I just made a reservation at Siete Portes for this Saturday night. I was surprised by this post for paella, as I never thought about eating that there (I remember some great goat on the menu among many other things). Is it really "the" place to have paella (which we must do somewhere for my friend)?
Aug 16th, 2011, 03:43 AM
#17
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"The" places to have rice dishes, including paella, are down at the shore in Barceloneta.
Kaiku is but one of the popular restaurants there...http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/b...taurante=KAIKU
Kaiku is but one of the popular restaurants there...http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/b...taurante=KAIKU
