I have only two nights in Barcelona and wondered if anyone had a favorite restaurant that they would highly recommend?

I'm hoping someone will suggest El Bulli and tell us if it deserves the title best restaurant in the world as considered by chefs.

I strongly recommend Agut d’Avignon. I ate there twice last year and loved it. Frommer’s calls it ”one of our favorite restaurants in Barcelona,” and I could see why after I had duck with figs one night and goose with pears the next night. It’s in a little alleyway (Trinidad, 3) off the Plaza Real, so it’s easy to miss. Phone: 93-302-60-34 or 93-317-36-93.
Check it out.

But El Bulli is in Roses, not Barcelona....

RobinSue,
In the city..
Cal Pep (for tapas style dining at the bar that's lots of fun) and its sister seafood, fixed price-no printed menu restaurant, Passadis del Pep.
www.calpep.com
www.passadis.com

For traditional, classic catalan cuisine,
Ca l'Isidre
www.calisidre.com

And you can read laclaire's recent review of a meal at Cinc Sentits by clicking on her name.
www.cincsentits.com

Thank you!

But Close to it!

Cal Pep is my favorite restaurant in the entire world.

I think El Bulli is about 2 hours outside Barcelona...certainly close enough to drive there in order to have a meal, or so I have heard. One day....

We really loved Ciudad Condal, just north of Plaza Catalunya. Tapas at the bar and nice table service inside, or you can eat outside if you prefer. Ice cold San Miguel on tap. Great variety to choose from (ask the waiter for suggestions, or get the mixed sampler platter). And finally, a creme Catalan that's out of this world...

eks,
The two of us just have to be clones! We should go to El Bulli below Roses together some day!

Maribel, just say when...........

We'll be there in April! Maybe we could do a Fodors GT there! LOL!

I really loved Els Quatre Gats for food and ambience. My mother and I literally waddled out singing and happy.

What kind of food are you into and what kind of budget are you looking at? There is a wonderful home cooking place called Elisabets on Elisabets Street right by the MACBA. It is cheap (8.50€ for the daily mid day menu) and very filling.

As Maribel said, I just ate at Cinc Sentits and really enjoyed myself.

Thanks so much for the recommendations. I love to eat and want to experience Spanish food and culture and am willing to try just about anything. I don't want to get too extravagant with costs, but don't want to skimp either.

My brother and his wife have just moved to Barcelona for the quarter as part of his MBA program. They spent the last three weeks traveling and weren't finding food they liked very often. We'll be with them in Barcelona at the beginning of the trip and I want to have places to recommend in case they haven't already discovered them in the two weeks before we arrive. We'll travel to Seville with them after Barcelona.

I'm definitley going to try Cal Pep!

Thanks again!

My favorite upscale eatery in Barcelona was Tenorio, a gorgeous restaurant on the beautiful Passeig de Gracia (which I thought was the most beautiful avenue in town) in La Exiample. It sits in the shadow of Gaudi's technicolor wonder, Casa Batllo. The food was sublime. Indoor or outdoor seating.

RobinSue,
I think Tenorio hits the spot too, as do pretty much of the grupcacheiro.com restaurants, Tenorio, El Trobador, La Tramoia. They fit the bill nicely for the tourist, as they offer good food in a stylish, brasserie-type atmosphere for very reasonable prices, with quick service and long hrs. Can eat anytime from noon to 1:30 a.m., Great for those in between Spanish meal hours.

Cal Pep! We just returned from Barcelona and had one of our best meals there.

Also a great tapas place is Euskal Etxea.

I really enjoyed Pla de la Garsa (C/Assaonadors 13, telephone 93 268 30 80) during my visit in July. A very cozy atmosphere and interesting tasting menus.

We had great paella and grilled fish at Set Portes, Passeig d'Isabel II, 14
telephone 93 319 30 33

http://www.7portes.com/ing/index_7portes.htm

Of the restaurants already listed, I also enjoyed La Tramoia (with Laclaire!) and Els Quatre Gats.

bkmkg

Cal Pep is a must in Barcelona but you should definetively book a table well in advance (there is limited space in the restaurant).
I would totally avoid Ca l' Isidre: it is totally outdated and value for money is extremely poor