Can anyone recomend some good restaurants in Barcelona. I am staying there the week-end after next for 3 nights. I am travelling with 3 other women, we are NOT a hen party! We are not too concerned about the price but don't want to go completely OTT. Somewhere central, good food and a good buzzy athmosphere (most important). Thank you for any ideas.

What is a buzzy atmosphere? If you mean busy, then in Barcelona you mean loud because the places that are packed are generally very very noisy. If you mean buzzy as in bees and are looking for a quiet murmur, I recommend smaller places (Cinc Sentits, Comerç 24). Els Quatre Gats can be really loud or have a nice murmur. La Fonda is also a really nice place, though sometimes it can be hard to get a table.

Attic, on the north half of Las Ramblas is modern and trendy.

Quatre Gats is also nice, with a more traditional and spacious decor.

Cal Pep
Pl. Olles 8 located in the El Born area
It is in a courtyard

The food at Cal Pep is simply delicious. The ingredients are local and very simply prepared in front of you. The place to sit is at the counter (not the dining room). It is always crowded and you can expect to wait, but worth every minute. One fo the best food experiences that I had in BCN, I let the server order for me. . I especially love the Clams, the articokes, calamari...and the list goes on We went again the day before we left. For 2 persons with a bottle of house wine $70Eur

"For 2 persons with a bottle of house wine $70Eur."

Now THAT sounds like a good deal! I think I'll be adding Cal Pep to our list for next month! Thanks.

We have reservations at Taller de Tapas (the location in El Born) this weekend. I've heard great things about it... check out their website: www.tallerdetapas.com.

Cal Pep is supposed to be amazing! I hear good things about Senyor Parellada, too.

strass,
Hope you have a truly great time in Barcelona and beyond!

domesticgodess,
I'll second the above and can add
another:
"Paco Meralgo Alta Taberna" in the Esquerra (Left) Eixample on the corner of Córsega and Muntaner. It's something between a restaurant and tapas bar, a little of both. Actually the servings aren't tapas size, but "entrants" or "medias raciones", half servings, and plates of the day, plus desserts and a great wine list. Long, high counters with bar stools all around the room. Always packed, so you will need to be seated early (by nine) and possibly have to wait for a space. It's a great place to go with a group to share plates. Delicious seafood like their gambas de Palamós (grilled shrimp). This is the perfect place for a casual meal if you're staying at one of the Eixample hotels too and open Sunday. It's the "buzzy" Cal Pep of the Eixample.

Thanks, Maribel... and for all your wonderful help, too!

bkmg

Thanks guys for all your recomendations. I have loads to think about now and will check them out on google. P.S. Buzzy here just means a good atmoshphere, not quiet and formal.