Looking for Restaurant Recommendations in Barcelona, Toledo, and Madrid
Feb 8th, 2010, 08:04 AM
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Looking for Restaurant Recommendations in Barcelona, Toledo, and Madrid
My husband and I are looking for restaurant recommendations in Barcelona, Toledo, and Madrid which serve good local dishes. (All suggestions welcomed, from hole-in-the-wall tapas places to upscale, last day splurges.)
Feb 8th, 2010, 08:21 AM
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I suggest you search maribelsguides.com for great recommendations on restaurants in both Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo.
For good, local dishes in Madrid, I could add Casa Marta going back to the 1950's, close to the Royal Palace:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
Even though visited by many tourists, I have had great traditional Catalan food in faboluous surroundings at Can Culleretes in Barcelona (dating back to 1786):
http://www.culleretes.com/ENGLISH/ENGpresentation.htm
I would also highly recommend to have lunch at the tapas bars in the Boquería food market on Las Ramblas (El Quim de la Boquería or Pinotxo).
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d.../tapas/el_quim
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d.../tapas/pinotxo
For good, local dishes in Madrid, I could add Casa Marta going back to the 1950's, close to the Royal Palace:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
Even though visited by many tourists, I have had great traditional Catalan food in faboluous surroundings at Can Culleretes in Barcelona (dating back to 1786):
http://www.culleretes.com/ENGLISH/ENGpresentation.htm
I would also highly recommend to have lunch at the tapas bars in the Boquería food market on Las Ramblas (El Quim de la Boquería or Pinotxo).
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d.../tapas/el_quim
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d.../tapas/pinotxo
Feb 8th, 2010, 02:23 PM
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Barcelona:
La Rita on Carrer Arago, 279 just off Passieg de Gracia. - excellent food, nice atmosphere and fairly inexpensive.
Cerverseria Catalana (Calle Mallorca, 236)-our favorite tapas place. Try to go mid afternoon (2:30-4:30) otherwise be prepared to wait.
Comerc24 located in the El Born. - fun tasting menu, a bit pricey
Cinc Sentits - another great tasting menu, excellent food, expensive
La Rita on Carrer Arago, 279 just off Passieg de Gracia. - excellent food, nice atmosphere and fairly inexpensive.
Cerverseria Catalana (Calle Mallorca, 236)-our favorite tapas place. Try to go mid afternoon (2:30-4:30) otherwise be prepared to wait.
Comerc24 located in the El Born. - fun tasting menu, a bit pricey
Cinc Sentits - another great tasting menu, excellent food, expensive
Feb 8th, 2010, 02:36 PM
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I can offer you advice for Barcelona. You could try `Les Cuines de Santa Caterina' http://www.cuinessantacaterina.com/
very nice place, modern, clean and reasonably priced (40-50 Euro per person), they do not accept advanced reservations but if you show up they'll seat you quickly
'Barceloneta' is also a very good option, 40-50 Euro per person, fantastic views of the port, traditional catalan cuisine. It's usually full, wich says something about its quality, so remember to book in advance http://www.rte-barceloneta.com/
very nice place, modern, clean and reasonably priced (40-50 Euro per person), they do not accept advanced reservations but if you show up they'll seat you quickly
'Barceloneta' is also a very good option, 40-50 Euro per person, fantastic views of the port, traditional catalan cuisine. It's usually full, wich says something about its quality, so remember to book in advance http://www.rte-barceloneta.com/
Feb 8th, 2010, 05:01 PM
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Cal Pep and Boss Born in the Born district and for a cheaper alternative to Commerc24-- tapas24 run by the same group. Theyhave a delicious grilled ham and cheese with truffles called a bikini that is not to be missed.
Feb 8th, 2010, 08:02 PM
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We found a great little hole in the wall tapas place in Barceloneta at 56 Carrer de Baluard. It's tiny, but packed with locals, and the food was fantastic. As long as you don't mind sharing a table with some Catalonian new friends 
More info and pics in our Barcelona post at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/
More info and pics in our Barcelona post at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/
Feb 9th, 2010, 05:59 AM
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I agree with Kim, Maribel has done most of the legwork. It was impossible for us to hit all of the recommended places. It certainly is helpful to have the list & I had them on index cards (old fashioned I know) or I guess a more modern way is to have then on a hand held device like a smartphone or palm pilot.
I will get back here later with a name that escapes me right now but be aware that in some places the menu del dia is NOT available ourside, only inside. So be sure to ask first if you are hoping for outdoor dining.
I will get back here later with a name that escapes me right now but be aware that in some places the menu del dia is NOT available ourside, only inside. So be sure to ask first if you are hoping for outdoor dining.
Feb 10th, 2010, 06:58 AM
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ASSORTED BARS & RESTAURANTS IN MADRID
BOTIN at Calle de los Cuchilleros 17 (Area Plaza Mayor). According to the Guinness Book of Records, Botin is the oldest restaurant in the world, dating from 1725. Hemingway was a frequent visitor and pronounced it one of his favourite restaurants. A must-visit for first-timers to Madrid. Speciality: cochinillo (roast suckling pig).
http://www.botin.es/web/index.php?q=en/node/10
DANTXARI at Calle Ventura Rodriguez 8 (Area Plaza de España). If you would like try typical Basque cuisine such as grilled meats and fish and flavoursome stews, Dantxari is the perfect restaurant for you. It is among the best of its kind in Madrid. Rec: chipirones encebollados (baby squid slow-fried in onion and olive oil).
http://www.dantxari.com/
TABERNA DE LA DANIELA at Calle Jesus 7 (Area El Prado). The cocido is the typical stew of Madrid.
http://www.goodiesfirst.com/2009/04/index.html
LA ANCHA at Calle Zorrilla 7 (Area El Prado). Spanish cooking. Recommendation: 1st course (for two sharing): tortilla con almejas (Spanish omelet with clams) or ensalada de cangrejo (crab salad) or croquetas. 2nd course: huge Escalope Armando or merluza con salsa de chipirones (hake with squid sauce). Dessert: tocino de cielo.
http://www.laancha.com/carta.html
MATRITUM at Calle Cava Alta 17 (Area La Latina).The best thing in this tavern is their extraordinary wine selection with more than 350 references (national, international, red, white, sparkling...) Not all of them are included on the list, so it is recommended to ask for advice. They all share the peculiarity of being innovative wines. You can decide to have something to eat together with drinks. Delicious tostas, pinchos and raciones such as scallop au gratin with vegetables in cava cream, vereniki (russian pastries filled with potato and wild mushrooms) and -the speciality- grilled duck foie-gras with onion confit and baked apple. Also highly recommended are the canapé Matritum, wild mushrooms and meat.
http://www.matritum.es/
LA TRUCHA at Calle Manuel Fernandez y Gonzalez (Area Plaza Santa Ana). Recs: Grilled vegetables and ahumados (smoked fish).
http://truchiblog.blogspot.es/img/Re...teLaTrucha.jpg
BODEGAS DE ANGEL SIERRA at Plaza de Chueca (Area Chueca). Traditional tavern located in an open-minded barrio. Rec: vermú de grifo (vermouth on tap) and pincho de escabeche (snack of pickled tuna).
http://www.gaymadrid.com/016.jpg
LAS BRAVAS at Calle Alvarez Gato (Area Sol-Plaza Santa Ana). A very simple bar very noisy. Here you will find some of the best "bravas" in Madrid. Patatas bravas are small chunks of potato, cooked like fries and served with a spicy red sauce.
http://m1.11870.com/multimedia/image...4f33a59c9.jpeg
LA CASA DEL ABUELO at Calle Victoria 12 (Area Sol-Plaza Santa Ana).Shrimp, Shrimp, Shrimp. If you like shrimp, this is the place for you. They prepare them in several different ways but my favorite is "gambas al ajillo" (boiled in garlic oil). Standing room only.
http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/index.htm
REVUELTA at Calle de Latoneros 3 (Area Plaza Mayor). It is worth coming into this little place to taste their unquestionable star: pincho de bacalao (tender battered cod without bone). Another delicious speciality is torrezno (fried rusher of bacon). The wine is so-so.
http://stefssmorgasboard.files.wordp...img_2976-1.jpg
SANLUCAR at Calle San Isidro Labrador 14 (Area La Latina). Tapas bar with Andalusian atmosphere. Recs: Manzanilla (sherry-like wine), langostinos (king prawn) and chocos (battered cuttle fish).
http://www.desdesanlucar.com/WebRoot...7/P5310417.JPG
BODEGAS RICLA at Calle de los Cuchilleros 6 (Area Plaza Mayor). Cheap but nice wine and sherry are available by the litre, poured from tall clay urns. Rec: vermú de grifo (vermouth on tap) and canapé de bacalao (smoked cod in olive oil).
http://www.theartwolf.com/artists/to...egas-Ricla.jpg
OSTRAS SORLUT at Mercado de San Miguel (Area Plaza Mayor). Mouth-watering range of French oysters, washed down with champagne or dry white wine. Pick of the range is the "Especial Daniel Sorlut", a fleshier, more flavoursome take on the typical oyster.
http://degusto.files.wordpress.com/2...san-miguel.jpg
JUANALALOCA at Plaza de Puerta de Moros 4 (Area La Latina). One of the top bars preparing Basque-style pinchos. Gwyneth Paltrow loves this cool bar. Rec: pincho de tortilla (potato and soft fried onion omelet).
http://www.musicayvino.com/modules/t...lapatatas2.jpg
RIBEIRA DO MIÑO at Calle Santa Brigida 1 (Area Chueca-Malasaña). Where locals go to eat shellfish without breaking the bank.
http://www.marisqueriaribeira.aliste...on.asp?l=E&s=3
TABERNA ALMENDRO 13 at Calle del Almendro 13 (Area La Latina). This traditional taberna serves only beer, white wine and sherries such as fino and manzanilla. No Coke. No red wine. Orders are placed at the serving hatch and a small bell rings when the food is ready. Rec: white wine Barbadillo from Andalusia and huevos rotos con jamón (fried potatoes topped with bits of ham and "broken" fried eggs).
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/o...l/14198780.jpg
LA CAMPANA at Calle Botoneras 6 (Area Plaza Mayor). It's a popular saying here: if you go to Madrid and don't taste a "bocadillo de calamares" (fried squid roll sandwich), you are committing a sin!. Draught beer.
http://media.salir.com/_images_/vert...neras_6_no.jpg
CERVECERIA CERVANTES at Calle Cervantes 38 (Area El Prado). This bar is always crowded and has a very lively ambience, partly due to their nice staff. Seafood is one of their specialities, either in tapas or raciones. Pulpo (octopus) stands out, together with gambas (shrimps) from Huelva, northern percebes (barnacles) and mejillones en escabeche (pickled mussels). For drinks, wine and good draught beer.
http://www.tabernaelbarril.com/taber...ejillones1.jpg
BOTIN at Calle de los Cuchilleros 17 (Area Plaza Mayor). According to the Guinness Book of Records, Botin is the oldest restaurant in the world, dating from 1725. Hemingway was a frequent visitor and pronounced it one of his favourite restaurants. A must-visit for first-timers to Madrid. Speciality: cochinillo (roast suckling pig).
http://www.botin.es/web/index.php?q=en/node/10
DANTXARI at Calle Ventura Rodriguez 8 (Area Plaza de España). If you would like try typical Basque cuisine such as grilled meats and fish and flavoursome stews, Dantxari is the perfect restaurant for you. It is among the best of its kind in Madrid. Rec: chipirones encebollados (baby squid slow-fried in onion and olive oil).
http://www.dantxari.com/
TABERNA DE LA DANIELA at Calle Jesus 7 (Area El Prado). The cocido is the typical stew of Madrid.
http://www.goodiesfirst.com/2009/04/index.html
LA ANCHA at Calle Zorrilla 7 (Area El Prado). Spanish cooking. Recommendation: 1st course (for two sharing): tortilla con almejas (Spanish omelet with clams) or ensalada de cangrejo (crab salad) or croquetas. 2nd course: huge Escalope Armando or merluza con salsa de chipirones (hake with squid sauce). Dessert: tocino de cielo.
http://www.laancha.com/carta.html
MATRITUM at Calle Cava Alta 17 (Area La Latina).The best thing in this tavern is their extraordinary wine selection with more than 350 references (national, international, red, white, sparkling...) Not all of them are included on the list, so it is recommended to ask for advice. They all share the peculiarity of being innovative wines. You can decide to have something to eat together with drinks. Delicious tostas, pinchos and raciones such as scallop au gratin with vegetables in cava cream, vereniki (russian pastries filled with potato and wild mushrooms) and -the speciality- grilled duck foie-gras with onion confit and baked apple. Also highly recommended are the canapé Matritum, wild mushrooms and meat.
http://www.matritum.es/
LA TRUCHA at Calle Manuel Fernandez y Gonzalez (Area Plaza Santa Ana). Recs: Grilled vegetables and ahumados (smoked fish).
http://truchiblog.blogspot.es/img/Re...teLaTrucha.jpg
BODEGAS DE ANGEL SIERRA at Plaza de Chueca (Area Chueca). Traditional tavern located in an open-minded barrio. Rec: vermú de grifo (vermouth on tap) and pincho de escabeche (snack of pickled tuna).
http://www.gaymadrid.com/016.jpg
LAS BRAVAS at Calle Alvarez Gato (Area Sol-Plaza Santa Ana). A very simple bar very noisy. Here you will find some of the best "bravas" in Madrid. Patatas bravas are small chunks of potato, cooked like fries and served with a spicy red sauce.
http://m1.11870.com/multimedia/image...4f33a59c9.jpeg
LA CASA DEL ABUELO at Calle Victoria 12 (Area Sol-Plaza Santa Ana).Shrimp, Shrimp, Shrimp. If you like shrimp, this is the place for you. They prepare them in several different ways but my favorite is "gambas al ajillo" (boiled in garlic oil). Standing room only.
http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/index.htm
REVUELTA at Calle de Latoneros 3 (Area Plaza Mayor). It is worth coming into this little place to taste their unquestionable star: pincho de bacalao (tender battered cod without bone). Another delicious speciality is torrezno (fried rusher of bacon). The wine is so-so.
http://stefssmorgasboard.files.wordp...img_2976-1.jpg
SANLUCAR at Calle San Isidro Labrador 14 (Area La Latina). Tapas bar with Andalusian atmosphere. Recs: Manzanilla (sherry-like wine), langostinos (king prawn) and chocos (battered cuttle fish).
http://www.desdesanlucar.com/WebRoot...7/P5310417.JPG
BODEGAS RICLA at Calle de los Cuchilleros 6 (Area Plaza Mayor). Cheap but nice wine and sherry are available by the litre, poured from tall clay urns. Rec: vermú de grifo (vermouth on tap) and canapé de bacalao (smoked cod in olive oil).
http://www.theartwolf.com/artists/to...egas-Ricla.jpg
OSTRAS SORLUT at Mercado de San Miguel (Area Plaza Mayor). Mouth-watering range of French oysters, washed down with champagne or dry white wine. Pick of the range is the "Especial Daniel Sorlut", a fleshier, more flavoursome take on the typical oyster.
http://degusto.files.wordpress.com/2...san-miguel.jpg
JUANALALOCA at Plaza de Puerta de Moros 4 (Area La Latina). One of the top bars preparing Basque-style pinchos. Gwyneth Paltrow loves this cool bar. Rec: pincho de tortilla (potato and soft fried onion omelet).
http://www.musicayvino.com/modules/t...lapatatas2.jpg
RIBEIRA DO MIÑO at Calle Santa Brigida 1 (Area Chueca-Malasaña). Where locals go to eat shellfish without breaking the bank.
http://www.marisqueriaribeira.aliste...on.asp?l=E&s=3
TABERNA ALMENDRO 13 at Calle del Almendro 13 (Area La Latina). This traditional taberna serves only beer, white wine and sherries such as fino and manzanilla. No Coke. No red wine. Orders are placed at the serving hatch and a small bell rings when the food is ready. Rec: white wine Barbadillo from Andalusia and huevos rotos con jamón (fried potatoes topped with bits of ham and "broken" fried eggs).
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/o...l/14198780.jpg
LA CAMPANA at Calle Botoneras 6 (Area Plaza Mayor). It's a popular saying here: if you go to Madrid and don't taste a "bocadillo de calamares" (fried squid roll sandwich), you are committing a sin!. Draught beer.
http://media.salir.com/_images_/vert...neras_6_no.jpg
CERVECERIA CERVANTES at Calle Cervantes 38 (Area El Prado). This bar is always crowded and has a very lively ambience, partly due to their nice staff. Seafood is one of their specialities, either in tapas or raciones. Pulpo (octopus) stands out, together with gambas (shrimps) from Huelva, northern percebes (barnacles) and mejillones en escabeche (pickled mussels). For drinks, wine and good draught beer.
http://www.tabernaelbarril.com/taber...ejillones1.jpg
Feb 11th, 2010, 01:11 PM
#11
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Thank you all, again, for the great recommendations. I haven't been to Spain in a very long time, so am new to Maribel's insights. However, I've been disappointed with Rick Steve's restaurant recommendations after several dining experiences in both France and Italy, where those restaurants were literally full of tourists with Rick's travel books opened on the tables, and his backpacks on the floor. (Perhaps when he "discovered" them, they were great eating places ... but we make a point of avoiding them now.)
Feb 11th, 2010, 05:59 PM
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Sagradi on Carrer Argenteria is a very good tapas bar. Not far away, El Eixampyet cava bar is not to be missed for a late night drink and snack. It's on Carrer Montcada, behind the Santa Maria del Mar church. Cal Pep isn't far from here.
We really enjoyed Pirineus, off Portal del Angel near the cathedral. The lunch crowd seemed to be all local and the salt cod was excellent and reasonably priced.
We really enjoyed Pirineus, off Portal del Angel near the cathedral. The lunch crowd seemed to be all local and the salt cod was excellent and reasonably priced.
