10 Best Restaurants in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

Have you been exploring Bari Gothic of Barcelona and your hunger snuck up on you? Not to worry, we’re here to serve! That’s why we created the best list of restaurants, bars, and places to eat in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona that has ever existed.

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Pro Tip: Bookmark this page in your browser or our dedicated restaurants in Europe page which details the best places to eat by city and then by neighborhood and attraction. Also, don’t forget to check out our tours in Barcelona including some amazing food tours!

The 10 Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

The Gothic quarter is one of the coolest areas to explore in Barcelona. The mixture of ancient Roman ruins together with narrow streets and little shops creates a charming district that is a must-see. As a result, many people want to come and visit, which makes sense. When you have a lot of tourists you are bound to see many tourist trap restaurants, so you need to be careful.

Since nobody likes tourist traps ( myself included) we have asked our local guides to put together a list of their favorite places when they are in this part of town. We hope it helps you take the guesswork out of your decision and focus on enjoying your vacation. Buen Provecho!

Arcano Restaurant

€€ | Creative Cuisine | Cool Setting

The owners have somehow been able to create a modern setting with walls made of old stone. The combination of styles is different as is the cuisine. The staff is very friendly and the overall ambiance is great.

As for what you are going to eat, you have many options. You can opt for a combo where you get chicken together with empanadas which are delicious. As a starter, I recommend the tuna tartare or the burrata. The beef tenderloin as the main course is excellent or tuna with a sweet mango chili sauce. Wash it down with a rioja and your night is set!

Address: Carrer dels Mercaders, 10, 08003 Barcelona

Hours: 1 PM-10 PM | Always open

Caelis

€€€€ | Michelin * | Amazing Experience

So I am trying not to delve into the clichés here, but the Michelin star does erase some doubt when choosing a restaurant. While that is not always the case, at Caelis the cliché is true. Chef Romain Fornell does not disappoint on any level from ambiance, to food, to service. The open kitchen style is always a plus.

As you already know it is not cheap, but it is also not as expensive as some Michelin restaurants. While spending 250 euros for two people is not on most people’s radar, I do like to splurge once and a while when I travel. If you feel the same then do it here. They offer multiple course menus ( and vegetarian as well) which range between 95€-140€, not including wine.

Address: Via Laietana, 49, 08003 Barcelona

Hours: 1:30 PM- 3:30 PM, 8 PM- 10:30 PM | Closed Sundays & Mondays

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La Plata

€ | Authentic | Tapas

La Plata’s owner Pepe claims that his establishment is the last authentic place in the city to get tapas. That means that the food is simple and the wine goes down easily. While I am not sure if this is the only authentic place to get tapas, I will say that every time I go to Barcelona, I make sure to stop by. If you are looking for a no-frills eatery then this is your place.

Seating is limited as is the menu, but the quality of what they have is top-notch and the wine, while simple is delicious. You will find many locals here chatting about soccer games and politics. The wine is poured directly from barrels above the bar and the food comes out fast. Enjoy!

Address: Carrer Merce, 28, 08002 Barcelona

Hours: 12:30 – 3:15 pm, 6:30pm-9:30pm Closed Sunday evenings and Monday

Tapeo del Born

€€ | Modern Setting | Evolved Tapas

The restaurant is near the Picasso museum, so it’s a great place to go after visiting the museum. While it is also quite small, the ambiance is super chill and the staff is ready to help with any requests you have.

On the menu are typical tapas such as fried anchovies and patatas bravas. However, they also serve a killer paella, spare ribs, and burrata. If you go, make sure you try the vermut ( vermouth) as they have some very tasty brands!

Address: Carrer de Montcada, 29, 08003 Barcelona

Hours: Noon-Midnight | Always open

El Salón

€€€ | Mediterranean Cuisine | Great Service

Located right next to the ancient Roman walls, they claim that this was the first bistro restaurant opened in Barcelona. The ambiance is eclectic and makes you feel right at home when you walk in. The delicious smell coming from the kitchen will definitely keep you there.

The restaurant serves up a great balance between fish and meat dishes. The dishes vary from swordfish carpaccio to grilled sea bass, to duck confit in a port sauce. I would wash it all down with a nice chilled bottle of cava. If you have room, they have some amazing homemade desserts.

Address: Carrer de l’Hostal d’en Sol, 6, 08002 Barcelona,

Hours: 5 PM-Midnight | Closed Sundays

Zona d’Ombra

€ | Wine Bar | Cozy Atmosphere

Whenever I go to a new city ( or one I already know) I always head to a local wine bar to try multiple wines. Zona d’Ombra has over 300 labels and it is a great opportunity to try multiple wines and also wines you won’t find in a restaurant.

One of the great things about a wine bar is that they almost always have delicious food of high quality. Zona d’Ombra is no different in this regard with From jamón to foie gras, you are definitely likely to find something to your liking. Great place to go for a glass before dinner or make it an Epicurean night and stay there for a few hours. Whichever you decide, you won’t regret it.

Address: C/ de Salomó ben Adret, 12, 08002 Barcelona

Hours: 12:30 PM- 10:30 PM | Always Open

L’Antic Bocoi del Gotic

€€ | Authentic Catalan Food | Great Atmosphere

This local restaurant is a true gem in Barcelona. Many restaurants, if not serving tapas, tend to go for an international vibe. L’antic Bocoi del Gotic has remained true to its roots and serves up fresh, regional food. I guess you could say it takes you back in time a bit.

As you walk in you will encounter smiles from the staff and while not a big restaurant, it is very cozy. The menu consists of many types of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Drink a local wine and don’t forget to try one of their homemade desserts.

Address: Baixada de Viladecols, 3, 08002 Barcelona

Hours: 12:30 PM- 10:30 PM | Always Open

Mirilla

€€ | Home Cooking | Vibrant Atmosphere

If you are looking for some homestyle cooking with a vibrant atmosphere then you have come to the right place. As you walk in, you will be greeted with smiles and waiters flying around serving everyone. The place is not big, so when you go, jump at the bar or a free table and enjoy.

You can start off with their signature patatas bravas ( look at the photo above) which are potatoes cooked in the oven slowly and a slightly spicy sauce on top. If you just feel like nibbling, then they have a wide array of other tapas like shrimp, anchovies, and of course the ever popular Pan con Tomate ( bread with tomatoes). If you like sangria then give it a try here, it’s fantastic.

Address: Carrer del Regomir, 16, 08002 Barcelona

Hours: 7 PM- 11:30 PM | Sunday and Monday Closed

Can Culleretes

€€ | Typical Catalan | Family Owned

When you think of old-school Europe images of family-run restaurants come to mind, just like in the old days. If that is what you are looking for then you have come to the right place. Eating here is like going into a local Catalan’s home.

Their menu is quite big, so there is definitely something for everyone. Besides the typical paella, which is great, you can get a bit more adventurous with dishes such as wild boar stew or Catalan-style roasted suckling pig. By the way, this restaurant is supposedly the oldest in Barcelona dating back to the 18th century. It is open mainly for lunch and only for dinner on Friday and Saturday.

Address: Carrer d’en Quintana, 5, 08002 Barcelona

Hours: 1:30 PM- 4 PM Tuesday- Sunday | 8 PM- 11 PM Friday-Saturday

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My Way

€€€ | Restaurant & Lounge | Jazzy Atmosphere

Since I added quite a few old-school, family-style restaurants, I wanted to mix it up a bit and go with one of my favorite modern style joints as well. Every night at 11 pm the restaurant turns into a lounge bar, so you can basically stay here all night eating, drinking, and soaking up some good music. What else do you want?

The cuisine is what I would call mixed Mediterranean style. They have all the traditional tapas and a wide menu of various meat dishes including steaks and also many fish dishes. If you come here, I would forgo wine for some killer cocktails. You won’t regret it.

Address: 4-10, Carrer de les Heures, 08002 Barcelona

Hours: 6 PM- 2 Am | Always Open