Cal Pep
Tapas restaurant · La Barceloneta
Plaça de les Olles, 8, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Highlights
Seafood & fish shared plates, counter seats, and a dining room
Seafood & fish shared plates, counter seats, and a dining room
"The Spanish tortilla at Cal Pep—one of Barcelona’s most storied tapas counters, a rambunctious, laid-back bar in El Born—is forever destined to ruin all potato and chorizo omelets that come after it. Maybe it’s the smooth exterior blended with a molten inside that oozes goo as you cut into it, or the extra zing of the added aioli and chorizo (yes, it’s fine to add chorizo to tortilla, just not to paella—sorry, Jamie Oliver). Of course, there’s more to this joint than half-cooked eggs. There’s also a tuna tartare so meaty you’d almost believe it was beef. And an ever-changing array of fish and shellfish fresh from the Barcelona seafood auction. Cal Pep doesn’t have a menu, so it’s best to ask what’s good today and go with the flow. But make sure to double-check the price as the market cost of oysters, lobster, and razor claims can soon leave you wondering where all your euros went." - isabelle kliger
"The Spanish tortilla at Cal Pep—one of Barcelona’s most storied tapas counters, a rambunctious, laid-back bar in El Born—is forever destined to ruin all potato and chorizo omelets that come after it. Maybe it’s the smooth exterior blended with a molten inside that oozes goo as you cut into it, or the extra zing of the added aioli and chorizo (yes, it’s fine to add chorizo to tortilla, just not to paella—sorry, Jamie Oliver). Of course, there’s more to this joint than half-cooked eggs. There’s also a tuna tartare so meaty you’d almost believe it was beef. And an ever-changing array of fish and shellfish fresh from the Barcelona seafood auction. Cal Pep doesn’t have a menu, so it’s best to ask what’s good today and go with the flow. But make sure to double-check the price as the market cost of oysters, lobster, and razor claims can soon leave you wondering where all your euros went." - Isabelle Kliger
"Top dishes here include the Spanish omelet with chorizo sausage (arguably the best tortilla in the city), the tuna tartare, the grilled monkfish, the whole grilled squid, the baby squid and chickpea casserole, as well as any specials of the day. For the full Cal Pep experience, you’ll want a seat at the bar, but, unfortunately, so does everyone else. Plan to wait in line for at least half an hour (and longer if you're a party larger than two). Cal Pep also accepts bookings in the more formal dining room, or the considerably less hectic, more romantic outdoor terrace." - Isabelle Kliger
"A tiny, popular spot situated on a corner of Plaça de les Olles, Cal Pep serves Mediterranean tapas and larger dishes best shared. The front bar is where the party is at (get there early if you want to grab a coveted stool), but you can also reserve a table (in advance) in the back room for a party of four or more."
"A Barcelona restaurant that delivered a short but memorable and very fun meal, which she found really delicious." - Greg Morabito
