Contracorrent Bar

Walking up to Contracorrent feels a tiny bit like stumbling on a secret — it’s tucked down a pedestrian street in the Fort Pienc neighborhood and won’t grab your attention from the outside, but once you step in (or better yet, sit out on the terrace on a warm evening), you quickly realize this is not your average tapas bar. The vibe here is casual but thoughtful — small wooden tables, a compact indoor space, and a buzzing outdoor area where locals and wine lovers gather. Don’t expect a huge menu; instead, think of creative bites that feel like a mash-up of Catalan and Italian inspirations, all designed to be paired with the bar’s standout feature: natural wines. Speaking of wine — this place is a natural wine lover’s paradise. The sommelier and staff take pride in selecting bottles with real personality, and the pairings they suggest feel intuitive rather than generic. If you’re curious about lesser-known wine styles, this is a great place to explore them. The food comes in small, punchy plates rather than large entrées — think chef-inspired tapas that might include seasonal takes on classics or surprising combinations you didn’t know you wanted until you try them. The portions are definitely made for sharing, so plan to order a few things and enjoy grazing. Service here is warm and attentive, and because the place is small, it feels almost like being welcomed into a friend’s well-curated dinner party, not just another restaurant. 💡 Heads-up: Some guests say prices can feel a bit higher than traditional tapas bars, especially once you start pairing multiple plates and wines, but most agree it’s worth it for the quality and experience. Bottom line: If you want a chill yet elevated Barcelona wine and tapas experience with character and local flavor — one that feels both authentic and inventive — Contracorrent delivers. It’s a great night out for wine lovers and foodies alike.

This was the best ceviche of my life, but every tapas was excellent. I chose this place because it is next to the fresh food market and had lots of fresh ingredients on the menu. It was a great choice. Please go support this place and the staff. The server told me about many wines including the wine maker being a woman and her origins in the UK and having moved to Spain. Impeccable service for such an unassuming atmosphere.

Back in Barcelona after 9 years and this was our first meal. Dishes were creative and well executed. I would recommend the avocado aguachile and the boquerones tempura. Also tried a couple of their orange natural wines. Interesting to taste but may be an acquired taste. I would definitely come back. Overall pretty solid with friendly service.

I went to Contracorrent Bar with friends because we've heard excellent reviews regarding this place, so we wanted to try it for ourselves. We were greeted and guided nicely when we arrived. However, since we were too many, we were undecided about which Tapas to try. Fortunately, the chef was friendly enough to come to our table and recommended which plates to try. The Tapas were surprisingly exquisite and delicious. The wines they have are also excellent, and the Lady was very informative regarding the wines we were thinking of choosing. Overall, this place boasts a delightful, savory selection of Tapas and exceptional wines and the impeccable service they give to their customers. I highly recommend visiting this place if you're a local or a tourist in Barcelona!

Great place for dinner with innovative tapas dishes! The waiter took his time in explaining all the different wine options (there’s no wine menu) and we ended up trying a sparkling Italian red! 🍷

Small place a bit further out. Excellent curried mussels, pork&beans and beef cheeks! Recommended Wanted to try the sister restaurant as well but was closed

Had a lovely time here. Great food, great music, great wine & great service. Definitely get the steak tartar! It was refreshing to eat tapas with a slightly different twist to your usual traditional Spanish tapas.

Food was amazing staff were friendly and a lot of fun. Would recommend sitting at the bar to interact with the chef’s. The Steak Tartar and the Bomba’s are delicious!