La Alcoba Azul

From the moment we walked in, Serena made us feel completely at ease. She was warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly—exactly the kind of host who turns a great meal into a memorable experience. Her energy set the tone for the evening, and we instantly felt like we were in good hands. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. It was hands-down one of the best meals we had during our time in Barcelona—fresh, inventive, and deeply satisfying. The atmosphere was just as impressive. The space had a relaxed yet vibrant vibe, with just the right balance of cozy and chic. Whether you’re out for a romantic dinner or a laid-back evening with friends, Serena’s place hits the mark. Highly recommend to anyone looking for not just a meal, but an experience. We’ll be dreaming about this one for a long time.

This spot is kind of hidden away/hole in the wall with a lot of old Barcelona charm, from the lighting and walls. Seating is limited in this narrow venus but they are very accommodating and I was seated right away! At a friend's recommendation, I tried their cod incarpaccio and it didn't disappoint. This was my first trying such a dish and I wiped the plate clean. Also enjoyed their Presa ibérica...next time I'd ask it they could make it medium-well, cuz it was slightly tough but delicious nonetheless. The sangria was good as well.

We’d been hoping to eat at La Alcoba Azul but found it temporarily closed due to roadworks – however, they’d moved just 20 metres along the same street and were running their kitchen inside La Alcobita – Tapas. I’m so glad we followed the signs, because this turned out to be the best tapas I’ve ever had. The octopus with mashed potato was absolutely fantastic – perfectly cooked and full of flavour. The Banh Mi roll (yes, more Vietnamese than traditional Spanish, but who cares when it tastes that good!) was another standout, as were the simple but delicious tomato bread and a very good portion of hummus. There were just two people working – the head chef and one front-of-house – and they both worked their socks off. Service was friendly, attentive and impressively multilingual, despite how busy they were. I would highly recommend seeking them out – even with the temporary move, it’s well worth finding.

The food and atmosphere are incredible and Serena is phenomenal at making you feel welcome. My favorite restaurant by far in Spain! Don't miss the Octopus and Chocolate Coulant for desert. It was so special I went twice and was my #1 dining experience for sure!!!

Fantastic food, hot food is actually hot, toast are warm and crispy, taste is awesome with fragrant spices. Wait staff was very pretty, sunshine, lively, smiley, high, cheery and a darling! Highly recommended!

A modern, fancier take of tapas (€20-30pp), but food is absolutely delicious! We were impressed by basically every dish we had - the ceviche and sardines are a must-order. They are meant to be famous for their tostadas but we actually think that is not as impressive as the other dishes - the topping was good but the bread itself was a bit disappointing. It’s also hidden in a quieter area in the gothic quarter away from the crowd. We sat outdoors in the terrace and it was super relaxing. Only thing is service is quite slow outside. Overall highly recommend!

It has a lovely terrace in the hidden streets near the cathedral. However, for what they serve prices are a bit too high. To pay 50€ per person for lunch in Barcelona, in my opinion, is not worth it. The anchovies were good but the tomatoes overruled the anchoives, beside of that the tartar of codfish was missing a bit of spices. Sangria was bad: sugar at the bottom, very strong and expensive, I am curious why people love it there.

We wandered around the corner from our hotel, hangry and in low-spirits, saying “let’s see what we come across,” no real plan or expectations, when we noticed this spot had a table that was being vacated. ¡Qué suerte! Do you like Spanish food that has a middle-eastern slant without feeling recherché? This is the spot. We had the fattouche (you must get this), the toast with jamón and tomato jam, patata brava, pita, smoked sardines in a beautiful sauce that we sopped up with pita, a seasonal green gazpacho that had a beautiful, soft burrata in the middle, and the most delightful gin/tonics. They have a gin and tonic menu! To miss this place would be a shame. Bonus: the waitstaff is charming and attentive.