Editor-Approved: Where to Eat, Drink, Shop, Unwind and See Art in Barcelona

Soft sun flickers through plane trees. Iron balconies curl like calligraphy. Cafés spill onto sunlit plazas, and the sea is never quite out of reach. Along Passeig de Gràcia, buildings bloom – bones and mosaics, sea-glass windows that shimmer like tidepools. Personally, I hadn’t been to the Mediterranean-wrapped city of Barcelona in ages, though I’d heard it had gained quite the buzz in recent years. London-based managing editor Scarlett couldn’t stop gushing about it. Not only did she get married here a few years ago – at the elegant Cotton House Hotel, a former 19th-century cotton guild with a glasshouse-style dining room, warm, eclectically styled spaces with tall windows, and a rooftop – but as I moved through the city with her, fellow Londoner Millie, and our bright-spirited, witty photographer Marcos (a local who recently relocated to the nearby mountains), I quickly understood why.

Parts of the city – with its endless grids, casual grandeur, and infectious energy – oddly reminded me of my days interning in New York (another gazillion years ago, yes). Particularly the Gothic Quarter, where we attended a presentation by Alexandra Grecco. There’s a similar rhythm too, especially around the museums: a scattering of surrealist collections, sun-drenched design spaces, and charmingly eccentric galleries where it’s dangerously easy to lose track of time. Barcelona, I realised, favours the unhurried – those who stroll without a plan, look up often, and always leave room for one more cortado or glass of cava.

Truthfully, those blissful moments were fleeting – savoured, but scattered between the intensity of the week. We were in town for the annual Bridal Week, with early call times, days that dissolved into late evenings, and everything gone in the blink of an eye. Still, even the most tightly packed schedule paused for moments of quiet indulgence. Our saving grace: a stash of 111SKIN masks. These ultra-hydrating sheet masks kept our skin plump, dewy, and calm — so no one could tell we hadn’t clocked our usual eight hours.

In between, we savoured what we could. When lunch or dinner rolled around, Marcos kindly took the lead (we had no dietary restrictions – and even less time), ordering a flurry of local dishes that arrived like sun-drenched gems – quickly devoured, fondly remembered. Buñuelos de bacalao (cod fritters), bravas (crispy potatoes), boquerones en vinagre (vinegared anchovies), cazón adobado (marinated small shark, if you dare). Later, we asked Marcos and a few Barcelona friends – one in the arts, the other in beauty – to share their favourite places around the city.

“At lunchtime, our local friend took the lead – ordering a flurry of regional dishes such as buñuelos de bacalao and boquerones en vinagre that arrived like sun-drenched gems, quickly devoured and fondly remembered”

Restaurants

Achaar
One of Barcelona’s best-kept culinary secrets – refined Indian cuisine with an elevated wine list and a fashion-forward local crowd.

Metl
A sun-soaked terrace, tropical energy, and vibrant Mexican flavors tucked away in Poblenou. Ideal for long, social lunches.

Xuba
Stylish and quietly confident – Xuba serves modern Mexican with just enough edge to feel like your own find.

Sato i Tanaka
An intimate omakase experience that’s hard to book but unmissable. Every dish is made with devotion, every seat a front-row view.

Norte
Understated and exceptional. Locals queue for produce-driven breakfasts and the perfect French omelette on a whisper-thin baguette.

Casa Dorita
A neighborhood favorite for elevated Spanish food – fresh ingredients, flawless execution, generous portions, and a wine list that over-delivers. Approved by our editors who dropped by last time, Karissa and Renata.

Bar Cañete
A bustling, old-world spot for classic Spanish dishes done incredibly well. Lively, a little decadent, and always delicious.

Xavier Pellicer
A fine-dining take on plant-based cuisine. Precise, elegant, and deeply satisfying – whether you’re vegetarian or not.

La Cova Fumada
One of the city’s oldest taverns. No sign, no reservations – just fresh seafood, legendary bombas, and a line worth waiting in.

Bars & Wine Spots

Bar del Pla
A longtime favorite that pairs a stellar wine list with some of the best shared plates in town. Effortless charm meets culinary precision.

Ciutat Comtal
Always buzzing, always worth it. A classic spot for tapas with timeless appeal and an energy only institutions can offer.

Quimet & Quimet
A vintage bar where you stand, sip, and savor. A single tapa and glass of wine here can feel like the most authentic moment of your day.

Bar Brutal
A trailblazer in Barcelona’s natural wine scene. Loud, energetic, and a little wild – in the best possible way.

Vila Viniteca
Barcelona’s go-to for gourmet essentials and wine – whether you’re assembling a picnic or something more indulgent.

Cafes, Pastry & Ice Cream

Café del Centre
A low-key vermouth moment in nostalgic surroundings – charmingly worn interiors and a painting of the very room it hangs in.

Oriol Balaguer
Pastry as high art. Every detail – from the sculptural cakes to the packaging – whispers quiet luxury.

Paral·lelo
An experimental gelato lab pushing the boundaries of ice cream. Unexpected flavors, made with purpose.

Beauty

Rowse
Deputy Editor Kaira swears by Rowse’s organic rose water — part of the plant-based skincare line founded by Nuria Val, photographer, creative, and beauty minimalist. The Barcelona showroom is part studio, part gallery, part wellness space, offering their full product range alongside workshops, slow beauty rituals, and the occasional rooftop yoga session.

Museums & Exhibitions

Fundació Miró
High above the city, Miró’s bold, dreamlike works find a tranquil home – a must for anyone seeking beauty, space, and stillness.

Van der Rohe Pavilion
A pilgrimage site for design lovers – quiet, precise, and perfectly composed. The kind of place you don’t forget.

Can Framis Museum
Modern art housed in a beautifully repurposed factory. Calm, spacious, and blissfully uncrowded.

Chris Ware at CCCB
A deeply detailed exhibition on the acclaimed graphic novelist – intimate, expansive, and full of quiet emotion.

Matter Matters at Disseny Hub
An intelligent, timely show exploring material, ecology, and how we design the world we live in.

Shops

Santa Eulalia
A cornerstone of Catalan elegance since 1843, Santa Eulalia offers a meticulously curated edit of international and local designers—think The Row, Loewe, Dries Van Noten, and Jil Sander—paired with impeccable in-house tailoring and a champagne bar for good measure.

Flabelus
Scarlett is a massive fan of this Spanish footwear label, and Kaira’s been eyeing the black mesh pair they offer. Handmade espadrilles with a romantic, lived-in elegance – light, charming, and endlessly wearable.

Tiny Cottons
A playful, design-led kidswear brand – full of personality, color, and comfort.

Maison Cactus
Thoughtfully curated homewares and objects with soul – the kind of place where everything feels special.

Cereria Subirà
Barcelona’s oldest candle shop, still family-run. A warm, wax-scented time capsule tucked into the city centre.

Entertainment & Culture

 Phenomena Experience
An old-school cinema with real soul. Cult films, new releases, and Barcelona’s only 70mm projector – a haven for cinephiles.

El Molino
An icon of early 20th-century cabaret culture, El Molino – with its signature red windmill – has been revived by a new generation, bringing fresh life to a venue once at the heart of Barcelona’s entertainment scene.

La Paloma
Dating back to 1903, this legendary ballroom has reopened after years of silence, lovingly restored by locals determined to preserve its spirit of dance, music, and celebration.

Stay

Cotton House
Housed in a 19th-century cotton guild, this neoclassical escape blends old-world grandeur with crisp modern tailoring – perfect for those drawn to quiet luxury with heritage charm.

Sir Victor
A sleek, design-forward stay with views of Gaudí’s Casa Milà, where sculptural interiors meet a lively rooftop scene and creative energy pulses throughout.

Soho House Barcelona
Tucked by the marina, Soho House offers moody, Mediterranean glamour with velvet sofas, checkerboard floors, and that unmistakable members-only buzz.