Sunday, 15 March 2026

Drinking and eating in Barcelona



We had some good meals in Barcelona, and some places we frequented more than once.



Diamant is situated in Placa del Diamant and we came here for a very late lunch after having visited Guell Park and Casa Vincens




Real Catalan atmosphere, good food and the staff were ever so helpful and lovely.  




Had this place been in our area we would have gone there on a regular basis. I loved it.







Outside seating overlooking the square.





Boho gastro bar is situated next to our hotel and we came here during our first night. We sat outside for our pre-dinner drink and then moved inside to eat tapas. I loved their goat's cheese salad.




Overall, we ate here twice.



Canarias became our regular for pre-dinner drinks. It's situated in Placa Real and we just loved it here. Placa Real was our favourite square, there is so much going on here, and so many bars and eateries. Every time we have visited Barcelona it became the centre of our social life. In Canarias the service was good, and it was wonderful sitting on one side of the square watching everything that was going on. 








We even sat here the evening when it poured with rain. And it really poured.







Los Caracoles (The Snails) is just off Placa Real, in the Gothic Quarter and consequently near our hotel.




They serve grilled chicken which they cook outside, as you can see in the picture




We really liked it here




The kitchen is right by the entrance













as is the bar




hams hanging from the ceiling




the bread rolls are shaped like snails




and guess what their signature dish is.


They were fully booked the first time we came here as it was a Saturday, but they managed to fit us in



Nicely decorated, very Spanish, nice atmosphere









lots of small rooms, and in some, you could look down at your fellow diners




these Christmas logs were everywhere, and they sold in all of the Christmas markets




paintings everywhere




as well as photographs







The second time we came here it was not as busy as it was a weekday



Les Quinze Nits is on Placa Real. We came here once, enjoyed the food. Unusually, I did not take any photographs.




We discovered this place by chance, it's on the edge of the Gothic Quarter near Las Ramblas




again, very Spanish in its decoration




nice food, friendly, efficient staff













Yes, it is Dali



and these, are the 'warriors' on top of the roof of La Pedrera, that protect the building









and Picasso.



We came to Ocana on the night when it was pouring, as it was across the square from our bar - we had wanted to go there for a while, and the night it was raining was perfect.




Lots of photos on the walls



A place frequented by transvestites - we had seen a whole group of them sitting outside another evening, and one of the waiters was a transvestite




and this quarter moon took pride of place in the middle of the space







Very few customers when we arrived




lighting the candles on the chandelier




and here they are, all lit up




the place did get busier once the live music started, and my guess is that by midnight it probably would have been completely full








There were people sitting outside as well when we left, just as we had been earlier in the evening, in our bar





Inevitably, there were places we wanted to go which we did not manage, particularly the Quatre Gats which was frequented by Picasso but, next time, hopefully.



2 comments:

  1. Hi Eirene,
    I can't seem to see half the photos.
    I've been to barcelona and i loved it. It has an imperishable culture and feel.
    I think i've been to the Los Caracoles before. Your post has made me want to go again.
    By the way, have you spotted a major Rothko exhibition in florence later this year. It's supposed to exhibit his works alongside the renaissance influences of his life. You might like that.

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  2. Hi Liam, and thank you for letting me know about the photos. I read your message on my ipad so I immediately checked the post, and many of the photos were missing indeed. I then went to my desktop, checked and they were all there. Same with Ken's desktop. No idea what to do about it, and I thought I would have a go in the morning. This morning they are all there both on the ipad as well as the desktop. No idea what is/has been going on. I wonder if you can see them all now.

    I totally agree about Barcelona. I am ready to go back, NOW. I have felt the same with every visit. I have been so homesick for it whilst doing these posts. The art was good too, even though we only scratched the surface.

    You might have been to Los Caracoles as it's quite central and it's been there for a long time. It's a good place.

    Spot on about Rothko. I would love to see the exhibition. Thanks about letting me know, and I will certainly think about it.

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