The prices quoted below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine; they include IVA but do not include tip.
Botafumeiro
Founded in 1973 by Galician Jose Ramon Neira in the bohemian barrio of Gracia, Botafumeiro has acquired a solid reputation as one of Barcelona's best seafood restaurants, specialising in mariscos: lobster, langoustines, oysters and also fish and meat stews. The Baroque-inspired dining room is spacious and comfortable, decorated in peachy shades set off by sparkling chandeliers and oil paintings. For the romantic, singers and guitarists are on hand for serenading. An impressive team can help plan business dinners in opulent private dining rooms.
Carrer Gran de Gracia 81
Tel: (93) 218 4230 or 217 9642. Fax: (93) 415 5848.
Website: www.botafumeiro.es
Price: EUR39. Wine: EUR9.
Negro
Conveniently located in the heart of the city's financial nerve centre, Negro encapsulates the 'less is more' philosophy embraced by the new wave of Barcelona restauranteurs. Fashionably informal and stylishly decorated in minimalist black and white, it is a world away from traditional, somewhat 'folksy' Catalan restaurants. With nary a pig's trotter in sight, Negro offers an eclectic fusion of Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine, featuring sushi, risottos and unusual salads, served in a cool, cosmopolitan atmosphere. There is live music in the basement Thursday nights and weekends.
Avinguda Diagonal 640 (Caja Madrid Building)
Tel: (93) 405 9444.
Price: EUR27. Wine: EUR6.
Neichel
Neichel is one of Barcelona's top restaurants, attracting a Michelin star and a panoply of plaudits for proprietor and chef Jean-Louis Neichel's highly original Alsace-Catalan cuisine. Consomme of black truffles, deer in red wine and honey and lavender ice cream are but a few of the opulent treats to savour. Located in the affluent barrio of Pedralbes, the design is modern and the ambience relaxing. The cool cream and white dining room is tasteful and understated and overlooks a colourful Mediterranean garden.
Carrer Beltran i Rozpide 1-5 (before Avinguda Pedralbes)
Tel: (93) 203 8408. Fax: (93) 205 6369.
E-mail: neichel@relaischateaux.com
Website: www.relaischateaux.fr/neichel
Price: EUR54 (a la carte); EUR47-53 (set menus). Wine: EUR12.
Ruccula
Housed in the heart of the spanking new, ultra-smart World Trade Centre, Ruccula has rapidly become a favourite among the Catalan capital's rich and glamorous. The reasonably priced food, prepared by top-class chefs, is Catalan-based with an ingenious Italian-Asiatic twist. A generous selection of dishes includes fresh pasta salad with langoustines in pesto or chicken yakitori with teriyaki sauce. Designed to resemble a magnificent floating vessel, the WTC is surrounded by sparkling sea views and makes for a luxurious setting.
World Trade Centre, Port de Barcelona
Tel: (93) 508 8268. Fax: (93) 508 8269.
Price: EUR27. Wine: EUR9.
Via Veneto
Since opening in the late 1960s, Via Veneto has won a host of awards for its high-class Catalan cuisine and exceptional wines. Dishes include an exquisite fish soup, stuffed wild partridge or potatoes with puree of butifarra sausage. Located near the business district of Diagonal, it contains some of the best private rooms in Barcelona, accommodating four to 100 diners. With its pretty Belle Epoque-style dining room, wonderful food and welcoming staff, it is little wonder that it became one of Dali's regular haunts. A mirror, signed by the painter, is still on display.
Carrer Ganduxer 10-12
Tel: (93) 200 7244. Fax: (93) 201 6095.
E-mail: pmonje@adam.es
Website: www.webs.adam.es/viaveneto
Price: EUR63. Wine: EUR9.
