Where to take your parents to dinner in Barcelona

If you’ve moved to Barcelona from abroad you can pretty much guarantee a constant stream of houseguests from back home. Most of the time, fun, crowded tapas bars make excellent places to show friends the city’s best food but sometimes you need something a little more chilled or a little more formal. Here are our top picks for places to take your parents to dinner.

Related article: The best restaurants for takeaway in El Born

Els 4 Gats

Photo by J.Salmoral via Visualhunt

Touristy in the best way, Els 4 Gats is dripping in history – it first opened 1897 and Picasso had his first art exhibition in one of the rooms! The building is beautiful and your guests will feel like part of the bohemian history of the city. The food is not cheap but not too expensive either and the quality is great. Choose from tapas, three courses or a combination of both.

Address: Carrer de Montsió, 3

El Portalón

Once a medieval stable, El Portalón is an authentic bodega in the Gotic neighborhood. The restaurant attracts its fair share tourists earlier in the evening so head there a little later to eat with the locals and enjoy traditional tapas of excellent quality in an ancient setting.

Address: Carrer dels Banys Nous, 20

Casa Jaime

Way off the tourist trail, Casa Jaime is a neighborhood restaurant in Eixample offering well executed mid-range Spanish dishes. An attractive interior, attentive staff, and relaxed environment make it a great place for a leisurely dinner.

Address: Carrer del Consell de Cent, 222

Related article: Restaurants in Calle Asturias, Gràcia

Can Sole

Photo by kimss4540 via Visualhunt

Amongst Barceloneta’s authentic spit and sawdust tapas bars, is the more upmarket Can Sole. This tastefully decorated restaurant is bright and breezy and has a lovely outside seating area. There are two specialties: paella in various forms, and steaming hot pots of mouthwatering combinations such as chickpeas with chorizo, lentil and potato stew, onion soup with a poached egg and Emmental. Take a seat on the terrace, order a seafood paella and enjoy.

Address: Carrer de Sant Carles, 4

7 Portes

7 Portes is an elegant restaurant housed under an arcaded walkway near the port, serving some of the best paella and seafood in the city. The restaurant has been around since 1836, and the many famous diners to have frequented the place are marked by plaques on the backs of the chairs.

Address: Passeig d’Isabel II, 14

In a city stuffed to the brim with places to eat, these recommendations offer the best of the mid-range, locally focused eateries. Enjoy!

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