Drawing from his extensive experience and deep understanding of Barcelona’s vibrant culture and lifestyle, our esteemed editor-in-chief Michael Trajan presents a meticulously curated list of the city’s most captivating destinations. With a keen eye for authenticity and innovation, he invites you to discover Barcelona through a lens that captures its essence like never before.
“For its Gaudíesque architecture, bustling food scene, and rooftop hotels with views over the Mediterranean… Barcelona compiles all the right reasons to unpack your bags there. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover my favorite spots across the city.”
The Best Hotels in Barcelona
The Chicest: Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
Nestled in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia Avenue, the Mandarin Oriental is undoubtedly one of the safest bets for accommodation in Barcelona. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the 120 suites and rooms immerse travelers in a serene zen atmosphere, adorned with Tai Ping wool and silk carpets, Bassano ceramics, and Molteni or B&B design furniture. Opening onto private green terraces or overlooking Barcelona’s rooftops, they also boast spacious bathrooms with stone baths and walk-in showers. A paradise for foodies, it hosts 3 restaurants. Moments, the gastronomic table of chef Carme Ruscalleda and her son Raül Balam, whose gargantuan menu encourages reflection on ecology (through no less than 17 dishes). Blanc, a Catalan bistro offering fine products from the Iberian countryside and perfectly executed local recipes: pan con tomate, cured ham from Enrique Tomás, marinated anchovies, grilled padrón peppers, catch of the day, seasonal vegetable paella… A tribute to Peruvian and Mediterranean cuisines, Terrat is perched on the rooftop. Whether at the table or by the pool, you can enjoy ceviches, ham croquettes, or spicy cocktails with Gaudi’s Casa Batlló in the background. Also focused on well-being, the spa offers Biologique Recherche facials and customized massages (renowned masseur Jimmy Jarnet has notably had a residency here). What more could you ask for?
The Newcomer: Hoxton
In the Poblenou district, the Hoxton is the new hot spot to unpack your bags in Barcelona. With a total of 240 rooms, the place boasts a sunny decor, signed by Ennismore, with natural materials (wicker, stone, wood), colorful prints, and weathered tiles. A microcosm in itself, on the ground floor you’ll find an Italian pizzeria, a bodega to come and toast, and even a boutique brimming with local treasures. The icing on the cake? The rooftop overlooking the Sagrada Familia where you can sunbathe, listen to DJ sets, and dine Mexican at the Tope taquería.
The cool kids: Casa Bonay
“All the chic trendsetters flock to Casa Bonay, a laid-back yet stylish hotel nestled in Barcelona’s fashionable Eixample district. With mosaic floors, soaring ceilings, and avant-garde design accents, the accommodations exude minimalist elegance, with the most coveted rooms boasting spacious terraces complete with outdoor showers overlooking the courtyard. Its communal areas are unrivaled: A café run by Satan’s, a pioneer in Barcelona’s specialty coffee scene, sets the tone for artisanal brews. The lobby-level lounge, Libertine, doubles as a hub for guests and locals alike, transitioning seamlessly from daytime meetings and co-working to a vibrant cocktail bar by night. Adding to its allure are two onsite restaurants: Chiringuito, a rooftop hotspot offering summer-perfect salads and BBQ delights, and Bodega Bonay, where the focus is on farm-fresh shared plates paired with exquisite natural wines.
The Coolest: Soho House Barcelona
On Plaça del Duc de Medinaceli, facing Port Vell, Soho House has taken up residence in an ancient 18th-century building. Inspired by typical Catalan decors, the place combines azure mosaics, colorful fabrics, immaculate shutters, and baroque furniture throughout its 57 rooms. Featuring a Cowshed spa, it also boasts one of the city’s best rooftops. Facing the Mediterranean, it houses a small pool where you can sunbathe on white and red striped mattresses, and a restaurant adorned with green plants. On the menu? Lemon fried calamari, shrimp tartare, Iberian ham, chili fish, and spicy margaritas to toast.
The Highest: Grand Hotel Central
With its 1920s structure, the Grand Hotel Central has opened its doors just steps from the Gothic Quarter. Decorated by Sandra Tarruella and Isabel López, this palace relies on clean design lines through its 146 rooms and suites. Featuring a spa with a view, offering Natura Bissé wellness protocols, it also houses a restaurant: Le Bistro Helena, celebrating local terroir. Not to mention the rooftop, which offers breathtaking views to admire the sunset.
The New 5-star: Sofitel Barcelona Skipper
For its first address in the Catalan city, the Accor group has set its sights on the Barceloneta district. Just steps from the beach, this glass giant has 225 rooms, including 25 suites, designed by the Spanish architecture studio Factoria Uda. Adorned with blue and white tones, they feature “Panots” hexagonal headboards by the iconic Antonio Gaudi, frescoes, and works by local artists Ya Ya Tur and Mario Ruiz. Also striking a balance between tradition and modernity, Tendiez restaurant, run by Michelin-starred chef David Andrés, revisits Spanish tapas. The cherry on top? The two swimming pools and its rooftop where you can sunbathe facing the Mediterranean.
Top Dining Destinations in Barcelona
Cañete
Renowned as a tapas haven in Barcelona, Cañete is the brainchild of a third generation of restaurateurs from Seville. Just like their grandparents and parents before them, the owners pay homage to the Iberian way of life. Set in a cozy, slightly retro Catalan bistro decor, a team of servers clad in white aprons gracefully deliver small plates for sharing: Guijuelo ham, lobster croquettes, grilled octopus, tortilla, tomato salad… Not to mention a plethora of fine wines sourced from across Spain.
Bar Brutal
A wine bar just steps from the Picasso Museum, Bar Brutal focuses on a selection of natural wines and an upscale Iberian menu: fresh oysters, grilled scallops, fine charcuterie, gazpacho… All in an atmosphere that heats up as the evening progresses.
Quimet & Quimet
Opened in 1914, this historic little tapas bar boasts over 500 wine references. Among the city’s best addresses, visitors sip on Catalan wines before sharing small plates. Must-try dishes include montaditos, which, like enticing mini sandwiches, allow for interesting flavor combinations: shrimp-dried tomatoes-caviar, salmon-yogurt-truffle honey…
Nobu Barcelona
For a break from the usual tapas, head to Nobu Barcelona for its fine cuisine blending Japanese and Peruvian flavors. Perched on the 23rd floor of its sleek hotel, the restaurant offers breathtaking views of the city, the Catalan mountains, and the Sagrada Familia. Crafted by chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Gastón Acurio, the menu features toro tartare topped with caviar, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, tuna, salmon, or scallop nigiris, wagyu tacos, caramelized black cod… Alongside impeccably crafted cocktails with sake and carefully selected wines. Plus, the hotel houses a brand-new, ethereal spa where you can indulge in a Zen massage before dining.
El Xampanyet
Established in the 1930s, El Xampanyet is an institution in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood. A favorite haunt for seasoned foodies, it serves up classics (pan con tomate, chorizo tortilla, octopus…) as well as more daring regional recipes (snails, tripe…) that are nonetheless perfectly executed. Discover here
Bar del Pla
Located in the Montcada neighborhood, this tapas bar is also iconic. Behind a large marble bar, small plates parade: fresh anchovies from Escala, chicken croquettes, marinated mussels, grilled eggplants… All accompanied by Spanish wines.
Top Bakeries and Coffees in Barcelona
Funky Bakers
Seyma Ozkaya Erpul, the founder of this international bakery located at number 10 on Paseo del Born, set up an online store illustrated with drawings by one of her customers, the artist Kayansel, in just two days to respond to the requests of her regular buyers. Thus, during the 50 days of the quarantine, Funky Bakers processed up to 2000 orders, supplying the Born neighborhood not only with its exquisite cakes, sandwiches, and other recipes, but also with all the products used to make each one of them.
La Roseta
Find La Roseta near the beach, a tiny spot with seriously good pastries and desserts; brownies, doughnuts, cakes, sandwiches, vegan and gluten-free options. The place is exquisite; white tiled floors, exposed brick walls, wooden furniture, newspapers and magazines. And outside, there are tall stools to watch life go by. The coffee is great and reasonably priced: don’t expect fancy terms or overpricing, just three options: black, with a dash of milk, or with milk.
Lulu & Flyn
Lulu & Flyn
A cool and inviting place with a terrace, great coffee, lunch bowls and many other things, all with a healthy twist. Now they also have a second location. Lulu & Flyn epitomizes breakfast perfection for the upper class. It has become my guilty pleasure; despite its distance from my residence, I find myself frequenting it far too often of late. Opening at 10 in the morning, Lulu & Flyn swiftly attracts a youthful crowd seeking respite, whether it’s a meticulously brewed cup of coffee, a comforting bowl of porridge during winter, or a refreshing smoothie bowl in the summer. While some patrons opt for a quick takeaway, others settle in with their laptops, utilizing the ambiance to accomplish their work tasks.
Nomad Roasters
This is the speciality coffee shop in Poblenou, the headquarters of high-end coffee importers and roasters Nomad. Part shop, part café and coffee roaster, this is a place to learn about coffee as much as enjoy it. Here they select the beans, toast them and serve them in every way you can imagine, and they really know their stuff. Minimalist in decor, the space sticks to bare wood, steel and glass. ‘We teach everything we do’ says Nomad’s Jordi Mestres. ‘The focus is not on the pictures on the wall, but on how to make and serve coffee. We do only one thing and we aim to do it very well.’
The Best Bars in Barcelona
Paradiso
In the world of exclusive speakeasies, Paradiso reigns supreme. Despite its once-lengthy queues now replaced by a virtual waiting list, its reputation precedes it, earning the title of the number one bar globally in 2022 by 50 Best. Nestled discreetly behind a fridge door within a pastrami shop in Barcelona’s chic El Born neighborhood, Paradiso’s allure remains unparalleled. Giacomo Giannotti’s exquisite menu boasts seasonal delights sourced from local farmers and producers, ensuring every sip is a sensory delight. While the meticulous craftsmanship of the drinks may require patience, the lively banter of the bartenders and the intimate seating ensure an experience of unparalleled sophistication.
Cecconi’s
While Cecconi’s falls under the Soho House umbrella, membership is not required to indulge in its offerings—a welcoming perk for those seeking a cozy spot to catch up on emails over cocktails. Whether you’re sipping a classic Negroni or a refreshing Fennel Martini, the ambiance is perfect for settling in. The menu boasts excellent aperitivi, including a superb Sbagliato and inventive twists on the Americano and spritz. During weekend brunch, don’t miss out on the intriguing Bloody Mary, and rest assured, the full menu is available at the bar. With some of the finest Italian cuisine in Barcelona, Cecconi’s promises a culinary experience that’s second to none.
Carribbean Club
Established in 1974 as a rum sanctuary, Caribbean Club exudes the cozy charm of a ship’s interior—albeit one of petite proportions, reminiscent of a snug galley. Its maritime ambiance, complete with an array of volumes devoted to Cuba, sets the stage for a voyage of tropical libations. True to its name, Caribbean rums steal the spotlight here: from flawlessly shaken daiquiris to velvety El Presidentes and rum-infused Old Fashioneds crafted with care.
Dry Martini
It comes as no surprise that Dry Martini is revered as a sanctuary dedicated to its eponymous cocktail. At the heart of the bar, a bartender stands upon a raised pedestal, meticulously crafting each Martini with precision. Meanwhile, an electronic counter proudly showcases the staggering number of Martinis crafted throughout the bar’s illustrious history. (For the record, we were served No. 1,077,209.) Don’t be swayed by trendy concoctions—here, it’s all about the classic Martini experience; no shiso mojitos or cherry Martinis required.