GOURMET TIPS WHAT TO EAT

MIKAN The grandparents of chef Tan Jin, who opened the restaurant last year, are from North Korea, while she herself is from China but grew up in Japan – so it makes perfect sense that Jin skillfully combines East Asian techniques and flavors with Spanish ingredients and natural wines in her tapas. mikanbarcelona.com

COLMADO WILMOT A brand-new and very welcoming tapas bar from the former chef of the legendary restaurant El Bulli, who, to the delight of the locals, doesn’t go for molecular cuisine here, but instead carefully refines excellent, down-to-earth fare. Spanish delicacies are also available for takeaway. colmadowilmot.com

XEIXA Last year, chef Sara Valls opened this restaurant in a beautiful 18th-century building in the old town, where she reinterprets traditional dishes in her very own way – with a special focus on the high quality of Catalan and Spanish ingredients. xeixa.es

FOOD MARKETS The most famous but crowded market hall in Barcelona and indeed the rest of Spain, is the famous La Boqueria. If you nd want to avoid the crowds, it’s better to reroute to the recently renovated Sant Antoni market hall, which is also built in the magnificent Art Nouveau style, just a few minutes’ walk away. mercatdesantantoni.com

Bread, tomatoes and olive oil

At the vast majority of restaurants in Barcelona, instead of the usual bread basket, you can also order Pa amb tomàquet for a small extra charge – this toasted bread rubbed with tomatoes and olive oil goes wonderfully with everything, but especially Spanish cured ham.