We had some incredible meals in Barcelona but also some shoddy ones too. It really does help to do your research because you won't always find good food on every corner. Here's a guide on where to eat in Barca.
Milk - We'd heard that breakfast wasn't much of a thing in the city. That's not what we wanted to hear so we trekked to this Irish run bar that we heard did a cracking brunch. Well worth hunting out. We ended up eating here twice. Serving brunch from 9am - 4.30pm, the restaurant did a very spicy version of Huevos Rancheros. Despite having to gulp down lots of water, it was delicious. The portions are massive and great value for money. If you've got a sore head from the night before, definitely make a special trip here!
En Ville - Situated in the El Ravel neighbourhood, we very nearly didn't come here. Our original choice was shut during the month of August so we had to go for plan B. This French restaurant was only a few minutes away so we took a gamble. Turns out it was a great gamble. I'm still dreaming about the light, melt-in-your-mouth Roquefort cheese mousse. This fancy little restaurant has gorgeous decor and a brilliant menu. It's not the cheapest but it's amazing if you fancy splashing out. And a break from tapas! If you love your seafood, this place is right up your street.
Hotel Do - I have to admit I would never have eaten at a hotel on holiday when they're so many restaurants to be discovered. But this was a recommendation to my boyfriend and plus it's situated bang in Placa Reial - perfect for people watching. So on our first night we decided to give it a shot. Connor's source certainly knows his stuff! The food was delicious - I came unstuck and managed to order the smallest portion on the menu. But my Catalan speciality of grilled octopus was cooked perfectly. I really couldn't fault it.
The Benedict - As the name of the restaurant would suggest, you'll find a variety of different Eggs Benedict dishes to choose from. Serving brunch from 10am-4pm, the joint is only open Thursday to Sunday for brunch. The rest of the week - apart from Monday - it opens at 7pm for the bistro/cocktail bar. With such an extensive brunch menu, it can be a bit overwhelming but that's all part of the fun right. I opted for the Mexican omelette stuffed with Spanish sausage, jalapeños, sautéed onions and green pepper served alongside delicious rustic potatoes. Delicious! Most dishes are around the 10 euro mark so it's not going to break the bank.
Bodega Biarritz - The best tapas of my entire life. It only fits about 10-15 people in it and you will probably have to queue and deal with grump staff but it's 100% worth it. Ask to sit at the bar if you can. There will be a lovely lady who will ask you what you fancy from the food at the bar. Choose your snacks - there's also some specials written on the board behind - and the chef will make sure they're piping hot. I really wished we went back more than once. Still kicking myself.
Ocana DF - We were dying to go back to the stunning Placa Reial so did a little research on the restaurants in the area. When I see tacos on the menu, I'm easily persuaded so off to this little Mexican cafe we went. The spicy food was superb. It's quite expensive and you may have to buy a lot of small plates to feel full but it was some of the best tacos I've had. The Taco Tingo De Pollo with Chipotle cream was spot on. One word of advice. Go easy on the cocktails, they're likely to blow your head off.
