La Barceloneta is a neighbourhood with a port atmosphere built in the 18th century to provide shelter for the inhabitants of La Ribera neighbourhood who lost their homes when Phillip V ordered they be demolished in order to build the arsenal in Ciutadella Park. This neighbourhood is frequented by locals on weekends for eating and accessing its popular beach, Playa de la Barceloneta. In addition to its beach, it's worth walking along Passeig de Joan de Borbó.
For lunch, we recommend tapas in two of our favourite bars situated in the very heart of Barceloneta:
- Jaica (Carrer Ginebra 13, at the intersection with Carrer de Pizarro). We recommend the fish tapas (their anchovies with the backbone are unique: after pulling out the backbone they fry it - exquisite (1.80€ per piece); small fried fish (4.40€) and patatas bravas (3.70€). The house vermouth is widely known (2.70€). As they are always very packed, they recently opened another restaurant very close by (Carrer Ginebra 9).
- El Vaso de Oro (Carrer Balboa 6, just before Passeig Joan de Borbó): Amazing grilled foie (20€), fillet cut into pieces (21€), spicy tuna tapa (4.50€) and granjero sandwich (7.00€).
For a good rice dish or monkfish alongside the sea, try Cal Pinxo Platja (Calle Baluard 124, 35-40€ per person). "Rap Pintxo amb fideua" is absolutely spectacular.
