52 Citas
For Christmas, Kate gave me a spiral-bound book and a yearlong reservation. Not to one place, but fifty-two. The gift was a plan—her plan for us—to explore a new corner of Barcelona every week via lunch or dinner from our “Want to Go” list– places we haven’t been before.
Each week, Kate picks the spot, often with reservations made far in advance, and logs the details in our “52 Citas” notebook. I show up and enjoy. Sometimes there’s a coffee stop beforehand, sometimes a cocktail afterward, and often both.
The notebook lives on our bar shelf and fills steadily—one page per week, one neighborhood at a time. She notes the dates, the dishes, and maybe an anecdote or two — the waiter who switched from Spanish to Dutch mid-sentence, margaritas that were just a little too good for a Tuesday, an Orient Express-themed speak-easy, a photo peep-show behind a curtain, and meeting new people and places. There are some crossed-out plans, a few bonus outings, and at least one entry that ends with “bought antiquities.” That one did have to do with margaritas.
It has been magical: exploring both favorite and new parts of the city, in bite-sized pieces. What started as a gift has become a rhythm. A choose-your-own-adventure (often with wine and tapas).
Kate’s the mastermind. I’m the sidekick. And together, we’re slowly eating our way through Barcelona—one amazing cita at a time.
Citas Last Updated: 24-May-2025
Cita 19: Pappa & Citti
Pappa & Citti
A nice walk on a cool spring evening to this Sardinian-style spot — kinda in San Gervasi, kinda in Gracia. The burrata tray arrived like it knew it was the main event.
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Cita 18: Casa Anita En ParĂs -> Solange Cocktail Bar
Casa Anita En ParĂs
The weather kept us local, and this Eixample bistro proved more than sufficient. Mediterranean style with good instincts—burrata, garlic-parsley scallops, meatballs, and a beef sandwich that didn’t need to try too hard. The Priorat helped, as it always does.
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Solange Cocktail Bar
To mark Cinco de Mayo and a certain first date from 1990, we headed to Solange—a dimly lit nod to James Bond and strong drinks. Margaritas were ordered for thematic accuracy.
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Cita 17: Vinus & Brindis
Vinus & Brindis
A tiny, well-curated wine shop in Sant Gervasi with just enough bar stools to feel like you’re in on a secret. Neus poured with care, introduced us to CORPINNAT (a very persuasive sparkling wine like Cava), and sent us off with a bottle (or two), and the quiet urge to make this spot a regular habit.
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Cita 16: Takearte -> Origin. -> Primate
Takearte
A low-key taco joint in Sant Antoni serving casual, Mexico City-style street food—no frills, just good fish tacos doing their job. Ideal for when you’re short on time but not on appetite.
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Update: Closed a week later. We thought the cockroach in the bathroom was just part of it being “authentic”, but maybe not.
Primate Bakehouse
Tucked into Sant Antoni like so many other great places, Primate delivers flaky medialunas, excellent baguettes, and a peanut butter situation that reminds me of what we used to get in the States.
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Origin. Specialty Coffee
A serene and pretty cafĂ© in Sant Antoni, Origin. Specialty Coffee was… fine. It won’t make our coffee guide, but it was still a great table in the sun, a nice way to spend some time together.
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Cita 15: Mesa Lobo -> Orient Express
Mesa Lobo
A French-meets-Nordic bistro in Eixample that is just the right kind of elevated. We had an early dinner (8:00) so we could meet Q coming in from London.
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Orient Express Cocktail Bar
We still had some time to kill. This place had a full theatrical commitment to the train theme, right down to drink carts, conductors’ hats, and a view of the Croatian countryside. One part cocktail, one part Wes Anderson daydream.
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Cita 14: Entrepreneur -> Bricks
Entrepreneur
Modern food for modern minds. This Poblenou spot feels like it was designed by someone who owns three startups. But no sign out front, so maybe a marketing class would be a good idea.
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Bricks
Cozy café and another sign-challenged location. The girls next to us were targeted by pigeons, but they say that’s good luck.
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Cita 12: El Pa Torrra
El Pa Torrat
A Galvany mainstay since near Turo Park. It’s classic Catalan—bacalao, croquetas, and enough wood-paneled gravitas to make you sit up straight. I think the guy in the table next to us has been there since 1981.
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Cita 11: Bitter -> Dolores
Bitter Cocktail Bar
A Sant Antoni hideout with herby cocktails and enough charm to warrant its own design blog post. So I’ve heard.
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Señora Dolores
Natural wines again–so we went for Vermut! Fried delights, vintage décor, and we finally found out why people kept looking behind the curtains.
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Cita 10: Metl -> OmbĂş -> DShop -> Ancestral
Metl
Short menu, big heart. Mexican comfort food in Poblenou, cooked like somebody’s abuela lives upstairs.
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OmbĂş
Specialty coffee in a snug corner of the city. If you don’t like this spot, there are at least four more coffee places on this block alone!
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DShop
Located inside the Disseny Hub, this design store sells the kind of gifts you take photos of. Found Cam cool futbolin hooks and the patio a cool water picture.
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Ancestral
Craft brew & vermouth. I guess they have tapas too, but we come for the drinks. This one isn’t new, but was a perfect spot to linger before ending the cita.
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Cita 9: Glug
Glug
Mostly natural wines, a super-dope tiled bar, and a Catalan-Italian flavor profile that says “we’re not choosing sides.” Bonus points for being fun to say. And God Damn, maybe the best French onion soup I’ve had.
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Cita 8: Elocuente Café & Libros -> Cafe Del Centre -> Forn Sarret
Elocuente Café & Libros
Books, brews, and just the right level of hush.
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Café del Centre
A 150-year-old institution still wearing its original woodwork. Order a vermut and pretend you’re in a black-and-white film.
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Forn Sarret
Architectural pastry. Historic façade, flaky interior. The kind of bakery where you end up buying bread or a pastry just to carry it around.
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Cita 7: La Pachuca -> Coto
We bought these antique tiles (after several margaritas) because we thought they’d make great coasters — we have since discovered their origin… These “escarib” tiles are most likely from Valencia during the 15th century, and their siblings appear in both the British Museum and the Chicago Art Institute. But, honestly, they are also really good coasters.
La Pachuca
Almost all the way to the Mediterranean in Gotic, La Pachuca has margaritas, tacos, and enough neon energy to qualify as cardio. Loud in all the right ways.
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Coto
Coffee shop meets concept store. The espresso’s tight, the merch is local, and the vibe whispers, “hey, you should buy that t-shirt with the little piggy on it.” I did. Related to a favorite place in El Born… look for the streamers.
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Cita 6: Cosa -> Oido
Cosa
Italian-roast coffee and artisanal pastries served in a space for caffeinated bliss.​
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OĂdo
A 1980s, nostelgic Catalan vibe — complete with communal tables and culinary nostalgia. And a kinda cranky owner who didn’t seem to care for the non-locals – the kind you find sometimes in GrĂ cia.
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Cita 5: Malparit
Malparit
Catalan cuisine with a bit of a spin. Sitting at the bar by the kitchen is a perfect place to watch the chefs who are dialed in on their dishes. Some really fun things to try and lots of good wine options.
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Cita 4: Malhumor -> Osom Nou
Malhumor
Don’t be fooled by the name—this place serves brunch with a smile (and a Dutch accent). Simple, and HUGE portions.
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Osom Nou
One of Poblenou’s hip, Instagram-friendly coffee spots. It will be part of our “DĂa de los Cortados.” Details to come…
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Cita 3: Bar El Pipino -> La Gratitud
Bar El Pepino
Natural wine is not our favorite thing. But the owner found us a good one! A relaxed energy and the perfect level of tight and crowded. A good new find in GrĂ cia.
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La Gratitud
On Carrer del Torrent de l’Olla, and as vibrant as its name suggests. We were not planning to hit this spot, but it called out to us, with one of our favorite Mercè posters over the bar.
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Cita 2
Cita 1: Vermuteria Lou -> Casa Inés -> Navy Coffee Bar -> Origo
Vermuteria Lou
A moody little spot in Grà cia with vintage signage and low lighting. It isn’t trying to look old, it is old. We toasted my Dad (Lou) with a nice vermouth.
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Casa Inés
Sleek, understated, and as we have learned since—quietly confident in its absinthe game. Next time!
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Navy Coffee Bar
Scandinavian in design and disposition—stoic espresso, minimalist seating, small and friendly.
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Origo
Rust-colored, bread-forward, and teetering nicely between design showroom and a breakfast nook.
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Kate! You are so incredibly creative!! What fun!