BY TIM HEDGLEY: When we go on holidays eating out is usually a significant part of the event, so if you go somewhere where you have spent a lot of your heard earned cash getting there, then you want to know that you are going to experience excellent well cooked tasty local food.
I was recently asked by a lady who was heading off to Europe’s most visited city, Barcelona, where should I stay and eat.
Now I understand budgets are important and in these current times more so than ever so below is a small and concise simple good food and sleep guide to Barcelona. It’s based on where I have stayed and more importantly eaten.
First of all beds, a new addition to the many hotels in Barcelona is the Barcelona Catedral hotel (www. Barcelonacatedral.com) Very centrally located.
You will find it hard to get a better situated hotel. The Barcelona Catedral Hotel is exclusive, modern and comfortable.
It offers guests excellent quality rooms and an efficient service. Just five minutes walk to Las Ramblas, the Cathedral and the Plaça Catalunya.
The Hotel offers a swimming-pool, gym, personal trainer, patio-chill out area, restaurant with outdoors terrace and smoking area, parking, free internet computers, paid for wireless internet connection throughout the hotel and free guided cultural walks.Prices from €150.
Now everybody who goes to Barcelona wants to eat real tapas, with so many bars offering different types and styles it’s hard to know what to do. Simple go to the best tapas bar in town.
Situated in La Boqueria, the massive market half way down Las Ramblas is El Quim.
Set amid the colour, smells and hubbub of La Boqueria El Quim is without doubt the most popular in ton with hungry customers waiting two to three deep for tempting dishes.
It’s worth the wait grab a bar stool and tuck in. Little bit pricey, but believe me it’s worth the money. Try the giant prawns in garlic, amazing!
If you want to sit down and have some great Catalan Cuisine then try Restaurant Matemala Rambla Catalunya, 13 – Barcelona www.matamalarestaurant.com.
Over three generations of this amazing family have acquired a strong passion for Catalan gastronomy. Restaurant Matamala bases its cuisine on high-quality seasonal products that can be purchased locally.
Having eaten in this restaurant I can guarantee that you will have a meal from heaven. Traditional Catalan food perfectly cooked and presented in wonderful surroundings. Located 5 minutes from Plaça Catalunya its within easy reach of the Barcelona Catedral.
You will find it hard to get better local food in Barcelona. If you really want to push the boat out then this is the place for you. Currently hosting the youngest Chef in Spain ever to receive a Michelin Star, Chef Jodi Cruz is the star in this jewel of a hotel.
Hotel ABaC is a very private Grand Lux hotel with only 15 bedrooms. The buzz words here are privacy, luxury, gastronomy, if you have to ask how much then you can’t afford it, but if you want to set aside about €500 per night you won’t be far wrong.
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