Viblioteca

The name gives the game away – Viblioteca is a wine bar. But it is so much more than that. In a space not much bigger a double garage, Viblioteca seats about 30, and somehow from behind the bar the small team conjures up incredible sharing plates.

There’s no stove in the ‘kitchen’, so no grilled or fried dishes, but it doesn’t matter – smoked sardines on toast with idizibal cheese, tuna tataki and avocado salad, a brilliant deconstructed caprese salad, confit potato with jamon and a poached egg are just some of the many highlights here.

The owner is an oenophile and will help you choose wines by the glass or bottle – she has loads that aren’t on the list. The prices are reasonable and there are around 50 different cheeses to choose from to finish. Absolute gold. Bookings essential.

Incredible cheese selection at Viblioteca

C/Guilleries 10

932 844 202

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Arume

Arume is a charming local restaurant in El Raval

A bit of a favourite this one, and not just because it is close to home. Almost every dish on the menu delivers on its promise, and most are fairly imaginative too, without going over the top.

The service is spot-on, and the pricing is too low for what they deliver. No wonder it is always full from ‘tourist hour’ at 7pm until late. (That, and the fact that TripAdvisor rates it the best paella in town. The paella is fine, but there are others that are better – TripAdvisor is hardly a reliable arbiter.) Book ahead.

The charming Arume's shopfront

Calle Botella, 11-13

Tel: 933 154 872

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Caravelle

Okay, so the whole home-made produce thing and casual setting may scream hipster, but I’m not complaining: they have their own-label craft beer, their own smoked and cured pork products, and house-made pickles too. That means the burger is pretty fabulous (though it’s a double cheeseburger, so go hungry).

Caravelle also does a fantastic brunch, with plenty of eggy options for those slow-start days.

Carrer Pintor Fortuny, 31

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