Tasting by sidecar
If you have a taste for tapas, you might try an interesting sightseeing concept: a tour by sidecar that includes gastronomic stops at a bodega serving tapas, a family-run tavern serving pintxos (tidbits speared to a piece of bread with a toothpick), a stop for cava, and dinner in one of Barcelona’s top restaurants. The private guide picks you up at your hotel. Between food destinations, the sidecar tour covers all the basic Barcelona sights. The all-inclusive cost is €290, whether for one or two persons. For details visit: www.foodieandtours.com/barcelona/sidecar-tour-tapas-session
For tapas on foot, take a guided walking tour around the Poble-Sec area with a culinary expert. You start at a traditional bodega with a variety of cheeses and locally produced vermouth before heading to other bodegas, such as the historic Quimet y Quimet, now run by the fourth generation of the same family. Rounding out the three-hour tour there’s a stop at a final taverna and then a visit to a Basque bar serving seasonal tapas. Along the way you learn the history of “pica pica” (picar in Catalan means to eat small portions of different foods). The tour is organised by Context Travel for the “culturally curious”. Book for an individual party or enjoy as part of a group. For details visit: http://www.contexttravel.com/city/barcelona/walking-tour-details/pica-pica-in-poble-sec-tapas-walk
If your idea of dinner is a full meal rather than a progression of small plates, consider an evening at the 7 Portes Restaurant. Seafood, rice and meat dishes feature, along with fine wine. Paella is a favourite dish in Barcelona (though it comes from Valencia) and the 7 Portes kitchen offers five varieties including vegetarian. The guest book at this 175-year-old restaurant at Passeig Isabel II (near the Columbus column) has been signed by a cross-section of illustrious visitors, including Spanish royalty, Placido Domingo, Mikhail Gorbachev and Woody Allen, while its walls are decorated with artwork by famous clients. Open: Daily from 1pm to 1am. For details visit: www.7portes.com
Tasting by sidecar
If you have a taste for tapas, you might try an interesting sightseeing concept: a tour by sidecar that includes gastronomic stops at a bodega serving tapas, a family-run tavern serving pintxos (tidbits speared to a piece of bread with a toothpick), a stop for cava, and dinner in one of Barcelona’s top restaurants. The private guide picks you up at your hotel. Between food destinations, the sidecar tour covers all the basic Barcelona sights. The all-inclusive cost is €290, whether for one or two persons. For details visit: www.foodieandtours.com/barcelona/sidecar-tour-tapas-session
Pedestrian tapas
For tapas on foot, take a guided walking tour around the Poble-Sec area with a culinary expert. You start at a traditional bodega with a variety of cheeses and locally produced vermouth before heading to other bodegas, such as the historic Quimet y Quimet, now run by the fourth generation of the same family. Rounding out the three-hour tour there’s a stop at a final taverna and then a visit to a Basque bar serving seasonal tapas. Along the way you learn the history of “pica pica” (picar in Catalan means to eat small portions of different foods). The tour is organised by Context Travel for the “culturally curious”. Book for an individual party or enjoy as part of a group. For details visit: http://www.contexttravel.com/city/barcelona/walking-tour-details/pica-pica-in-poble-sec-tapas-walk
Full meal deal
If your idea of dinner is a full meal rather than a progression of small plates, consider an evening at the 7 Portes Restaurant. Seafood, rice and meat dishes feature, along with fine wine. Paella is a favourite dish in Barcelona (though it comes from Valencia) and the 7 Portes kitchen offers five varieties including vegetarian. The guest book at this 175-year-old restaurant at Passeig Isabel II (near the Columbus column) has been signed by a cross-section of illustrious visitors, including Spanish royalty, Placido Domingo, Mikhail Gorbachev and Woody Allen, while its walls are decorated with artwork by famous clients. Open: Daily from 1pm to 1am. For details visit: www.7portes.com
For more travel recommendations visit www.maryaliciatravel.com
