warmer trays cooking fever hell's kitchen

Complement the tapas on offer with a glass of red from one of the many wine bottles that tower up the high walls of this tapas paradise. Each bite deserves a lasting savour as it is simply too good to quickly let go of the gastronomic taste bud adventure.

My personal favourite was the crustini smoothed with yogurt, a slice of smoked salmon, and topped with a drizzle of truffle honey. Watch as the perfectly meshed flavour combinations of montaditos are made to order using only quality ingredients of canned fish, local cheeses, and various charcuteries right before your eyes. Established in 1914, this standing room establishment has people spilling out onto the streets, thanks to the demand for its simple yet delectable tapas, which reaches a fever pitch on a daily basis. Off the main drag in the Poble Sec area is one of Barcelona’s most popular tapas bars, the ‘hole in the wall’ Quimet y Quimet.

Markets of colourful produce will tempt your tastebuds | Photo by Julia D’Orazio

How does goat cheese and roast vegetable pancakes with a sprinkle of local balsamic vinegar appeal to you? You could be forgiven if you chose to stay in just this one spot however bar-hopping is encouraged to really enjoy the charm of this authentic neighbourhood that remains one of Barcelona’s top foodie destinations. With Blai 9’s array of mixed-base options (goodbye sliced bread) that include crepes, pitas, and homemade nachos, all topped with fresh, modern flavours, each bite resembles an edible masterpiece. Stepping into the small yet contemporary Blai 9 Bar is like stepping into a photo shoot dedicated to food. Beautifully presented, creative montaditos (tapas served on a small slice of bread) are a popular choice - think generous slabs of Spanish tortilla, grilled chorizo on bread, traditional and fresh tomato and salt, ham croquettes atop of a slice of cheese and capped with olives. Located in the Poble Sec district, this pedestrian strip is populated with bars filled with trays blending traditional and modern-day pintxos, all stacked on counters and available for as little as one euro. If all roads lead to Rome, then Calle Blai leads you to pintxos glory. Be sure to explore the barrios while you’re in town | Photo by Julia D’Orazio

Warmer trays cooking fever hell's kitchen