Bar del Pla

"Don’t be fooled by the retro look of this place. The marble-topped counter and classic Catalan geometric floor tiles may mutter “old-man bar,” but the menu full of funky natural wine and seasonal plates couldn’t be more on trend. Try the crispy cocido, croquettes of meat stew, and show-stopping mushroom carpaccio with wasabi and strawberries. One thing you won’t find at Bar del Pla is what locals might refer to as food for guiris, or tourists—things that Catalans wouldn’t order in a bar, like paella or sangria (the servers’ T-shirts that read “f**k sangria, drink natural wine” is a hint). Service is more efficient than affable, but you’re here to eat and drink, not make new friends." - isabelle kliger

"If you ask a group of Barcelonians to name their favorite tapas bars, one spot that will come up over and over again is Bar de Pla. And for good reason; it's one of a few places that has managed to nail the mix of high-quality, affordable food, good wine, and a laid-back atmosphere. Service is more high-energy than chatty – this is a place to grab a seat, eat, drink and leave. The cooking is seasonal and fresh, so it’s worth checking out the daily specials in addition to bestsellers like the squid-ink croquettes, the mushroom carpaccio with wasabi vinaigrette, and the Iberian pork blade." - Isabelle Kliger

"Don’t be fooled by the retro look of this place. The marble-topped counter and classic Catalan geometric floor tiles may mutter “old-man bar,” but the menu full of funky natural wine and seasonal plates couldn’t be more on trend. Try the crispy cocido, croquettes of meat stew, and show-stopping mushroom carpaccio with wasabi and strawberries. One thing you won’t find at Bar del Pla is what locals might refer to as food for guiris, or tourists—things that Catalans wouldn’t order in a bar, like paella or sangria (the servers’ T-shirts that read “f**k sangria, drink natural wine” is a hint). Service is more efficient than affable, but you’re here to eat and drink, not make new friends." - Isabelle Kliger

"Tapas with a twist: Think shaved mushrooms with wasabi sauce and strawberries next to thumb-length croquetes. The four (yes, four) sommeliers here have a particular interest in natural and biodynamic wines and have put together a selection of the ones they love most. One of them, Sergi Ruiz, was the winner of the local Nas d’Or (Golden Nose) prize in 2014." - Suzy Taher