Cal Pep
Tapas restaurant · La Barceloneta
Plaça de les Olles, 8, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Highlights
Shared seafood plates, best enjoyed at counter seats; no menu.
Shared seafood plates, best enjoyed at counter seats; no menu.
"The Spanish tortilla at Cal Pep—one of Barcelona’s most storied tapas counters, a rambunctious, laid-back bar in El Born—is forever destined to ruin all potato and chorizo omelets that come after it. Maybe it’s the smooth exterior blended with a molten inside that oozes goo as you cut into it, or the extra zing of the added aioli and chorizo (yes, it’s fine to add chorizo to tortilla, just not to paella—sorry, Jamie Oliver). Of course, there’s more to this joint than half-cooked eggs. There’s also a tuna tartare so meaty you’d almost believe it was beef. And an ever-changing array of fish and shellfish fresh from the Barcelona seafood auction. Cal Pep doesn’t have a menu, so it’s best to ask what’s good today and go with the flow. But make sure to double-check the price as the market cost of oysters, lobster, and razor claims can soon leave you wondering where all your euros went." - isabelle kliger
"The Spanish tortilla at Cal Pep—one of Barcelona’s most storied tapas counters, a rambunctious, laid-back bar in El Born—is forever destined to ruin all potato and chorizo omelets that come after it. Maybe it’s the smooth exterior blended with a molten inside that oozes goo as you cut into it, or the extra zing of the added aioli and chorizo (yes, it’s fine to add chorizo to tortilla, just not to paella—sorry, Jamie Oliver). Of course, there’s more to this joint than half-cooked eggs. There’s also a tuna tartare so meaty you’d almost believe it was beef. And an ever-changing array of fish and shellfish fresh from the Barcelona seafood auction. Cal Pep doesn’t have a menu, so it’s best to ask what’s good today and go with the flow. But make sure to double-check the price as the market cost of oysters, lobster, and razor claims can soon leave you wondering where all your euros went." - Isabelle Kliger
"Cramped and bright with long queues and no printed menu, this longstanding institution asks you to trust the server’s choices and rewards you with exquisite tapas: the Spanish omelet with chorizo (arguably the best tortilla in the city), tuna tartare, grilled monkfish, whole grilled squid, a baby squid and chickpea casserole, plus daily specials." - Isabelle Kliger
"A tiny, popular spot situated on a corner of Plaça de les Olles, Cal Pep serves Mediterranean tapas and larger dishes best shared. The front bar is where the party is at (get there early if you want to grab a coveted stool), but you can also reserve a table (in advance) in the back room for a party of four or more."
"A Barcelona restaurant that delivered a short but memorable and very fun meal, which she found really delicious." - Greg Morabito
