Irati Taverna Basca

As shared by others, there is a restaurant side and a bar side that served only pintxos. While those looked good, it was a bit too much bread for us, so we decided to try their dishes. The atmosphere was family friendly but nothing outstanding. The service was prompt and efficient, not particularly effusive nor friendly but we were impressed with their teamwork and ability to handle all the different hospitality tasks. Perhaps we had too high expectations of the food, given the recommendation from our hotel, but the overall gastronomic experience was wanting. Have left comments in the photo captions. The best dish was the white tuna belly starter.

Unique experience for me that I loved. The food was very good and this is great for a quick eat. Lots of options to try. The concept is there is basically different things on bread that is held together by a tooth pick. At the end they count your toothpicks and then you pay.

One of the freshest tapas in central Barcelona - they keep coming out with hot options as well so that is great - good selection of drinks but you can’t go wrong with a glass of red 🍷

Taverna Basca Irati is our favorite pintxos (Basque tapas) bar in Barcelona’s old town area. Our favorites were the pintxo de morcilla (blood sausage) and the pintxo donostiarra (mixed seafood salad with mayo). The best pairing for pintxos is a glass of txakoli (Basque white wine). When you walk in, order your drink of choice at the bar. Then, grab a plate and take the pintxos that you want from the bar. In the end, you pay based on the number of skewers on your plate. In between lunch and dinner (3-7 PM), the availability of pintxos is not so great, but still a solid spot. There is a full sit in restaurant at the back, but we did not try it. Although, the meat cuts looked solid.

The culinary experience at this establishment was exceptional. The restaurant is divided into two sections: the front, which primarily serves as a bar offering tapas, and the rear, which houses a more sophisticated Basque-themed restaurant. We opted to dine in the rear restaurant and found that the quality of the food justified the cost. Basque cuisine is renowned for its emphasis on meat dishes, and I savored a delectable steak that provided a welcome respite from the tapas I had consumed throughout the week. The ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant, and the service provided by the staff was impeccable. I highly recommend visiting this establishment when exploring the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.

Pintxos (similar to tapas) place where they have a bunch of them lined up on the counter, and you just grab the ones you like. 2.5 euro per bite, affordable wines by the glass, lots of options. Sit down dining in the back, but we haven't tried that.

Irati Taverna Basca offers up pintxos (similar to tapas) in front of house. Walk in and be greeted by friendly staff with a counter area filled with platters of assorted pintxos. Look around and just grab the ones you like at 2.5 euro per bite, they are shareable and filling. Add a draft beer or great tasting wine by the glass, there are lots of options to be had at Irati.

Great place for tasty tapas with a range of options and a great atmosphere. The only downside is that this place is quite small, but they managed to find a nice place for us and a dog even in peak time. Highly recommended!

While wandering around we got thirsty and a little peckish. We happened upon iRATi and decided the ponchos looked good so decided to stay. I ordered the sangria de verano, a summer sangria which was light and delicious. I tried a few pinchos, including a mushroom croquette that was out of this world! The rest of the pinchos were amazing as well. They were constantly replenishing from the kitchen and everything was fresh and beautiful. The total bill for two drinks and a few pinchos was 22 euro, what a great experience! The host was great and helped us get chair once someone vacated their seat. There was a constant flow of traffic but didn't feel too busy or crowded. There was a back room with a different menu that we didn't get to try, but hopefully we can one day when we return.

Thank you Rick Steves, I watched your Barcelona videos and took note of your tip to come here to Irati Taverna Basca!! I'm so glad I was listening because I saved this place on Yelp and it was very much worth the visit. Speaking of visits, this place is just a stone's throw away from Mercat Boqueria and Las Ramblas, so why not stop on in. Furthermore, these Pintxos (small snacks) are just pure eye candy as you walk in. They're all laid out, colorful, inviting and delicious looking. This Taverna is preferable to me than the over crowded Mercat, there's no shoulder to should pressure, no trying to get the server's attention. Here, you just walk in and grab a plate and serve yourself. Try to come when they just open so you get first dibs - like you're the first one at a buffet. But this isn't all you can eat, they charge by the toothpick but this quick snack won't break your budget. I enjoyed what I ate and you can eat a lot of these pinxtos but be careful, you may be spoiling your appetite for dinner or late lunch. The crab salad on toast really hit the spot, I suppose that was my favorite.

Fun place to grab pintxos (similar to finger foods, most served on a toothpick) -- you grab them from the front counter first and pay at the end when they count how many toothpicks are on your plate; each toothpick is 2.5 euros. We arrived around 7:30 PM on a Saturday and the front area was fairly full with a couple of spots to stand at the bar, which wasn't bothersome. There was also a room in the back with tables, though it seems that was for customers with reservations. Service is quick but the waiters are fairly busy which can make it difficult for new customers to figure out what is in each pintxo since they are unlabeled. Decent food and overall fun experience! Blueberry jam, cheese, pine nuts (5/5 stars): This was delicious!! It seemed to be one of the only sweet pintxos. The freshness/fruitiness of the jam complemented the creaminess of the cheese and there was a bit of crunchiness from the pine nuts and bread too. The flavors and textures worked very well together. I would get this again. Mushroom croquette (4/5 stars): Pretty savory, a good bite. Mine was a bit cold and I imagine one freshly out of the kitchen would be even better. Fish cake & mayo (3/5 stars): The fish cake was cold and had a mushier/mashed texture which I didn't like very much. The bread had a good crunch. Sausage, apple & cheese (3/5 stars): Personally wasn't a fan but my friend enjoyed it. I think it was topped with a traditional sausage spread but it was too salty for me. I thought the apple and cheese was an interesting addition but couldn't detect much of it because the sausage had such a strong taste.

Fantastic dinner experience, highly recommend! The manager, Igone, was lovely and taught us so much about Basque food and drink. A perfect evening and amazing food!

Excellent pinxtos displayed on counter. Order hot tapas (like the various croquettes, wagyu slider, sausage, bacon wrapped shrimp). They have beer, wine and cava by the glass. We had lunch when they opened at noon on a Monday...by 12:45 it was standing room only

Great pinxos/pinchos (skewered) tapas bar. Grab a plate, then choose from an assortment of hot and cold tapas, €2.50 each, just count your sticks at the end for the bill. Fun and delicious, and you can easily pick out what looks good. Typical from Basque Country, but fun in Barcelona!

It's a hidden gem in a small alley. Very good pintxos, and please ask for their house specialty -- baby squid.

Very engaging and helpful staff, loved the experience. All the food was perfectly prepared and excellent. Mostly locals, few tourists, well hidden. Very authentic, recommended by one of our tour guides.

Very good ambience, a little squishy. Very good service the waitress was very kind and patient. The food was some of the best tapas I have ever had, there are some items that aren't on the display such as the tomatoes which were very good. And the bacon wrapped cheesy shrimp, very creamy and crispy and the cheese was a cheese dip type of sauce. Overall 5 outta 5 stars.

Pintxos! Pintxos! Pintxos! SO GOOD. Great wine, friendly staff. Grab a seat (or stand) and go to town on every delicious pintxos you can get, including the hot ones fresh from the kitchen.

Super great spot I stumbled onto about a block off Las Ramblas. They were doing a self service tapas with a wide variety of delicious-looking options and every item was €2.50. Really enjoyed my selections. Sausage was the highlight. The sardines were also good and the ham was excellent. Super fun vibe, and very friendly staff.

3.5 stars This place is known for Pincho or small tapas that can be eaten in 2 bites. All the pincho are laid out on the counter, just pick up a plate and take which pincho you want by the skewer. Pincho means to pierce so they all are pierced with a skewer. When you are done choosing just bring them to the register and pay. My favorites were the crab and mayo, it tasted like a good crab sushi roll. I also liked the sausage and the one with minced meat sort of like a pate with some sort of jam on top. I didn't really know what everything was but it was kinda fun picking things off the counter. Also very reasonable for a quick snack. It is limited to certain types of tapas as you can't get hot items out of the kitchen or off the grill.

Hubby wanted Basque food and we couldn't go to San Sebastián. I found this gem on Yelp. Amazing food. Great atmosphere. Hoping to be back again

One interesting aspect of Barcelona is the toothpick system for some for the tapas, also known as pintxos. Here, they have a wide range of different tapas and you select any one you want. Then you have a bunch of toothpicks at the end. Each toothpick costs a certain amount of money. When you are finished, you just show the waitress your toothpicks and they add up what you owe. This is traditional tapas style and makes it easy to bar hop. In fact, they don't even provide seats. There are some seats in the back, but you might need a reservation for those. The only availability we were able to get was the standing bar. The waitress was still very attentive and took care of us immediately. I really like the self service. You don't have to wait for someone to bring you food, you get what you want yourself. Also, you are able to see the food before you decide to get it unlike some other places where you order the food and hope for the best. We tried a couple different tapas and they were all pretty good. Honestly, it didn't really compare to some of the other restaurants we went to in Barcelona, but for a quick bite it won't disappoint. There are a bunch of different choices, but my favorite was the goat cheese and berry spread. Very tasty! Overall, I think it is definitely worth a try as pintxos is a unique experience in Spain.

Good food. Great service. And the bar had a great selection of tapas helping to the ambiance.

(This relates to the sit-down restaurant in back, not the tapas bar in front.) When booking I had no expectation that this meal would become perhaps my favorite experience in Barcelona. We had a very winning server and everything our family ordered (several salads, and later dessert) was delicious. The element that transported me, however, was the Txuleton--easily the best steak I've ever tasted. Huge respect to Basque methods and to Irati for a meal worth remembering!

Pintxos is a great concept. I wish they had these restaurants in the states. You get a taste of Spain on a toothpick. They have something for everyone and each are only 2,50 euros each. Loved the rioja wine!!

I wasn't feeling it with this place for the tapas, it's basically a bar with chairs and they give you a plate and you pick which items you want from pre-made tapas items. Here is what I don't like. All these items are just sitting out in the open, and can be touched by people and put back, or flies can get at them. Further, you don't know how old these things are. They could have been made up hours ago and you would never know. On top of it, there are no food labels so you don't know what's in each tapas item unless you ask the person behind the counter. We ordered the beef cheek to be prepared fresh, but that took them 30 minutes! How frustrating. Prices here aren't cheap. Each tiny food item costs €2.10 each, which can add up quickly.

I came to Irati looking for some snacks after having a few drinks out. This place is lively/packed and kept the going out vibes strong. It's a long and skinny restaurant. You're either at the counter or the wall. There's an inviting front and back entrance. We found a tight spot at the counter and ordered wine. As for the pintxos, you choose what you want and then pay with your toothpicks at the end. Occasionally there will be someone walking around with a plate of hot pinxtos. Definitely go for the goat cheese croquette. These pintxos start at a minimum of 2 euros. If you find this place lost or planned in the Gothic Quarter, you won't be disappointed.

Came at a random time, was a bit dead and the pinchos were sitting for awhile on the counter. It's more touristy and expensive than the local spots but it's close. The hot croquettes were some of the best I've had!

It was our first official tapas meal when we arrived in Barcelona and it was the perfect start to our trip! We were staying in the Gothic Quarters and I read up that the shops on La Rambla are more touristy and more expensive so I went to check on Yelp and found this! Since it was late night on a weekday, the streets were a bit quiet and it was easy to find the place. Tapas (cold) are displayed on the counters and the friendly bartender will explain what it is, answer questions and make drinks for you. They also regularly bring out hot tapas fresh from the kitchen too. You get a plate and each tapas is 2euros. For them to count the number of tapas you've consumed, they put toothpicks and count them at the end of your meal. This is a standing type of tapas place btw. Everything was just soooo good! Hubby and I loved the ones with the shredded egg whites and crab meat! He was partial to the croquettas while I always had a penchant for the jamon iberico. The ones with the sardines were really delicious as well. Great place near Las Ramblas to experience the tapas scene in Barcelona. Highly recommended!

A good friend recommended this spot off the beaten path of the Las Ramblas area and it turned out to be a fantastic introduction into tapas and pintxo dishes as our first meal in Spain! If you want to do this place right, stand and eat in the front bar area and not the back sit-down portion of the restaurant. Two methods of choosing dishes here...first are all the (mostly cold) plates displayed on the bar itself; simply pick what you want and grab that toothpick and it's yours! Second, servers will come walking through the bar area with hot and fresh plates where you can sample more of the warmed items, wich we ate quite a bit of. Many dishes feature the famous Spanish jamon in some way, shape or form...some of the best cured ham you'll have anywhere! There were also a number of dishes featuring both seafood and local olives, other staple items in the Spanish diet. We thoroughly enjoyed just about every tapas or pintxo we chose, and some were downright dreamy. Can't wait for the opportunity to return here and sample further delights. One day!!!

Great place for tapas, at 2.50E each. Huge selection and you pay at the end based on number of toothpicks left on your plate. Every few minutes, waiters would walk around with a fresh, hot item just out of the kitchen. We ended up eating way more than we had planned because almost every new item was irresistible..

We were visiting Barcelona over the holidays and so many friends recommended Irati. We were staying near La Rambla so it was perfect to get to the restaurant. It is tucked just off of the main area on the cutest side street. On our first night in the city, we decided to stop by here and try out unique Spanish food and we absolutely loved it! The way the restaurant is set up, there is a counter with numerous platters of pintxos. You go up and grab whatever you want and at the end of the night, you pay based on the amount of toothpicks you have. Honestly, everything we tried here was so good! My favorite was the goat cheese and red pepper item. Initially, I was a little worried about how many vegetarian options there would be but if you go to this restaurant there is no reason to be worried! Almost half of the options were vegetarian so I got to try so many different items! They also have a few dessert type pintxos as well so make sure to try those as well! Whether you are hoping to stop by or stumble upon it by accident, this restaurant will not disappoint!

This place is tucked away in the gothic area of Barcelona. It serves fabulous pinchos (tapas with skewers). The options are quiet extensive and delicious. This is an outstanding place to eat and grab a drink in Barcelona! Check it out!!!

Self serve tapas for 1.95€ I was looking for a tapas place near the Ramblas and this was recommended by Rick Steves in his "Spain" book. I also checked Yelp and other Yelpers have been here because it was recommended by Mr. Steves. It's near the Liceu exit from the Metro. There is a self service tapas bar in the front which is standing room only and a restaurant in the back. I came here for tapas and that's what I had. Tapas are 1.95€/each. You are given a plate and choose what you want. Once you are ready to pay they count your toothpicks. They have stuffed peppers, croquet, veggie types, potato, tofu and more. I only came here once, but I do wonder if the menu changes or if they are pretty consistent in what is served throughout the day. Service was great, food and drinks were great. I would love to try this place again.

The tapas were amazing! My favorites are the sardines with roe, and the jamon. The only reason I didn't give this place a 5-star is because there aren't any sitting area if you're there just for the pintxos. Otherwise, pretty awesome food!

We had a blast at Irati - ordered a bottle of cava, and enjoyed delicious finger food. Great service, fantastic and tasty food, fabulous people watching.

My friends and I were looking for a place to eat. We were unsure what would be open, given it was Christmas Eve. We stumbled upon Irati. As soon as we walked in, we were welcomed by a very friendly staff. They kindly explained the process and each item. This place was a little different in that you walk around with a plate and choose with item you want. At the end, they count the number of toothpicks. Imagine it like a moving (conveyor belt) sushi place, just the food stays in place and you do the moving. The food was delicious and filling. We are all salmon lovers so most of our plates looked the same. We each ordered a Tinto de Verano, which was delicious. If you are looking for a relaxed environment to eat some tapas and grad some wine. Definitely check out Irati. I will most definitely be going back if I am ever in Barcelona!

The Quick: Love the pinxto (toothpick tapas) idea, but I did not love this restaurant. The Details: The staff is helpful, and the wine is great, but I was not impressed by the options. I think this is a classic tale of a great restaurant that gets too popular. It was extremely touristy and crowded, and the food was just OK. We found a better "pinxto" spot nearby we preferred. Pro Tip: They take credit cards and tax and tip is included in the bill (most of Barcelona). The Damage: 1.95* per taste which is average for the area. The red wine was about 2.50* and extremely satisfying. *Prices in Euro

When you're in Barcelona you are surrounded by Tapas literally everywhere so it's crucial you find the right place! After shopping around La Ramblas my mom and I were looking to eat some tapas for lunch. We saw Irati across the street and decided to give it a try. We are new to the whole tapas game so it was nice that we were greeted by super friendly staff. They could tell we were unsure of how it all worked so one of the workers was kind enough to explain the process. The tapas area had two long counters so it is a standing place. They have a decent amount of tapas already made out on the counter. You are given a plate upon arrival and then can start grabbing any tapas you want. The counter is filled with all cold tapas (mostly seafood). They also constantly bring hot tapas from the kitchen. These were my favorite because I'm not much of a seafood person. We had the crab meat, steak, quiche, fried squid, fried goat cheese, and three different sausage. From the tenderness of the steak to the crispy delicate fried cheese they ALL blew me away. I am officially in love with tapas after going here! It's so tempting to grab everything but you fill up fast so be careful! My mom and I had to make ourselves leave because it's so hard to say no! When you are finished eating they count the number of toothpicks on your plates. Surprisingly, it was only 2 euros per tapa which is totally affordable! Most tapas places charge anywhere from 3-9 euros per tapa. Irati is the right place!! They also have a sit down dining area which I will definitely be back for before leaving Barcelona!

Arrived late in Barcelona and decided to pop in Irati for a first introduction to Spanish dinner pintxos and they did not disappoint. Great atmosphere, good pintxos, at a good location for a late stroll after dinner.

We came here for two meals during our trip to Barcelona - this place deserves 5 stars. The first meal, we sat down in the back dining room area where you can only order from the menu. We had the grilled fish of the day, shared the txuleton, and my friend had the tenderloin with foie gras. We also got salt cod omelette, aged beef tartare, and the blood sausage for appetizer and they were all delicious. We also got a delicious bottle of Rioja to complement the meal. Total bill was around €50 per person, but it was well worth it for the quality and authenticity of the ingredients and cooking style. We came back the second time to have pintxos, which were all really good and generously topped. It does get crowded at the bar area and we were with our two-year-old son but he managed to behave and say hello to everyone standing around. You can get very full without having to break the bank. We got a bottle of wine as well, and it only came to €20 per person.

Rating: 86/100 pts I had a lot of tapas throughout Spain, but without a doubt, the Basque-inspried pintxos tapas from Irati Taverna Basca were the best, and the ones I foresee myself craving for the long term. It's a bit chaotic inside, but that's all part of tapas bar culture. And what's more, unlike other places I attempted, the waiters here all seemed to speak English--not that you will use it much. Ask for a plate (if they don't give you one when you walk in), and just grab away at whatever strikes your fancy. (They will tally your toothpicks when calculating your "cuenta" at the end.) Far more difficult than the ordering process is selecting what to eat, as everything seemed to shine with goodness. Each item was a meticulous mixture of colors, textures, and flavors with what was all highly competent preparation using high quality ingredients. My descriptions won't do them proper justice, but among what I had included: Cheese with fig jam, nuts, and herbs; stewed purple cabbage with cream, sweet red pepper, and cherry tomato; Spain's famous sliced ham; Fried croquette with cream and a dab of sweet sauce; all on (two-)bite-sized baguettes. Each item is a comfortable €1.95, meaning you can get full afforably. This was the only tapas bar that I would have preferred to try again rather than risk a new place.

Come with friends, family, kids! This place is so friendly for everyone. The food keeps coming and the drinks are good. We loved it.

Yes! Ya favorite yelper is hanging in Barcelona whatttsss haddenin!!! Why am I in Spain? Because I'm awesome, cultured, badass and an absolute savage. First stop, tapas. Checked this place out right by our air bnb and heard great things. Also, s/o my fellow yelpers who are yelping abroad you're really helping a homie out with this trip! Anyways... This place had their tapas set up where each one has a toothpick poked in it and you pay according to how many toothpicks you have (2 euro a pick) Pretty cool system! Had some great items here. Had 2 different types of sausages that were so damn good. I have no idea what they were called cause I'm abroad and could not understand when they told me. Also had some type of fried cheese/ ham ball that reminded me of America because I thought we were the ones that fry everything. It was delicious though and seriously one of the best things I've had in awhile. Also had many other fantastic small items. Okay so why 4-stars and not 5? It's because they all come on top of bread which really fills ya up. Maybe all tapas have bread? Maybe not? I have no clue this was my first stop. But as an experienced yelper/ self-proclaimed food critic I just don't mess with bread like that. All in all, I would definitely recommend this place over some hose-job on ramblas street where they take all your money for sub par food.

Excellent meal accompanied with fantastic service. The tapas looked wonderful, however the restaurant in the rear was an all time "top 5 for me"!!!

Excellent tapas bar and restaurant in the heart of the gothic section, just off Ramblas. We sat in the restaurant area which has a traditional menu. The food was incredibly fresh. I recommend the peppers as an appetizer, the grilled calamari and one of the meat dishes such as the ribeye or pork loin. Also you can make a meal out of just appetizers such as the heirloom tomato salad. Note there is no seating at the tapas bar, you have to stand.

This is the alter ego of Sagardi. The menu looks the same so I don't know why there are two. I had the famous steak a couple of times. Both were very good. The way they prepare it is different from the US steakhouses. The quality of meat is superb if you go for the more expensive aged version. Highly recommended. I have also had grilled whole fish. What can be improved are the appetizer and side dishes. Overall, a great basque restaurant.

it is my favorite eating place in barcelona. each trip i have been there and enjoyed the food and friendly atmosphere.

Hands down, this was my FAVORITE place to eat from my ENTIRE trip to Spain. Their pintxos are to die for (I still dream about them) and the atmosphere is very laid back. I recommend eating at the bar. There are no seats so you have to stand, but it's totally worth it. The bartenders are super nice and accommodating. We asked for recommendations of fun places to go, and they literally worked together to write out a list for us (and I didn't regret going to any of those places)! Also, you MUST try their sidra, rioja, and their sparking white wine. I have been recommending this place to all my friends going to Barcelona and they've all loved it!

Easily one of the best tapas places in the area, Irati Taverna Basca offers a wide variety of delicious tapas for only €1.95 per toothpick. Just looking inside Irati Taverna Basca is a five star experience - you're greeted by a large bar completely covered with dozens of varieties of tapas. Ordering food is simple - walk inside, ask someone behind the counter for a plate (their English is excellent), and start loading up your plate. Each tapas is €1.95 and is counted up when you're done by counting the toothpicks. There's no need to worry about the amount of food, as each tapas is its own small meal, and you'll probably only eat somewhere between 5-7 to feel full. Also be sure to try some of the wine, which is the best cheap wine you'll ever taste. It's busy around lunch and dinner and the crowd is mostly tourists (this restaurant is featured in Rick Steves' travel books), but don't let it discourage you, as it's worth the crowds.

I don't believe love is too strong a word to express how I felt about this little stand-up toothpick pintxos bar. I enjoyed the food so much I forgot I was standing the entire time, nearly an possible feat but it actually is true! Each and every toothpick pintxos I tried was perfectly presented and delectable, most on a sliver of fresh bread which was incredibly easy to eat & share. Knowing each toothpick would be totaled at the end for 1,95 euro each felt like an amazing bargain considering the quality of what was in front of me. We followed our friend's recommendation and secured a spot toward the end of the bar closest the kitchen so we'd have early options on the hot presentations as they came out of the kitchen. The hot pintxos proved to be my personal favorites. All were explained by the staff in perfect English both from our bartender on the cold presentations and the lady arriving from the kitchen with the hot ones. No guess work involved! Enjoyed with a glass of cava & a beer for my husband with multiple pintxos shared between us. Perfection!

The first place I ate at while in Barcelona. Wandered upon this place after checking into the hotel and taking a stroll down the Ramblas. A few wrong twist and turns, and low and behold there was Irati Taverna Basca. Just busy enough to be inviting but not too busy (at the time) for us to pass on it. The pinto tapas placed on the counter were beckoning us to try. All the diners there were happily munching on the pintxos. The pintxos were all amazing. The most memorable on was the pintxo that was both sweet, creamy, and savory. Reasonably priced, when you're done just let staff count up the tooth picks to tabulate your bill.

It's been a long time since I've gotten something amazing for a dollar, but at 1 euro/each, the unbelievably delicious pintxos at Irati is the best value in dining in this and possibly parallel universes. First off, the atmosphere very much feels like a locals-only environment. Packed, lively, and fun. Being from the US and with a raucous group of 4 red wine-guzzling Chicagoans, we did get a fair share of "who are those people and why are they talking so damn loud" style glances, but hey, we talk loud. That being said, the staff at the restaurant could not have been friendlier. Even with the place packed to the brim, they still found us a spot to chill and eat our pintxos (I'll get to them in a second) but also recommended some great wine and explained the process of ordering. As far as ordering goes, there are pinxtos in rows lining the bar. At first glance, you see the bright colors, fresh looking fish, and exotic ingredients and your first thought is "wow, I would really like to just grab that thing and eat it." Then to your astonishment you realize dreams really do come true and that you can do exactly that. Each pintxos has a toothpick. You save the toothpick. At the end of the night the server counts the toothpicks and you get charged 1 euro for each that you consumed. Amazing. The sheer variety is what makes this place stand out. Homemade sausages, exotic cheese with bright delicious sauces, all different kinds of fish (the salmon was a standout winner), and stuff that you have no idea what it is, but when you eat it your brain reels in delight. Four hungry, drunk Americans ate like It was our last meal on earth and including a decent bottle of wine the tab was 67 euros. Astonishing. A must-go.

Awesome 40 types of hot and cold Basque pintxos for 1,80 euros/each. No seating area, just standing room. There were many tourists but each pintxo tapa was presented nicely. Tinto de Vernano (summer red wine with spritzers a bit more expensive). It's an honor system:They count the number of toothpicks you have on your plate. Helpful waiter explaining to you what each pintxo you are picking. Note to self: Should of tried: Txakoli (sprightly Basque white wine)

Friendly staff and tasty food. The tapas were good. You should also try the dinner menu. The establishment is focused on serving fine local food and informing the clientele on the intricacies of Spanish dining habits.

This place was recommended to me by the hotel for the most authentic & best tapas experience. I'd give this place 5-stars on everything (food, ambiance, convenient location, and value) - except that it has outgrown its small space, which makes it a little harder to navigate. It's an old-style tapas place - where you stand at a bar lined with endless dishes that just keep coming. They give you a plate, you pick what you want off of all types of dishes lined up and that just keep coming. Each portion has a toothpick in it. Then they charge you 2.5 euros for each toothpick you used that's in the piece you select.). It's worth going just for this trust-based, old-time experience. Many of the options are served on fresh, crispy bread - which means this can be as filling as you choose to make it. My faves: anchovy stuffed olives on a stick w/ mild Spanish pepprocinis wrapped in anchovies &, the & the Spanish ham & cheese topped bread. Locals also go for the Barcelona faves of Porato omelette and samlon w/ something on bread. Great wines and beers also there to help them go down. TIPS: choose what the locals choose as the dishes come out the kitchen or what looks that it's running low (note - that won't be the sliders), & try to find an off time here (or @ least somewhat of an off time) - this place is always packed ! )

Really enjoyed this place both times I went with two friends. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could since it seems several of the tapas are heavy on the bread and cream cheese-iness and the pricing doesn't seem to make sense in terms of items being pretty much identically priced regardless of ingredient or complexity of preparation. That being said, this is traditional tapas in that you go in and stand, they count your toothpicks (or tiny plastic spoon) and figure out your bill that way. So if you absolutely must eat sitting down and have your "personal space" don't eat at the tapas bar here. Along with the tapas dishes lining the bar area periodically there hot bites that come from the kitchen. If there's room in the back of the place that's where you want to be to get first dibs on them. Service is pretty good overall, especially considering how busy it is and how service in Spanish restaurants is often verrrry relaxed. Several servers do understand and speak English, which was helpful to my friends not having to rely on me to translate everything in Castilian while eating in such a busy place. It's a great place if you want a good and quick meal and are on La Rambla.