Still going strong over 100 years after first opening its doors, Quimet y Quimet is a Barcelona institution. If the line out the door indicates anything, it’s that this is one of the tapas bars in Barcelona that is not to be missed. Despite being a standing room only place that can fit 15-20 people at a time, Joaquim (“Quim”) Pérez continues to welcome patrons to the same establishment that his great-grandfather first opened in 1914 to sell homemade wine.

Located in El Poble-Sec just off the Avenida del Parallel, patrons will find a somewhat quirky tapas bar that specializes in creating the most delicious tapas from “conservas” which are canned foods, including vegetables, seafood and meats. Spain is known for producing some of the highest quality canned food in the world, and the walls inside of the tiny Quimet y Quimet are lined with cans of food and bottles of wine. Diners can select from a wide range of offerings, including a long list of traditional tapas, fresh local cheeses and meats, and over 30 “montaditos”, which are tapas that are served open-face on a piece of bread and are created on the spot.

Once you step into Quimet y Quimet you will feel like you have stepped back in time, as the place has not changed much since it first opened. You can go traditional with your selections, or you can let Quim and his staff create something new for your that will be sure to delight your culinary palette.

• Poeta Cabanyes, 25
• Barcelona, Spain
• Phone: +34 (93) 442 31 4

Photo credit: Quimet y Quimet

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Barcelona is a city with many restaurants to choose from, but there aren’t many that provide the innovative concept and gastronomic experience that you will find at El Nacional. It is located in the heart of the city on the Passeig de Gracia in a historic building dating from 1889 that has served as a cafe-theater, fabric dye factory and a car dealer shop over the course of over a century.

Inside the expansive space diners are sure to find something that will delight their culinary palette.  El Nacional is comprised of 4 different areas with restaurants and bars that each serve different types of cuisine. There is a meat restaurant (La Braseria), a fish restaurant (La Lotja), a tapas and rice restaurant (La Taperia), and a deli that serves light meals (La Parada). The 4 bars each feature different beverages, such as beer, wine, and cocktails, plus there is an oyster bar that serves a variety of seafood/shellfish and cava, Spain’s sparkling wine.

• Passeig de Gracia, 24 bis
• Barcelona, Spain
• Phone: +34 (93) 518 50 53
• Website: El Nacional

Photo credit: El Nacional

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.