One of my favorite dining experiences in Girona! The food was exceptional--succulent lamb chops,…read morerich and comforting cannelloni, and crispy fried artichokes with romesco sauce that I still dream about. To top it off, the cardamom-infused tea was a fragrant, soothing finish and the desserts...wow. The rustic setting added so much charm, and the owner was incredibly kind and welcoming. Truly an unforgettable meal and experience.

Good food is easy to find in Girona. Exceptional food is more of a rarity. El Cul del Món hits it…read moreon the head; beginning with this beautiful stone building and impressive metal sign that greets you, big and bright windows are welcoming from the dark street outside. Everything about El Cul was divine. The appetizers (Moroccan salad, pumpkin soup, and meat selection) were tasty and just the right portion. The artisanal bread did come with a 1.10 supplement fee - kind of tacky but entirely worth it. And the olive oil? Good grief that stuff is liquid gold. Get the bread for the olive oil alone! My lamb shank entree was a very hearty serving and cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside and succulent in. My friends had the chicken cannelloni which was much more petite yet still delish. (Save your pasta ordering for Italy. They do great rice dishes in Spain and this was tasty, but vai a Italia per la pasta della nonna!) Other friend's sea bass was cooked to perfection. Chocolate desserts, oh my! Yup, get those too.

We are completely confused. This restaurant is well-reviewed and the owner has published two…read morecookbooks, so our group of 4 were all shocked to be served what could most accurately be described as hospital food. The starter salad was not fresh and not seasoned. The vegetable of the day was overcooked boiled potatoes and green beans with no seasoning. The soup of the day was as thick as glue, and again, under-seasoned. The fresh hake was deep fried and overcooked. The "steak" was a cheap cut, maybe 3mm thin, and looked like something that would be served at a prison. We sat at the restaurant looking at online photos from positive reviews, wondering if we had shown up on the chef's day off. We do not speak Catalan, but when our waitress came to clear our plates, and saw that we hadn't eaten some items, she made it clear that she understood why. We had a dozen items. The pork cheek was decent. The ice cream was fine. The crema was fine. Nothing else. This was easily the worst meal we had in a MONTH in Catalonia.

We came here at the recommendation of a local and I have a feeling that it will be hard to find…read moreanother restaurant during our trip to Spain that beats this place and both value and taste. We were told that the sons of the owners of this restaurant own the 3 Michelin star restaurant just down the street. It's no wonder their kids have cooking chops because the food at Can Roca is as good as home made gourmet food gets. For two people with drinks, our 3 course meal (not counting a poached egg complementary starter) came out to less than 30 euros! We came at the end of the lunch crowd, around 4pm, when they were closing their lunch hours and reopening later for dinner. Despite the odd hour, the restaurant was completely packed but we didn't have to wait long to get a table. The whole place was locals only. Their menu is small and we were told they were already out of quite a few items. We basically told our server to give us whatever they had still available and whatever else she recommended. I can't tell you the names of the dishes but everything was just spectacular. We had these potato croquettes that were so divine, a bit salty from the meat mixed in, but super creamy. Even the potato and peas dish turned out to be really good- simple but satisfying. For the main dishes, we got the ribs with roasted chestnuts, and a stewed beef with mushrooms. The meats were so tender. And then for dessert we got some type of chocolate mousse with cookie crumbles and a coconut cream mousse with pineapple bits. This is the stuff you can expect to get at a fancy restaurant, definitely not at a mom and pop shop. Needless to say, we left very full and will definitely be back next time we are here.

Food was amazing! I don't remember the names of the tapas we ordered but everything was delicious!read more

It's been a decade since I came here for my first Tapas in BCN. This is where I realized there was…read morea lot of my peeps that works there and it's nice to feel at home, lol. This was recommended by friends awhile back, I remembered the modern ambiance, amazing Tapas, friendly service and the place was as busy then until now. For this big restaurant caliber, it's pretty crowded yet they do a good job with a fast turnaround. We did the early Dinner and by the time we got out there was already a long line for late Diners. The fact that even after a decade, it's rare that I go back to the same spot let alone they're still around after all these years. You already know that tells a lot and I feel bad for those who didn't have the same great experience, hope they give it another shot. See y'all soon! Salut, Vermouth!

We were traveling from Sitges to Costa Brava, unable to plan our meals around siesta hours. As we…read morewalked around the city, it became apparent that eating between 3-7pm may be a challenge. I was relieved to see the chalkboard outside that said "Meals All Day." The thought of coming from the US and getting a burger here seemed so silly to me, but when we walked in, the sight and smell was too convincing. The fresh Girona beef was loosely ground and flavorful, so, no regrets! There was a little bit of an issue with flies trapped inside, we probably should have sat outside. Wine prices were good!

Sunday lunch in August is jammed at every restaurant in Girona. We followed an elderly couple into…read moreBrots de Vi. The service was excellent with waiter bringing wines to taste to ensure we got one we liked -- this is a vinoteca after all. Two glasses of vey cold, very dry white wine, a shared plate of baked pears and Roquefort on arugula and watercress with "pacanes" -- that's pecans to us gringos. And the most luscious magret of duck I've had in a very long time. This was a lovely Sunday lunch and probably the most memorable meal from our time in Spain. Note: If you're looking for giant portions or fried food, Brots de Vi may not be the place for you.

If you're looking for a unique stay outside of the hustle and bustle of Barcelona proper, this is…read moreit! This hotel provided nearly everything I envisioned in my Spanish adventure. My fiancé (a marathon running, hiking, adventure buff), and myself (a world traveling art enthusiast, localist, and history buff) both found this stay to tick all of our boxes. Here's a bit of our experience that may be helpful when booking yours: -getting to the hotel is a journey for the strong at heart. While you could take a taxi from the airport, or a combination of public transport and taxi, I wouldn't recommend it if staying more than a night or two. The journey up the mountain to the hotel from Loret Del Mar is about 10-15 minutes by car which means if you want to venture outside of the hotel, into the city, or to the nearby beaches or botanical gardens, you're looking at a 15 minute drive down the mountain each and every time. Ubers and taxis are not available/readily available in this area. All of that being said, this is likely the only time I'd suggest investing in renting a vehicle while in Spain. -this 10-15 minute mountain drive does have a few benefits, if you're an adventure enthusiast, hiker, runner or cyclist, the location offers more trails than you're able to explore with beautiful picturesque landscapes around every corner! Plus, you'll find a collection of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world just beyond the mountain. -upon check in you are given a phone (as there are no phones in the rooms), to book reservations at the restaurant, spa, and ask questions related to your stay at the grounds. The grounds themselves are worth exploring. The pool is quiet and beautiful, painting and sculpture are sprinkled throughout the hotel, and the resort occasionally holds yoga in the area by the pool. We didn't try the spa (missed opportunity), but the hotel restaurant is the place to be (with your significant other) for breakfast, and worth a visit for dinner. You can even request breakfast delivered to your door. -- I'll be honest, this hotel is not for everyone. If you have zero interest in history, aesthetics, hiking/biking, scenic views, Costs Brava beaches and local life, this may not be the spot for you. But if you're all about that historical, aesthetic, adventure packed, picturesque experience, THIS is the spot. We surely will keep it in mind next time we visit the area!

I want to begin by saying that the grounds and the hotel itself are actually stunning. My room was…read moreamazing, quite big, with great art and a free standing tub in my bedroom as well as a full bathroom(pretty freaking amazing). The issue started when we arrived; we checked in late around 11pm as our flight from France got in at about 10pm. We were starving when we first entered. We guessed the kitchen was closed in the restaurant, which was true but they also had zero snacks! No chips, no bread, nothing. I then asked for a glass of wine which they seemed unsure if they could bring it or not which struck me as very weird because this hotel is supposed to be amazing with great service. We tried to eat at the restaurant but I am extremely picky about what I eat and they could not accommodate me which is fine but there was no other food at the hotel. I would also like to note the hotel is on a mountain and in order to get food you have to take a cab down the mountain into town and back up. EACH AND EVERY TIME! As much as the hotel claims it is relaxing, this was the most non relaxing hotel I ever stayed in. I will say that they did provide breakfast( orange juice, coffee, breads, jams) delivered to our room every morning but the only thing that was good was the orange juice. After I drank that I ran out to get real food every day! Lastly, the massage I received at the spa was literally not a massage. I explained to the masseuse that I had a little back pain from traveling and hopping on plane to plane and that I would love if she could relieve some of the tightness. She barely touched me, I'm not sure what she did but when I got up I was drenched in oil and my back still hurt. So in short, do go if you're a picky eater, don't go if you want room service, don't go you're used to a certain level of service and also don't go if you want to RELAX. I will say the the concierge at the from desk early in the morning(the man from Cuba) was extremely kind and helped us figure out cabs and such as well as the concierge at night who was the one to bring me the glass of wine and ice when I first arrived. The women who worked the front desk during the day were absolutely no help at all.

The restaurant looked very nice so we walked in. Service was friendly but the food wasn't good at…read moreall. The ingredients wasn't fresh. The cod was definitely frozen. They didn't cook mine all the way so I returned it. The middle was still cold and the meat was in a chunk and I couldn't put my fork through it. It was way under cooked. They brought it back in 5 minutes or so with the same piece. It looked like it was microwaved. You can see the water leaking from the meat of the fish. It was not appetizing. The appetizers were bland as well... I wish I yelped vs. randomly walking into a restaurant. That was my mistake. They need new management because this is not a way to make food property especially in Europe where freshness ingredients is #1.

After seeing many good reviews and great pictures, we decided to give this restaurant a try. I hear…read morethe menu del during the week is about €14.50 which isn't that bad. Well, we came on a Saturday so we were expecting higher prices. When we got the menu, it was €48.50!!! That's crazy expensive. I recall seeing pictures on TripAdvisor that the tasting menu was €35. What a jump from one year to the next. So we opted for a la carte. Here's what we ordered: (For palette cleanser- the gave us complimentary warm pumpkin soup) Rice with Ceps and Foi Gras Out of all the dishes I ordered, this was my favorite. Rice was al dente, mushrooms gave it so much flavor and the foi was buttery and melted in your mouth. I was sure I could order another one and eat it all by myself. "Our Sea & Mountain" - rabbit stuffed with foi and scallop, crayfish This dish was just disappointing. Rabbit was really dry. Didn't taste the foi. The only good thing about this plate was the scallop Boneless suckling pig - two pieces of juicy pork. Cooked to perfection. In my opinion, the only thing missing was that crispy skin I was expecting. Overall - I really only enjoyed one of the dishes we ordered. Since it was a bit chilly outside, I was able to sit inside the restaurant with my dog so I really appreciate that they are pet friendly. Service wasn't the fastest either but the staff was very nice.

I think I have found a new joint favorite restaurant in Catalonia! Masnou is set in a beautiful if…read morenot slightly out of the way location just outside the small village of Santa Pau near the town of Olot. It is owned and operated by members of a charming family who share in the cooking and serving of the food. This is not the overly fancy Michelin-style food on offer at some of the other top restaurants in the region but is instead some of the best prepared and heartfelt Catalan mountain food I have had the pleasure of tasting. We were looked after by David, the extremely friendly, caring and helpful son of the boss (who we simply knew as "Mama"). He is of El Cellar de Can Roca stock, having worked there before starting Masnou with his family, and is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about his restaurant and their food, as well as Catalan cuisine in general. In fact, the restaurant was mentioned by one of the Roca brothers in a recent newspaper interview, which is how we found it in the first place. David suggested that we try mini portions of a selection of starters so that we could taste all the different sides of Catalan cooking reflected in their menu. Taking our dietary restrictions into account without batting an eyelid, we were served the most wonderful selection of nibbles from the simple yet unbelievably tasty (tomato and onion salad, salad of local beans from Santa Pau) to the more intricate and refined (a unique foie gras preparation, the likes of which I've never had before, and some unbelievably light cod fritters, which were not at all oily and did not overpower the sweet cod meat with batter flavour). The starters were finished off with a palette cleansing spoonful of a frozen mojito sorbet, which set us up beautifully for the main courses. Mains were more hearty, with highlights including two different preparations of duck (with orange or with pear), oven-roasted lamb shoulder, veal with a rich sauce made of local forrest mushrooms, beef cheeks served with a powerful onion reduction and onion confit and, the night we went, a special chicken preparation made with a tasty combinations of local herbs and spices. I'm not normally one for ordering chicken at a restaurant (it is often dull and too dry), but this was superb! There were some very nice sounding fish dishes on offer as well including tuna, cod and sea bass, but no one on our table tried any of them, so I can't comment on their quality, though I'd imagine it to be extremely high based on the standard of the rest of the food. I'm not sure if there was a wine list or not, but we said that we wanted to order wine and were just brought a local bottle. Not that we had any cause for complaint though, as while it may not have been the finest wine I've ever tasted, it was good and complimented the meal extremely well. We were also served some local muscat with desert, which was a nice touch. Overall, this was one of the best meals I've enjoyed in Catalonia with the overall experience (food, setting, service, etc.) being just right and full of charm and authenticity. It is also by far the best value meal I've had, with the full meal, including desert (which was also very tasty) and wine, coming in at just over €30/head. They could probably charge double that and I'd still happily pay it, but somehow I get the impression that they are more interested in producing great food than in squeezing diners for every penny they can. I suspect that the prices are also aimed at their majority clientele, who are either locals from the surrounding towns and villages or regional visitors from as far away as Girona and Barcelona. Few tourists have yet to discover this true gem. A few things to note. The interior of the restaurant is simple and cozy, with checkered table cloths and basic rustic decor. Do not be put off! The menu is available in Catalan or English (no Castellano here!). The descriptions on the English menu are a little basic sounding and one or two dishes have been left off. Again, do not be put off! You will not be disappointed with your food and if anyone in your group is able to read the Catalan menu, definitely get one as it will help a lot. The restaurant is not in Santa Pau itself but just outside it. Take the GI-524 to Santa Pau from Olot and look out for the sign to the restaurant, which is under a much bigger and more colourful sign for "Camping Ecológic Lava" (the turnoff will be on the left a few km outside of Olot).

From Barcelona Id driven up the length of the Costa Brava. So close to French border but not…read morecrossing over. This was my final destination, the last stop at the top of the country. Llança is a small town during the off season. About 4000 people. Ive been told that during the high season it can swell to 40,000. That's insane. The fartherI traveled north up the Brava the more French i heard. Kind of crazy when youre expecting Catalan and Castellano. When we get to the restaurant it's fairly quiet throughout the town. There are some bathers and I realized that some of the women were going topless. Right in front of the restaurant! The captain said that basically theyve seen everything, so nothing surprises them anymore. True professionals. So after looking through the wine list briefly, we commenced with the tasting menu. Over the next few hours a procession of dishes, arranged in groups, that reflect the Llança, the Cap de Creus, and greater Catalonia cuisine. The creativity is on a very high level and some of the things look unfamiliar but the flavors were very much Catalan. Chef Paco at the end came out to say hi to us and talk about the cuisine. He grew up in the area and the cuisine and his cooking will always primarily be here. However if you cant make the trek all the way up the coast, he also runs the 2 Michelin star Enoteca in Barcelona. But i highly recommend getting out of the big city and make it up this way if you can. It's totally worth the experience and i. The end you can have a phenomenal meal.

Had a fantastic lunch here! 5 Star quality!!…read more Got the menu of the day: lovely salad and the chickpea puré to start; the lamb shoulder, bacalao, the Coral (fish) with eggplant, lamb stew, and pickled pork for second course. For dessert, the lemon gelato and cinnamon cake. EVERYTHING was amazing! The fish and lamb melted in your mouth. Very inexpensive for such high quality food! €108 for 6 people.

Nice restaurant, good food. Sardinas were not well done, but perfectly cooked after asked for it…read more Nice waiters Less value when we have been sit on camping table and no so clean plastic chairs.

Delicious! We were looking for a local place near our airbnb. Everything we ordered was delicious…read more It is a busy spot. The service was very good.

We were told Spaniards don't drink so much Sangria -- they drink Vermouth! So, that's what we…read moresought during our first few days in Barcelona. This place came up on a Google Maps search in a neat neighborhood away from the touristy La Rambla, so we decided to check it out. We were made aware that in Spain, one simply has to stand around and wait for a table to vacate in order to sit -- the host doesn't really facilitate, and there is not written waiting list or anything like that. We waited for about 15 mins. Our host maybe didn't speak a ton of English, and generously agreed to translate the Catalan menu into simple Castellano that my partner and I could understand. His first question was essentially, "How hungry are you?", and then he proceeded to suggest some dishes. The Vermouth was definitely great. The pan con tomate went well. The patatas bravas went well with the drinks. The chicken tenders aren't something we'd get again (albeit we liked the 2 different sauces).