Amazing, perfect, the best dining experience I've had in Barcelona in my 3 trips. Since 1920, this place still keeps its original speakeasy style. read more

See all

Before coming here I looked up the reviews and said hey, 3 stars?.... let me give it a try! The prices caught my attention because the place looks like a fine restaurant. 3 stars sounds about right for this joint. The hostess was extremely rude and was questioning my Spanish speaking skills. Our waiter was very sweet but very inattentive which lowered the quality of my experience. I ordered the salmon which was bland but the quality of the fish itself was yummy. 4 stars for food, 2 for service. read more

El Gran Cafè - Spanish Near Me - Barcelona, B

An upscale restaurant close to La Rambla and just of Ferran, so you can easily sneak away from the large crowds but still have easy access to them. We arrived at 1930, and there was only one couple and 1 waiter present. He seemed a bit indifferent at his job, so we got nervous of our chose of locations initially. By 1945 there were now 4 more staff and couple starting to arrive, so I guess 2000 was likely the magic hour. We sat by an outside window and watched all the people walking by watching us like we were in an aquarium. Good fun. We ate from a prepared menu of 4 courses that include a bottle and coffee/tea. Overall a very nice atmosphere inside. Food was very good. Wine was good. Service was very good for the number of people that were present. read more

El Gran Cafè - Spanish Near Me - Barcelona, B

We came in here on our last night in Barcelona on a recommendation from friends. It is located in El Barri Gotic and for that alone, earns a star. Walking into El Gran Cafe is like taking a step back in time. It has maintained its classic ambiance in a modern city. The pianist earns this place another star. They have a great selection of the typical Spanish dishes. One of the best ham croquetas we had in Barcelona were here. Somehow, I was surprised to not have found really good croquetas in Barcelona. We also ordered the Gambas al Ajillo, Monkfish entrée and of course, paella. The best one for us was the paella, followed very closely by the Monkfish. Lastly, they have a wonderful wine selection with great prices. The first bottle we ordered was not up to par. We asked for the Sommelier and right away we had a new bottle. Excellent, classic service. read more

We came here following a recommendation from a friend. We opted to skip starters and go to the mains. I chose the Steak Tartare that was 24 euros. A waiter came out with his trolley and prepared the Steak Tartare for me! This was a really unique experience and I absolutely loved it. He asked if I wanted it hot. I said yes and I'm sure that he added a bit of spiciness! It came with chips and little crispy toasts. I have never had Steak Tartare, but I've always wanted to try it. It's very rare or almost raw meat. It's the seasoning and flavours that really make it. I ended with a crime brûlée. It was not the worst. For some reason it wasn't all crisp. But it tasted okay. Everyone in our party was happy and there was a piano player doing some numbers at the side. He also took a request and played some Elton John. I would gladly recommend!! read more

See all

During my course here in Barcelona the organizers planned a social dinner to this place. We were a party of 30 people who were seated in the basement. The basement was really nice decorated with old fashion Spanish style, old bottles of wine, and different pottery which made it very cozy. We were seated together at a long table. First thing that happened was that there was not enough room and seating places for all of us, so while some of the guests got a seat around the table, the rest was just standing there like idiots, and nobody reacted and offered them a table. Finally after 10 minutes a waiter reacted and got the remaining ones a table seating upstairs. I was one of the guests sitting around the long table. We knew the menu was preordered and that we were having tapas, so we waited for the food. The first bread served, came on the table after a waiting time of 20min. People were hungry so they ate the bread. 15 min later the sausage, which was supposed to go with the bread, was served. And it continued like that for a while for the rest of the tapas dishes. The waiter was really rude, he didn't want to speak English and if you approached him he just ignored you.. The food, when it finally arrived, was cold and not very appetizing presented.. The main dish they served, after the (what one of the locals described as non-Spanish tapas) tapas , was veal with potatoes. The meat was very dry and almost impossible to swallow. As you might have guessed I am not fan of this place and would not visit again. The food was not satisfying and the service was bad. read more

An old 1920s building's former bank turned into a restaurant complete with brass hardware, velvet curtains, high ceilings, live piano music and white linens. Prices are relatively reasonable considering ambience. Cuisine is Spanish/ French and the menu available in six languages. Bread is included in the 1.75 cover charge per person and worth it. You get a huge basket of assorted fresh breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The grilled vegetable starter is nice to share. The duck breast with potato gratin was a hit with mom and at 14 EUR not too expensive. My dad loved his steak and fries. My casserole style seafood rice came out very soupy. I expected it to be baked. It was tasty, with plenty of seafood but I could have done without the added butter. The BF ordered a sirloin burger. Out came just the patty with potato gratin and two slices of eggplant. The burger had to be sent back once for further cooking and came out again completely raw in the center. We never got an apology but they did take it off our bill. All in all a more upscale dining experience than your usual hole in the wall tapas bar. Paellas are priced right in line with other restaurants at 14€. The closest thing you will find to upscale French or Italian cuisine in the area. read more

If you are in the mood to upgrade from Tapas and are in the gothic quarter then El Gran Cafe is a good choice. Old school Belle Époque decor and a wine list that I have been satisfied with EGC can make you feel upscale without the heavy hit to your wallet. I have been here twice with different parties and have never come away dissatisifed. This is not a high end place but if makes you feel you are putting on the ritz. For better service try not to show up in shorts and sandals. Slacks for men and dresses for women work well here. This is a good value. I would come back. read more

Walked past this place that's 1 block from our apartment 10 times trying to find "someplace good to eat", but finally stumbled in before a rain storm. Everything os great. Looks a bit like a pub from the outside, but inside is huge, with white tablecloth, good service, concise menu, and affordable. read more

El Gran Cafè - Spanish Near Me - Barcelona, B

See all

This restaurant kept its original decoration, belle epoque style and you can listen piano during diner. Nothing special for the food, quality is regular but not very local, similar to french brasserie (entrecote, duck magret ..). So if you would like to taste catalan food, this is not the good place to go ! Service is also a little bit too pressing ! read more

El Gran Cafè - Spanish Near Me - Barcelona, B

Before I get into the bad, let me begin by highlighting the good. The food was fantastic and I believe moderately priced for what was served. The duck confit was a perfect portion and hit all the right notes paired with pear and the licorice drizzle. And now to the bad. Service was probably the worst I've experienced in a restaurant of a higher scale (or as high of a scale I was led to believe). As soon as we enter and the hostess sat us at our table, 10 minutes passed before I thought something must be wrong. Perhaps being a tourist I misunderstood dining customs and maybe I was supposed to go to the bar to order? Not one waiter gave us a glance or spoke to us since we sat down. Now perhaps you're thinking they were too busy to get to us which happens. Alas, no. Perhaps of this whole establishment which had about 20 tables; only 4 were occupied. After 5 minutes I flagged down a nearby waiter and asked whether we were supposed to order elsewhere or to wait for a waiter. To my astonishment, no apology was given. A snarky, "We'll you can order now." I hid my irritation and continued with our order. Food came out in a well timely manner (brought out by a different server). Back to my first statement, the food was excellent. With our stomachs satisfied we thought that'd be all to the establishment. No, to add insult to injury, once we said no thank you to the dessert menu and our plates had been taken away, 20 minutes spanned and we had not received our check. I observed other tables being greeted and their checks being brought to them. I flagged down a different waiter and asked where we were supposed to pay. They asked if we were given a check and we said no. Seconds later our waiter walks by our table and basically drops the check off and leaves. We pay and thankfully that is all. Overall, I was very dissatisfied with the service and the lack of acknowledgement or respect received. I loved the food but if that was the service I would be receiving, I would rather go to another establishment. Weigh whether quality service is important to you before deciding on coming here. read more

El Gran Cafè - Duck confit with pear and licorice drizzle. Excellent food, not so excellent service. - Spanish Near Me - Barcelona, B

I found El Gran Cafe on my last night in Barcelona, and my only regret is not finding it sooner. Beautiful restaurant, excellent cuisine, and a very friendly staff. My table was right by the window, so I also had a perfect perch for people watching on one of the prettiest streets in the Gothic Quarter. Definitely coming back to El Gran on my next visit! read more

So this place is charming in an old school european way. The vegetable starter was well executed and a decent portion for the 8.5 euro they charged. This dish unlike most encountered in this city was well season with quality salt in the right amount. This place also included bread in the table fee and provided a good portion of quality bread. The rest if my party enjoyed their meal. My sirloin burger was unfortunately under cooked and uneatable. The burger was ordered medium rare an was full raw. More like quickly browned versus cooked. I sent it back once and it came back somewhat cooked but raw in the middle. This was in fortunate because it was again well seasoned. Service was quick but lacking personality and warmth. read more

The least remarkable meal of our visit to Barcelona. The place was almost empty, and there were more staff eating than customers. Service was not friendly. I ordered fish and that's all I got: fish on a plate smothered in mayo-type topping, no sides. Underwhelming and disappointing. read more

We were greeted by a friendly hostess but then one of the waiters came over and seemed to be making fun of us in Spanish. He ended up being our waiter and he was terrible. Very slow service and he acted like he was full of himself. The food was just ok. The bartender was very nice. Much better options around the area. read more

I tried really hard to be a good Yelper and go to the best places in Barcelona, but since I was trying to get over the discomfort of being a solo diner for the first time, I more stuck to places that I felt comfortable eating alone in. I don't know why El Gran Cafe was one of those places. But sometimes it just feels right. They do a 3 course meal at lunchtime with bread and drinks for €11.50, which is great value. To be honest I can't remember everything I ate (this review is being done like 5 months late), but everything was fresh and tasty. Not out-of-this world, not particularly imaginative, but filling and made me happy. The atmosphere was very nice though, and the restaurant itself looks quite grand, and it was quiet when I went, so it's a lovely place to sit in and eat solo while reading a book or sorting through maps and such. The service was really good. Not everyone spoke English but there was enough English/Spanish exchange that it worked out fine. The servers were really attentive but would let you get on with your meal in peace. It was a good meal, especially when you're hungry, but would I rush back when next in Barcelona? Eh, probably not. But Barcelona's big and there's a lot more I would like to try next time. It's definitely not the worst choice around. read more

If you are in the mood for an overpriced meal and like to be waited on by snooty waiters this is the place for you. We went at 11:30pm for drinks and dessert and the waiter took our menus away from us and basically kicked us out for not ordering a full course meal. Too bad as the pianist was very good. I would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

Stumbled across this place on the way back to Las Rambla. We had a party of six but was seated fairly quickly upstairs. The service was prompt (relative to other place we ate at). The house wine was good and the bread tasty. The best was the onion soup. All in all, good food for probably the least expensive meal. read more

Bad Food, Eas Sick all night, never been a place worse. The wine was sour. Never ever again.

Last meal in Barcelona, fabulous restaurant ! Must give 5 stars as the dishes are soooo delicious!! The atmosphere is fantastic! Highly recommend this place! read more