Service and food were good, prices were a little high, and wines were a bit astringent (I tried two, so this was a real surprise!). Patatas bravas were generously cut, which was different than what I've had elsewhere, but really perfectly fried. Pan cristal with brie, sun dried tomatoes, and truffles was very tasty. I'd recommend both of those. I'd agree with the other reviewer that said the texture of the jamon croquette isn't for everyone. read more

We went for our last day in Barcelona. We glad we did. We got the egg with iberico, it was so good and service was so quick. Bonus point for opening early :) read more

High end prices and good food. Probably a bit too pricey for what you're getting, but the restaurant was clean and trendy. The staff was great. This is located in a very chic area of the city with a steady stream of friendly people coming through the door. read more

Elsa y Fred - Banana something or other - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

This was probably the most touristy feeling place I went in Barcelona. Most of the savory dishes paled in comparison to other versions of these dishes we'e had at other restaurants. Prices were much higher than most other places I went. This meal cost us double most of our other informal dinners. It will do in a pinch, but no reason to seek this out unless you are craving tiramisu. We didn't have a reservation, but managed to find a couple of seats at the bar. The place was packed! Service from the bartender was prompt and friendly. They also spoke excellent English. The sangria was rather forgettable, but the mojito was nicely muddled. The calamari was the worst dish. It had some grit and tasted funky. I would avoid that. The potatoes were okay; but my least favorite I'd had. The sauce was not my favorite. The olives tasted more like what I get in the States as Greek olives. They were good, but I was hoping for the Spanish ones since I was in Spain and that's what most other restaurants were serving. That's just a matter of personal preference though. I must say that the serving size was very generous. The tomato and mozzarella was nothing like the one I'd had the night previously at a nearby restaurant. This one looked prettier in presentation, but the tomatoes weren't as flavorful. The glass of red wine I had was very enjoyable as was the tiramisu that came looking like a potted plant. I would come back for wine and dessert, but go elsewhere for dinner. read more

Amazing experience for breakfast in Barcelona. They cater to both the Western palate as well as introduction to the Barcelona lifestyle. Kindness goes a very long way. The servers work extremely hard and do their best to create an amazing experience. I say this because I have visited 4 times already and I have witnessed the difference. When you walk in, please wait till they prepare a table. Do not grab a table. It's a fairly small place where they have to maximize seating. People have come in and just sat where they wanted and I really don't know where else you expect this type of behavior. Quality of food It's Western food sprinkled with a bit of Spanish influence. Best way to describe. Not typical of the food in surrounding neighborhood. Excellent quality and reminds me of back in the States for more then fair prices. They offer pastries, fried egg dishes with various proteins plus scrambled eggs with proteins and veggie options. Customer service Taking a holiday in Barcelona it has reminded me to take things slower. You should too. They speak English well and are patient in explaining their dishes. Timing My wife and I have visited for breakfast multiple times. This place is setup for Western palate that enjoys food early and coffee without that typical Spanish burnt sugar. Torrefacto. They get quite busy after 930. We have tried to go for dinner and for tapas and have been turned away they were so busy. So plan accordingly. All in all, come and get a great breakfast to ease you into Spain. Be blessed by the views and the people. Be kind and patient, enjoy the food and the culture. read more

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Amazing food, highly recommend the red tuna burger! We ordered various items and everything felt like something brand new and chef inspired with how distinct the flavors were, for example the croquetas with saffron mayonnaise, absolutely rich and flavorful! read more

Maybe it's because we were starving after traveling all night. We arrived at Elsa y Fred at about 3PM local time without a reservation (I would suggest reservations) but they were able to accommodate us at the bar. It was our first stop in Barcelona, and it set the scene for an amazing trip. Friendly staff who were all able to speak enough english to make our visit easy. Amazingly delicious food at prices that were hard to imagine. I see in some other reviews that the service is slow. Sitting at the bar, I can attest that everyone is hustling in this place (literally, it was nonstop action the entire time we were there), but the kitchen and the bar are both very small. If you're not in a hurry, you'll enjoy your time much more. read more

Not what I was expecting given the number of positive reviews. I go to Barcelona every other month for 2-3 weeks at a time and this restaurant is across the street from my hotel. The menu looked good, so I decided to go in for a late lunch. There were only about two tables full when I arrived. I was initially seated at a table directly under the heating vent which was way too hot, especially as it was a nice warm day yet they had the heater on high, and then I was moved to a table right next to the door. The seats are horribly uncomfortable, particularly if you have any kind of back issue. There was one server and a hostess and someone behind the bar. Service was horribly slow and the lone server stopped serving and tending to the guests to eat at the bar even though the restaurant had gotten busier. My drink sat empty forever and they could have made more money had they been more attentive and showed any sign of hospitality, but I was ignored. In addition, a party came in with a large dog, which they allowed, and they sat them right by the kitchen and the dog was jumping up to get at the food at the table and the serving window which was pretty disgusting. I ordered two tapas items to start - the pan con tomate and ham croquettes. The croquettes were decent, but the pan con tomate was soggy, cold and tasted off and came out about 20 minutes after the croquettes. There is a place around the corner that makes an excellent version of the pan con tomate - the one here is no where in the same league. I was planning on getting some sparkling water, another beverage and another tapas dish, but they just seemed not to care that I was there at all and had no interest in serving me. I also wanted to get a sandwich and dessert to go, but they never gave me the chance. A party had a reservation for over an hour earlier and never showed, yet they were still holding the table and told me I would have to be moved if they ever did arrive. After over an hour, I think they forfeited their reservation and I should not have been rushed. Moving someone after they had started their meal? Absolutely ridiculous. And where were they going to put me that they couldn't have put the people who didn't show for their reservation? That was about the last straw and I couldn't wait to get out of there after that. I was treated horribly, the service was awful and rude and they lost a great deal of money not just on this visit, but from all my future trips to Barcelona as well as from my many colleagues as I work for a large tech/social media company with offices in Barcelona and I have had them removed from the company's list of restaurants. I was also seeing if it would be a good place to take clients in a few days but they failed that test terribly. It really is too bad since it is very convenient to the hotel we use, but there are several better restaurants very close by that have excellent customer service and don't treat you like garbage. read more

Excellent weekday meal with a bottle of cava for two for 52 Euro, amazing quality of food and excellent service from Carmen and Fechli!

So good. Great space, attentive staff, and delicious menu: the holy trinity. I hadn't read reviews, just randomly walking by it struck me as a place to try. We enjoyed the pastrami sandwich, the tuna burger, the olives, the little leafy salads, the potatoes and the dark ("red") beer. Can't wait to go back! read more

7 nights in Barcelona, I have to see this was the 'nicest' meal we had. Wife and I came on a Tuesday night without reservations, and based on a local co worker's recommendation. We were lucky to get a table, a 2 top right in the middle. It was probably the 'fanciest' restaurant we had all week. The food was awesome, having potato bravas (1st time at this) amongst other things. I loved the atmosphere, being a smaller, intimate kind of place. read more

First time in Barce and this cute spot was right across from our hotel. It was the first spot we ate and I decided it was finally time to try Octopus! Delicious. Grilled to perfection on top of a bed of potatoe purée- though I don't think I will ever crave octopus I can say it was delicious. We continued having morning coffee and pastries over the next week at Elsa y Fred. The staff was so kind, very upbeat and generally welcoming.. if you are in the Gothic Quarters, please stop by for a bite! read more

This is the best food we have had in Barcelona! As a Chef I can say that the presentation is beautiful, flavor combinations are amazing and the seasoning is perfect! €15 for the daily lunch menu that includes 3 courses. Cream of celery with pork jowl, beet carpaccio, cod on risotto, beef stew with sweet potato purée followed by chocolate olive oil desserts and coconut ice cream. read more

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Great little restaurant right next to the Arc de Triomf! We had the octopus, burrata, pastrami sandwich and hummus and it was all amazing. Our waitress, Julieta was so lovely and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

This place is a hidden gem tucked inside the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. A must visit restaurant if traveling through this beautiful city! The atmosphere is cozy, with benches, chairs, and sofas being offered as seats. They also have a great staff, and a good size bar for those that enjoy a nice draft. The menu has a wide array of options from Korean Short Rib, wings, an amazing cheese board, and decadent desserts. Lastly, I must say that their prices are a great value and I'd highly recommend it. read more

Elsa y Fred - Worth the 10-minute wait, baked fresh per order. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

Amazing and friendly! Seated close to kitchen, lady chef was so in control and obviously boss! Best secret was desert Pistachio martini. Ice cream, cake, over grounded nuts. Don't miss the place! #littleblackdress read more

Elsa y Fred - Wine offerings! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

Cute little place. I had breakfast here twice while visiting Barcelona. Food is on point and their mimosas are delicious. I wasn't able to make it for dinner, but heard it's good. Charming atmosphere, great music, and powerful air conditioning, which has been a blessing these warm summer mornings. read more

Elsa y Fred - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

I must start with there aren't enough stars in the sky to rate this restaurant! This is our second visit in two days and it's absolutely lovely. The atmosphere is charming. The staff is amazing. They speak English and are excited to converse and recommend. The Chef is not only an amazing chef but she came out to greet us and thank us for raving about each and every tapas she prepared! The short rib is off the hook. The pumpkin ravioli is just amazing. The squid doughnut was a work of art on top of amazing taste. Now tomato bread is everywhere in Spain but I must contest if you haven't had it here then You haven't had it. Now the croquet, you haven't lived if you haven't had Elsa and Fred's. Blow your mind! Now for the topper, we asked the chef to prepare her three favorite deserts! The three of us literally were struggling to control our comments! Pure perfection! read more

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This is a lovely wee place that should be getting 4 or 5 stars, but has a couple of major flaws that bring its ranking down. First the good. The location is great, just off the born area and it happened to be right opposite my hotel. The decor is good inside and tables at the big open doors are amazing for sitting at and watching the world go by. The brunches taste excellent, especially the egg dishes. Omelettes , scrabbled eggs, toast and eggs, etc, all cooked well and spot on flavour-wise. Dinner gives you a selection of great tapas. I particularly liked the pumpkin ravioli, but e everything we had was tasty. The place is open from first thing In the morning to late at night and is always busy with a good atmosphere. Plenty of cool drink options and homemade desserts are available! The flaws. The slowest service I have experienced in a long time. Get more staff! The tiniest portions in Barcelona. Make sure you order extra or you will be hungry. 3 stars I am afraid, but it is lovely and if they could fix the last two issues it would be amazing. read more

Elsa y Fred - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

Spent 2 weeks trying different tapas at different restaurants all over Spain. By far my favorite place for chicken croquettes and patatas bravas. We liked it so much we came for dinner two nights in a row. read more

Elsa y Fred - Patatas Bravas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

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Tired of the pork heavy choices in Madrid and craving to try some really good patatas bravas I found this place. It was listed as one of the best patats bravas in Barcelona in a TimeOut article so myself and my friend decided to give it a try. It is located close to the park and has a great view of Arc de Triomf, the place itself looks like a charming apartment combined with a coffee place and a bar. It is cozy and inviting and even has a fireplace. We were greeted once we walked in and taken to a table pretty quickly, the service here was better than in other place in Barcelona from the get go. The menu is not very extensive but offers just enough (great) choices. We ended up sharing the patatats bravas of course, the crispy brie salad and the pumpkin ravioli. The pumpkin ravioli was the least impressive item we ordered but crispy brie salad was excellent. As for the main reason why we came to this place, the patats bravas, it was definitely the best patatsas bravas dish I have ever tasted. The creamy aioli was to die for as I could have eaten that on its own. It was sunny outside and we had a table with a street view, it was also our last day in Barcelona and it couldn't have been spent any better read more

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Just Love this restaurant! My "extended family nephew" is working in Barcelona for a year...and invited us (a party of 9)to dine with him on Sunday nite July 28th at Elsa and Fred's....best meal ever!!! The tapas are to die for and the warm atmosphere and pleasant staff, Ruth in particular, made our experience that much more enjoyable and memorable. read more

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The burrata with Strawberries and tomatoes, and the Patatas Bravos were amazing!!!!! Great atmosphere and they have outdoor seating as well. Friendly waitstaff. read more

Elsa y Fred - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

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Great ambiance and incredible tapas! The kimchi croquettes were great, and I'd 100% recommend trying the café bombon.

Not sure s about Burata with strawberries ( from the Tapas menu,) wasn't crazy about it) but Tuna tartar was pretty good! Nice ambiance, nice music, relaxed atmosphere, mostly women are running the place which was refreshing to see! ;) Unlike many other places they don't include service charges at the bill, so make sure you tip the girls! read more

Good service and tapas. Patatas Bravas and grilled squid are very good. Good location. read more

Elsa y Fred - Patatas Bravas y Verde Iced Tea - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

You'll need reservations! We got lucky that there was a table outside on the patio and they don't include those spots in the reservations. But we loved sitting outside. The food was great, the drinks were great, and the service was amazing! read more

Elsa y Fred - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

I came to eat here 3 different times during my one week in Barcelona - it was that awesome! The staff was very friendly, full of smiles and courtesy. The atmosphere was cozy, with dim lighting and the buzz of social conversations. Although i ordered the same thing each time i came here (due to my dietary restrictions) each time was exactly the same - delicious! Grilled vegetables with squid and octopus, with olive oil. It was the perfect size tapas and with my small tummy, filled me up! Should i ever come back to Barcelona, i must eat here again. read more

Wonderful meal! Cool vibe. Enjoyed the white sangria. Nice touch with the Baileys coming with the check! read more

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Food was so good we are coming back for breakfast tomorrow morning. It's small. Make a reservation. We had: - beet carpaccio - mushroom croquettes - ham croquettes - Korean short rib - beef tataki tacos - roast beef coca (you don't snort it) - white garnache (Elsa) Everything was awesome. If you are anywhere else in Barcelona you didn't read this (or are dumb). read more

Very good except for patatas brava. Boring. Rest super yummy. Good riojo. Good atmosphere, cozy, relaxed.

Absolutely amazing food and great service! A little on the pricy side, but worth every penny. My favorites was their tuna tartare and their steak tartare. Seriously, you need to go here! Just remember to make a reservation as it's very popular. read more

We dined here for both breakfast and dinner. Very simple but flavorful breakfast menu. We had toast with eggs, bacon and added cheese. Dinner was on a whole other level. The tapas have a contemporary twist that is creative, fresh and delicious. Their version of patatas bravas are the best in he city. The pork and beef tapas were cooked and seasoned to perfection. The decor of the restaurant is chic without feeling pretentious. Service is excellent! Our server, Mireya, was extremely attentive and friendly. We'll be coming back to Elsa y Fred on our next trip to Barcelona! read more

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For a tourist spot this place is actually kind of amazing. Had Sangria, Patatas bravas, and the grilled Calamari. All tasted quite excellent. A bit heavy on the oil for the food, so if that's a problem for you take caution. Several staff members are English friendly. read more

Nothing but great outstanding food. Very charming restaurant. The service was excellent, especially Carmen she was a delight very attentive, just like the rest of the personal. We were tourist from San Francisco and impressed. The Octopus was fantastic and the Papas was to die for. No need to try to sell the other items on the menu, it's awesome. Just go and do it, you will love it. read more

Elsa y Fred - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

Elsa y Fred is a cute place in Barcelona, right near the Arc De Triomfe. We were some of the first customers to wander in for breakfast. My dulce de leche pancakes can best be described as "Meh". Two small, dry pancakes with a layer of dulce de leche (too sweet) and a mountain of whipped cream. The coffee was not as hot as I would prefer. The rest of my party got egg dishes which were more flavorful. Avoid the pancakes. read more

Elsa y Fred - Dulce de leche pancakes - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Barcelona, B

Oh worth a bit of walk. Great staff, excellent drink choices. But the Tapas is amazing. Get the grilled octopus and the artichokes for sure. The calamari with roe, beef Leon, actually everything. Usually when we get Tapas there is something I or my wife do not like. This was all Li k your plate clean. Nice little place, cool vibe to the neighborhood and very pleasant multilingual staff. read more

Excellent yelp find. We stopped in here for a late dinner for two. No reservation so it didn't look optimistic, but a spot opened up at the bar and we were able to stay. We ordered 4 plates--Korean BBQ with cauliflower, beet and smoked burrata, a pumpkin purée thing and mushroom croquettes. Everything came incredibly quickly and was delicious, especially the BBQ. Very rich. Great ambiance and food. Would definitely return and recommend. read more

What an adorable restaurant in an awesome neighborhood! Less touristy than other places, and the kids loved the pancakes!

I'd say more 4.5 bc I save 5 for the fancy places. BUT this place is delicious and great value. Everything was good. Especially steak tartare, oxtail burger, and octopus! read more