Irati Taverna Basca
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IRATI TAVERNA BASCA ATMOSPHERE
Recommended Reviews - Irati Taverna Basca
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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.
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.
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.
Irati taverna Basque. Don't be deceived by the amazing Tapas you will see in the front of this restaurant, which we highly recommend grabbing for lunch. It is a two-part restaurant, in the back is a sit down fine dining restaurant space. Upfront is an amazing array of tapas and Pintxos. You can go here for delicious Pintxos for lunch or anytime of day. They're all excellent and you pay by the stick. However, after 1 PM, the back dining room opens where you can have sit down seating from a full Basque menu. We came back here for the second time after waiting a year, to enjoy dinner in the backspace. We made a reservation and had superb service. This is a family owned establishment. The family is from the Basque region of Spain, and they grow their own vegetables, and raise their own grass fed grass finished cattle. The menu is vast with options, however, we returned specifically for those homegrown vegetables and that Home raised beef. We ordered the grilled leeks, the grilled white asparagus, which brought tears to our eyes, and the grass fed steak, which is for the table. You cannot get that individually. Also, they only serve the steak one way, according to the grill master, perfectly rare. Anything else would be a crime for this incredible beef. It's crispy and delicious on the outside and inside is red tender delicious perfection. In the front area, where we had tapas, we had amazing service from Tcherno who is friendly, kind, and remembered how much we love txakoli wine. In the dining room, the manager Igone herself took care of us personally. She insured we had an incredible stake sized right for the two of us, and made sure our wine pairings were on time and perfection. This has always been. A go to place for our every trip to Barcelona. both the front area and the back dining room.
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!!!
6 months ago
Great tapas with a Portuguese flair. The selection of tapas on the bar is amazing. The server will also walk by with hot offerings from the kitchen. Remember to keep your toothpicks because that's how you're billed. The wine list is also well priced. The walls in the bar are old and add great ambiance. read more
10 months ago
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. read more
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. read more
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. read more
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. read more
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. read more
1 year ago
Irati taverna Basque. Don't be deceived by the amazing Tapas you will see in the front of this restaurant, which we highly recommend grabbing for lunch. It is a two-part restaurant, in the back is a sit down fine dining restaurant space. Upfront is an amazing array of tapas and Pintxos. You can go here for delicious Pintxos for lunch or anytime of day. They're all excellent and you pay by the stick. However, after 1 PM, the back dining room opens where you can have sit down seating from a full Basque menu. We came back here for the second time after waiting a year, to enjoy dinner in the backspace. We made a reservation and had superb service. This is a family owned establishment. The family is from the Basque region of Spain, and they grow their own vegetables, and raise their own grass fed grass finished cattle. The menu is vast with options, however, we returned specifically for those homegrown vegetables and that Home raised beef. We ordered the grilled leeks, the grilled white asparagus, which brought tears to our eyes, and the grass fed steak, which is for the table. You cannot get that individually. Also, they only serve the steak one way, according to the grill master, perfectly rare. Anything else would be a crime for this incredible beef. It's crispy and delicious on the outside and inside is red tender delicious perfection. In the front area, where we had tapas, we had amazing service from Tcherno who is friendly, kind, and remembered how much we love txakoli wine. In the dining room, the manager Igone herself took care of us personally. She insured we had an incredible stake sized right for the two of us, and made sure our wine pairings were on time and perfection. This has always been. A go to place for our every trip to Barcelona. both the front area and the back dining room. read more
2 years ago
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! read more
2 years ago
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 read more
2 years ago
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. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
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! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
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. read more
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. read more
2 years ago
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!!! read more
8 years ago
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! read more
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!!! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
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! read more
2 years ago
11 years ago
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 read more
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! read more
8 years ago
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! read more
8 years ago
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. read more
3 years ago
9 years ago
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! read more
9 years ago
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. read more
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. read more
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! read more
7 years ago
Come with friends, family, kids! This place is so friendly for everyone. The food keeps coming and the drinks are good. We loved it. read more
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More info about Irati Taverna Basca
Carrer del Cardenal Casañas, 17
08002 Barcelona
Spain
Barri Gòtic
Directions
933 023 084
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http://iratitavernabasca.com
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