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    El Gran Cafè

    3.3 (35 reviews)
    ModerateSpanish, Catalan
    Closed 1:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    El Gran Cafè Photos

    EL GRAN CAFÈ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Quiet
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - El Gran Cafè

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    Reviews With Photos

    Crime brulee
    Suzanne J.

    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!!

    Chris H.

    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.

    Duck confit with pear and licorice drizzle. Excellent food, not so excellent service.

    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.

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    10 years ago

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

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    El Gran Cafè Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - El Gran Cafè

    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.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Cerveseria Catalana - fried artichoke

    Cerveseria Catalana

    4.4(1.8k reviews)
    1.8 kmL'Eixample
    €€€

    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!

    Walking down the street on Rambla and a "Huge Line" has gathered outside Cerveseria Catalana…read more Something special must be happening here to have this big of a crowd waiting. My son had been here last year and thought, it was a solid. We put our name in, went to a nearby park bench to wait and watch people for 50 minutes. The servers outside are grumpy as to many people are crowding the sidewalk and impeding his service. Finally, our name was called, were seated at the bar, and watched a chef make the magic dishes. The menu is huge and I can't help but watch the delicious dishes flying by us. So little time and yet so many great choices, this won't be easy. We began with the beef tenderloin montadito foie gras. It was presented as a open face sandwich on a bagette. We split it as it had a huge piece of foie gras. The tenderloin was tough and the tapas tasted like indivdual components, not a blended or refined profile. The grilled razor clams were nicely cooked, slightly gritty and needed to be washed more thoroughly. The Spanish omelet wedge was spiritual, dish of the night award. The onion made the dish! The sliced fried artichoke was finely shaved, and again lacked a enjoyable flavor that I would order again. The chips with fried eggs and Jabugo ham was different, tasty and a concept I would not of thought about. Delicious! Casveseria Catalanahe was packed and stacked for a reason. A high vibe and energy even in the face of a revolt at the check in desk from hungry dinners. I came say without hesitation, we will give them a second try. The staff was friendly, engaging, warm and a good sense of humor, nothing but smiles. I can't wait for our next trip to Cerveseria Catalana and let them tell me what to order. Good luck and see you sooner than later.

    Photos
    Cerveseria Catalana - Dining room

    Dining room

    Cerveseria Catalana - Lenguado con calamares

    Lenguado con calamares

    Cerveseria Catalana - Open till 1:30am?

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    Open till 1:30am?

    Ciutat Comtal - beef tenderloin montadito with foie (7.15€)

    Ciutat Comtal

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    1.2 kmL'Eixample
    €€

    During our three days in Barcelona, Cervecería Ciudad Condal was the very first tapas restaurant we…read morevisited -- and it turned out to be the absolute best! Our server, Amaya, was funny, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. He took great care of us, and every single recommendation he made was delicious. I wish I knew all the Spanish names of the dishes because everything was amazing. The highlights for us were the Bacalao -- so tender and full of flavor -- and honestly the best octopus I've ever had in my life. We also loved the soft steak with duck liver served on a slice of French baguette, the shrimp skewers, patatas, and the Spanish ham with tomato toasts. Every dish was unforgettable. On top of the incredible food, the restaurant itself has such an elegant atmosphere with beautiful décor that made the whole dining experience even more special. Highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Barcelona!

    Ciutat Comtal was a restaurant that I had seen recommended numerous times while I was searching for…read moreplaces to eat at in Barcelona, and after coming here I can see why. I came here for lunch, and thankfully I didn't have to wait too long before I got seated inside. The interior is a bit on the smaller side, but it's quite bright with a lot of natural sunlight inside. For the food, I decided to get squid, codfish with honey allioli, and iberian ham montaditos. While all of the food was great, for me the codfish was hands-down the star of the show and probably one of the best dishes that I ate on the trip. The flavor of the sauce combined with the texture of the fish actually blew me away, and I can see why my server highly recommended this to me. If you just get one things when coming here, definitely make sure not to miss this dish. Highly recommend checking this place out for Spanish tapas, they represent the cuisine well!

    Photos
    Ciutat Comtal - Interior

    Interior

    Ciutat Comtal - Calamares

    Calamares

    Ciutat Comtal - The entrance

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    The entrance

    Cera 23 - Scallop

    Cera 23

    4.7(627 reviews)
    0.9 kmEl Raval
    €€

    After seeing several highly positive reviews (from some Elite Yelpers no less), we stumbled in…read moreafter a long day of sightseeing. We were welcomed by the barmaid in the front and promptly seated by the manager. The ambiance is calm, romantic, and cozy, and the menu intriguing. We started with cocktails, and an appetizer of Iberian Carpaccio. My wife and I both selected paella as a main course, mine was the Arròs Negre (squid ink), which was amazing . Highly recommended!

    We had a wonderful family dinner at Cera 23 in Barcelona, the sister restaurant of Arume, and it…read morewas an outstanding experience from start to finish. The ambience is warm, welcoming, and effortlessly charming--perfect for a relaxed yet memorable evening. The food was absolutely delicious and truly authentic Spanish cuisine. Standout dishes for us included the tomato tartar, scallops, seabass, steak, and every single dessert we tried was exceptional. The service deserves special recognition. Marsi took great care of us, and the entire team worked seamlessly together. Melody, Jackie, and Nancy were all incredibly kind, attentive, and efficient, making us feel genuinely welcomed. A special mention goes to Nadia, the dessert chef--her talent truly shines through in the beautifully crafted and unforgettable desserts. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and well-rounded dining experience. Excellent food, impeccable service, and a warm atmosphere--Cera 23 is a place we would happily return to and highly recommend.

    Photos
    Cera 23
    Cera 23 - Jamin iberico with bread.

    Jamin iberico with bread.

    Cera 23 - Blackberry mojito + back to galicia

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    Blackberry mojito + back to galicia

    Cañete - lobster croquettes

    Cañete

    4.6(573 reviews)
    0.4 kmEl Raval
    €€€

    Wow, this meal was so good I literally made another reservation after we left. This place might be…read moreadvertised as a tapas restaurant, but it's much more than that. The service was excellent, our server spoke English and knew so much about American pop culture. He even sang NSYNC songs to us while serving us dishes. As for the food let's get into it: - Lobster Croquettes (8/10) We've had a lot of croquettes this trip, but these were on another level, get one per person. - Paella (7.5/10) Different style of paella from other places we went. It was almost like a paella curry, which was still rich and delicious. - Squid Sandwich (10/10) This is hands down the best appetizer I've ever had. The squid was packed with flavor and the mayo sauce they used paired perfectly. Order one per person, and be prepared to order another to go. - Garlic Shrimp (8/10) Solid entree paired with sourdough bread. Dip that bread into the sauce and you'll be satisfied. - Aged Beef Steak w/ Foie Gras (9/10) This might be one of the best steak dishes I've had traveling abroad. It was cooked perfectly, and came with a potato crust on the bottom and Foie Gras on top. Definitely a must order. Overall a great experience, from the service and ambiance to the quality of the food, this is a must try when visiting Barcelona. Would I go again? Absolutely!

    BLUF: not only one of the best meals I've had but also one of the best dining experiences I've ever…read morehad. If you're in Barcelona this MUST be at the top of your list. Cañete was booked out for 2 weeks straight, so we decided to risk it and see if we could get a spot as walk-ins; and were lucky enough to want less than 5 minutes before being sat at the "bar" in front of the open kitchen, which is honestly the best seat in the house IMHO. You get to see all the 'action' and interact with the friendly and often funny staff. Everything in the menu we tried was fantastic, but a few standouts for me were the squid sandwich (do yourself a favor and try it, even if you aren't a "squid person" the bread is fresh, and the butter garlic sauce they use should be sold in bottles at the supermarket), the lobster croquet was refreshing, and the aged beef steak with foie and truffle sauce was delicious and cooked to perfection.

    Photos
    Cañete - Packed with locals - Faiyoh!! (Uncle Roger)

    Packed with locals - Faiyoh!! (Uncle Roger)

    Cañete - Lobster croquettes

    Lobster croquettes

    Cañete

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    La Pepita - La Pepita

    La Pepita

    4.6(648 reviews)
    2.2 kmGràcia
    €€

    Cool little place for tapas. We had the La Pepita which was steak with bashed potatoes, deep fried…read moreeggplant, calamari with Kim chi sauce, pan con tomato, and a much needed green salad! Service was excellent even though they were super busy even at opening time at 1:00p. Reservations highly recommended!

    Wandering around Gràcia in late August can be a bit of an adventure -- so many local spots close…read morefor holiday that finding a place that's actually open becomes its own challenge. After discovering that our first three choices were all shuttered, we ended up at La Pepita by default. Thankfully, it turned out to be a great find. We stopped in late in the afternoon, when the pace was relaxed but the energy still lively. The space had a fun, casual vibe -- the kind of place that feels effortlessly cool without trying too hard. The service was friendly and quick, and the staff seemed to genuinely enjoy what they do. We ordered a few snacks and drinks, all of which hit the spot. Everything was flavorful, nicely presented, and perfect for sharing. Even though it wasn't quite the dinner rush, there was a steady flow of people, which tells me it's a popular spot year-round, not just a backup when others are closed. Overall, La Pepita was a happy surprise on an August afternoon -- great atmosphere, good food and drinks, and the kind of easygoing charm that makes you want to linger a little longer. Would absolutely go back. 4.5 Stars

    Photos
    La Pepita - The walls!

    The walls!

    La Pepita - Iberian croquettes + grilled octopus with green beans, scallion and lemongrass - absolutely delicious!!

    Iberian croquettes + grilled octopus with green beans, scallion and lemongrass - absolutely delicious!!

    La Pepita - Restaurant

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    Restaurant

    El Gran Cafè - spanish - Updated May 2026

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