I loved this place. It was a special place to take close friends visiting from out of town, Pilar is the best and the food was always fresh and delicious. The environment was warm and welcoming - having lived so far from home, I knew I could go to the Gata Mala and feel at home. read more

My wife and I absolutely loved Gata Mala. The food and atmosphere were incredible. Every single plate that came out was magic. We loved it so much so that we decided to eat there three nights in a row. Pilar was so friendly and accommodating. I was very sad to see that it closed. I hope Pilar opens up something in the future. read more

One of those places where their owner just really goes to town on making you feel welcome and kills it. She spoke fantastic English and also spoke Spanish with me. So obviously we made fun of the English speakers. Most people recommend getting reservations but Pilar allowed us to come in and eat even though a reservation was coming soon. She just made it work so... I don't know enter at your own risk. Another tapas place... but my favorite foods were not the traditional tapas perse. The Chorizo was seared well and tasted delicious on top of a potato puree that was grilled a little bit. A little chorizo and a dab of potato I was in heaven. Similar potato set up with a skirt steak on top. Medium rare and cooked exactly as I asked. Tender and melt in your mouth. I was expecting it to be chewy when they brought it out but man did it surprise me. The patatas bravas, I loved the potatoes they were cooked almost homestyle fry like... but the red sauce and the aioli... not for me. The cheesy bread stuff was good, I like the cheese but once again my two favorite things skirt steak and chorizo... get it. THE VERDICT: Go for the company. Pilar will treat you with a lot of love and talk with you and really give you a great experience (I think mainly if you look like you are foreign). The food is great, maybe not fantastic. But I really enjoyed a lot of the bites and the chocolate cake to top it off. I was happy that we were given a seat and even more happy that the food was good and that Pilar joked around with us. read more

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I loved this home-like tapas bar. It was cozy and full of locals. We ordered sausages, spinach balls (I don't remember the exact name) and other things to munch on. The draft beer offered was also very good. Pilar was the best part of it - super sweet and super accommodating. When I think of Barcelona, I'll always think of her warmth. Thank you so much for your hospitality. read more

It's like a cool funky neighborhood bar that seats approximately 25 people. Small and cozy. I was lucky and was able to walk in and get a seat. They speak English. Ordered the eggplant and goat cheese, brava potatoes, combo dish - potato salad with tuna, olives, cheese, grilled zucchini. Enjoyed everything, just wished the potatoes was a bit more crispy but I would order it again! After 4 drinks you get a tapa and the one I received was a fried quail egg on a piece of bread. Simple but tasty. This place won't break your bank. LOOOOVED the atmosphere, food, and people who work there. This is a definite must to visit. read more

Food was good but service was even better. Both the woman behind the bar (sadly I didn't get her name) and Pilar were so kind and friendly and caring. They saw we were struggling with the menu which was in Catalan and came over to help without us even asking. The woman behind the bar went through it dish by dish m, highlighting what was popular. We ordered the Patatas Bravas, Eggplant with Goat Cheese, and Steak (served with some kind of potato thing). They also gave us 3 (!!!) different complimentary pintxos, each with two servings- one for each. Two of them had pork and the third was a perfectly fried egg. I loved that the Bravas were baked instead of fried. The tomato sauce had a surprising but delicious kick to it and the other garlicky sauce (reminded me almost of hollandaise) was delicious as well. Both this and the potatoes served with the steak could have used maybe a little more salt but this was a great dish- definitely recommend it. The eggplant and goat cheese was so simple but so delicious and perfect. If you like eggplant and/or goat cheese, order this. So well seasoned and nicely cooked and super tasty. Awesome dish. The steak was perfectly cooked, somewhere between a medium and medium rare (they didn't ask about the temperature but I believe that steak should be eaten at around medium or a little less so this was totally fine with me). Again, maybe a little more salt on the steak or a sauce on the side would have made this exceptional but it was still a great dish. Portions of everything were pretty big and each glass of wine was included a very generous pour. Prices are quite good too- our bill was under €35 for the above food and three glasses of wine. Maybe just a tad more than some restaurants in Barcelona but they definitely use quality ingredients and their portions are quite big. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the area- it's pretty close to Park Guell so it's a great option after visiting there. Some of the most welcoming service I've had in Spain and good food as well- food was probably 4/5 stars but overall I'd still give this place 5. read more

Great place. Friendly service and unique space. The server was thoughtful enough to ask if we eat meat before preparing a complimentary tapas to be served with our drinks. The food was solid - not the best we've eaten in Barcelona, but we enjoyed everything we tried. Great prices, clean, and in a great neighborhood. For an affordable, casual meal in a really friendly and comfortable environment, Gata Mala is the place to go. read more

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Holy smokes, this little place has a 5 star rating for a reason!! Looks like a "hole in the wall" from the street, but this place is a palate paradise! Bring on your taste buds for this one! We ordered the sampler platter after a very descriptive and much welcomed run through of the menu items (and translation to English) from our friendly host behind the bar. He was the sweetest man alive - super friendly to foreign guests. Sampler platter was awesome: eggplant, Manchego cheese, zucchini, Catalan potato salad (out of this world!), sun-dried tomatoes, olives and fresh bread. (Bottom clockwise outside to inside) read more

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Tiny little bar with top notch service and fantastic food. We ordered the combination, and 2 bombolas. They were fantastic! Pilar was so warm and welcoming. The beer was cold and during this heat wave just what we needed. The sun dried tomatoes were my favorite, the eggplant with goat cheese was my husbands favorite and we both loved the olives. For 12€ you get a huge plate of toppings and a basket of bread to make your own pinxos. They're a must visit! read more

Gata Mala - Combination plate that comes with bread. - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

I came across this place on Yelp, and I'm so glad I did. I wanted to eat at a different area then the normal beach area, and this place was soooo worth it. It's located in Gracia and is about a 10-15 minute walk from Park Guell. I came here because of all the reviews on this place, and they definitely were on the money... It's a small place, so be prepared to wait. My step-dad and I came around 10:15pm, and waited maybe 5 minutes... not too long. We were greeted by Pilar, who is such a sweet lady. The entire time we were dining by the bar, she was interacting with all of the guests and made you feel at home or like you were eating at a friend's house. She introduced herself, learned our names, and got to know us for a bit. From what I could tell, the locals love her and the other waiters that helped serve and make the food/drinks. With your drink orders you'll get a free tapas. The one we got was a fried egg on bread, simple, yet deliciously tasteful. We had a bit of trouble understanding the menu, but the ladies behind the counter gave us their recommendations and told us about the menu. We got the combinado gatamala, Steak con pure de patata + pimiento, and the tartaleta de foie. All very very good, delicious and super tasteful. I highly recommend. I would've loved to order the other stuff on the menu, but this was just the right amount for my step-dad and I. When you order the combinado gatamala, eat the sun dried tomatoes with the cheese. Drink wise, I recommend their red wine with lemon, it's A+. You definitely have to eat here, as it's not expensive and is definitely worth it. Expect to experience great service accompanied by great food. Only thing is that since it's a small place, if you're sitting by the wall or bar area, you'll probably be bumped a few times in the back. Thanks for the great experience Pilar! You rock!!! read more

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Off the Tourist Trail: The (Real) Best Tapas in Barcelona Gata Mala Literally, named the bad cat, this is a small, locally run tapas bar where the owner makes you feel like a member of the family. It is well known that in Spain the locals like to eat late, but I think in this bar that is only a plus: come early (around 7pm) and get the full attention of the incredibly helpful staff. In so many other places in Spain, it seems like the concept of tapas has changed due to financial pressures and societal changes: many bars don't offer free tapas with food, and when they do, they are often a couple of olives and a side of chips. At the "Gata Mala," though, this tradition lives strong. With each order of a small beer (or other drink), a freshly prepared piece of magic arrives on your plate. This experience at first is as jarring as it is delightful. First Caña down, I received Jamón drizzled in extra virgin olive oil on the ubiquitous fresh bread. Prompt happiness. After drink number two, I get an exquisitely simple dish of a fried quails egg, with sea salt, and herbs. Happiness overload. This dish is, to me, a classic example of how some of the best dishes in Spain are the simplest. Saying "no" to beer is always difficult; this is especially true when that beer comes with a tasty snack. Tapa 3: bacon, herbs, and olive oil. You want it. And finally, to top off the experience, an overwhelmingly flavorful piece of Morcilla. If you have never tried Morcilla, put it on the top of your tasting list. Don't ask what it is (its no worse than ballpark hotdogs), just sit back and enjoy. As strange as it is, all those flavors were merely the start to the meal. After indulging in these tapas, I spoke with the head chef who recommend that I try a dish made with local eggplant and goats cheese, and veal. The veal was perfectly cooked, situated right between rare and medium-rare, and incredibly juicy. Somehow, though, the eggplant with Goat Cheese was the most memorable dish of the night. A burst of flavors, these dish seemed liked Catalonia on a plate. When you're in Barcelona, head to don't miss heading to Gràcia for a local experience. The only problem with the "Gata Mala" is you won't want to leave. -Ben blog.MiCasa.world read more

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Great food and owner. Little out of way but worth every effort. Food is super! The eggplant is must have. Eggs on toast is also good. But the owner make it so special, with limited English she still make you feel like family. She told my daughter to try the eggplant (how did she know my daughter don't try new stuff?) and that's a great lesson! That make this dinner a memorable night! read more

Gata Mala - Beef with potato! - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

We did not make a reservation and were seated with no problem, but it is recommended to make a reservation. The atmosphere alone made this place our favorite in Barcelona. Pilar greets you as if you are an old friend. She helped us understand the menu as they do not have an English version. She was very sweet and personal. It has a hole in the wall feel, and is definitely packed with locals. On to the food. We had the patatas bravas which were AMAZING. The best potatoes I have ever had. Then we had the veal. Tender and flavorful. The alcohol was cheap and you get small tapas with each drink. Our favorite was the bread with a fried egg and olive oil on top. Delicious. Wish we could come here every day. Highly recommend. read more

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The owner was amazing and was super friendly! She was able to accommodate a family of 5 on a busy Friday night without a reservation. Tiny space but definitely worth it! read more

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This is my favorite tapas bar in Barcelona. You get a tapa for each beer you get so take that into account when ordering. The steak dish is tender and very flavorful. It was a very busy time when we showed up but they were very accommodating. read more

Gata Mala - Flank steak - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

JUST GO! Incredible place. Food and drinks are delicious. Monica our host was amazing! Made my lady and myself feel so welcome. Like we were guests in their home. read more

Gata Mala - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

Unbelievable!!! Amazingly good service and by far the best service I had in a while. The food is really good, if not amazing also and not expensive at all and sitting in this rather "Bar" gives you the feeling of being local. If you want the Catalan experience and really honest, good service while eating local and amazingly done food, this place is definitely a place to go to. I promised them to come back and definitely will! read more

Came here to grab a quick drink and the place was half full. They turned us away, I don't knoW why, but sure seemed like they did it because we were "gringos". This is a racist bar and I would not recommend to anyone traveling to Barcelona. read more

I decided to check out this restaurant due to the high ratings and pictures on yelp... boy was I satisfied! My boyfriend and I did not have a reservation and since this place was packed, I thought we would be sent away. Needless to say, I would make a reservation so you are guaranteed a seat. I believe Pilar is the owner and she is amazing! She quickly made room for us and we felt welcomed. We enjoyed got the duck and steak dishes and they were delicious! Pilar treated us to a free dessert and we were pleasantly surprised! When we left the restaurant, Pilar hugged, thanked us and encouraged us to return. I would love to come back here when I visit Spain again and I plan to do so. read more

Our flat is practically around the corner from this fine tapa house and what a fine restaurant it is. Pilar, the owner, is amazingly friendly for someone who speaks little to no English and my Spanish is just as bad, but you know what? We don't need to speak the same language to understand each other because there is more than 1 way to communicate and Pilar has found the way, her warmth and genuineness defies the constraint of the spoken words. We went there for supper for the 1st time last night and even though we didn't have reservations she accommodated us and made us feel super welcomed. She asked where we were from and welcomed us to Barcelona. She gave us suggestions on what to order and advised us not to order too much and to pace ourselves. I appreciated that because some owners would have let us over ordered and made that easy $. When we finished our dinner and was ready to pay she told us to sit back down because she was giving us a free dessert . So nice, right?! This restaurant is small but most of the diners seem to be regulars and they interacted with the staff jovially. I got the feeling it is gay friendly and an open minded establishment which is even better in my book. The prices are super affordable and the drinks are just as inexpensive. This place totally rocks! read more

Gata Mala is one of the few places that I have been that made me feel compelled to write a review. This was truly one of the best meals that I have ever experienced. We came as a group of six without a reservation and were greeted by the owner Pilar. We were luckily a little early (9 pm) and were able to grab the last few seats in the corner. Pilar made us feel at home providing an service experience unparalleled. Despite her "shit" english as she called it and our terrible Spanish we felt as if we were dining at the house of a friend we had known for years. Pilar takes the time to not only interact and learn every guests name, she also knows exactly what to order for a group like ours who had no idea where to start. We had our best tasting meal in Barcelona by far at one of the few tapas restaurant that still holds the tradition of free tapas with drinks. The dishes are simple yet the flavor stands out entirely. For a group of six of us, our meal with food and drinks ended up costing less than 9 euros a person an unbelievable price for a meal that I would have easily spent upwards of 20 for. Come for the food and come for the people, you will not want to leave. Tip: Make a reservation, we could "only" stay for an hour and a half before guests with reservations arrived. Also bring cash, they do not accept cards. read more

Pilar, Pilar, Pilar. from the moment we walked in everything was perfect. They accommodated our party of 5 earlier with no reservation. The tapas with shaved iberico was a great starter. Wine selections were fantastic. We just let Pilar and her staff bring us food. It's was a great variety including the house pizza/calzone for my daughter. You can't miss by going here. read more

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Excellent tapas bar to have a great dinner. Authentic Barcelona tapas bar!!! The Combinación Gatamala is a delicious combination of potato/tuna salad, olives, cheese, grilled veggies is like no other. Staff are super friendly and provide a fantastic service experience. They speak both English and Spanish. Make sure to make a reservation for dinner. read more

This is a joy of a find . Great funky atmosphere, service is with a smile. Very cool music selection. Plan ahead though, and make a reservation ... you'll need it. Still , it's worth the wait. The food is tasty and spot on. Paulette our host is wonderful , joyful and full of love. Don't leave without giving her a big hug. Love this place ... hope to return soon. Well worth the visit. read more

We found our way here to Gala -The owners and host are really kind and sweet. We sampled a few items on the menu the one that stood out the most was the steak I believe it was a skirt steak or a hanger steak absolutely delicious cooked to perfection. For value for money and service with a smile this place can't be beat!! Hope to see you again the next time we're in Barcelona read more

One of our favorite places in Barcelona. We couldn't believe how sweet the owner was, trying to chat with us despite our horrible Spanish and, as she described it, her "shit" English. Haha! We felt right at home downing beers and chowing on whatever tapas they offered us. Granted we had no idea what our bill would be at the end, but after many beers, ordering 2 things from the menu and getting whatever tapas they brought us, it ended up being incredibly cheap! We left feeling full and happy! Definitely a great local spot you should check out read more

Gata Mala - Beer and tapas! - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

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Amazing!!! We stumbled on this place as we made our way down the hill from Park Guell, and we were so happy we did! The tapas were wonderful and the atmosphere was friendly and inviting. The gals behind the bar were sweet and helpful, but really Pilar makes this place. She's warm and kind and obviously has a real passion for food! Our only regret is that we found this place on our last night in Spain - otherwise we would have eaten here every night! Come visit us in San Francisco Pilar!! read more

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5 stars, well deserved! Pilar and her kitchen staff are fantastic! The food was simple but delicious. It is a little restaurant with the tiniest kitchen I have ever seen. But they work wonders with the space they have. Great atmosphere, delicious food, wonderful service. What more could you ask for? read more

Gata Mala - Tiny but great place! - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

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Delicious food! We couldn't get over how simple the foods were and how rich they tasted with a nice cold beer. Appreciate the owner working there as well and giving us feedback on what to order. This was by far our most chill, enjoyable, and pocket-friendly meal in Spain. The space is small so not good for big groups. read more

Pilar is an amazing waitress. We didn't know what to order so she ordered for us! The food was amazing. She took time to chat with us and held the baby while we ate. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely go back again!!! read more

Gata Mala - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

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Horrible horrible service!! ***AVOID THIS PLACE***RACISTS! Staffs there are extremely unpleasant, rude and with bad attitudes! Only if it was possible to give a half star I would! We decided to come because they have a "5 stars" ratings on yelp! OMG what a waste of time!! We came to the restaurant around 9:30pm, there's already a few people waiting outside, we went into the restaurant to check on the wait time and the lady there told us to wait 20mins. I've asked her if there's a sign in for the waiting list, she told me she will remember us by face! We then head back outside and waited, the couple who came after us got seated so we head back inside to check with the staff. They freaking forgot about us!! Then they shoved us into a back area with NO freaking seats, while everyone else in the entire restaurant got chairs!! We requested chairs but the staff told us they don't have any!! This place is so racist!! They skipped us even though we were standing in front of the place, then won't give us seats when they let us inside! Spend your money else where man...What a joke... read more

Cozy sweet bar with the best staff I've met during my time in Spain. I had wound up in Gata Mala alone and the bar was packed! Great vibes there; their steak and fried vegetables were both delightful, but particularly liked the steak as it was tender and juicy. The girls of Gata Mala were really open-minded and friendly, gave me a shot so I can't complain. Looking forward to visiting again but would be best with more people to share more tapas read more

Gata Mala - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B

So many great places to eat in Barcelona but we were blown away by Gaga Mala. After a nice walk up to Park Güell, this was just a shirt walk down the hill. Pilar is a gem. The food was amazing. Cold draft beer on a hot night and every tapas was a melt in your mouth delight. read more

Wandering around Gracia after an afternoon at Park Guell. Our closer option was closed so we decided to walk a little longer to Gatamala...an experience for sure. We were initially confused since this place was a hole in the wall with maybe 2 tables, and the rest are bar seats. But we know why this place gets 5 stars with 100+ reviews! Limited menu, so we basically asked them for what to get, and we weren't disappointed! Drinks come with bread+topping appetizer. We also had: -the combinado (a bunch of different selections, including eggplant, tuna/potato salad, -flank steak and potato cake -tartaleta de fois (duck) -a pork/cabbage dish (don't know the name) -patatas bravas gatamala Tip: come right when they open at 18:30 if you have more than two people or want a table, or call and reserve some space if you can. Place is tiny but cozy! read more

What a find! We're staying in the Gràcia neighborhood so wanted a place nearby. This was perfect! Tiny but ever so welcoming -- we sat at the bar, ordered the Combinado Gatamala and Patatas Bravas, and had more than enough. The Escalivada (grilled eggplant with red peppers, onions, leeks) was absolutely delicious, as were the Patatas Bravas. Everything was excellent. And Monica was so friendly and welcoming -- we arrived without reservations but were quickly seated at the bar and treated with a delicious tapa. Love the decor at Gatamala -- edgy and fun! read more

Pilar is such an amazing person and her restaurants serves the best tapas we tried in Barcelona. Hungry and tired, we happened to walk by and the restaurant was packed. She could tell we were from out of town and lost so she took us in and fed us. When you're here you feel like family. I noticed Pilar stopped and talked to everyone who visited her restaurant. She also has the best staff that work there. Thanks again for taking care of us Pilar! We can't wait to visit you again! read more

This restaurant was fantastic! It was the first place we visited when we got to Barcelona, and it has ruined our trip because no other place has measured-up since. Great service, great food, great all-around. Definitely place a reservation first or you may end up missing out. read more

Tonight at Gata Mala, I had the best meal of my life. Of all the restaurants in the world I have tried, this is my favourite. Not only is the tapas indescribably beyond delicious, but the prices are extremely reasonable. With every couple of drinks, a free small plate is included. We arrived for our second night here in a row. As soon as we entered, Pinar greeted us with such amazing warmth and hospitality. We asked her to simply give us delicous food. Her and her staff did not disappoint. The first plate was a simple yet delicious one. Pieces of baguette topped with cold shaved ham, paprika and olive oil. The second, my personal favourite, was a four cheese, zuchinni and leek pie served piping hot. The third was succulently roasted potatoes in olive oil loaded with pureed tomatoes and a delicious hallandaise-esque lemon garlic sauce. Next, we were served legendary cold long sliced veggies in olive oil topped with hot goat cheese and cracked black pepper. To finish, we were each given one piece of bread topped with fresh roasted pork belly. After stuffing myself for an amazingly low price, I decided to go home and rest. As I left, I noticed Pinar smoking on the curb and told her how wonderful my experience was. Truly the best tapas I could imagine. As she beamed with happiness and kissed me on the cheek, I realised that I felt so at home here despite being halfway across the world. My night at Gata was one I will never ever forget. If you are in Barcelona, eating at Gata Mala should be right at the top of your list. It is not only a meal you will never forget, but an experience you'll cherish forever. read more

Love the food. The people are what make this place though. Be prepared to feel at home. And get some patatas bravas. read more

Authentic tapas... great prices... great ambiance... one of the few places we could find where a tapa is complementary with a drink. Highly recommend this place! read more

Gata Mala - Tuna... everything is amazing here! - Tapas Bars Near Me - Barcelona, B