Stylish eats and stay in Barcelona

Grand Hotel Central Barcelona, Skyline

A stylish stay at the Grand Hotel Central Barcelona

The Hotel
Grand Hotel Central, is in the heart of Barcelona well located for sightseeing and shopping, between the Gothic district with its spectacular Cathedral or the ancient city walls and “El Born”.  This is where the amenities and luxuries of a five-star hotel are combined with a sense of sophistication and finesse.

This very stylish hotel has 147 spacious rooms & suites with the best of a new design. It has a very famous and inviting infinity pool, Skybar, its City Restaurant serving seasonal market-fresh Mediterranean cuisine with local produce of the best quality, the stylish City Bar offering all day dining including salads, tapas and an extensive signature cocktails
selection surrounded by good music in a relaxing atmosphere.

There’s a Wellness Suite with its carefully designed treatments, the Thermal Suite that offers a private steam and sauna experience, the well-equipped Fitness Center. It all creates a unique lifestyle and modern experience with a sense of elegance.

 

The Pool, Skyline Bar

The Pool, Skyline Bar  and City Bar

The Pool and Skyline Bar are officially open from April to October.  Outside this timings, it’s open for guests only, and drinks can be ordered via a telephone in the bar area, very exclusive.

This outstanding outdoor space on the roof of the hotel where the magnificent swimming pool stretches towards infinity, blending into the rooftops of El Born. It offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city.

One of the most exclusive venues of Barcelona, a genuine metropolitan oasis, highly recommended for those who know how to enjoy the small pleasures of life while savoring exquisite drinks to the sounds of gentle music. During the daytime, the SkyBar is exclusively for hotel guests, but in the late afternoon, it opens its doors to everyone who feels like having dinner while floating above the city.

The City Bar is the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing and shopping. The service is outstanding.

Fantastic Eats in Barcelona

Foodie Tours are great! They are one thing I’ve been experiencing when abroad – I just love them. It’s the perfect way to learn about the city; there are plenty of historical insights to be learned as well the food habits and fantastic little hidden places, always guided by local.  Sure, there’s always the restaurant guides that show you THE ‘cool’ places to go, but nothing beats local knowledge.

In Barcelona, I had an excellent experience with Food Lovers Company.  An authentic experience of  Catalan and Spanish culinary culture. This tour enabled us to discover the Old Town since it follows the last pieces of a city full of history: the Roman, the Medieval and the Gothic city, and the most riveting spots in the area. They selected, the less crowded streets so that we discovered beautiful hideouts and alleyways to reach neighborhood eateries.

Nuria, our guide on the Tapas Tour was great. The tour was supposed to take 4 hours and 4 places, but we got on so well. It took a little longer… actually, much longer, so many sights and so many delicious food and drink to be had.  The tour costs EU 95 ( about £75/ US$108) – money well spent! Highly recommended!

Here are some of the highlights both on and off the tour.  I must stress that I haven’t been to all the places I would like to go, so I have a task to go back and discover more of Barcelona and surroundings.

Mojama de atún hecha en casa con naranja y almendras | tuna, orange & almonds

Pan de coca de cristal con tomate de colgar
| Tortilla
chocolate, sea salt & bread
Sangria : fully artisan, a perfect combination of wine and fruit with a frizzante touch, there are four different sangrias to choose from two red wines, white white and cava
little enticing places around Barcelona
 

 

 

Vermouth – a fortified wine flavoured with various botanicals and spices
 
rustic pan tomate

 

eat in and out – little windows serving food and drink

 

fried anchovies
fresh anchovies, tomato and onions – simple and delicious

 

ham and roasted pollo +  squid ink croquettes – amazing! 

 

off the menu: tripe stew
Patatas Bravas and natural, biodynamics wines and local grapes
Torta de Santiago and delicious coffee at Café del Pi, in Plaza Josep Oriol

Next stop was El National: Restaurant in Barcelona with different spaces where you can enjoy traditional recipes of the Peninsula, made ​​with high quality products and a unique atmosphere . Located on Passeig de Gràcia , it is a reflection of the social and cultural life of Barcelona.

El National

Pan tomate | Cava | Montaditos variados

 

Montaditos

 

Esqueixadas (Cod & tomato salad) |  Gildas (Mini skewers of green peppers,olives and anchovies)

El National : Passeig de Gràcia, 24 Bis, 08007 Barcelona, Spain 

La Bombeta de la Barcelonetta : mash potato balls filled with meat on a pool of aioli, spice tomato sauce and chilli oil – Delicious!

 

Hot chocolate and churros at Bar Xador –
Unique, modest and surprising find

Bar Xador : Carrer de l’Argenteria, 61, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

 La Boqueria

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a public market in the center of Barcelona located just off La Rambla. It sells an array of products, fresh produce, wines, fish and stalls selling overpriced tapas and drinks. It’s very colourful with lots to see. It seems to cater for the tourist who believes in its hype.  Not my favorite market to date, but worth having a quick look around.
walking down La Rambla  to La Boqueria
 
 

 

 

Wow that was a lot to eat and drink  in one weekend!
Until next time why not join me on  InstagramTwitter and Facebook…X
Share:

27 Comments

  1. Camilla Hawkins
    March 31, 2016 / 10:07 pm

    What a feast for the eyes, soul and stomach you had – just fabulous:-)

  2. April 1, 2016 / 3:31 am

    This looks incredible; I love the look of that roof top pool. I could just jump in right now! xxx

  3. April 1, 2016 / 9:19 am

    I've been to Barcelona but from your post I obviously missed a lot! It looks amazing and of course has wonderful food. GG

  4. Dannii Martin
    April 1, 2016 / 10:39 am

    That roof top pool looks incredible. I wish I was there right now!
    I just love Barcelona, especially for all the food.

  5. Claire Cly
    April 1, 2016 / 11:45 am

    I so need to visit Barcelona again! Great photos, I just need to go like right now!

  6. Jacqueline Brough
    April 1, 2016 / 1:52 pm

    I have always wanted to go to Barcelona! It looks amazing, and like you found the perfect place to stay!

  7. Laura Hartley
    April 1, 2016 / 2:20 pm

    Wow that skyline bar looks amazing! I've been to Spain but not to Barcelona and I'd love to visit. The weather, the food.. It sounds perfect!

  8. Rhian Westbury
    April 1, 2016 / 2:42 pm

    Oh wow this hotel looks amazing, i've never been somewhere with an infinity pool but the views look gorgeous! x

  9. Melanie Ed
    April 1, 2016 / 4:46 pm

    OMG that food looks fabulous, I'm feeling hungry now!

  10. Emma White
    April 1, 2016 / 4:51 pm

    oh wow this place looks and sounds amazing and what beautiful pictures

  11. Sarah-Louise Bailey
    April 1, 2016 / 6:40 pm

    Wow what an amazing sounding time, the hotel looks awesome and that food absolutely delicious. x

  12. Harriet Shearsmith
    April 1, 2016 / 7:14 pm

    This is totally amazing – my in laws visit Barcelona quite often and I will have to pass this on as they will love it – great eats 🙂 H x

  13. April 1, 2016 / 7:27 pm

    Oh wow – there are some amazing places here. I have never visited Barcelona, but really hope to one day. Kaz x

  14. Life-As-Mum
    April 1, 2016 / 7:28 pm

    I have never been there before but looks so amazing and wouldn't mind visiting! Such gorgeous photos and the food look delicious

  15. Georgia C
    April 1, 2016 / 10:06 pm

    This solidifies my need to visit Barcelona, the pool and sky bar looks incredible and so swanky!! I love Spanish food so much, I remember going to Madrid in my early teens and falling in love with the food then!

  16. Charli Bruce
    April 2, 2016 / 7:52 am

    A trip to Barcelona is much needed! We are going to Spain in a couple of months but nowhere near Barcelona unfortunately, the poll and sky bar look absolutely amazing!

    Charli | Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger at CHARLI B

  17. Nicol
    April 2, 2016 / 11:54 am

    this makes me miss barcelona! i would love to go again and go to these places

  18. Sam Testing Time
    April 2, 2016 / 12:25 pm

    OH wow, is it bad the food sways me to visit places? I see such wonderful food and need to go just to eat haha

  19. Alice Langley
    April 2, 2016 / 12:33 pm

    What a fantastic trip! That view from the pool ❤️

  20. Stella Olojola
    April 2, 2016 / 1:16 pm

    I visited Barcelona some years ago. It is a beautiful city. Lovely review you got here.

  21. April 3, 2016 / 12:06 pm

    What a lovely and informative post, I have not been to Barcelona for a couple of years now but this post has made me want to start searching for my deal to travel there

  22. Don't Cramp My Style
    April 3, 2016 / 7:28 pm

    Oh this is amazing! I really want to go to Barcelona! i really really wish i will one day! fab photos!

  23. April 4, 2016 / 9:26 am

    Lovely review, we hope you will come back soon to Barcelona, we have to try the morning tour, there are still many places we want to show you! un abrazo!

  24. Donah @ SweetJellyBean
    April 7, 2016 / 1:25 pm

    Omg! Talk about stylish and drool-worthy food! Barcelona is on my list of places to visit so this is fantastic! Thanks for sharing your experience.

  25. Andrew
    April 7, 2016 / 1:38 pm

    Some great sounding suggestions – one or two look familiar but I'll just have to go back to make sure! NIce photos too, really encapsulates the city,

  26. April 11, 2016 / 10:59 am

    Wow!! That's an impressive amount to get through in a weekend ;o) I love Barcelona – so many hidden corners and good food. Your hotel looked spectacular (and that hot chocolate with churros…. swoon!)

  27. Meeta K
    April 16, 2016 / 10:20 am

    Barcelona – lies many many years behind me I have to admit! But through your eyes you have provided a feast for the eyes and the palate!