BEST RESTAURANTS NEAR MAGIC FOUNTAIN (BARCELONA)
One of my favorite things I recommend my guests to do at night in Barcelona is going to the Magic Fountain Show. If you haven’t heard of, it’s like the Bellagio in Vegas, the European way. I admit there was a time I thought it was too “touristy”. But after taking some relatives there my opinion changed: the view of the waters dancing to the music is hypnotic. It is fascinating.
There are some cons, though. One is that it only runs certain days of the week – so you need to plan in advance to include it in your plans for Barcelona. The other is that the show hours depend on the sunset – the less sunlight, the better. And that means that the show is usually very near to dinnertime, forcing you to either eat nearby, or dine very late somewhere else.
I mean, you can have dinner somewhere else at 6PM, but that’s a super early dinner for the Spanish standards. But in any case, I’ve got you covered too, with my other post for early birds dinner.
But let’s say you want to eat near the fountain so you can head there on foot after dinner (or see the fountain early and walk to the restaurant afterwards). Today I’ve selected for you my favorite places to eat near Magic Fountain. I hope you enjoy my choices!
PRIVATE MONTJUIC HILL & MAGIC FOUNTAIN TOUR
These are the best restaurants near the Magic Fountain in Barcelona:
Bar La Cañota – 7 minutes walk
Owned by an associate of the Adria brothers, the chefs that put Spain in the elite cooking world, this is a great place for traditional tapas. And don’t think that because I mentioned the words “chef” and “elite” this will be a fussy place: it’s actually informal and fun. Just check their website to see it. It’s even good for kids (there are burgers for the picky ones!).
My pick: patatas bravas, any kind of croquettes, one of their tartars and their fried seafood box. Yum! Foodies will love to know that every month they invite a “Guest chef” that presents a special gourmet tapa. Opens at 7.30 and you’ll need a bit over an hour to eat, so it works best in the Summer when the show is late. It’s one of our options in our afternoon Montjuic Tours when our guests want to include the Fountains.
READ REVIEWS AND BOOK YOUR TABLE >>
Rías de Galícia – 7 minutes walk
Right next door to Cañota and owned by the same company, this is a more serious option. Considered one of the best seafood restaurants in town, their food deserves time, so it works great for after early shows.
Yes for the grilled cockles and the charcoal razor clams. Adventurous people do not miss the barnacles. And OMG their prawns! Gourmet sushi and raw meat lovers check out their Espai Kru: a separate area in the same venue where nothing is cooked. A high end adventure, harder to match with the Fountain schedule but worth a try.
READ REVIEWS AND BOOK YOUR TABLE >>
Easy meal at the mall – 8 to 12 minutes walk
The former Las Arenas bullring is now a cool shopping mall near the Magic Fountain. You’ll have convenient fast food in the basement – great for a quick bite. Tapas and rices in the street level, if you have a bit more time. And Spanish, Italian and Japanese in the level 4, a great viewing platform over the city.
SEE MONTJUIC AND THE FOUNTAINS WITH US
The good point is that you can show up without reservation and there’ll always be an option for you. And all these restaurants are family-friendly.
Suarna – 9 minutes walk
The perfect restaurant for families with kids is just around the corner from the bull ring mall. They have an eclectic menu including from tapas to some Mexican food, from sandwiches to rices, plus salads, pasta, meats and fish… Nothing extraordinary, but easy and nice.
There’s a kids zone, a variety of kid menus and under request they lend you a table loaded with games to entertain your kid at the table. It’s open until really late at night, but before 8PM the food options will be reduced to sandwiches and not much more since the kitchen is closed.
READ REVIEWS AND BOOK YOUR TABLE >>
Bodega Monumental – 12 minutes walk
If you are ready to walk a bit further, in the nearby Sants district you’ll find this restaurant serving grandma style tapas mostly to a local audience. And because locals eat late, the later you go, the more animated it’ll be… but the slower they’ll serve you.
The owners opened their original restaurant in 1937 near another bull ring, la Monumental, in 1937. This second venue is from 2011 but keeps the old-fashioned feel that is true to their origins. They are open noon to midnight, although some dishes might not be available if you go too early. Check with them first. And make sure to ask what are their daily specials! (platos del dia).
READ REVIEWS AND BOOK YOUR TABLE >>
AND BONUS! Our favorite tapas near Magic Fountain:
Taps – 5 minutes walk
It’s not the closest restaurant to the Magic Fountain (there’s a mediocre pizza place only 1 minute away), but it might be the second closer. Their specialty are tapas – they are spectacular! The selection isn’t big, but it does include some veggie options, and they also have burgers and salads.
TAKE A TAPAS TOUR WITH US
And don’t miss their home-made desserts. Tiramisu anyone? Or go for a more local crema catalana (crème brulee).
READ REVIEWS AND BOOK YOUR TABLE >>
AND BTW! If you need an affordable hotel near the Magic fountain, check cheaprooms.co.uk.
Have you decided where to eat near the Magic Fountain Show?
Youtube
AUTHOR BIO
Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.
RESEARCHING RESTAURANTS IS TIME-CONSUMING…
Need some inspiration?
Our 100% FREE Barcelona Collection will give you everything you need to organize the trip of your lifetime to Barcelona.
BEST INSIDER TIPS FROM THE PROS!
MORE BARCELONA TIPS FOR YOU:
SHARE WITH YOUR TRAVEL MATES
8 Best Restaurants Near Montjuïc to Try Right Now
Looking for a place to eat that’s equally as impressive as Montjuïc itself? We’ve got top nearby restaurants for you
Advertising
These top restaurants near Montjuïc are just as exciting as the views of the area. Whether you’re looking for classic tapas after seeing the gardens or Mediterranean cuisine with a view of Barcelona below before a show at the Magic Fountain show, you won’t be disappointed with all the options the restaurants near Montjuïc have to offer. If you want to go big, you’ll want to know that as of autumn 2017, the area is home to one of Barcelona’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. Or if you happen to be on your way back from a run around the Montjuïc circuit, stop by one of the takeaway spots for a quick bite to eat or a simple carry-out option.
An email you’ll actually love
Get into a relationship with our newsletter. Discover the best of the city, first.
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
🙌 Awesome, you’re subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
© Ivan Giménez
1. Casa de Tapes Cañota
- Restaurants
- El Poble-sec
-
price 2 of 4
El Cañota is a Galicia-inspired seafood tapas bar, and it comes with a pedigree. It serves traditional dishes: fried fish and seafood, ‘patatas bravas’, Galician octopus, ‘ensaladilla rusa’, wine and draught beer. All of it is top-quality, and served in a laid-back venue that’s perfect for dinner after taking in a show at the Teatre Lliure, Mercat de les Flors or BTM musical theatre, which are all nearby.
Read more
2. Pakta
- Restaurants
- Peruvian
- El Poble-sec
-
price 4 of 4
Awarded a Michelin star in 2014, Pakta combines Peruvian and Japanese cuisine into an experience you’re sure to never forget. With a focus on Nikkei cuisine (Japanese food made outside of Japan) and a touch of Catalan flavours, Patka offers seasonal à la carte options that are a mix of cultures you’ll savour no matter the season.
Read more
Advertising
© August Blázquez i Rubí
3. Xemei
- Restaurants
- Italian
- El Poble-sec
-
price 3 of 4
This Venetian restaurant brings the classics of the Italian city on the water to Barcelona. Xemei serves fish dishes prepared just like in restaurants in Venice as well as ‘sarde’, the Venetian version of pickled sardines. Be sure to try the tasty assortment of fish that includes cod, baked mackerel and marinated anchovies that will have you singing its praises.
Read more
4. Tacos Tacos
- Restaurants
- Fast food outlets
- El Poble-sec
-
price 1 of 4
Tacos shouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Spanish cuisine, but the aptly named Tacos Tacos has it figured out. With a variety of Mexican, Spanish and Catalan flavours for around €2, you can’t go wrong! Choose your choice of slow-cooked meat and add your favourite toppings for a memorable taco treat. And if for some reason you’re not in the mood for tacos, they’ve also got burritos, nachos and other Mexican fare.
Read more
Advertising
Foto: Time Out Barcelona
5.
La Font del Gat
- Restaurants
- El Poble-sec
Located in a building that was originally constructed for the International Exposition of 1929 and makes for an incomparable setting, this restaurant is an oasis of tranquility and natural surroundings. They have set lunch menus, and they’ll also do set dinner menus for groups. Be sure to try some of their popular dishes like the mushroom ravioli with truffle sauce or the sirloin with fois gras.
Read more
6. La Foixarda
- Restaurants
La Foixarda is the brasserie restaurant of the Municipal Riding School. Mediterranean cuisine, Argentinian barbecue for meat lovers, and lunches featuring Catalan ‘calçots’ (similar to leeks, served grilled with meats and other side dishes) are served indoors or outdoors on the terrace overlooking the equestrian centre court where you can dine on natural products with the whole family.
Read more
Advertising
7.
Martínez
- Restaurants
Martínez serves a stratospheric take on paella, classic tapas and deep-fried seafood. The à la carte menu is as complete and as panoramic as the view of the seaside below – an indulgence, with prices to match. However, the set menu (vermouth with tapas, salad, wines, one of the rice dishes on the menu, plus dessert) allows you to keep a cap on spending, but not your appetite.
Read more
8. Miramar
- Restaurants
- Mediterranean
- El Poble-sec
-
price 3 of 4
Located in the heights of Montjuïc, this restaurant takes the best of Mediterranean cuisine and passes its essence through a filter of moderate avant-garde cooking. The result is a refined menu with top-quality ingredients. Tuna steak with hummus, seaweed bread with sardines, salmon tartare… It’s a parade of flavours to savour as you float in the blue Barcelona sky.
Read more
Show more
An email you’ll actually love
Get into a relationship with our newsletter. Discover the best of the city, first.
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
🙌 Awesome, you’re subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
An email you’ll actually love
Get into a relationship with our newsletter. Discover the best of the city, first.
Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
🙌 Awesome, you’re subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
Recommended
[image]
[title]
You may also like
You may also like
Advertising
Guide to Plaça España
Page Content
Museum Nacional d’Art de Catalunya near Plaça España |
Plaça España is a beautiful square a little further from the city center where many of Barcelona’s main streets such as Gran Via and Parallel intersect. There is also an old arena that used to host bullfights and is now just a façade, albeit a pretty one.
Plaça España’s main attraction is the Palau Nacional, a museum of Catalan art that sits regally on the slopes of Montjuïc. The museum is stunning and there’s no better time to see it than when it’s lit up in the evening with a magical fountain running in front of it.
The Magic Fountain is a fountain with a free light and music show.
Opening hours: Depending on the season, opening hours vary. We advise you to visit their website.
Official Website: Magic Fountain
Montjuïc and its surroundings have a lot to see. You can start with the large halls of Fira, and continue to Palau Sant Jordi, where various events and conventions take place every month.
Plaza España |
Just before the stairs leading to the palace, turn right where you will see the Caixa Forum. This is a large and spacious art museum that always has good and varied exhibitions and admission is free.
Plaça España towers |
A little further on you will see the pavilion by Mies Van de Rohe built in 1929whose architecture was far ahead of its time. Keep walking and you will see the village of Poble Espanyol, which, like the pavilion, was built for the world exhibition in 1929. Poble Espanyol is a small village, with different quarters made in the architectural styles of different regions of Spain. Entrance costs €14.00. There are restaurants, local craft shops and a contemporary art museum. At night, with the opening of several bars and clubs, the village comes alive.
There is also a bar on the Montjuïc mountain called Casa de Migdia with great views and a relaxed Café del Mar atmosphere. It’s best to take a taxi if you don’t feel like going uphill. Tell them to take you to Mirador del Migdia and it’s only 2 minutes on foot.
Plaça España is well connected to the center of Barcelona by metro. The center can be reached in 10 minutes, or on foot in 30-40 minutes. Sants Estació Station is also a 15-minute walk away. Sants station is one of the main stations in Barcelona, from where direct trains go to the airport and other popular places such as the coastal Sitges (Sitges).
Hotels near Plaça España
To read a review of a hotel, just click on its name.
B Hotel Barcelona – 3 stars
Catalonia Hotel Barcelona – 4 stars
InterContinental Barcelona Hotel – 5 stars
Where to stay in Barcelona for work?
All apartmentsLugaris BeachLugaris Rambla
In addition to hosting numerous prestigious international exhibitions, events and conferences, the Catalan capital has also established itself in recent years as one of the most attractive professional destinations in Europe. Actually Barcelona is the 6th preferred city for business, 7th for e-business, 7th most entrepreneurial city in Europe and the 4th most innovative city in the world according to a recent study by the British organization Nesta.
However, to the undeniable attraction of Barcelona for investors, companies and start-ups, we must add its excellent climate, its privileged location between the sea and the mountains, an inexhaustible architectural heritage, a wide range of recreational opportunities and delicious cuisine, as well as many other attractions. which explain why it is one of the most visited cities in Europe.
If you are also visiting Barcelona on business, here are some of the things you should not overlook to make your stay in Barcelona perfect.
Interesting places to visit in Barcelona
Although its area is quite modest (the city itself is barely 100 km2), Barcelona has preserved a great number of buildings and monuments, spanning more than two millennia since its founding, around 14 BC .
In this section reference is made to interesting remains from Roman times, among them ancient buildings of the former colony of Barcino, in the cellars of Plaza del Rey; imposing columns of the temple of Augustus on Paradis street; some Roman domūs or open-air necropolis in Plaza Vila de Madrid.
From the legacy of the Middle Ages, you can find the old Jewish quarter or Call , some examples of romantic architecture such as Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp in the Raval quarter, or three of the city’s most important most religious Gothic buildings: the Cathedral, the Church of Pi and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar , an imposing 14th-century temple that inspired bestseller “Cathedral by the Sea”. In the field of civil Gothic art, the majestic Thynell Hall is worth paying attention to.
In any case, if the Catalan capital stands out for something, it is the footprint that modernism on the streets and boulevards. Undoubtedly, the one who managed to convey all the splendor of this trend was the great Antonio Gaudí, the author of such pearls of architecture as Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila (also known as Pedrera),
Casa Batllo, Palace Guell, Park Guell or House Vicens – buildings that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. A distinctive feature shared by two other modernist gems of Barcelona – St. Paul’s Hospital and the Palace of Catalan Music , by Luis Domènech y Montaner.
Another must-see place is the mountain Montjuic , an area that was urbanized especially for the International Exhibition in 1929. Among its attractions: Spanish Village , restaurants, nightclubs and even flamenco bars, Magic Fountain , the scene of incredible sound and light shows, Olympic Ring , numerous museums and Montjuïc Castle with an incomparable view of Barcelona.
Of course, you can’t do without a walk along the bustling Rambla , which represents a certain sentimentality for the local population, and leads to Port of Barcelona and the iconic statue of Columbus. The same applies to the many museums in the city, among them the Picasso, Joan Miro, the El Born Cultural and Remembrance Center, the FC Barcelona Foundation Museum and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC), which has been keeping since The world’s most important collection of Romanesque paintings .
Exhibitions and Events in Barcelona
Despite the endless list of monuments with which Barcelona is rich, much of its magnetism as a business city lies in its huge and growing role as an organizer of events and conferences. Thus, according to the American Express report, the Catalan capital is the third most popular European city for conferences and business meetings.
Undoubtedly the most significant annual event is the Mobile World Congress, the largest event in the mobile communications industry, which usually boasts the presence of major international gurus in the field of new technologies.
In any case, the Fira de Barcelona exhibition center, which is located on Montjuïc, hosts many other significant events. Suffice it to refer to the International Auto Show , a biennial event that brings together leading vehicle manufacturers; Alimentaria Barcelona , which brings together key food players at the end of April; The Comics Show, which takes place annually in the spring; The Boat Show, which takes place in October at Port Vell, and Manga Exhibition , which always attracts numerous fans every last weekend of October ). Regarding music, mention should be made of Primavera Sound , which takes place between late May and early June, as well as International Festival Advanced Music (Sonar) , which takes place in mid-June, and is dedicated to electronic music. In turn, the celebrations of Merce, the patron saint of the city, taking place a little before or after September 24, bring together famous soloists and musical groups on the national stage.
Other interesting local festivals include the Gràcia , which takes place in the third week of August, and the Sants which starts a week later. In both cases, the main streets in these neighborhoods look amazing, because they are decorated by the residents themselves.
Finally, we must not forget that Barcelona and its surroundings also host the best events in the world of sports such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Motorsport, the World Championship or the tennis tournament Open Banc Sabadell Trofeo Conde de Godó . the oldest in Spain, included in the ATP World Tour 500.
Bars and restaurants in Barcelona
Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine have reached their peak in Barcelona, where you can taste the creations of some Michelin-starred chefs. The list goes from Martin Berasategui, chef of Barcelona’s first three-star restaurant Lasarte , to Sergi Arola of Arts Hotel , or Jordi Cruz of Àbac, not to mention Carma Ruscalleda, chef of Moments at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel . In addition, from Barcelona you can easily get to the Sant Pol restaurant in the small coastal town of Sant Pol de Mar, awarded with three Michelin stars, by train.
In any case, with a huge selection of bars and restaurants in Barcelona (7400 restorations were counted in 2016, mostly concentrated in the Eixample district), there are many more legendary establishments.
One of them is the restaurant Els Quatre Gats , a century-old corner of the Gothic Quarter frequented by famous writers, musicians and artists such as Ruben Dario, Antoni Gaudí, Isaac Albéniz, Enric Granados or Pablo Picasso. The latter was also reported to have opened a couple of cafes in other famous restaurants in Barcelona: 7 Portes, opened in 1836, whose delicious Catalan cuisine has also been tasted by such celebrities as Federico García Lorca, Salvador Dalí, Gabriel García Márquez, Maria Callas, Orson Welles and Woody Allen.
However, the oldest in this area is Can Culleretes , the oldest restaurant in Catalonia and the second in Spain, according to the Guinness Book of Records (opened in 1786).
To this list should be added the seafood restaurants that dot the seafront João de Bourbon , in the traditional fishing district Barceloneta .
However, when it comes to enjoying unique views, there is nothing better than having lunch or a cocktail on the terrace of one of the hotels that overlook Paseo de Gracia, or at the W Barcelona hotel, famous for its unmistakable skyline. in the form of a sail, located right on the beach. In addition, there are also two other restaurants on the Agora Montjuïc that offer panoramic views from above: Xalet and Miramar .
However, every corner of the city is ideal for traditional tapas or the invariable Catalan bread and tomato, one of the famous aperitifs of Catalan cuisine.
One final tip: when you’re in the mood for a cocktail, you should drive up to Torre Rosa , an old Indian house with a beautiful garden, easily accessible from the center by bus, subway or Renfe commuter train.
Essential mobile apps when visiting Barcelona
When traveling to a city as avant-garde and innovative as Barcelona (to the point where it even boasts its own technology district 22@ , located in Poble Nou, the same place as the Lugaris apartments) Don’t miss out on mobile apps that will help you get to know the city. Below, in alphabetical order, we list 10 must-have Barcelona apps for every visitor, available for both Apple and Android.
• AMB Taxi Barcelona . Putting an end to price gouging: With this app, developed jointly by the City Hall of Barcelona and the Autoridad Metropolitana del Transporte (AMB), the user can find out roughly how much a taxi costs between two specific points.
• [email protected] Innovation district. Over an hour long, this official audio guide tells the story of an old industrial district that has become the cradle of international technology companies and start-ups over the past two decades. Available in Spanish, Catalan, English and French.
• Barcelona Guía Oficial . This is an interactive application that will show the user the tourist heritage of the city. In addition, it is multilingual, available in Spanish, English, French, German and Italian.
• Barcelona Metro Walks. This official audio guide offers seven itineraries organized by proximity and easily accessible by public transport. Available in Spanish, Catalan and English.
• Barcelona Restaurants. The official Barcelona restaurant guide prepared by Turisme de Barcelona is now available as an app.
With its help, 170 restaurants with an excellent price-quality ratio will be offered to gourmets. As in the previous case, this is a multilingual version in Spanish, Catalan, English, French and Chinese.
• Barcelona Then and Now. This unique app shows in pictures how the Catalan capital has evolved over the last century and compares old photos of the main attractions with its current appearance.
• La Barcelona de Gaudí. Ofrece una guía de audio, de más de una hora de duración, acerca de 11 de las construcciones más importantes que Antoni Gaudí legó a la ciudad. En este caso, se puede utilizar en castellano, catalán, inglés y francés. An audio guide of over an hour that introduces the 11 most important buildings bequeathed to the city by Antonio Gaudí. Antonio Gaudi. It can be listened to in Spanish, Catalan, English and French.
• La Barcelona Medieval. Esta aplicación para móviles propone un viaje en el tiempo que llevará al viajero hasta el siglo XII, y que da a conocer los principales edificios románicos y góticos de la capital catalana. Está en castellano, catalán, inglés y francés. This mobile application offers a journey through time, taking the traveler back to the 12th century, and which will introduce him to the basics of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the Catalan capital. Available in Spanish, Catalan, English and French.
• mTrip. In addition to the provided information about the monuments, it will help you create your own excursion routes. Its price is 4.99 euros.
• TMB App . The application of the Transportes Metropolitanos de Barcelona consortium is ideal for calculating the shortest public transport route (metro, bus, tram, train) between two parts of the city and various municipalities in the metropolitan area. In addition, you can also find out the timetable, frequency, routes…
Coliving in Barcelona
Coliving is a type of housing that is gaining popularity every day in major European cities. What is its essence? This is an extension of the concept of coworking (separation of space for the work of various professionals), which is used for residential premises. This option is different from renting, because in this type of housing the common areas are shared with other residents . That is, for example, laundry, dining rooms, living rooms, gyms and studios can be shared with other people who also live in a co-living building. In addition, each apartment has high-speed Wi-Fi, which allows comfortable working remotely . One of the significant advantages of this type of housing is the fact that it is more profitable financially, as well as the fact that tenants can communicate with each other having similar interests. To better understand definition of coliving, we have prepared a post for you.