Food and drink blog

by Tara Stevens

December 14, 2011

It’s a bit of a double-edged sword Christmas shopping, isn’t it? On the one hand there is something very festive about being out and about in the crowd, buying sprigs of holly and mistletoe (maybe a caganer or two if you’re going native), on the other the enormity of said crowd can be overwhelming and leave you, quite literally, running for the hills. These are a few places to rest your weary legs over an impromptu lunch or dinner.  

Bun Bo (Sagristans 3, 93 301 1378, www.bunbovietnamese.com)

Tucked away on a quiet side street in the Barri Gòtic, Bun Bo serves non-stop from 1pm-midnight so you can stop by whenever you feel yourself fading. The brightly-coloured interior is cheering and their bowls of pho a perfect, light pick-me up served with ample platters of fresh herbs and chillies, wedges of lime and crunchy bean sprouts for pepping up. The goi cuon (fresh summer rolls) and Asian lettuce cups filled with spiced pork are pretty good too and portions are generous for the price. Lunch menu: €10.  

La Delizia (Travessera de Gracia 28, 93 414 4951)

This is a handy pit-stop if you’ve been shopping along Diagonal. A stylish yet homey restaurant inspired by the cooking and décor of Tuscany and Provence, there’s lots to love about the place, not least a daily changing menu of tasty, unpretentious home-cooking and a cheery buzz. A recent visit produced a large Caesar salad, a pesto risotto and a dreamy berry cheesecake with a glass of wine for a not unreasonable €13.  

La Pubilla (Plaça de la Llibertat 23, 93 218 2994, www.lapubilla.com)

Located directly opposite the excellent Mercat de la Llibertat, La Pubilla is a daytime only place, doesn’t take reservations and gets rammed. The only advice I can give you is to get there early for hope of a table. Décor-wise think modern canteen with food easily deserving of a slot in one of the city’s ‘bistronomias’ like leek soup with bacalao, skate with black butter on espinacas catalanas and herb ice-cream. Lunch menu: €12.50

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by Tara Stevens

December 14, 2011

Latest Comments

  • Bun Bo

    I have been to Bun Bo three times and have always had a good meal there. The food does not have the true flavors of Hanoi or Saigon, but hey, you are in Barcelona. Everything is well priced and the dishes feature a lot of fresh herbs.

    Posted by Dan January 04, 2012 22:06:29

  • Bun Bo

    Tara,Im not sure whether youve tried Vietnamese before,either in the homeland or anywhere else.The food was dreadful and after eating my whole family are feeling queasy and unwell.Never again..avoid this place like the plague

    Posted by Michael December 22, 2011 14:56:24

  • Re: New Year's Eve ideas

    Hi Michael,
    Thanks for your message. If you check this link, you'll find a variety of things going on here over New Year: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/newyear

    Posted by Hannah (Metropolitan) December 21, 2011 11:06:02

  • WHERE TO GO ON NEW YEARS EVE

    HELP!!WILL BE IN BARCELONA FOR NEW YEARS NEED A GREAT PLACE FOR DINNER AND WELCOMING IN 2012...SUGGESTIONS PLEASE

    Posted by MICHael A. Leb December 18, 2011 04:29:34

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