Cal Pep
Price guide: Mid-range
Plaça de les Olles 8, Barcelona, 08003
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#9 of 40
expert-rated restaurants in Barcelona- Recommended for:
- Seasoned travellers, People watching
Expert review of Cal Pep
Buzzing tapas bar and restaurant with superb seafood.
Pep is something of a legend locally, and everyone in Barcelona has been to his restaurant at least once. Its charm is not immediately apparent from outside – it’s always rammed and you’ll probably need to wait for a seat at the bar, but the atmosphere is unbeatable if you’re after a bit of theatre, and the seafood is daisy-fresh. There’s a quieter dining room at the back (reservations essential), but it’s not half as much fun.
Food and drink:
Fish is the name of the game here, and it doesn’t come cheap but it doesn’t come better, either. There’s no menu to speak of, but Pep and his crew are used to tourists and will guide you in the right direction, probably suggesting that you start with squid, prawns and maybe some razor clams, whatever takes your fancy, and then moving on to a slab of simply prepared but immaculately cooked fish. The puds are good, too.
Ambience:
Noisy, fun and utterly free of pretensions.
Service:
There’s no time for polite chitchat with this lot, but the banter between them is entertaining, and for all the apparent chaos they run a tight ship.
Location:
On the pretty Plaça de les Olles, a short walk into the Born from Barceloneta metro.
Price advice:
It’s hard to cut corners at Cal Pep, and there’s no fixed menu, but don’t be afraid to ask for prices if they start suggesting langoustines or similar.
More information on Cal Pep:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Restaurant, Tapas bar
- Food:
- Catalan, Seafood, Spanish
- Address:
- Plaça de les Olles 8, Barcelona, 08003
- Telephone:
- 93 310 79 61
- Website:
- http://www.calpep.com
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Mon 7.30-11.30pm, Tue-Fri 1-4pm, Sat 7.30-11.30pm. Closed Sundays, Easter and August.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Essential at peak times
