Supposedly the best seafood restaurant in Barcelona: Restaurant Botafumeiro (1. January 2022)

Finding a restaurant which is open on the 1st of January isn’t entirely easy, but luckily, the Botafumeiro was open that evening and was buzzing as it seems to be buzzing every day. Once seated down you’re served “chips and bread” (for which you pay EUR 2.95) and get the menu. The waiter is friendly and attentive and makes sure you have everything you want and need. As a starter, the “vieiras al horno (baked scallops)” (EUR 18.20) were the choice – and they were quite fine although they do not match my best ever scallop at O Paparico back in 2014.

Next in line were the “gambas de palamós a la plancho (1/4 kg)” (EUR 60.50) which were absolutely delicious. What is true for both dishes so far though, is the price. Which is quite steep for what you get here.

Something I absolutely loved was the “centollo al horno (baked spider crab)” (which was charged with EUR 29.70 instead of EUR 31.90 as mentioned in the menu). I think I’ve never eaten this before but it was truly delicious and definitely something I will try again.

Then, it was time for something a bit less on the shellfish side – a regular “turbot” (EUR 36.60). Which was fine. But again, price-wise quite steep.

At least the portion of “baked oven potatoes” was generous so you would at least not walk out of the place hungrily.

The recommendation of the waiter to finish the dinner was nice but the “warm meat of crab with mustard cream” (EUR 43.95), as tasty as it was, was just too expensive. All in all, I liked the dishes, no question, but the prices are kind of too much.

The place is buzzing in a traditional interior, and generally interesting to see. It’s really one of these old, established restaurants which is known for what it serves – however, from my personal perspective, it’s a bit overrated.

In any case, if you want to dine here, you should book a table in advance – although I’m not sure it deserves the label “best seafood restaurant in Barcelona”.

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Contact Details:

Restaurant Botafumeiro

Carrer Gran de Gràcia 81

08012 Barcelona (E)

Tel.: +34 932 18 42 30

Cell: +34 662 66 93 37

Homepage: http://www.botafumeiro.es

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.