Lunch

Ca La Nuri, Paseo Marítimo de la Barceloneta 55

‘High class and lively fish restaurant right on the edge of Barceloneta beach.’ Orland Cardona, civil servant

El Suquet de l’Almirall, Passeig Joan de Borbó 65

‘Sunshine, seafood, sea views. The place for lunch with friends.’ Tom Maidment, property consultant

Dinner

Cinc Sentits, Aribau 58

‘Modern Catalan cuisine with a Canadian twist, served with the charm that only a family-run restaurant can deliver.’ RL

Comerc 24, c/Comerç 24

‘El Bulli alumnus Carlos Abellan reinvents the tapas menu for the 21st century.’ Carrie Frais, businesswoman

Tapas

El Ramblero, Pont del Treball 13

‘Post-modern tapas (think foie gras cubes in white chocolate) at the bottom of a high-rise block of flats in an obscure, tourist-free part of town. Worth the detour, as Michelin would say.’ Orland Cardona

Cerveseria Catalana, Mallorca 236

‘OK, it’s not unknown, but hundreds of locals pack it to the rafters every night because it is so good and the prices are so cheap. Get there by 8pm (practically lunchtime locally) and you might not have to queue for a table.’ Pepon Negre, raconteur

Txakolin, Avinguda Marqués de l’Argentera 19

‘You stand around a long, U-shaped bar while tempting Basque pintxos are wafted around. Don’t miss the duck. You won’t be able to resist the fizzy Basquais wine after which the restaurant is named.’ Ben Lander, school student

Hotels

Hotel Omm, c/Rosselló 265

‘Cooler than cool, from the rooftop pool to the basement nightclub.’ Bego Soms, production co-ordinator

Hotel Neri, c/Sant Sever 5

‘Impossibly romantic palace that’s beautifully lit in the heart of the old city.’ Maria Antonia Cañellas Mareña, historian

Bars

Dry Martini, c/Aribau 162

‘More wood panelling and leather than a dozen St James’s clubs. Sightings of ageing celebrity transvestite Violeta flogging her CDs come free with the peanuts.’ Pepe Battle, businessman

Electricidad, Sant Carles 15

‘Wine from the barrel and Formica tables are features of this unchanged leftover from the days when Barceloneta was a real fisherman’s barrio.’ RL

Les Gens Que J’aime, Valencia 286

‘Nothing at all French about this dark and stylish basement bar. A cosy setting for a discreet rendezvous.’ RL

Can Paixano, Carrer de la Reina Cristina 7

‘Standing room-only grotto. Tuck into gloriously fatty sandwiches of pork, pancetta and peppers, and wash down with sickly sweet cava. Marvellous.’ Aidan Brooks, chef

Hidden space

El Raval Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu, c/Hospital 56

‘A tree-crowded haven of tranquillity in the middle of the Raval district. Antonio Gaudí, the city’s design guru, died in the 15th-century hospital, which is now home to Catalonia’s national library.’ RL

Hidden street

Banys Nous

‘Stylish and charming street in the old city. Don’t miss chic women’s clothes store Funk (no 6), S’Oliver for antique and modern lights and chandeliers (no 10) and Casa Miranda (no 15), a treasure trove of miniature wooden mannequins. Then to Caelum for coffee and marzipan cakes made by nuns.’ Sarah Barclay

Day trips

Alella

‘A sweet town just 30 minutes north, just the thing for Sunday-morning vermut or walk around the central square.’ Lourdes Paramon, lawyer

Canet de Mar

‘Forty minutes on the train and you’re at this seaside resort full of elaborate modernista-style houses built by returning imperialists enriched on South American plunder.’ RL

Sant Pol de Mar

‘A little further north from Canet, with wide beaches and an 11th-century church. Virtually tourist-free apart from gourmets paying homage at Carme Ruscalleda’s magnificent three-star restaurant.’ Carrie Frais

Best view

Mirablau, Manuel Arnús 2

‘A bar by day and smart club at night, Mirablau sits high above the city on the edge of the Collserola Park. Order a drink and spot the city landmarks way below you.’ Maria Antonia Cañellas Mareña

Best beach

Garraf

‘Get away from the packed city beaches to this tiny crescent-shaped hideaway lined with beach huts en route to Sitges. Cliff-side restaurants deliver Côte d’Azur elegance for less than half the price.’ RL

Culture

The gallery quarter

‘The parallel Diputación and Consejo de Ciento streets in the Eixample area have a plethora of small and interesting galleries.’ Maria Antonia Cañellas Mareña

What to bring home

Espadrilles from La Manual Alpargatera c/Avinyó 7

‘Espadrilles with heels and ribbons in every possible colour and size. Shoes can also be made to order. Great for children, too.’ Sarah Barclay

Ham and sausages from La Botifarreria de Santa Maria Carrer de Santa Maria 4

‘The best butifarra (Catalan sausage) in town – and that’s saying something.’ Lourdes Paramon

Skyeast Airways flies to Barcelona from Vienna.

Taken from: http://www.bahighlife.com