Ten great restaurants near La Rambla

Located inside the famed market on La Rambla, Quim de la Boqueria offers visitors the chance to taste a cusine made fresh from products in the market. Quim himself says that he has the world's best larder, right next door. And it’s true, you don’t eat delicious dishes like fried eggs with whitebait or a superb 'capipota' every day.

You don’t have to be a foodie to feel disappointed by some of the fare offered along La Rambla, dominated by reheated tapas and prefab paella. But Amaya can restore your faith: at this spot they keep the finest traditions of Basque cooking alive, and it's got the cachet of being the oldest working restaurant on La Rambla.

Bar Mendizábal invites you to enjoy a beer, cocktail or top-notch sandwich without having to deal with the hordes of night creatures who populate the neighbourhood. You can drink fresh juices, wine, gin and tonics, various classic cocktails – the list is short but reliable – or the magnificent beers of different sizes, with the half-litre option that is the trophy for true 'cervesa' champions. 

Just inside the entrance of La Boqueria, on the right-hand side, is this essential market bar. It's run by Juanito, one of the city's best-loved figures. In the early morning the place is popular with ravenous night owls on their way home and, at lunchtime, foodies in the know. Various tapas are available, along with excellent daily specials such as tuna casserole or scrambled eggs with clams.

Cent Onze in the Le Meridien hotel offers good modern cuisine, with a full and varied wine list. At night you can sample from an attractive and delicious tasting menu that balances a repertoire of tapas and small dishes. Anyone who eats gluten- or meat-free will be happy to know Cent Onze also has a good selection of gluten-free products and vegetarian options on their menu. 

Offering creative first courses with Andalusian roots (fried anemone, red prawns) and second courses barbecued over fire – such as a rack of beef ribs – or with more of a French influence, Cañete Mantel is a fresh take on classic cusine. If you order in advance, they’ll also prepare great classic French dishes.

Located in Hotel España, this spectacular modernist restaurant is home to a traditional style of cooking adapted by the creative genius of Martín Berasategui. During the summer months, you can enjoy a traditional meal on the terrace with a great view of the Raval.