The Fish and Chips Shop Balmes

The Alam brothers, owners of the The Fish and Chips Shop in C/Rocafort, have replicated here in C/Balmes the magic formula that's been such a success for them. This is just a small space with a bar and two tables, but that doesn't matter when you get paper cones filled with longline hake covered in a smooth batter and smoked over chestnut wood. And it's actually quite pleasant to eat while overlooking the hustle and bustle of Balmes.

There are four species of chips, and you get mango chutney and yogurt sauce for dipping. They know their trade well. The coffee is great, and the sandwiches are too, plus you can get good home-made vermouth and well-poured draught beer. And the truth is that the set lunch menu with three good pieces of fish along with chips (drink not included) will likely set you back no more than if you were to go to some globalised ubiquitious fast food joint.