JaiCa, Barcelona

A kind of place that just sucks you in, and won’t spit you back out. Easily.

This could so be the Espy. Only fitted out by memorabilia of the greatest soccer team in the world. It’s a black hole.

If finding a seat is hard enough, the lack of English makes it even worse. But the universal language of the pointing finger. Use it to point to these tasty plates.



Fried squid.



Empanada



Bombas



Grilled pork – covered in a smokey paprika based rub, the juices that flow soaked up by bread.



Razor clams – simply grilled with a bit of lemon, olive oil.



A place even Real Madrid supporters would suck it up and pull up a bar stool for a beer and some tapas at this packed out local filled with local hipsters.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? C/ Ginebra 13, Barcelona, Spain
What? Cheap 8-15€

La Bombeta, Barcelona

There’s nothing flash about this buzzing little local not far from Barcelona’s main beach. Which is good, because there’s absolutely nothing to distract from the awesome food that flies out of the kitchen.



Patatas Bravas – that’s a spicy sauce.



Bombas – they’ve got it figured out.



Sangria



Grilled prawns



Mussels a la Marinera



Fried squid – what was missing was a beer.



A menu stereotypically Spanish that’s all beautifully done.

4 / 5 yums!
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Where? Maquinista 3, Barcelona, Spain
What? Smalls 3-10€, Large from 8-15€

Bilbao Pintxos

Cafe Iruna
Berástegui, 4-6º izda, 48001 Bilbao



Pincho Morunos - moorish pork on a stick.  Let's just say 15 sticks over 3 visits and I could still go back for more.




Irrintzi
Calle Santa María nº8 48005 Bilbao



Hipster pintxos.





Bar El Globo
Calle de la Diputación, 8 48008 Bilbao, Vizcaya



Laid back taberna.

Quimet i Quimet, Barcelona

If the guy from elBulli is willing to stand, squeeze and have no issues sucking in the breath, bad or not, of his fellow man in this closet box wine bar, then it should be good enough for you.



And why wouldn’t you tolerate bumping butt cheeks to hold a fine wine glass of white in one hand and an amazing pintxo in the other?



Cream cheese, salmon, honey and Worcestershire – it’s so right.



Pate, pickled onion



Red pepper, prawns, caviar, olive oil.




And more.



Definitely not for dinner, but you’ll be filled up before too long with so many things to try.

4.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? C/Poeta Cabanyes 25, Poble Sec, Barcelona
What? Tapas from 1€

Pinotxo Bar, Barcelona

This much loved pintxo bar with the Pinocchio presiding over the steady flow of foodie enthusiasts and tourists serviced by the effervescent man in the vest and bow tie sits pretty in the front of Barcelona’s most famous Boqueria Market.



Only had breakfast here but that heart starter coffee and chocolate filled sugar coated donut that’s a window to weight gain had me wishing I went back for more.



3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Boqueria Market, Rambla, 85-89, Barcelona, Spain
What? Cheap