Barcelona lands in my top 3 destinations for culinary gluttony as I will never confess this sin and gladly live in sin for the rest of my life. The other 2 destinations are Japan and Lima.
Barcelona and Spain’s food culture is completely different from anywhere I’ve been. We’ve all seen the Anthony Bourdain’s episodes where he visits parts of Spain drinking wine and eating obscene amounts of tapas while we sit in envy. I’m not going to lie to you but I do follow and mimic Anthony Bourdain’s life and lifestyle. If Anthony Bourdain has gone somewhere, the destination instantly shows up on my bucket list. Tapas 24 Barcelona
I’ve spent the last few years traveling to explore different cultures and cuisines. I’ve been to many culinary hot spots in the world and, as mentioned, Barcelona, Japan and Lima are my 3 top destinations for culinary hedonistic festivities. Barcelona holds claim to one of my top 3 restaurants in the world, which is Tickets Bar. However, there is a different atmosphere in Barcelona with tapas bars practically on every street corner. Tapas 24 is one of those tapas bars.
Tapas 24 is around Central Barcelona. It’s a few blocks from Plaça de Catalunya, a tourist heavy area, and among retail shops. The Tapas 24’s decor is more modern than its counterparts. It’s hip and urban with a bar area in the middle of the restaurant. There are high tables around the restaurant but the main focus is the bar area where the food is prepare.
I arrived and decided to sit near the wine cabinet at the bar. I made my way through as one of the staff was loading items. He gave me an attitude and became unpleasant during the meal. He started making offbeat comments but I didn’t really mind cause I gave him an attitude back. Tapas 24 Barcelona
Now, the food. Tapas 24 had an abundance of tapas on the menu and they’re made to order unlike in Basque Country where it’s all on display. I went with the following items: Tapas 24 Barcelona
- Mc Foie Burguer – The little burger that could. The burger’s circumference was no larger than a normal size coffee cup and less than an inch thick; however, it packed a lot of flavors and the decadently rich texture of the patty was amazing. It was one of the more creative items on the menu and the best thing I ate at Tapas 24.
Mc Foie Burguer - Croquette – The croquettes came out piping hot and fresh out of the fryer. The crispy batter enclosed the soft and fluffy filling of the croquettes. The croquettes were the perfect example of why Spain is the only country to do tapas correct while others rush to imitate.
Croquettes - Jamon – There is jamon then there is jamon. The best jamon being Joselito with the perfect umami flavor; however, Tapas 24’s jamon isn’t Joselito. Tapas 24’s choice of jamon was still delicious with a nice balance of salty and flavor. The flavor was defined with the strips of fat and leanness of the pork.
Jamon - Bikini Comerc 24 – The bikini sandwich is very common in Barcelona. It’s a balance of luxury and simplicity. The simple sandwich with layers of cheese, ham and shaved truffles. The truffle’s pungent aroma mixed with the rich cheese and salty ham is heaven sandwiched between white toast. There is no place in the world that does the bikini sandwich like Barcelona. Must try.
Bikini Comerc 24
After years of traveling, Barcelona still haunts my palate with its simple yet luxury flavors. The food culture with its social atmosphere would make anyone fall in love especially those who thrive for a work and life balance. The flowing wines and never-ending tapas. Tapas 24 is one of the higher rated tapas bar in Barcelona and worth the visit even though I had issues with the wait staff. However, it still falls short of the best tapas bar in the world and one of my top 3 restaurants in the world, which is Tickets Bar.
- Service - 5/105/10
- Presentation - 7/107/10
- Flavors - 8.5/108.5/10
- Decor - 7.5/107.5/10
- Ambiance - 7/107/10
Summary
Tapas 24 is a few blocks from Plaça de Catalunya, a tourist heavy area, and among retail shops. The modern decor with its tasty tapas makes it one of the higher rated tapas bar in Barcelona. It’s worth the visit even though I had issues with the wait staff.
