Having gained fame at his brother Ferran Adrià’s elBulli restaurant, Albert Adrià now boasts his own empire of fine dining establishments along the revitalized Avinguda del Paral·lel. Tickets is the crown jewel. With a menu of classic tapas remixed with modern, often molecular techniques, the theme of Tickets is Barcelona’s golden era of theater, glamour, and cabaret. Every day at midnight, online booking opens for the date exactly two months in the future. You can also call Tuesday­ to Friday 4 to ­6 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m. to ­12 p.m. and 4 to ­6 p.m. to get a same­-day table if there have been cancellations. [$$$$]

A Galician restaurant from 1989 with a family feel, O Meu Lar specializes in hefty chuletónes (grilled T­-Bone steaks) from Galician cows, classic seafood dishes from the region, including the famous dish of polbo á feira (festival-­style boiled octopus), and other quintessential tapas. Try a plate of Galician pimientos de Padrón (blistered green peppers with sea salt) with your monster steak. [$$]

This tiny, antique bar from 1914 is off the beaten path yet also usually packed. It's famous for its montaditos: two-­bite tapas on round, crispy bread. Most are made from conservas (canned seafood), cheese, cured meats, or fish. The large selection of local wines, vermouth, and house-made beer pairs especially nicely with the stinky Torta del Casar cheese with candied chestnut, the velvety salt cod with olive tapenade and tomato, and the creamy foie gras with volcanic salt. [$]

A busy, neighborhood bar with a kitsch 1950s rock and roll theme, Bar Ramón has been a local go­-to since 1939. Famous for signature dishes like seared foie gras with beef filet on toast, as well as classic tapas like croquettes and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), Bar Ramón is a place where you can eat very well on the cheap. Reservations are recommended, but can only be made by phone or in person. [$$]

Cozy up to the bar surrounding the open kitchen at this classic restaurant and local favorite. Its extensive offering of both Catalan and Spanish cuisine ranges from the traditional tapa Tortilla de Camarones of Cádiz (a fried shrimp fritter) to sautéed veal sweetbreads with artichoke hearts. Note that there are two entrances: one for Bar Cañete is on the right, and another for the pricier Cañete Mantel (“tablecloth”) is on the left. Stick with Bar Cañete for the best experience. [$$$]

Found on the restaurant-­rich street of Carrer del Parlament, this classic­-meets-­modern bodega (a term that defines a place that is a wine shop that also sells food and wine for on-site enjoyment) stands out in the Sant Antoni neighborhood. Enjoy a glass of wine from the shop's old barrels, from which the business also sells wine “a granel” (by the liter), vermouth, and various craft beers; snack on tapas and Catalan dishes; or just browse the gourmet shop. There is a little something wonderful here for everyone. $$

Founded in 1932, Vila Viniteca is the definitive spot for wine shopping in Barcelona. Across the street sits La Teca, a companion gourmet shop featuring a cheese cave of more than 350 artisan varieties, a wall of Spanish jamón, rows of conservas (canned seafood), a wine and cheese bar, and a cellar from the 15th century that hosts group wine tastings upon request. Sit and order a cheese plate and glass of wine in the bar area, or buy some snacks to go and head to the Parc de la Ciutadella, just a ten minute walk away. $$

The Escribà family’s holdings date back to 1906 with the founding of the original Escribà bakery, followed by the opening of the beautiful Escribà pastry shop on Les Rambles in 1986. In 1992 Joan Escribà opened Xiringuito Escribà, which has its upscale dining area above Bogatell beach; nestled in the sand below is the casual, sun­-drenched “cabana.” Both serve classic and modern tapas, salads, seafood, paella, and cocktails. During the day, the cabana is the perfect place to enjoy the sun and sea breezes. In the evening the enclosed restaurant is recommended. Still, you can always head down to the sand after dinner for a drink. $$

This wine bar at the heart of bohemian neighborhood El Born is perfect for a date night or an evening with friends. A list of some 20 Catalan wines by the glass and a varied offering of torrades (open-­faced sandwiches) on deliciously crisp bread make for a perfect chic-­yet ­casual meal. Try the torrada of black sausage, cured cheese, sundried tomatoes, and tangy orange vinaigrette, with a glass of full­-bodied red from local region Priorat. Often very busy, ElDiset's energy level begins to rise around 9 p.m. and carries well into the evening. $$

A softly ­lit wine bar and bottle shop in the old medieval Jewish quarter of Barcelona, Zona d’Ombra boasts an impressive selection of local wines by the glass and a basic menu of cured meats, cheeses, and other snacks. For around the price of one glass, you can choose a flight of three wines (small pours) and sample the surprising variety of Catalan whites, rosés, and reds. Less of a restaurant and more of a quiet place for the enjoyment of unique wines, Zona d’Ombra is a great pre-dinner stop, and on Sunday afternoons it often hosts live acoustic music. $

Bar Mut is famous for good reason: This small restaurant delivers a refined gastronomic experience. The menu of top­ quality tapas and Catalan cuisine includes the likes of sirloin with foie gras, wood oven­-roasted scallops, braised oxtail, steak tartare, and grilled prawns. The seafood is absolutely pristine, and the service is professional and practiced. It’s a great option for a special “splurge” meal that's not overly formal. Also, ask your waiter to be put on the list for post-dinner drinks at Mutis, the establishment's semi-secret cocktail bar upstairs. $$$

This organic bakery near the beach is always bustling. It champions the slow fermentation process, selling pastries, sandwiches, and artisan bread from a natural yeast “mother," or starter. The bread is baked fresh throughout the day in wood-­fired ovens, but get there early for the best selection. There is no seating here, so you must take your bread and pastries to go. The sandwiches in particular are an easy snack for the nearby Barceloneta beach. $

One of the oldest restaurants in the beachside neighborhood of La Barceloneta, this is the birthplace of the famous “Bomba de la Barceloneta” — a mouth­watering fried mashed potato croquette, stuffed with savory ground beef and topped with aioli and hot sauce, which now appears on menus all over the city. In addition to the Bombas, try the calamars a la planxa (grilled squid) and grilled sardines (in season in summer). If you’re adventurous, add a plate of Cap i Pota, an old-­school Catalan stew of tripe, veal trotters, and veal head in tomato. $$

Part of a local pastry school of the same name, Espai Sucre (Sugar Space) is a bit like a dessert laboratory. The dessert­-only restaurant offers a five-­course progressive tasting menu, beginning with apple vinegar sorbet with calvados, anise, and celery and ending with caramel sponge cake with black olive and coffee ice cream and orange, followed by petit fours and coffee. The eatery offers full wine pairings, and an “all chocolate” tasting is also available. $$

This busy sandwich shop in Plaça Sant Jaume, across from the City Hall, has been serving locals and politicians since 1951. Many sandwiches contain some variety of botifarra (sausages), and the bread is pressed similarly to an Italian panini. Of all the many “Frankfurts” (sausage-­centric sandwich bars) in Barcelona, Conesa is the most famous, serving a simple but consistent product on demand for those looking for an easy hunger fix in the city center. The service is fast and the quality of the ingredients is top, and, in keeping with the times, gluten­-free bread is now available. $

Founded in 1958 by José Argilés, president of the Guild of Artisan Churro Makers, this kiosk is a Barcelona icon and the perfect place to get classic churros with hot chocolate. Open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays to cater to the hoards exiting the nearby nightclub, Razzmatazz, this is the perfect place to soak up the booze that fueled your night. (It also sells French fries with ketchup and mayonnaise if fried dough isn’t your thing.) For a less rowdy experience, stop by any afternoon to enjoy your churros in peace. $

This boisterous tapas bar in the center of the Barceloneta neighborhood is a cheap and tasty place for a relaxed weekend lunch of tapas and vermouth. Both locations (on the same block) are usually full at meal times, so wait by the door trying to catch a waiter’s eye to get your name on the waitlist. Navalles a la planxa (grilled razor clams), sípia a la planxa (grilled cuttlefish), and calamars a l'andalusa (fried squid) are tasty starters. $$

Founded in 1994 in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona, La Paradeta has expanded to five locations in the city. The secret to its success is its simplicity: Order your fresh seafood (displayed on ice) by weight and sit patiently until the kitchen calls your number. The price-to-quality ratio here is excellent, so expect a line out the door, especially at the city center locations. $$

An old-­school restaurant specializing in grilled meats (steak, lamb, botifarra sausages, and more), the Llar de Foc is an ideal place for a taste of simple, authentic Catalan cuisine right in the center of Gràcia. From early February until late April, this is also an excellent pick for enjoying calçots, char-grilled winter onions (similar to leeks) that are a local seasonal delicacy. $$

This restaurant is climbing steadily to the top of Barcelona's fine dining pyramid. The chef-owners, veterans of the El Bulli kitchen, opened Disfrutar in Barcelona in 2014 and currently hold one Michelin star. The modern Mediterranean cuisine and elegant service make for an unmissable experience. $$$$

A Mediterranean drink that dates back to the Middle Ages, horchata de chufa has been served at Horchatería Sirvent since 1920. A chilled, slightly thick blend of leche de chufa (tiger nut milk), water, and sugar, horchata is a refreshing, traditional summer beverage, and Sirvent is the place to sample it. With an ambiance that could best be compared to a 1950s American soda shop with retro Catalan fittings, the original Horchatería Sirvent (not to be confused with the newer, less kitschy Sirvent around the corner) is a blast from the past. $

An excellent, if pricey, seafood restaurant in a tranquil plaza in Poble Nou, a neighborhood not often visited by tourists. Els Pescadors is an elegant choice for celebrations and indulgence. The paella is exceptional, and the main courses — namely the Gall de Sant Pere (John Dory with brown butter and capers) and the Rap al Serrallo (Monkfish with ham and almonds in brandy) — should not be missed. $$$

In this crowded sparkling wine bar, the norm is spilled cava, forgotten napkins on the floor, and a shortage of personal space. The place has its own house brand of Cava at great prices, though you must keep ordering food if you want to drink more. The menu includes a big list of fried sausages, sandwiches, and other snacks to choose from, but the move is to order the off­-menu surtido de butifarras (assortment of sausages). Before 5 p.m. you can order Cava by the bottle for next to nothing. $

A bakery run by the local Hofmann culinary school, this little shop makes some of the best “pure butter” croissants in Barcelona (cheaper, pre-­frozen croissants at your neighborhood bar often contain pork lard or shortening). Try one stuffed with mascarpone cheese or raspberry. There are a couple of stools beside the service counter, but the recommended course of action is getting your croissants to go and enjoying them on one of the stone benches lining the Passeig de Barcelona, just a dozen steps away. $

A cake shop from famous pastry chef Carles Mampel, Bubó looks more like a jewelry store than a place to enjoy confectionary masterpieces. The glass display cases, full of pristine mini-cakes, macarons, and more, beckon you to indulge in a sugary nightcap. Both Cava and coffee are also available. The Pastisseria is much better than the Bubó Bar next door (where you can also order dessert). $

Only the best seasonal ingredients make it into the kitchen of Can Ravell, an old grocer, wine shop, and restaurant from 1927. Wild mushrooms, spring peas, sausages, seafood, and foie gras are all given the royal treatment, which makes for a one of a kind, if expensive, lunch. Popular for special occasions and holidays, Can Ravell has no set menu, just seasonal a la carte. $$$

This Fàbrica (factory) is the brew­pub of the beloved local lager Moritz, founded in 1856. It's an expansive space with various “gastronomy” sections, with options including a micro­brew bar, an international tapas restaurant, and a gourmet wine bar. Fàbrica Moritz makes some of the best Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes with allioli) in a city filled with the iconic local tapa. Try this tasty classic in the Brewer’s Bar area of the restaurant. $$

La Cerveteca might not be as modern or trendy as some of the other craft beer bars in town, but its central location, huge selection of beers (both local and imported), and relaxed atmosphere make it a great place for an artisanal brew with friends. Snack on some basic tapas and watch the football match if FC Barça is playing. $