[Barcelona, Spain] One who wants to feel the pulse of Barcelona city just needs to enter TapaÇ24. Also, if you want to have a taste of the El Bulli alumni, this will probably be one of the most affordable, and most approachable options.
The celebrity chef behind Tapas 24 is Carles Abellan, who formerly worked for Ferran Adrià at the 3-star Michelin El Bulli. (And it is almost impossible and frustrating to get a reservation for Adria’s renowned Tickets – no email reservations, no phone numbers to call, no walk-ins allowed.)
Tapas 24 does not offer the traditional-traditional tapas, but mostly with a modern and innovative twist. Some tourists will say it is Spanish ‘fast-food’. It is true in a sense, but Tapas24’s takes make fast food look and taste like junk.
Go during the off-peak hours. By off-peaks, I mean Spanish off-peaks – they have their lunches and dinners later than the rest of the world. Like maybe right at the opening hours of 1:30pm and 8:30pm.
I was greeted by an immerse energy and rhythm of Tapas 24. Staff was always on-the-move, serving food, speaking in a quick-okay English, all in a messy but organised fashion. Sit at the bar counter if you have the choice to get all the action.
If there are only 3 things you can order, get the Bikini Comerç 24 (8.90€), Mc Foie-Burger (9.60€) and Bravas (3.50€) in that order. But after having those, you would want to order much more.
“Get the Bikini, Get the Bikini!” This is what I hear from customers seated 4 places away. This is not what the Spanish ladies wear to the beach, but a warm sandwich with black truffles, cured Iberian ham and buffalo mozzarella. It’s like having all of my favourite things in a crisp thin sandwich bursting with all the goodness. This is quite the mama-mia.
The Mc Foie-Burger seems to be a dig at a certain Mc. Of course they cannot be even compared side by side. The really small beef hamburgers seem rather pricey at 9.60€, but when you spread the foie ganache all over like jam, it makes all that difference. You wished you never have ordinary hamburgers ever again.
Which brings me to the Fried Potatoes Bravas. Isn’t this like French fries overly spread with garlic mayonnaise? Not when it enters your mouth. This to me, is the real fries – hot, thick, crisp, made with good real potatoes.
A meal without beverages would cost about 20-25€ per person on average. Tip of the day: Please don’t go during Saturday nights and Sundays. They are closed. Visit Tapas 24 after a visit at Gaudi’s Casa Milà and Casa Batlló which are just minutes’ walk away. All to get a taste of Barcelona Spain.
Tapas 24
Carrer de la Diputació, 269, 08007 Barcelona, Spain, +34 934 88 09 77 (No reservations),
Metro: L2, L3, L4 Passeig de Gràcia
Opening Hours: 8:30pm-11:00pm (Mon), 1:30-3:30pm, 8:30pm-11:00pm (Tues-Fri), 1:30pm-3:30pm (Sat)
I loved this tapas bar as well, the bikini was amazing.