El Nacional
Multi-Space Spanish Dining Hall · Eixample, Barcelona · €€€
Grand 1889 Modernista building housing 4 restaurants and 4 bars. Spectacular architecture. Best bets: oyster bar and seafood grill. An experience as much as a restaurant.
The Delekta Review
El Nacional on Passeig de Gràcia occupies a restored 1889 building — 3,700 square metres, capacity 770 diners, Catalan vaulted arches at 8 metres with skylights and industrial columns. Designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The building has been a café-théâtre, a fabric dye factory, a car dealership, and a garage. Four restaurants under one spectacular roof: La Llotja (fresh fish by weight), La Braseria (charcoal grill and wood-fired meats), La Taperia (over 40 tapas at 6 to 11 euros each, served by roving waiters), and La Paradeta (quick snacks and pastries). Four bars add cocktails, oysters, beer with conservas, and wine with cured meats. Average 30 euros, though La Llotja and La Braseria can reach 100. The architecture is genuinely stunning. The honest criticism: food quality is inconsistent, service can be slow, and it becomes very tourist-heavy after 9pm. You come for the space. The food is the bonus, not the reason.
What the critics say
- El Nacional Barcelona: A Gastronomic Experience - The Dining Traveler
- El Nacional - Review - Barcelona - The Infatuation
- The One Restaurant in Barcelona That You'll Want to Visit at Least Twice - Fathom
- El Nacional - A Garage Turned Food Temple - Barcelona Food Experience
- Time Out Barcelona - El Nacional
- El Nacional – Macarfi
Visit
- Address
- Pg. de Gràcia, 24 Bis, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Phone
- +34 935 18 50 53
- Website
- elnacionalbcn.com
- Reservations
- Book a table