Photo: Tramendu Bar / Mikel Iturriaga
Have you ever wondered what places a gastronomic expert like Mikel López Iturriaga chooses to enjoy food in Barcelona? It’s no surprise that the city of Barcelona offers an unparalleled culinary richness, and Mikel, at the helm of El Comidista, has his favorites well defined.
From his devotion to anchovies from a store in Gracia to his love for the Mediterranean dishes of Poble-sec, each choice is a gateway to a world of unique flavors.
Mikel López Iturriaga, author of 3 recipe books and hundreds of publications on his website, takes us on a tour of his favorite corners of Barcelona.
Exploring Barcelona with El Comidista
When it comes to local delicacies, Mikel spares no praise. A must in his pantry are anchovies, which he always buys at Entrelatas, a store located in the Gràcia neighborhood. But he doesn’t live by anchovies alone.
When it comes to rice dishes, Mikel prefers paella to fideuà, although he confesses his admiration for a special vegan rice dish served at LaZorra, in Sitges. It’s a testament to how a dish without meat or fish can surpass other more traditional dishes in flavor.
His adventurous palate would lead him to become an Italian or Japanese national, highlighting the exquisiteness of the food in these countries. However, on a regional level, Andalusia and Murcia win.
In summer, Mikel can’t do without gazpacho, while in winter he opts for spoon dishes, especially those of El Tramendu in Sants or L’Artesana in Poblenou.
In the Poble-sec neighborhood, he has found a pleasant gastronomic surprise in Margarit, a restaurant that mixes Mediterranean cuisine with Greek and Palestinian influences.
To convince any carnivore of the benefits of vegetarian food, Mikel recommends Umami Plant Based without hesitation. And if we are talking about Italian sandwiches, there is no shortage of options in Barcelona: El Compà, Oimà in the Gothic Quarter, and Santo Porcello in Sant Antoni are his favorites.
Where to find the restaurants recommended by El Comidista in Barcelona
These are the exact addresses of each of the restaurants mentioned:
📍 Entrelatas: Carrer de Torrijos, 16, Barcelona (Gràcia).
📍 LaZorra: Passeig Marítim, 1, Sitges, Barcelona.
📍 El Tramendu: Passatge d’Andalusia, 8, Sants-Montjuïc, Barcelona (Sants).
📍 L’Artesana: Carrer de Sant Joan de Malta, 150, Barcelona (Poblenou).
📍 Margarit: Carrer de Margarit, 58, Barcelona (Poble-sec).
📍 Umami Plant Based: Carrer del Progrés, 6, Gràcia, Barcelona.
📍 El Compà: Carrer de Sant Carles, 29, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona.
📍 Oimà: Carrer dels Escudellers, 42, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona (Gòtic).
📍 Santo Porcello: C/ de Sepúlveda, 151, Barcelona (Sant Antoni).