El Xampanyet, Barcelona, Spain

Few restaurants in Barcelona have a queue outside the door before 7 p.m. In a city where the third meal of the day rarely begins before 9 p.m., one longstanding institution is so popular and sought after, its doors open at 7 p.m. sharp, a punctual feature also rare in the capital of Catalonia.

Once the doors open, only the eager and strategic will nab one of the coveted tables along the wall or a front-row standing spot at the bar or around a barrel. Those who are not seated right away can enjoy a glass of wine or cava by the bar until the jam-packed seats open up, as reservations are not accepted.

Inside El Xampanyet, the brightly lit space is not big and fills up fast. But as crowds file in, you will soon learn the elbow rubbing is part of the restaurant’s charm, encouraging guests to socialize with each other. Patrons come from all over the world to taste the house-made cava, served by the clear, label-less bottle and divvied up into the shallow vintage Champagne vessels from days gone by.

The authenticity spills over into the food menu with Catalan classics from the land and sea, like calamari, prawns and freshly sliced jamón serrano. Although a seat or patch of floor to stand on can be difficult to obtain in El Xampanyet, the cava/tapas experience is worth every disculpe!