Quimet & Quimet, Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has no shortage of tapas bars touting the city’s best cava, vermut and sangria, but the bare-bones bars with no seating, a no-frills atmosphere and no regard for fine dining aren’t quite as ubiquitous. One such casual, stand-and-eat eatery is Quimet & Quimet in Barcelona’s Poble Sec neighborhood.

The room is no larger than a small tobacco shop, with walls lined with wine and liquor bottles from all over Spain. No more than three high-top tables are scattered throughout the space, and a small bar sits to the right. Under a glass cover are a few cold tapas selections like sardines, pepper mixes, olives, tuna and pickled artichokes. Pick from Quimet’s extensive menu of tapas options, some of which involve mixing and matching some of the cold dishes on display. Others, such as Iberian ham, a selection of cheese, and salmon with honey on crostini, are assembled behind the bar and served as quickly as they are ordered.

The staff behind the bar have no time for nonsense, so knowing what you want to order when you approach the bar is a wise strategy. Choose from beer from the tap, myriad local wines or cava (Catalan sparkling wine) to wash down the small servings of food.

After a visit to Quimet & Quimet, you’ll have a better idea of the essence of Catalan cuisine: enjoy food slowly, but keep it moving.

Quimet and Quimet

Carrer del Poeta

Cabanyes 25, 08004 Barcelona

tel. 93 442 31 42