Txapela Restaurant, Barcelona

While most of Spain is famous for tapas (small dishes of variations of potatoes, ham or seafood), certain pockets of the Iberian Peninsula are known for pintxos (or pinchos), slices of baguette topped with anything and everything imaginable and edible. Barcelona brings this traditional Basque Country cuisine to life in various bars and restaurants through the city, but one of the most well known pintxo spot is Txapela.

Pronounced ja-pella, immaculately crafted stacks of ingredients sit behind glass windows and form a rainbow of delicate seafood, glistening jamon and perfectly grilled and lightly salted vegetables. A visual menu explains each pintxo´s ingredients. Sepia de la plancha, pimientos del pardon (mild green peppers sprinkled with salt) and even whole croquettes (fried cylinders of béchamel sauce and either chicken or ham) are just a few options from among the 51 choices on the menu.

Prices vary from €1.80 to €2.50 per pintxo. With full pitchers of sangria available for €11, all the makings of a perfect Spanish pre-dinner snack can be sampled at Txapela. Multiple locations throughout Barcelona include Plaça Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia. Pull up a chair on their patio for people watching and pintxo sampling while the relaxing Spanish afternoon unfolds before you.

Txapela Restaurant

58 Passeig de Gracia

Barcelona, Spain 08007

34 934 87 22 79