Bar Cañete: Sips and Savors in Barcelona
Nestled in the heart of Barcelona, Bar Cañete is a delightful intersection of traditional Spanish charm and modern gastronomic flair. This bustling eatery lures both locals and tourists with its vibrant atmosphere and warm wooden accents. Bar Cañete’s intimate setting, detailed with an open kitchen, invites diners to be fully immersed in this culinary experience, making it the perfect spot for those looking for an authentic taste of Catalonia.
The menu at Bar Cañete is a testament to the rich and vast flavors of Spanish cuisine. From the moment you sit down, you’re enticed by an array of tapas that showcase the freshest ingredients of the day. Highlights include a €6.50 mouthwatering squid sandwich and the Canete-style gambas, sautéed in fragrant garlic and olive oil. Each dish is a celebration of flavor.
Bar Cañete sets itself apart with its commitment to tradition. The restaurant is devoted to time-honored recipes and techniques, which resonate in every dish. The staff is friendly and passionate, eager to recommend wine pairings that complement the meal. This dedication to service is incredibly welcoming, which enhances the dining experience.
Bar Cañete is a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable meal. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or a special dinner, the combination of welcoming ambiance, superb food, and attentive service guarantees an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss this local favorite!
Look at that line! This is promising.
Bar Cañete opens at 1pm. And, ten minutes before opening, there are already hungry groups of people waiting. They accept and prioritize groups with reservations so I recommend making a reservation via their website.
Just before getting seated, we were welcomed with sage advice: “Fuck your diet”. It was just the kind of gentle reminder we needed.
The menu was irresistible. Honestly, we wish we could have ordered it all but time, money, and stomach real estate each had its own limits.
A little bit of wine could surely help us think more clearly. Our waiter poured us two proper glasses of red wine: an Argelieres Pinot Noir and a Viña Salceda Rioja.
[6.25 EUR, 5.80 EUR]
It’s mandatory to order a little plate of jamón, especially since this would set us back at least twice as much back in New York. This particular jamón was bellota-grade and has a designation of origin from Guijuelo, a region in Spain prized for its ideal microclimate for aging jamón (i.e., cold, dry winters and short, mild summers).
[18.30 EUR]
When we asked our waiter for recommendations, we were intrigued to hear that his favorite dish was the Squid Sandwich. I don’t think I’ve ever had a sandwich with seafood in it but I’m glad I tried this one.
The squid was firm yet crispy and sandwiched between two layers of fluffy bread. What an incredible texture. The garlic aioli was rich, elegant, and pulled everything together.
[6.50 EUR]
The Cañete-Style Shrimp in Garlic arrived in a scalding pan with the oil still bubbling. The aromatics were intense and those dried chili peppers had phenomenal heat.
The shells of the shrimps were so thin and flavorful that I just ate the whole thing.
[31.15 EUR]
The Grilled Padrón Peppers at Bar Cañete were reminiscent of shishito peppers but with more earthy, smoky flavors. In size, the Padrón Peppers are shorter in length and thicker in width compared to shishito peppers.
Similar to shishito peppers, Padrón Peppers are randomly spicy. Roughly one in ten peppers will be spicy, which makes for a pretty exciting game of roulette.
[11.40 EUR]
The Tuna Tataki was one of the specials on the day of our visit. We couldn’t resist. The tuna was a sizeable, lean cut. The foie gras was an equally generous portion with a perfect sear.
[20 EUR]
Bar Cañete’s Tender Spicy Octopus with Tomato lives up to its reputation. I barely had to chew but I’m not sure how much I appreciate that. The flavor was definitely there and I believe it took a lot of work to get that octopus to this point.
[25.30 EUR]