Bar Canete

A winning modern Tapas bar

Grilled red prawns

Without a doubt, a trip to Barcelona cant be complete without a tapas experience, having eaten a good number of classic, traditional tapas bars in the past, I was searching for a modern venue that has a bit of creative input while mixing in international flavours. Located near the popular tourist hotspot La Rambla, Bar Canete is a highly popular tapa bar for both the locals as well as travelers. it is a very lively place with an open kitchen, where diners can pick to sit by the bar or opt for a more traditional table setting. The menu is big, what caught my eyes is that the chef likes to mix fish and meat ingredients into the same dish, which is somewhat unusual.

Iberico pork jowl and smoked herring

Baby scallops with Bellota ham

Canete seafood rice

Grilled fresh red prawns with sea salt is the must-order dish whenever is on the menu, Bar Canete's version kept it simple, the prawn was extremely fresh and blessed with the sweetness of the sea, with the salt uplifted the umami taste to another level. Iberico pork jowl and herring sound strange on paper but somehow worked well together, the saltiness of the herring acted like a seasoning that worked with the pork. The grilled Iberico pork loin is what a spectacular pork dish is all about, super tender and moist, with just the right level of smokiness on the edge, the chef could be a little bold with the seasoning but generally, it was a really enjoyable dish.

Squid and beans stew

Foie, beef and truffle

Grilled Iberico pork loin

Bar Canete really impressed me, this is the peak of casual dining for me. Besides the wonderful food, the vibe of the venue, together with a team of charming servers made this place really special. Everyone was extremely friendly and caring, with no upselling at all, this is the completed package. Since the menu is so big, I would love to come back in the future to try out other dishes. Bar Canete is the real deal so be sure to book in advance.

Food 4/5


Average cost without drinks and services:
£50

Carrer de la Unió, 17, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

https://barcanete.com/en/