Foodie in Barcelona

Curious about food, culture and what people put in their mouth

  • Home
  • Favourites
  • Best Of
  • Map

Berbena, Seasonal Bistro, Gracia

25th April 2019 3 Comments

Maria and I are having lunch at Berbena, at her suggestion, on rare blustery day more London than Barcelona. With ceiling high glass enveloping half the restaurant, the light twists and turns from clear blue-white to yellow and grainy. I face the open kitchen which gives on to a marble bar that serves simultaneously as a pass, cake, and cheese display, dessert station and bar seating. A brave or reckless combination? I can’t decide.

The menu is 16.50€ for a main, 2 sides, bread, water, dessert, and a filter coffee. At the top of the menu is the date because every day is different. There is a 1.20€ surcharge for the Capon and a 0.60€ for the hake which Maria orders. I have to try the Trofie pasta with guanciale and bottarga because it sounds like an umami fest.

First Carles Pérez de Rozas Canut (a good name that), the young chef/owner, brings us over some bread to start. There are two types in the basket: an aerated sourdough and a dense and nutty rye bread. He explains the format. We can each order two sides and one main.
“Each?” I underline. “We don’t have to pick the same sides?” It seems a lot of extra trouble for the kitchen to go to but yes, we can order 4 in total.
What a feast! They turn out to be the smallest of sides, just enough to whet the appetite for the main attraction. And of course, there is the bread, that I waste no time in tearing up and dragging through the small plates to sop up juices and sauces.

My gamble on ordering the pasta as a main pays off. This is no hastily thrown together carb but a well-considered delight. The Trofie have an incredible bounce.  I look up and tell Maria: “Eating this pasta is like having my teeth jump up and down on a springy mattress!” But there is more than the texture – the combination of guanciale, bottarga and not mentioned on the menu but here punctuating the dish with devilishly salty moments: capers.

The 23 seats of the restaurant have all been taken now and the kitchen is humming. There is less eye contact between staff and customers giving me the sensation that they are feeling a little squeezed. It’s no wonder. The offer of 4 dishes + homemade bread is a generous one and the economies of this city means they have to push themselves mightily to get all that out.

Someone asks me about Berbena later. “Why wouldn’t I just go up to La Pubilla for a similarly priced menu.” My answer is because Berbena is speaking a different language. It makes me think of a new French Bistro that I might find in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Or some gastro garden center restaurant like Petersham Nurseries in Richmond. But priced at about a third of what the equivalents I am thinking about would charge.

It’s ambitious and still learning (even learning to cut themselves some slack) but I appreciate what they are bringing to the table.

Berbena
Minerva 6, Baixos
08006 Gracia
berbenabcn.com
instagram.com/berbenabcn

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • More
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: bistro, Gràcia, Seasonal

« Bar Torpedo, Drinks & Snacks, Eixample
La Masala Cafe, Café, El Born »

Comments

  1. Kacey says

    15th June 2019 at 7:47am

    do they take reservations? can’t find any info!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      9th July 2019 at 5:32pm

      They do not take reservations.

      Also, We don’t have two pick the same sides
      ^ I guess you mean TO? it confused me.

      Reply
      • Suzy says

        12th July 2019 at 6:37pm

        The “two” was a typo, thanks for pointing it out.

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What Are You Looking For?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 772 other subscribers.

Foodie In Barcelona on Instagram

22:22 Cultura Dulce is all about pretty patisserie 22:22 Cultura Dulce is all about pretty patisserie and many layered savoury butter pastries. I think we may have tried a calçot riff when we were there. It’s a large place with corners occupied by big personality plants. 

#patisserie #barcelona #foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnlovers #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcninspira
The foie sauce pasta @maleducat should be illegal. The foie sauce pasta @maleducat should be illegal. It’s not a plate to share - even with someone you love. 🫣
Of course the tomato tartar with mackerel continues to make me happy.

#foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcndelicatessen #bcnfoodie #eatbcn
We had such a great lunch @williswinebarparis ! Un We had such a great lunch @williswinebarparis ! Unexpected because it’s right behind the Louvre, it’s gorgeous, good value with charming servers. 

#foodieinbarcelona #paris #parisfoodguide #parisfoodguide #parislife #pariswine #pariswinebar
Out of curiosity I joined the queue @bouillonlinst Out of curiosity I joined the queue @bouillonlinsta - a warehouse of a restaurant with continuous service and small prices. I can see the appeal - the rice pudding with caramel sauce was ace. Three courses with cider 18€!

#bouillon #bouillonpigalle #paris #pariseats #république
David Hockney at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in P David Hockney at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris is an extraordinary exhibition. I had goose bumps 15 minutes in. 

#paris #davidhockney #davidhockneyexhibition #fondationlouisvuitton #paris #artparis
#southoffrance🇫🇷 #cannes #monaco #france #southoffrance🇫🇷 #cannes #monaco #france
Something for the weekend @tangana_restaurant beca Something for the weekend @tangana_restaurant because it’s chef led, with good chairs and just the right feeling. Gilda - yes. And the Mitake mushroom but with way more colour then this picture - I hadn’t realized that apricot panna cotta is what’s missing from my life - (not pictured because the best moments often aren’t captured.)

#foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcndelicatessen #bcnblogger #bcnexplorers
Here is a great share for the Easter weekend @lacu Here is a great share for the Easter weekend @lacucanya in Vilanova. 

#vilanova #barcelona #foodieinbarcelona #foodinbcn #bcn #bcnmoltmes #bcn_turisme
Another solid lunch menu option st Club Nàutic de Another solid lunch menu option st Club Nàutic de Sitges. 24€ menu with coffee or dessert, two courses and a drink. Reservations necessary- even on a Monday. 2/4 of the restaurant has the sea lapping at its  side. 

#sitges #sitgesrestaurant #sitgesanytime #sitgesbeach #foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn
Incredible brunch at Cecconi’s today. I am not s Incredible brunch at Cecconi’s today. I am not sure anyone is doing it better. Shout out to the staff who were doing a great job of serving us today! 

#foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #brunch #bcnbrunch #barcelona
I am going to increasingly direct you outside of t I am going to increasingly direct you outside of the city. To places like @barquet_tarragona - a multi generational fish restaurant with many accolades. Inside it’s a mishmash of nautical references- and an extraordinary selection of things from the sea along with arroces. Even though it’s in Tarragona, I recommend booking in advance. 

#tarragona #tarragona_imatges #tarragonaturisme #tarragonaexperience #pescado #pescadosymariscos #pescadofresco
A small restaurant run by a young couple, one in t A small restaurant run by a young couple, one in the kitchen and the other serving. The menu is under 40€ and is Chef Bruno’s choice. Italian home cooking at its best and afterwards a walk in the hills❣️. #penedès #penedes #penedesexperience #catalunya #cataluña #foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn
Follow on Instagram

Foodie In Barcelona on Substack

On Substack? Get Foodie In Barcelona on your favourite newsletter platform by scanning the QR code below.

Substack QR Code

Recent Posts

  • Jiribilla, Mexican, Sant Antoni
  • 3 Barcelona Wineries to Visit by Nika Shevela
  • Hiu Restaurant, South East Asian Fusion, Cambrils
  • Glug, European, Eixample
  • Guy’s Best Healthy Places in Barcelona

VoiceMap: A Culinary Tour of El Born

VoiceMap logoVoiceMap QR CodeFor the best experience, install the VoiceMap app for Android or iPhone. Then just scan the QR code to be taken to my tour. A 2-hour tour for only $6.99!

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • X
  • Email

Posts by Area

  • Barceloneta
  • Gòtic
  • Born
  • Eixample
  • Gràcia
  • Poble Sec
  • Poblenou
  • Raval
  • Sant Antoni

Popular Posts

  • Best Italian Restaurants in Barcelona
  • Ten Best Tapas Restaurants in BCN by FoodJungle
  • The Best Spots to Enjoy Catalan Cuisine
  • Barcelona's Best Mexican Restaurants
  • La Balabusta, Israeli Food, Eixample
  • Bar El Pollo, Spanish, El Raval
  • Best Pizza Barcelona
  • Best Bakeries Barcelona
  • 5 Penedes Wine Experiences

Posts by Category

  • Cafés & Delis
  • Days Out
  • Miscellaneous
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • Shops & Markets
  • Tours
  • Travel

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie in Barcelona · info@foodieinbarcelona.com

Site by Web Harmonics

%d