Foodie in Barcelona

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

  • Home
  • Favourites
  • Best Of
  • Map

Gresca Bar, Gastro Bar, Eixample

13th September 2018 3 Comments

Gresca Bar in Eixample
Gresca Bar is what happens when you take Catalan ingredients and apply classic cooking techniques. It firmly rejects anything molecular. It could be a Gastropub in London or a Bistro in Paris – the kind that has a Michelin star. The bottom line is quality, heritage, understatement.

I first got wind of Gresca via the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme on Catalonia hosted by Sheila Dillon. She discussed Catalonia’s bid for independence, foraging, and Gresca. All the restaurants in Barcelona and only this one made the cut.

Red Banquette at Gresca BarIn a way they are right, the Gastrobar / pub restaurant format is not something you find all that much in Barcelona. (I think it’s because of the high costs of running a restaurant versus the relatively low returns and saturated marketplace that is endemic to Barcelona.) You can count the places that do this format well on one hand.

Gresca is two restaurants separated by a private door. On the right Gresca, white tablecloths and two menus to choose from 45€ (7 courses) or 70€ (10 courses). On the left, Gresca bar, still a restaurant with half table seating and half bar or kitchen seating and an a la carte menu. The idea of eating in a restaurant with tablecloths and a solemn whispering waiter lost its appeal years ago so it’s for Gresca Bar that I make a reservation. 13:30 or 15:30 are the options my sister and I are given.

I take the 15:30 making sure to ask if we will be able to eat or if we will be rushed through. The woman assures me it will be fine. In reality, when our second plate arrives we are treated to a live show of the chefs breaking down the kitchen and hit with the pungent smell of bleach as the floors are washed down. I don’t begrudge them this, I should have known better than to take the late slot offered, I do marvel at their efficiency and briefly fantasize about them cleaning my kitchen.

Ensalada Russa at Gresca BarOur waiter recommends 5 plates to share. We try the seasonal salad (9€), a Russian salad on a chipped antique plate with pickled guindilla peppers. Eggplant (10€). Eel toasts (7.5€).  We have deep fried boquerones (8.5€). Our waiter has recommended the sweet bread which my sister doesn’t want. There are brains on the menu – met with an equal lack of enthusiasm. We end up with an odd combination of duck and meatballs (14€).”Pato con albóndigas?” I question. “Si, pato con albóndigas.” the waiter shrugs. It reminds me of the odd mar y montana combinations in the weirdness of the combination but it’s well executed, with a generous serving of glossy reduction.

We’ve kept the pastry chef standing while we’ve finished. We aren’t going to let her go without a dessert. A lemon flavored pavlova with red fruits (6€). It’s yummy and woefully small.

At this point, we are alone in the restaurant with two members of floor staff. We decide to go down the street to SandwiChez to have our espressos and let those two go home.

Despite my misjudgment on accepting the late seating, I like the restaurant. A lot. It’s casual in look and service but with a hyper-professional kitchen with enough staff to execute things properly. We might be eating in the “bar” section but the opened kitchen is serving both parts of Gresca and we in the bar are reaping the rewards of this.

Gresca Bar
Carrer de la Provenca, 230
Gracia 08036
facebook.com/pages/Gresca
instagram.com/restaurantgresca

If you like this you will love:
Direkte Boqueria
Fismuler
Hetta

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: Catalan, Catalan Food, Classic Cooking, Gresca, L'Eixample

« La Castafiore Delicatessen, Eixample
Fismuler Barcelona: Mediterranean in El Born »

Comments

  1. penelope says

    13th September 2018 at 8:06pm

    beautiful blogpost Suzy x

    Reply
    • Suzy says

      17th September 2018 at 5:03pm

      Thank you Penelope!

      Reply
  2. Dina Patel says

    22nd September 2018 at 4:32pm

    Spain is wonderful or its vineries and gastronomy.

    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

I feel like the one coffee shop per block thing ha I feel like the one coffee shop per block thing has been done ad nauseam - instead I would like to petition for one cheese shop per block. Found this darling one on the corner from one of my favourite restaurants.
What about you? Do you think we have reached peak coffee shop saturation in the city?
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
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

  • Ten Best Tapas Restaurants in BCN by FoodJungle
  • Best Italian Restaurants in Barcelona
  • The Best Spots to Enjoy Catalan Cuisine
  • Best Pizza Barcelona
  • Coffee Guide Barcelona: Specialty Coffee
  • Bar del Pla Tapas, El Born
  • Glug, European, Eixample
  • Barcelona's Best Mexican Restaurants
  • Bar El Pollo, Spanish, El Raval

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