Opera Samfaina Manairó

Carmesí

Restaurante Carmesi - Barcelona

Restaurante Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Carmesi - Barcelona

Relaxed neighbourhood vibes and healthy home-cooking

Poblesec has garnered a gleaming reputation over the last few years and is now a fully-fledged “foodie hub”. But although on the surface it may appear that dining here is either about eating cheap and cheerful pinchos or wildly expensive Michelin-starred gastronomy, if you dig a little deeper you’ll be rewarded with all sorts of interesting establishments that fit nicely somewhere in between.

 

Restaurante Carmesí is the perfect example. Its unshowy, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it facade houses a cosy little restaurant and occupies a prime piece of Carrer Blai real estate. Harking back to the neighbourhood’s gold old days as an unsung hero, this light and airy space feels very much like a place for locals, not in an exclusive or unfriendly sort of way, but in a way that feels like its main customer-base is not made up of sangria-scuppered tourists. No, Carmesí is for locals, a go-to type of place where you can always count on quality home-cooking made with quality ingredients.

 

Inside, the ambience is warm and relaxed with colourful vintage furniture and a brassy, “Paris Cafe” type soundtrack. The bar occupies the entire length of one wall and morphs halfway along into an open-fronted kitchen. The cooks can be seen at work, whipping up what might be best described as Mediterranean market cuisine with international (specifically Greek) influences. But beyond being fresh and delicious, Carmesí is known for using organic produce to create healthy dishes that are packed with flavour.

 

Start with a couple of squidgy little croquettes made with spinach, feta and gorgonzola, or one of the fresh and perfectly-dressed salads which are elevated with the likes of feta, walnuts, mango, pear and parmesan. Main course dishes range from wok-cooked wonders to hearty risottos and tartines. My vegetarian +1 very much enjoyed a generous feast of grilled courgettes stuffed with basmati rice and parmesan served with a green salad and punchy olive tapenade. I devoured the homemade lamb burger (off the specials menu), which was moist and succulent and enhanced with a wedge of grilled aubergine and a feta cheese salad. A balanced but gratifying dish, ideal for the morning after la fiesta.

 

A solid selection of Spanish wines make for a complete dining experience and the chunky homemade cakes round off the experience nicely.

 

Conclusion:

 

When you’ve had enough of shallow foodie trends and hipster pretences, Carmesí is the antidote. Here it’s all about honest (and healthy) cooking, real food made with quality ingredients. Laid-back vibes and sensible prices will have you running back for more.

 

 

Ben Holbrook

http://www.driftwoodjournals.com/

Carmesí

Carrer de Blai, 28, 08004 Barcelona, Spain

Area: Poble Sec
Website: Restaurante Carmesi - Barcelona
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 6pm-11:30pm, Fri & Sat 11pm-1am, Sun 11am-11:30pm
Prices: 20€
Phone: 659 04 83 94
Metro/Bus: Paral-lel
Barcelona metro map
Last comment
great for price
jules (15 Feb 2017 - 08:38)
Love this palce for great quality foods and good pricing. A good choice for sure!
Add a new comment View comments

Nearby best places

  • Los Postres de Blai by MIMA Ice Cream - Barcelona
    Shop

    Los Postres de Blai by MIMA Ice Cream

    The Craft Ice Cream in Poble Sec

    Mima Ice Cream is an ice cream shop that has been dedicated to the manufacture of homemade ice cream for 15 years. 

    Poble Sec - Carrer del Blai, 48 local 2
    More
  • Follow the B: We recommend this place
    Quimet & Quimet - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    Quimet & Quimet

    Quimet & Quimet is a great tapas bar, especially for cheese and mussels...

    Poble Sec - Poeta Cabanyes, 25
    More
  • The Tatami Room - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    The Tatami Room

    The Tatami Room, an excellent decoration and Japanese gastronomy...

    Sants / Montjuïc - Poeta Cabanyes, 19
    More
  • Imprfcto Bar - Barcelona
    Cafe

    Imprfcto Bar

    A surrealist space dedicated to the world of Belgian beer

    Whether you fancy a quick beer alone or need space to celebrate with friends, Imprfcto is an excellent choice. It’s fun, it’s weird, it’s unpretentious. And best of all, the beer is absolutely sublime. 

    Poble Sec - Av. del Paraŀlel, 104
    More
  • OutCast - Barcelona
    Shop

    OutCast

    Radical look

    In Barcelona the look is an essential thing. Battered by the economy, young people are distinguished by appearance. The hairdresser OutCast became rapidly their mark..

    Poble Sec - c Blai ,55
    More
  • Mantra - Barcelona
    Cafe

    Mantra

    Mantra is an ethnic bar in Poble Sec where you can smoke shisha with the best reggae and dub music...

    Poble Sec - Salvà, 21
    More
  • Mano Rota - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    Mano Rota

    Creative Catalan Cuisine

    Mano rota” means “broken hand” in Spanish. It comes from an old saying used to describe someone with an exceptionally high level of skill — the perfect name for this little hub of culinary creativity...

    Poble Sec - Carrer de la Creu dels Molers, 4
    More
  • El Sortidor de la Filomena Pagès - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    El Sortidor de la Filomena Pagès

    Back for a hundred years !!

    A Modernist facade of 1908, more than 100 years of history, El Sortidor reborn under the name of El Sortidor de la Filomena Pagès and it is a great success!

    Poble Sec - Plaça del Sortidor, 5
    More

We Recommend >> Must-sees in Barcelona

These are the most recommended things to do in Barcelona for your holidays.

    Camp Nou Tour

    Camp Nou Tour

    Visit the FC Barcelona stadium

    The FC Barcelona club offers you the opportunity to visit its mythical stadium. The Camp Nou tour begins with the locker room then you will follow the tunnel that leads to the stadium's lawn ... Chills guaranteed!

    More
    Aerobus Tickets
    From€ 9.75

    Aerobus Tickets

    Transfers from airport to centre and back

    The Aerobus is a shuttle bus that takes you from El Prat Airport to city centre in 35 minutes. One departure every 5 minutes. 365 days a year! Online tickets, tips and infos!

    Book now
  • Barcelona Bus Tour

    Discover the city at your own pace!

    You can never think enough about the hop-on hop-off bus tour to discover a city! It is however an extraordinary and economic way to make a first connection with its main tourist attractions, without stress, at its own pace...

    More
  • Barcelona Hotels

    Barcelona Hotels

    The ideal hotel for your stay

    Whether you are looking for a family or a business stay or just for a weekend, we have selected for you the best hotels in the city to choose from. All categories at all prices. But also the bargains according to your travel dates. Have a good stay!

    More

1 comment

  1. great for price - jules (15 Feb 2017 - 08:38)

    Love this palce for great quality foods and good pricing. A good choice for sure!

Your comment has been recorded and will be published after moderation.

Close