Restaurants in Barcelona
Restaurant El Nacional in Barcelona
El Nacional brings together four restaurants and four bars in a historic building on Passeig de Gràcia. Stop by for tapas, grilled meat, fresh fish or a drink, and explore the flavours of the Iberian Peninsula under one roof. In the Eixample district, the setting is as much a draw as the choice of places to eat.
Discover four restaurants and four bars serving the flavours of the Iberian Peninsula in a historic building on Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia.
- Four restaurants and four bars
- Tapas, seafood and grilled meat
- Passeig de Gràcia
El Nacional at a glance
| Address | Passeig de Gràcia, 24 bis, 08007 Barcelona |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | Eixample |
| Cuisine | Tapas, rice dishes, fish, seafood and grilled meat |
| Restaurants and bars | Four restaurants and four bars |
| Opening hours | Sunday to Thursday: noon to midnight. Friday and Saturday: noon to 1 am. Individual restaurants and bars have their own serving times. |
| Nearest metro | L2L3L4 Passeig de Gràcia |
| Prices | À la carte; prices depend on the restaurant and what you order |
| Official website | El Nacional |
Why visit El Nacional?
The setting is part of El Nacional's appeal. Built in 1889, the building has served as a theatre, a factory and a garage before becoming a dining destination. Its metal columns, large windows and high ceilings recall its industrial past.
The choice of restaurants and bars makes it easy to find somewhere to suit your plans, whether you're stopping for lunch, dinner or a drink before a meal. Think about what you're in the mood for before choosing a table: tapas to share, a grilled steak or a whole fish make for quite different meals.
What can you eat at El Nacional?
La Braseria: grilled meat
La Braseria is the place for open-fire cooking and aged meat. The selection includes beef, veal, Iberian pork and lamb. Choose this restaurant if you want a meal built around a good cut of meat.
La Llotja: fish, seafood and rice dishes
At La Llotja, you can choose your fish from the display and have it cooked to your liking. Paella and other rice dishes are also on the menu. It's a good choice for a leisurely seafood lunch or dinner.
La Taperia: tapas and sharing dishes
La Taperia serves hot and cold tapas, paella and fideuà, a noodle dish similar to paella. Dishes include the Barceloneta bomba, gazpacho and Galician-style octopus. Tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
La Parada: a lighter Mediterranean meal
For a lighter meal, La Parada offers fresh pasta, salads and traditional Catalan flatbreads. Consider it if you're after a casual bite rather than a meal centred on a large cut of meat or a whole fish.
Four bars for a drink and a bite to eat
Each bar has its own focus: oysters and cava, wine and Iberian cured meats, beer and skewers, or cocktails. You can stop by for a drink and a few bites without sitting down to a full meal.
El Nacional in photos
Guests in the central aisle of El Nacional, between the counters, under large light fixtures and hanging plants.
@El Nacional
Tables set near a large glass roof, a tiled staircase, and a red counter at El Nacional.
@El Nacional
Room at El Nacional with green banquettes, set tables, hanging plants, and light fixtures under a bright arch.
@El Nacional
Dining area at El Nacional with wicker chairs, decorative panels, and a large hanging lantern.
@El Nacional
Reservations and prices
You can book a table online at La Llotja and La Braseria, although both also welcome walk-ins when tables are available. La Taperia and La Parada operate on a walk-in basis for regular dining. Separate arrangements apply to group bookings, so check directly with El Nacional if you are visiting as a group.
How much you spend depends on where you eat and what you order. Check the latest menus rather than relying on a single average price, particularly for fish and larger cuts of meat. Each restaurant has its own serving times, which may differ from the building's opening hours.
El Nacional FAQs
No. El Nacional brings together four restaurants and four bars, each with its own specialities and booking arrangements.
Yes. La Taperia and La Parada welcome walk-in diners. La Braseria and La Llotja also accept walk-ins, subject to availability.
Yes. You can visit the bars for cocktails, beer, wine or oysters with cava without having a full meal.
No. Each restaurant has its own serving times. Check the opening hours of the restaurant you want to visit, especially if you are planning a late lunch or dinner.