Between Còrsega and París.
Area: Eixample Esquerre. MAP IT
Booking tel.: 934 309 027
Price: From 20-30 Euros. (Precio medio 29 €)
Open: Monday to Sunday from 13-16 and from 20-0:30. Closed: Never.
Web site
TripAdvisor : 4.5/5 rank 32 / 4194 392 reviews Yelp : 4/5 29 reviews Qype : 5/5 2 reviews
Spotted by locals
Here’s a novelty-a tapas bar which takes reservations. Why? Because it’s small, serves excellent quality food and is always busy. It is one of the best tapas bars in the city. Paco Meralgo is a cute play on words in Spanish: para comer algo - to eat something. And the somethings you can eat include: courgette flowers with mozzarella cheese, or flower power as the waiters insist on calling the dish, and espardenyes – sea slugs, as well as inspired and exquisite variations on all the usual tapas and montaditoes. Expect to pay a little more than usual for your tapas – but it’s worth it.
Espardenyes( ) are unique to the Catalan coast and are highly prized (and highly priced) delicacies. As you’ll likely know espardenyes are also a Catalan and Balearic version of the shoes more commonly known as espadrilles. And, interestingly, the French call these sea bottom dwelling creatures sandales de mar - sandals of the sea (*). Forget any association with snails-these creatures have a unique taste and texture – somewhere between crab and scallops. When you want to try them expect to pay € 20 plus for a plate of six. The patatas bravas I’ve eaten here are probably the best I’ve ever had-and come served with allioli, not mayonnaise, and spicy oil. The wine list here is very good-but very pricey. Luckily you can order wine by the glass or order a beer. And, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons only, they serve a range of paellas to take away.
* wrong : we call it concombre ( cucumber ), bêche ( spade ) or ver ( worm ) de mer ( of the sea ) ; the mistake comes from the fact that the word espadrilles is the French word for "sandals". .../...michel
Paco Meralgo is one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona and you can be sure that whatever you taste it will be made out of the best products of the market. The service is sufficient and the waiters are friendly and helpful. The price is reasonable for the quality. Do try the "bacalao esqueixado" with olive oil (raw cod with tomatoe), or "gambas al ajillo"(fried shrimps in chili and garlic). The wine list is short but nicely choosen
Bcn Restaurantes
Paco Meralgo is more than just a tavern. Elaborate and creative tapas, half portions and portions with the best products. It's not the typical cheap tapas bar, but you pay for the quality and exquisiteness of the food. Good selection of wines. Book in advance.
Founded in the year 2002, where the old L'Olivé restaurant used to be in Barcelona's Muntaner street, Alta Taberna Paco Meralgo aims to be a unique tapa bar. It is, in fact, a place where you will find all kind of original tapas, half portion dishes, montaditos, a large variety of fish and seafood, with unique and original preparation, instantly served with really good quality food. The wine list is not very extensive but wines have been carefully chosen, and we can also order wine, champagne or cava by the glass. Desserts are also really delightful. The restaurant presents a minimalist decoration in a modern, informal environment. We can eat at the bar, at modern high-stool tables, or in the private room (up to 18 people).
Despite the wacky wordplay on ‘para comer algo’ (‘to eat something’), this “popular” Eixample place is serious about taking tapas “to the next level” with its “well-thought-out” Mediterranean menu; the “sleek, chic” space, furnished with wooden counters and tables and staffed by servers with a “sense of humor”, is “always fully booked with locals”, though it does get “pricey to actually fill up for dinner.”
