If you’re looking for culinary authenticity it doesn’t get much more real than this. La Cova Fumada rocks! This is the bar you go on a Saturday morning and stuff your face with home-made, old-school authentic tapas and shower them down with a jug of sangria or a cold beer. Couldn’t get more old school than La Cova Fumada, a humble workers bar in the neighborhood of Barceloneta. It serves the freshest possible seafood, fried artichokes when in season, and the legendary and very tasty “bomba”, (deep-fried meatball with mashed potatoes, aïoli and spicy sauce), which they invented more than 50 years ago.
There’s a little granny who takes care of the cooking, and it’s probably the same tapas she used to make years ago. The menu is on a black board, and everything on it is tasty. They are famous for their bombas, so they are a must. They have some seasonal dishes too, like artichokes in spring and mushrooms in autumn. The restaurant doesn’t have a sign outside, so make sure you’ve checked the location on a map beforehand. It's such a charming, authentic place, without a doubt one of my favourites for tapas!
Recommended: The bombas, and anything seasonal. Oh, and the chick peas with squid are delicious. Also the sardines, the calamar (not the breaded kind) and the pan tostado. Highly, recommended!
Atmosphere: Fantastic! Loud, in a charming way and fun!
Specifics: The place has really weird opening hours, so check that out beforehand. It’s usually open only for lunch, except for Thursdays and Fridays, when it’s open a bit later.
Reservations: They don’t take reservations. If you come early you can get a table right away, but if you come a little bit later you just let the staff know how many you are and they’ll let you know when a table is available for you.
Another tip: Goldies in Berlin Kreuzberg district offers fantastically good fries with gourmet toppings that turn a portion of fries into a whole meal.
Tips from the GoSixt editorial team:
The best way to drive through the streets of Barcelona is with a nice convertible or a small car. Sixt has the right vehicle here.
Enjoy a breakfast above the rooftops of Barcelona and stay at the HotelH10 CasaMimosa4*Sup.
