Indulging once a month isn't a big deal
One of the first places my Catalan friends took me when I came to live in Barcelona and where I still go to sometimes. The Bar Central is located on La Rambla, inside the Boqueria market, more precisely on stands 494-496 and is the ideal place for an informal and quick lunch after a long walk in the center of the city.
There are no tables there, just a small counter with several stools around, always busy with tens of people almost fighting to get some space to eat in such a picturesque place, especially during the rush hour (from 12 to 2.30 in the afternoon).
This is why I recommend being very patient and ready to wait a few minutes before you get a spot. The truth is it is worth it. The products are of the finest quality: fish and seafood mainly, although there is also meat and vegetables.
The prices... well they are not exactly cheap. To get an idea, a lunch for two, with a big beer, a vermouth, octopus salad and a "ración" of baby squids cost 27€ the last time we went there (4€ for the drinks, 11€ for the salad and 12€ for the baby squids). But the portions are generous and we were completely full.
To sum up, a place I highly recommend to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in the very center of Barcelona. Maybe it is a not a place to go everyday, but once in a while... it is not too bad.
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![](https://images.mnstatic.com/b0/b0/b0b0cf104ea5c1e1b99d02ce842a9327.jpg?quality=75&format=png&fit=crop&width=65&height=65&aspect_ratio=65%3A65)
![](https://images.mnstatic.com/cb/87/cb87378ca49effa79daf32ed5efd6a13.jpg?quality=75&format=png&fit=crop&width=65&height=65&aspect_ratio=65%3A65)