Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in Spain, hit the world tourism stage in the early 90s, when it grabbed the news headlines for hosting one of the most successful Olympic Games in history. Since then, millions of discerning travelers have been descending on its coastal shores to take in the sites, history and ambience of this vibrant and captivating city. Thanks to the international exposure, Barcelona has undergone a makeover of colossal proportions; morphing it into one of Europe’s most fashionable capitals.

The Eixample district, once a prime exemplar of grid-like urbanization, is now the trendiest suburb in town; booking a Barcelona holiday apartment in the Eixample district will definitely put you in the centre of the action. This hamlet of open air markets, designer stores and trendy eateries is the ideal destination for tourists who wish to have the very best of Barcelona right at their door step.

To give you a taste of what Eixample has to offer, we’ve compiled a list of the top three most popular restaurants around. Not only are these places infinitely popular with Barcelona’s ‘it’ crowd, but they also offer gastronomic experiences second to none. So don’t wait…dig in!

Cornelia & Co, Carrer de València, 225
Cornelia & Co is often referred to as a “picnic haven” but we must be honest…our childhood family picnics never tasted like this! We thought all families munched on Jatz and salami, but it turns out in Barcelona, picnic baskets are filled with the most delectable epicurean treats ever made. Think endless assortments of cheeses, dips, cold-cuts, home-made pasta, sushi and freshly baked pastries.

This gourmet deli satisfies the cravings of the pickiest connoisseur and, to help you suffer a little less (must we really wait until we leave to gorge?) also boasts a superb eat-in option. The restaurant section continues the trend and atmosphere of the store; with wooden paneling, earthen colors and an ever so cozy set-up. This trendy eatery is yet another pet project of the Taruella family, arguably Barcelona’s biggest food emporium creator. Renowned as one of the most fashionable eateries in Eixample, the chic crowd here actually eats; it’s THAT good.

El Tragaluz, Passatge de la Concepció, 5
For a modern and quintessentially Barcelonan eating experience, we suggest you head to El Tragaluz, one of the most stylish and luscious restaurants in Eixample. Set amidst the world of designer stores, El Tragaluz offers unique fusion cooking set in a super-trendy setting.

The restaurant is in a restored two-storey townhouse; the ground floor is the café/bistro section, with more formal dining to be had on the second floor. The flawless interior design satisfies the eyes, while the contemporary cuisine indulges the taste buds. If the cream-cheese stuffed zucchini flowers and home-made truffle tagliolini don’t satisfy your wishes, maybe the suckling pig with pineapple confit will do the trick.

An extensive and varied wine list is the cherry on the cake.

Boca Grande, Passatge de la Concepció, 12
Every major world capital has a restaurant that’s just the bees ‘knees. In Barcelona, that would be Boca Grande, a joint that’s made to see and be seen. Football players, actors and anyone in the know congregates in this classy joint to share eat, drink and people-watch. The ground floor restaurant specializes in shellfish with delectable crab, prawn and scallop dishes amongst the crowd favorites. The cuisine is innovative and ingredients super-fresh, making this probably one of the best food choices in Eixample irrespective of its trendiness-factor!

The upstairs bar is where the real action is; the high ceilings and timeless wooden floor boards beautifully complement the gorgeous glass and mirror centre bar. The cocktail menu is impressive, as is their wine lists, giving you plenty of reasons to stay up well after your bedtime and enjoy the live music.

Boca Grande also solves one of the biggest conundrums of the club-going world. Is it just us, or have you ever postponed a visit to the little girl/boy’s room so as not to miss a beat of the hypnotizing tunes? Despair no more! The in-bathroom DJ at Boca Grande is quite the hit.