Menú del día in Barcelona
One of the best things about Spanish gastronomy is called a menú del día (menu of the day). The reasonably priced – normally between €10 and €15 – lunch menus were introduced by General Franco’s government in the 1960s, with the purpose to offer all workers an affordable meal. Although a menú del día isn’t legally required anymore, lots of restaurants still offer one on weekdays. Here are five of the best restaurants in Barcelona for a menu of the day, according to the lovely ladies from Things to do in Barcelona.
El Casal
El Casal is a small and cosy restaurant/café and a great spot for tapas. You can choose for a full menú del día (first and second plate, drink, dessert and bread) for €11,25 or a ½ menú (first or second plate, drink and bread) for €8,90. The menu is written in Catalan on a board of the wall, but in case you don’t understand, a waiter will translate. Options for fish, meat or vegetarian.
Bombay Spicy
You know an Indian restaurant is good when it’s full of Indian people. That’s the case here, where they serve a menú del día for €9, including two plates and a drink. Most restaurants change their menu every now and then – or even every day – but in Bombay Spicy they don’t. There’s salad, samosa, curry, chicken, rice and naan: all super tasty and as spicy as you want.
La Esquina
In the heart of Barcelona’s city center, La Esquina serves healthy lunch menus for €16, including a drink, plate and dessert or coffee (if you’re a coffee lover, this is also a great spot at any other moment of the day). The menu changes every day, and there’s always choice between meat, fish or vegetarian. Despite the location in the touristic area, the place is favorite among locals.
Hawker 45
Asian and Latin American flavours come together in Hawker 45. The owners of this street food restaurant were inspired by their travels through Asia, combined with the chef’s Latin-Filipino origins. The menu of the day is, especially when compared to the ‘a la carte’ prices, served for a very reasonable price: between €12 and €15, depending on the ingredients used.
Aguaribay
Aguaribay has a vegetarian kitchen, with options for vegan and gluten-free, but also meat-lovers will be positively surprised here. The menu del día, which costs €11, changes every day and guarantees a healthy and satisfying lunch. The restaurant is located in a quiet street and has a nice terrace. If you’re lucky, they serve their fantastic zucchini soup or the amazing veggie burgers.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
