Akiro

Tucked into Barcelona’s elegant Eixample district, Akiro delivers a masterclass in minimalist dining. The sleek, pared-back design lets the food take center stage, while the intimate counter seating creates that coveted front-row experience where you can watch skilled hands craft each piece. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special.

The menu draws from the Nikkei tradition—that beautiful marriage of Japanese technique and Peruvian ingredients. Start with the ebi furai, crispy tempura shrimp with a punchy chili-garlic mayo that walks the line between comfort food and refined cuisine. The acevichado showcases silky seabass dressed in spicy ají amarillo vinegar, a nod to the Peruvian side of the house. For purists who want to test a sushi counter’s mettle, the toro sashimi arrives impossibly smooth, while the seared tuna nigiri could hold its own against Tokyo’s finest.

The service here matches the precision of the food—attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being preachy. It’s the kind of spot where staff genuinely want you to have a memorable meal and can guide you through both the Japanese classics and the Peruvian-influenced creations.

Whether you’re plotting a date night or looking to impress visitors who think they’ve seen it all, Akiro delivers. Come hungry, order broadly across the menu, and let the kitchen show you what happens when two incredible culinary traditions meet in the hands of people who really know what they’re doing.