Bar Canyí

Walk into Bar Canyí and you’ll find yourself in what looks like an old-school neighborhood watering hole—the kind of place where locals have been nursing afternoon vermouths for decades. But look closer, and you’ll notice the details: the curated vinyl collection, the tattooed owner moving effortlessly between kitchen and floor, and a crowd that’s decidedly more international than your average Sant Antoni spot. This is the casual sibling of a celebrated fine-dining establishment, and it shows in every thoughtful touch.

The food here takes familiar Catalan bar snacks and elevates them without losing their soul. The mojama isn’t your standard dried tuna—it’s made with belly instead of loin, yielding something impossibly silky that practically dissolves on your tongue. Those croquetas? Forget the stodgy, frozen-from-a-box versions you find at tourist traps. These are the real deal, packed with proper jamón Ibérico and fried to golden perfection. And then there’s the burger: a glorious mess of oxtail, tangy pickles, and unexpected kimchi that might just ruin all other burgers for you.

Yes, the prices are higher than what the old-timers were paying before the renovation—a seven-euro bomba raised some local eyebrows. But what you’re getting is bar food reimagined by someone who’s already proven himself at the highest levels. It’s the kind of place where you can pop in for a quick drink and some bites, or settle in for the evening as the records spin and the vermouth flows.

For anyone seeking an authentic taste of contemporary Barcelona dining, Bar Canyí delivers that rare combination of casual atmosphere and serious cooking. Come hungry, order generously, and don’t skip that burger.