Bar El Velódromo

Walking into Bar El Velódromo feels like stepping back in time. This gorgeous Art Deco establishment in Barcelona’s Eixample neighborhood has been a gathering place for locals seeking traditional Catalan fare in an atmosphere that celebrates the city’s rich architectural heritage. The vintage interiors set the stage for a dining experience that feels both timeless and thoroughly authentic.

The kitchen here focuses on Catalan classics done right. Their croquettes have earned legendary status among regulars—you can order them with squid ink or Iberian ham, though getting one of each is the move. These golden beauties strike that elusive balance between creamy interior and crispy shell that separates great croquettes from merely good ones. The cheese-smothered macaroni gratin loaded with roast chicken and pork is pure comfort food, while the cod with pisto showcases how simple, quality ingredients can shine.

What makes this spot special is how naturally it brings people together. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for a casual evening with friends but refined enough to bring the parents when they’re in town. Pair your tapas with an unpasteurized beer straight from the nearby Moritz Barcelona Factory and you’ve got yourself a proper Barcelona evening.

Bar El Velódromo represents the kind of neighborhood institution that every great city needs—a place where the food is honest, the setting is beautiful, and the experience feels genuinely local rather than staged for tourists.