
Although it may seem that the romantic label associated with a restaurant is always synonymous with expensive, Barcelona also has among its gastronomic offer establishments to carry out a romantic dinner without spending a lot of money.
Beyond the luxurious spaces and tasting menus of unaffordable prices, the restaurants that make up this list have in their menus cheaper dishes that allow you to enjoy a special dinner with your partner with almost any type of budget. All the restaurants we have selected are ideal to enjoy with your partner.
Moreover, as we said above, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to have a candlelight date in a nice place. Therefore, the selection we have prepared is designed for practically all budgets.
Il Giardinetto
Il Giardinetto opened its doors in the 70’s by the hand of the Catalan photographer Leopoldo Pomés. It is, therefore, one of the oldest restaurants in the city, which today continues to surprise with its beautiful design. Alfonso Milá and Federico Correa won a FAD Interior Design Award in 1974 for the design of the premises. And no wonder. Its green tones, its soft light, the furniture… Everything has been thought out in detail to offer an authentic sensory experience.
📍 Granada del Penedès, 28
💸 Average price 30€.
Nobu
It is located on the 23rd floor of the Hotel Nobu and offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. For that alone it already deserves to be on this list. But there is more, of course. It is inspired by the classic gastronomy of Tokyo and the trips that its chef, Nobu, made in South America. The end result is an extensive menu that includes innovative dishes and bold cocktails. Some of the most popular are yellowtail sashimi with jalapeños and black cod with miso.
It is possible to dine at the sushi bar and in the dining room, depending on the diner’s preferences. Both spaces are worthy of admiration.
📍 Av. de Roma, 2
💸 Average price 50€.
Contraban
It is located inside the Wittmore Hotel, an exclusive boutique space with just 22 rooms nestled among the alleys of the Gothic Quarter. Contraban’ s proposal is led by chef Alain Guiard and is inspired by the emotions of a creative process.
Thus, we find quick to serve and eat dishes that express “impatience” (as in the case of the artisan cold cuts or pickles); others that evoke “surprise” (such as the tuna turnedó with green pepper with onion parmentier and colored chard); some take us back to the “nostalgia” of childhood (as in the case of the rustido cannelloni with trumpets of death or the cardinal’s macaroni with Iberian secret and Parmesan béchamel). All this in a seductive space.
📍 Riudarenes, 7
💸 Average price 30€.
Gala
We were there a few months ago and fell in love with the space. Although the food is not too far behind, it is true that the most remarkable thing is the good taste with which the restaurant is decorated. It has several spaces: the main one, full of nods to Dalí’s surrealism and with a sushi bar; the patio, with its beautiful fountain allegory of Dalí’s nose; The Club, to host the intimacy of the moment with live music…
In its menu we find a generous Japanese offer, with sashimis, nigiris and makis, but also dishes such as Rib Eye black angus Nebraska.
📍 Provença, 286
💸 Average price 35€.
Jacqueline
In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Enric Granados we find this small oasis of tranquility and luxury. Inspired by the restaurants of the early twentieth century, in Jacqueline we immerse ourselves in a space where art noveau and surrealism reign. Elegance and sophistication go hand in hand with the menu, its dishes are neither too abundant nor too little consistency: the perfection of the middle ground. We tried the Causa limeña de pulpo, made of potatoes with sliced octopus and quail egg, the Croquetas de cecina con foie and the Cordero con champiñones portobello, which melted in the mouth.
On the main floor we find this perfect enclave for an intimate dinner or lunch, but the restaurant has two more spaces. The first one appears when it gets dark and the basement of the restaurant becomes a club area that is open until late at night. Upstairs, in the attic area, we will find a more late-night plan from September, since a Champagne Bar will be inaugurated where you can taste different champagnes at the hands of Sergi Pardo, finalist of the prestigious cocktail award “World Class”.
📍 C/ d’Enric Granados, 66
💸 Lunch menu for 29€ | Average price of the menu 50-60€.
Libertine
While the highlight of Libertine is its cocktail bar, its food menu is no slouch either. With a wide variety of options, this restaurant in Casa Bonay is the perfect option for a cheap bite to eat in an atmosphere that has found the balance between the sophisticated and the informal and, in addition, often offers live music sessions.
We included it in our list of the nicest restaurants in Barcelona and we weren’t wrong.
📍 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 700
💸 Average price 2o€.
Belbo Dos Besos
Within the international cuisine, Italian restaurants are characterized by usually sneaking into the lists of the most romantic. Traveling to Italy from Barcelona can also be at a good price through some of them, such as Belbo Dos Besos.
This establishment of the group from which it receives the first part of its name has two different floors, each with its own menu. The informal proposal of floor 0 is contrasted with the cabaret air of floor 1 and, although going up a level also implies a rise in prices, both have affordable options. In fact, the red lighting and live shows on the top floor make it the ideal option for a dinner with a more original touch.
📍 Rambla de Catalunya, 15
💸 Average price 25€.
7. Can Recasens
Can Recasens is, at the same time, restaurant, charcuterie and wine cellar, all encapsulated in a cozy atmosphere and characterized by its modernist style. Although its Iberian hams and cheeses, the house specialty, have a higher price range, this restaurant located in Poblenou also has cheaper dishes, as is the case of its salads and toasts.
📍 Rambla del Poblenou, 102
💸 Average price 2o€.
Elj Apo Nés
Another one that also appears in our list of the 10 most beautiful restaurants in Barcelona is this Japanese tavern with minimalist decor where you can have Japanese-style tapas. Elj Apo Nés of the Tragaluz Group is always a good option for a date between sushi lovers, with a gastronomic show that starts at the bar, where the dishes are prepared.
📍 Passatge de la Concepció, 5
💸 From 20€.
Mirablau
When the weather is good, Barcelona brings out its terraces and eating outdoors becomes the favorite plan for couples. Proof that sometimes romanticism goes beyond the decoration of the restaurant itself is Mirablau, whose unbeatable views of Barcelona are what makes its atmosphere special for a date for two. The climb up Mount Tibidabo is worth it from the moment you have their Black Angus burger in front of you.
📍 Plaça del Doctor Andreu, s/n
💸 Between 15 and 20€.
Chez Cocó
Chez Cocó also stands out for its terrace, although its interior is far from lagging behind. If there is a point in the world, besides Italy, characterized for being the cradle of romanticism that is France, and perhaps it is that French air that makes this establishment, in the purest style of an authentic brasserie, one of the most romantic restaurants in Barcelona. In addition, as far as its menu is concerned, it has room for various budget ranges, with plenty of dishes to share.
📍 Avinguda Diagonal, 465
💸 From 20€.
Keanu, sushi and cocktails to fall in love with.
Keanu has a curious premise. A restaurant with Russian owners, the name of an American actor and a menu of Japanese food. The strangeness, however, ends when we enter, when we sit in a nice modern izakaya that is one of the great places to have a date that we have visited lately.
An intimate atmosphere, a great menu of very well made sushi (we enjoyed the flambéed wagyu nigiri and the king crab california roll) with good cold starters and, almost the best , a very original cocktail menu, with Asian liquors and different flavors, served before, during and after the drink. And on top of that, good DJ music in the background. All ready for the image of Keanu to inspire you so that your date ends as well as you expected.
📍C/ de París, 209
Kynoto Sushi Bar,
Yes, we continue with sushi because why fool us, it is one of those options that never go out of fashion. In this place both the space and the location are synonymous with guaranteed success. Hidden among the streets of the Gothic Quarter, Kynoto is a small, intimate restaurant with a very cozy atmosphere that seems designed to forge love.
With 20 years of history, this place has seen many couples pass by its tables, from which you can watch the sushiwoman prepare the delicious sushi on the spot. The dishes are perfect for sharing and, beyond the typical sushi dishes, the flambé rolls are a must of the place (our favorite, the Hikari roll). Also, it is located next to Plaza Traginers, perfect location for a drink (or several) after dinner.
📍 Carrer del Correu Vell, 8.
Maymanta
Imagine dining at one of the best Peruvian restaurants in Barcelona with the city at your feet. We would call it the perfect gift. Maymanta is a Peruvian restaurant run by Omar Malpartida, one of the most renowned Peruvian chefs abroad, who creates in Maymanta a somewhat renovated Peruvian cuisine, but with its characteristic flavors and touches of ember that are perfect.
The plus is the view:the 16th floor of the Grand Hyatt, above the whole of Barcelona, offers views that are a dream to have while eating. If you can still go with some light to appreciate the immensity of its windows, even better.
📍Pl. de Pius XII, 4, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona