EL CASAL.

A little French, a little Spanish, very El Born.

The area of El Born is, for me, the most fun out of all of Barcelona. Everywhere you look, you find cute restaurants, but finding one that delivers on the food is not always as easy as it sounds. Let me tell you about El Casal!

Located on Plaça de Víctor Balaguer, this small restaurant is a must-visit. I recommend making a reservation for a table outside on the terrace and being impressed by its food once the plates start arriving. Meat, fish or vegetarian, they have it all, serving dishes that make you want to order another, pour yourself another bottle of wine, and definitely stay longer!

Worth mentioning, it is not the place I would necessarily choose for a romantic dinner, a first date or a very special occasion. This is more for a relaxed dinner with friends, a casual event, or an evening when you just want really good food.

Outside is where you want to be.

What I have experienced after visiting a few times already is that the inside of the restaurant is fairly simple. Nothing wrong with it, but it does not have the cool vibe other restaurants in Barcelona show off. For those, look at my Malparit or La Balabusta review! So yes, if atmosphere is definitely a must, you might find it a bit underwhelming.

But nothing wrong with that! A table outside is already a different story. The terrace sits along one of El Born's narrow streets. Good for people-watching while you are enjoying your lunch or dinner. Enjoy the sunny weather, a few glasses of wine, the AMAZING food, and the good company you bring with you, and the whole experience feels so much more inviting already! Outside on the terrace is where I would choose to sit every time.

But at El Casal, the food is really the reason to come.

This is where El Casal gets interesting.

The menu brings together French bistro influences and Spanish favourites. Think oysters, rich sauces, comforting meat dishes, seafood, and everything is worth sharing. My first plate, and also immediately the star of the show: the oysters. But not basic oysters, no, the ones that are gratinated with Camembert cheese. Served warm, these are a richer alternative to the classic raw oyster. Do order this one if you are a big fan of seafood. But if this is not your thing, not to worry, there is so much more on the menu. An additional fish dish I recommend is the mackerel rillette with yoghurt, candied lemon and harissa, an amazing topping for the bread crackers served on the side.

My other top dishes are the patatas bravas (a classic if you ask me, but still so good), the gratinated Camembert with homemade chutney, the pea hummus with candied lemon, mint and homemade focaccia. Oh, and before I forget, the ratatouille with goat cheese is also a must! One of the heartier dishes on the table was a slow-cooked beef tenderloin dish served with rösti potatoes. Exactly the kind of comforting bistro food that works so well with a glass of red wine.

And another glass of wine.

For the drinks, I can definitely recommend the 2022 VITXA ANSESTRAL, a lovely sparkling wine. For the main dishes, we went with the wine called Ephemere, a Grenache which complemented every dish wonderfully. There are also plenty of other wines to choose from.

We finished with two desserts, a chocolate brownie and the cheesecake topped with a generous layer of berry sauce. A pretty good way to end a long meal.

Editor's note: The dishes change according to the season, but they are still worth a try whenever you are in Barcelona. This restaurant will not disappoint.

Is El Casal worth visiting?

Yes, but I go with the right expectations. It is not the restaurant that wins you over with its design or interior. But if food is your priority, you know what they say. The best restaurants are sometimes those with the simplest decoration. And that is definitely true! The menu has enough variety to make you want to try something different each time, making this French-Spanish bistro very enjoyable in the middle of El Born. Take my advice and add El Casal to your list. It really deserves a place.