7 Portes - A Barcelona Classic
7 Portes is a true Barcelona classic. This year it celebrates its 185th anniversary, which is no small feat! Many famous people has eaten here, and on the wall behind your seat, you will see who sat exactly where you did many years ago. On our recent visit, I had the pleasure of sitting on the same seat as The King of Spain, Che Guevara (!) and princess Margaretha of Sweden, no less..!
7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
7 Portes is famous for its rice dishes and paella. But there is much more to the menu. They are offering a very interesting winter menu at the time of writing, with classic dishes made with seasonal and local ingredients.
Xató at 7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Canelón at 7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
We began the meal with a traditional xató, a salad with anchovies, olives, cod, and a sauce consisting of toasted almonds and hazelnuts, bread crumbs with vinegar, garlic, and more. Next up were house classics: two different kinds of canelons: one with fowl and foie gras and one with truffle. Both were very good, but the truffle canelón was among the best I’ve had in a long, long time. You can taste the quality of the ingredients in the dishes.
Duck breast at 7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
We continued with more classics: eggs and potatoes with foie and truffle (exactly as good as it sounds!) and duck breast with pickled onions and blackberries. We also tried the steak tartare, hand-cut with a touch of sherry.
Chocolate mousse at 7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
After a meal like this, we weren’t sure if we’d have room for dessert, but who could resist something sweet? We opted for the chocolate mousse, which was absolute perfection in its sweet creaminess.
7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Make sure to try the 7 Portes wines; they make a selection once a year between more than 20 different interesting producers, together with Ferran Centelles, considered by many the best sommelier in Spain, and the drinks manager in the famed ElBulli foundation. A remarkable fact: the designer of the 7 Portes wine labels is Milton Glaser, who designed the famous “I Love NY” logo.
A Miró on the wall at 7 Portes (left), and private dining room (right). Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
For small and large celebrations (even up to 80 people), they offer several rooms upstairs where you can get some privacy. Make sure to check out all the artwork on the walls; they are all made and gifted by friends and guests at 7 Portes, including a Miró (!). The restaurant has a history of being a place for artists and intellectuals to gather, and you can see it reflected everywhere.
7 Portes, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
7 Portes is a must-visit for both Barcelona residents and visitors. This classic with a lot of personality, which first opened in 1836, specializes in local dishes prepared with lots of care, and the service here is lovely.
7 Portes, Passeig d'Isabel II, 14, 08003 Barcelona (El Born)
