Clara Barcelona: A Beautiful Mediterranean Restaurant in the Eixample
Clara had been on my radar for a while. Their Instagram is very attractive, the restaurant looks light and beautiful, and there was something about it that made me curious.
Clara, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
We finally went for lunch, and it turned out to be one of those meals that checked all the boxes.
The Barcelona restaurant comes from the same team behind Clara in Begur, where the project first started (and became very popular) before moving into the city. The cooking is Mediterranean, very product-focused, and the wine list has a strong natural wine presence.
Clara, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
The space is one of the first things you notice. It’s bright, calm and beautifully put together, with a young, relaxed feel. I also liked being able to see part of the kitchen and watch what was going on behind the scenes.
The team was young, friendly and very easygoing, which fits the restaurant perfectly.
At lunchtime, Clara offers two different menu formulas depending on how hungry you are, which I really like. It makes it easy to go for a lighter, quicker lunch or choose something more substantial if you have a little more time.
Clara, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Clara, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
We started with a beautiful burrata with peach, followed by tomatoes with stracciatella and crispy capers, which was fabulous. Then came entrecôte with fries and béarnaise (I have a soft spot for this sauce), plus a kind of milanesa, before dessert.
Clara, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Everything felt modern and fresh without losing that Mediterranean, market-driven base that Clara is known for. The food is simple in the best way: good ingredients, interesting cooking and combinations that don’t need too much explaining.
The wine selection is a great part of the experience, with plenty of interesting picks and a strong natural wine presence, but not only natural ones which is so popular these days. It’s great to have a little something for everyone.
Clara feels young and modern yet reliable, and it’s great both for a weekday lunch as for dinner with a bottle of wine.
Clara, Carrer de Buenos Aires, 42 (Eixample Esquerra).
