La Cova Fumada - a Humble Classic Tapas Bar
If you’re looking for culinary authenticity it doesn’t get much more real than this. La Cova Fumada is quite the experience. This is the bar you go on a Saturday morning and stuff your face with home-made, old-school authentic tapas and shower them down with a jug of sangria (here the locals do it, so why not!), a cold beer, or a glass of vermouth.
La Cova Fumada, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
The menu is on a black board, and everything on it is tasty, it’s as simple as that. They are famous for their bombas, so they are a must: it is said that the bomba was first created here many, many years ago. They have some seasonal dishes too, like artichokes in spring and mushrooms in autumn. The restaurant doesn’t have a sign outside, so make sure you’ve checked the location on a map beforehand.
La Cova Fumada, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Many famous chefs have discreetly passed by here, such as José Andrés and even Jamie Oliver with a film crew, but to be honest we are excited it didn’t end up in his show on Mediterranean food, we want to keep this secret to ourselves..!
La Cova Fumada, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
IN A NUTSHELL:
Atmosphere: Fantastic! Loud (in a good way) and fun!
Recommended: The bombas, and anything seasonal. Oh, and the chick peas with squid are delicious (although it might not sound like it).
Specifics: The place has odd opening hours, so check that out beforehand. Also look up the place in Google maps beforehand to know exactly where it is, because it doesn’t have a name outside. It’s also a place where you go early: they open already at 9 AM and close early afternoon, so normal lunch hours don’t apply.
Price: €
Reservations: They don’t take reservations. If you come early you can get a table right away, but if you come a little bit later you just let the staff know how many you are and they’ll let you know when a table is available for you. You won’t get a table if everyone in your party isn’t present, so better to wait until all of you are there if you didn’t arrive at the same time.
La Cova Fumada, C/ Baluard 56, Barcelona (Barceloneta).
