Barcelona's 'upper' reinvents itself

There is no doubt that if Barcelona were New York, Francesc Macià square would be our Upper East Side, the paradise of retailers where the most luxurious hotels, the stores with the best designs and some of the best restaurants are located, or at least, that some of the most elegant ones are here, is almost indisputable.

This area of Barcelona has always been one of the most pioneering in the city. It is the place where the first American-style hamburger joint opened in the 70s, to name an example. The Pokin's, as it was called then, is now a pharmacy that retains the two entrances it had then, one facing the square, and the other, on Calvet street.

As in many other neighborhoods, in recent years this area is reinventing itself and the businesses that open or close, either as a consequence of covid or due to a generational change, are revitalizing and modernizing Francesc Macià.

One of the most talked-about openings in recent months is that of Camarasa, a gourmet store that offers a very unique experience on the most coveted and characteristic corner of the square, which is on the corner with Diagonal, where the emblematic shoe store Padeví used to be.

The vision of Marc Taribó, from the third generation of this business founded by his grandparents, is ambitious: when he managed to acquire this very special premises, he knew that they had to create a great project to turn their store into an emblem of Barcelona. To this end, the family had the facade and design rebuilt, combining a light beige color, in tune with the rest of the building, with black doors and two imposing Doric-style columns that preside over the entrance.

They have not skimped on the remodeling and equipping of the premises. The project has cost a total of two million euros. Inside, everything has been custom-made, from the refrigerators to the steel railings.

The 350-square-meter premises combine many concepts, practically nothing has been left out: it has a store (with gourmet products, a greengrocer, a delicatessen, a wine cellar and a cheese cellar on the lower floor). It also has takeaway food and a restaurant. It is open every day of the week, except Sundays, when it closes at noon. The spaces vary, giving them greater or lesser prominence depending on the time of day.

The well-known Café de París in this neighborhood has also reinvented itself. In February, it reopened its doors under the guidance of chef Jordi Cunill, respecting its half-century-old essence, but with a facelift to give it a fresher touch.

Its star dishes remain, such as entrecôte Café de París, Chateaubriand steak, or grilled fish. A new bar concept allows you to have a drink or a cocktail enjoying 80s music. The decoration of the space has incorporated a more contemporary touch and the logo has evolved, a wise decision, to attract attention to something that is changing.

The opening of a gastrobar inside the Luzio decoration store is another of the most talked-about openings in Francesc Macià. This concept store in Turó Park became a few years ago one of the first store-restaurants in Barcelona with the incorporation of the Iluzione gastrobar, inspired by the style of the New York neighborhood of Brooklyn and a reflection of the creative concerns of its founders. An exquisitely decorated space where we can enjoy its Italian-inspired menu and newly created cocktails.