Eating and drinking the America's Cup

Barcelona will become, starting this week, the core of the America's Cup, the oldest sailing regatta in the world, dating back to 1851. Today, this trophy is one of the most coveted in sports, and its prestige drives the opening of new restaurants, themed menus, and gastronomic festivals throughout the city.

Below, we detail gastronomic novelties driven by the America's Cup. Interestingly, the name America does not refer to the continent, but to the schooner captained by the American team that won the first edition of the competition, then known as the Hundred Guineas Cup.

The new Balcó Gastronòmic in Port Olímpic

One of the most ambitious projects, with an investment of 15.9 million euros, is the Balcó Gastronòmic on the Moll de Gregal of the renovated Port Olímpic. Although it initially had 11 restaurants, it will finally house a total of nine establishments between the beaches of Somorrostro and Nova Icaria.

The most anticipated, scheduled to open in September, is Eldelmar-Hermanos Torres, a Pantea Group project with capacity for 250 diners in a 740-square-meter space, including a 140-square-meter terrace. Led by renowned chefs Sergio and Javier Torres, it will offer Mediterranean cuisine with minimal product manipulation, featuring dishes such as rossejat de fideos with sea bass and suquet de monkfish and squid, which can be paired with over 400 wine references selected by Xavi Nolla.

Pantea Group will also open Superlocal, a flexitarian restaurant with a space dedicated to artisanal pizzas, committed to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting small businesses, working with suppliers located within a 99.99 km radius. Other restaurants include Sagardi, El Tribut, El Cangrejo Loco, Vraba, Platets, Família Nuri and Casa Carmen, in addition to the stores Faborit, Esferic and Las Muns, all scheduled to open progressively between late August and September.

Port Vell: Restaurants for and by the competition

El Port Vell has become another of the gastronomic points of the international competition. The first to establish itself was Vraba, almost a year ago, as the official restaurant of the America's Cup. The menu, originally conceived by chefs Jordi Vilà and Albert Ventura, stands out for its grilled fish and seafood ---lobster, red mullet, sea bass---, combined with a section of dishes with caviar and another of Japanese inspiration, with sashimi, edamames and makis. On the ground floor, in the same Imax building, is Sailor's Cove, a sailors' bar currently captained by Ventura, which offers signature sandwiches and tapas.

Very close by, the Fiskebar restaurant from the Tragaluz group has launched a menu for the America's Cup, a trend that will probably be replicated in other establishments in the city in the coming weeks. Designed to be shared by two people, it includes their famous lobster and Kraftkar blue cheese croquettes, as well as seafood rice. The establishment has also just launched the Fis K Bar, a space on the terrace where you can listen to live music with views of the sailboats, from Friday to Sunday.

High-altitude pop-up viewpoints

For those who want to experience an America's Cup from impressive viewpoints, the recommendation is to visit the new Arts 41 America's Cup Lounge, possibly one of the best places in the city to watch the regatta, which will be held right in front of the Hotel Arts Barcelona. This exclusive space, accessible without being a hotel guest, will allow visitors to enjoy the sailing event from 41 floors up, with gourmet food and premium drinks available throughout the event.

Another unique perspective will be offered by the American Magic team, located on Paseo Joan de Borbó. From this Thursday until the end of October, they will open their hospitality program, which will combine high gastronomy with access to expert talks, live screens connected to the boat and the opportunity to operate an AC40 simulator. Its panoramic Skybox terrace promises to be one of the most coveted viewpoints of the competition.

Cocktail bar regatta

If the America's Cup were liquid, what would it taste like? This is the question posed by the Cultural Regatta program of the Barcelona City Council to prominent mixologists in the city. In response, Javier de las Muelas (Dry Martini), Giacomo Gianotti (Paradiso), Antonio Naranjo (Especiarium), Cristian Valls (Skyfall) and Daniel Arévalo (Somnia) have created a cocktail inspired by the regatta, available in 30 venues until the end of October. Made with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, salted honey cordial, Alquimia ratafia, Appletizer and a crispy apple sheet, it is presented with a lid that imitates a sail which, when removed, releases an aromatic rosemary smoke.

La Terraza del Claris has also launched its own copamericano cocktail, this time evoking sea waves. Of an intense blue color, it is made with vodka, Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice, lemon juice and egg white. On the other hand, the historic cocktail bar Boadas has opened its second location on the terrace of the Hotel Duquesa Suites, in collaboration with the restaurant Suculent. Until the end of October, cocktails curated by Marc Álvarez and Simone Caporale and dishes designed by Toni Romero, such as oysters with aguachile and butterfish ceviche, can be tasted.

A few minutes away, Marina Port Vell has been designated as the preferred marina for America's Cup superyachts. Inside is the Mediterranean restaurant The Sea Garden and also the cocktail bar Blue Wave, awarded for its interior design, which will offer tapas and cocktails with direct views of the Ineos Britannia team base.

Markets and gastronomic festivals until October

The Cultural Regatta will offer a series of gastronomic events in various parts of Barcelona until the end of October, including the Race Village in Moll de la Fusta. Among the most notable activities are the special edition for the America's Cup of the Born Street Food in Pla de Palau, on September 21 and 22, as well as that of the Poblenou Wine Festival in the Front Marítim de Sant Martí in October, which will feature a gastronomic area and a picnic area.

In addition, on September 14, there will be a sardine feast at the Santa Caterina market, followed by a tasting of seafood fideuá at the Barceloneta market (October 5) and the Mercat de Mercats fair in Plaça Catalunya (October 18-20). Other notable events for gastronomy lovers include the Barceloneta Tast, the Street Food & Market Barceloneta, the Tapa Fest 2024 and the Born Districte Gastronòmic, which highlight the culinary character of an America's Cup that, finally, is already here.