The last quarter of 2025 brought the resurrection of one of Barcelona's most iconic accommodations, atop Tibidabo, reopened as Hotel Mett Barcelona after an intense renovation. The former Gran Hotel La Florida debuted new ownership and management, resulting in a luxury five-star hotel that maintains all its century-old character (having just turned a century old) but raises the bar for glamour and contemporary comfort to the highest level.
With unparalleled views of the entire metropolis and its marine horizon, both travelers and Barcelona residents with gastronomic curiosity will find two restaurants where they can enjoy the city at their feet. In summer, the spacious terraces amplify the experience, but even in winter, they break with any other hotel plan.
Apart from the proposal that will accompany its garden with a pool next summer, for now, Mett Barcelona tempts with a tasty double feature.
1925 Vermutería and Albarada are located side by side, inspired by Mediterranean flavors, but well differentiated. The first says it all with its name, evoking the tradition of the space, but with vibrant interior design and windows overlooking the metropolis. With daily hours from 12:00 to 00:00h, it surrenders to informal appetizers and tapas but in a stylish and very social atmosphere.
Its vocation is to combine local vermouth tradition with cosmopolitan trends, they say. That's why it works both at midday and in the afternoon: from vermouth with olives to artisanal sangria or cocktails.
On its menu, the classics one expects parade, whether an international traveler or an urbanite who chooses the Mett for a weekend getaway or for an aperitif in the best of settings. Therefore, gildas, bravas, anchovies, Iberian ham croquettes, Spanish omelet, or escalivada coexist with more typical dishes such as the delicious cured salmon with ajoblanco.
Appetizer without a schedule
Without leaving the tapa format or dish easy to share, stand out the Cod with chickpeas, the Veal cheek in its sauce, or the Grilled chicken thigh with romescu sauce, among others. As pleasant is the interior as the lively panoramic terrace that surrounds it.The case of Albarada is the other side of the coin, quieter, more intimate and elegant. In the morning it is the space where breakfast is served (à la carte or buffet), while it offers lunch service on weekends, and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday (7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.).
An olive tree contributes to that feeling of calm, which is enhanced by the arrangement of its tables, preserving intimacy in the smaller ones with soft corners, but allowing the creation of eventual group tables, for families or friends.
Albarada, which evokes the sunrise and the light that bathes the Catalan capital, is a very attractive space both in daylight and at night, when it is illuminated with success to enhance its serene style. The setting is perfect for displaying a well-thought-out menu, where we did not try any dish that faltered.
Its creator is chef Rubén Briones, who delves into local and seasonal products. Something that already sounds like a cliché in the recent history of new openings in the city, but here it flies high with a round balance of combinations, dressings, presentations and service.
A round menu
The menu is not long, but each elaboration hits the nail on the head. Among the starters, the Root Salad is a delight, delicate despite its vegetable and earthy flavor, and with a dressing of 10. But the dish that no carnivore should miss is the hand-cut Steak Tartare served on roasted bone marrow, whose combination is one of the best bites we have tasted in recent months.There are other good options, such as the Scampi Carpaccio, or the Grilled Eggplant with Mediterranean spices, pomegranate and feta, which allow a vegetarian to also leave the restaurant applauding.
The level continues to shine in the main courses, where one of the 'top' dishes is the Pork Chop. A priori it is not the dish that many diners would choose, but the maitre's recommendation supports it: soft and tender meat, with impeccable preparation and accompanied by apple puree and Padrón peppers. On the fish side, the Wild Sea Bass with sofrito, leek and parsley sauce, an excellent product, which does not lose strength among the dressing, was also sensational.
The repertoire includes two options of rice dishes (with lobster or mushrooms) and even the great Grilled Beef Chop. Those who do not forgive a dessert can go from a refreshing Spiced Roasted Pineapple, to the Baked Cheesecake, which should undoubtedly be on the local podium.
Among the highlights of Albarada are also its wine list, with an interesting selection from all over the peninsula if pairing is chosen.