Like a black hole, sitting on a terrace with friends or family is synonymous with time ceasing to exist, especially if accompanied by good drinks and dishes.
In the upper area, these open-air oases exist in Grosso Napoletano, La Xarxa, Bistró Mató, Bar Monterolas, El Yeti, L'Etoile or OhBo.
Grosso Napoletano
The authentic Napoletana pizza is one of the hallmarks of this chain of pizzerias born in Madrid, recently recognized as the only Spanish artisanal pizzeria chain listed in the top 10 of this category according to the prestigious international 50 Top Pizza ranking that is compiled annually.
The secret of Grosso Napoletano lies in its slow-fermented dough, in the pure Neapolitan style, and its high-quality ingredients that arrive weekly directly from Italy. The touch is given by the wood-fired oven, which is the central axis of the establishment, and in just sixty seconds it imparts that characteristic texture, between moist and crispy. Tasty pizzas, with versatile combinations and starters where the product of origin shines and is enjoyed, such as the María Grazia (Caciocavallo cheese, fior di latte, marinated cucumber, pancetta and a touch of pepper).
Its charming terrace at the end of Casanova street is a magnet of attraction and a meeting point for the lower area of Sant Gervasi.
La Xarxa
La Xarxa opened last year in Plaça Molina with an enviable terrace equipped with comfortable details to become a place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the year.
Many Barcelonans are already fans of iconic dishes by chef Carlos Allué such as the ugly cod omelet made to order (at the table, in front of the diner), the prawn taco with pico de gallo and ají mayonnaise or the macaroni stuffed with braised pork cheek in its own juice. The experience is even more complete if accompanied by any of their selected wines, with the option to enjoy great references by the glass. The service, meticulous and attentive, makes you feel at home.
El Yeti
Or also known as El Albondigable because staunch meatball lovers flock en masse to Plaça Bonanova. The ones Carlos Herrero makes are, surely, among the best in the city and can be enjoyed on a plate (accompanied by a couple of fried piparras) or in a sandwich. On that quiet terrace, plates of cap-i-pota, Russian salads, and croquettes (the blood sausage one is highly recommended) are also seen parading. A well-poured beer is the icing on the cake. El Yeti, simple tapas with high-quality product to accompany an afternoon that ends in tardeo.
Bistró Mató
We go up to the very Monestir de Pedralbes, though not to try the famous mató de monja that became popular in its convent. The pilgrimage is justified by Bistró Mató, a bistro focused on well-made Mediterranean cuisine that extends its dining room to Plaça de Pedralbes. Under the shade of its copious plane trees, one can enjoy the views, alternating with conversation and bites of its classic informal tapas. From Andalusian-style calamarcitos and canned cockles to Louis d'Or oysters. With beer or champagne: that moment will be etched in memory.
Bar Monterolas
Some food critics point to its potato omelet as the best in the city, but Peppe Palo, chef and owner of this small bar, works wonders with a fryer and a griddle. Peppe's career lands at Bar Monterolas to transform a cold tapa into a gastronomic feast of ingenuity and product. Without a fixed menu, the tapas are listed on a blackboard, as are the wines. From Hercegovina street with love, those few outdoor tables are hotly contested: many have already tried the jarabe de palo (the pun is inevitable) and want to repeat.
Gran Bar Étoile
An example of how good management turns a classic into a must-visit. The Gran Bar Étoile already appears in the eighties biopic of El Vaquilla and decades later, the spotlights return to this small bar with a beautiful terrace and good shade in Plaça Ferran Casablancas.
That new management has designed a menu with classic tapas in a renovated and elegantly refreshed interior that even includes esmorzars de forquilla. The bravas Étoile are essential to whet the appetite and prepare the palate for the butterfish tataki with citrus sauce or for the acorn-fed Iberian pork secret. Its wine list is short, but all of them can be ordered by the glass, an important detail to let the hours pass in a breath of happiness.
OhBo
And we return almost to the starting point, near Diagonal as a border, to sit on the terrace of OhBo. Thanks to its very wide opening hours (from noon until midnight), this restaurant, which extends under the shade of the trees, can host numerous consumption moments: from a tasty breakfast to a delicious dinner (its homemade pastas are really good, like the fetuccini nero with lobster and shrimp) passing through a light meal, ideal for high summer temperatures.
This is just a brief expression of the wide range of high-quality restaurant and bar terraces that populate Barcelona. And behind their bars, professionals who pamper them so that they can be the setting for many moments of enjoyment. What better than to fill them while enjoying all the good things they have to offer?