7 Portes

Dining at its finest

Talk of the town: This romantic, 175-year-old institution has been frequented by an illustrious crowd including the King and Queen of Spain, Salvador Dali, Robert de Niro and John Wayne (not together, alas).
Word to the wise: If you want to munch your paella with impunity, ask for it to come without fiddly bones and shells.

Nowadays you're more likely to spot tourists than celebrities at this old-school haunt (although, thanks to rather naff plaques, you can sit in the same seat as a starry former patron).
Nonetheless, it's still well worth a visit: unlike other restaurants with established reputations, it hasn't rested on its laurels and continues to serve extremely good seafood in the traditional Catalan style.

As well as one of the best paellas in town, the menu offers some delicious Catalan specialties such as Esqueixada (salt cod salad) and Escalivada (grilled sweet peppers and aubergine). Portions are quite large and worth the price, and service is formal yet friendly.