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Time Out
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Five Ways to Enjoy Fresh and In-Season Red Prawns in Barcelona
1. Raw: The Mediterranean in Its Purest Form Serving red prawns raw is an act of trust—both in the ingredient and in the diner's ability to appreciate its subtleties. There is no place to hide here: just translucent flesh, a slight resistance to the bite, and an explosion of clean, saline sweetness. At Cinc Sentits (Entença, 60), a Michelin-starred restaurant that blends Catalan culinary tradition with technical refinement, chef Jordi Artal takes this minimalist philosophy to new heights. One of his standout summer creations layers cured red prawn with cherries, a granita made from the cherry stones, a crispy prawn head, and raw almond. The result is both seasonal and elemental, capturing the sea and the orchard in one unexpected, precise bite. Ready to take the plunge? 2. In Rice Dishes: Depth, Heritage, and Comfort Few ingredients communicate the warmth and generosity of Catalan cooking like seafood rice. Whether brothy (caldoso) or black with squid ink, these dishes are often made with the catch of the day and served in large pans meant for sharing. When red prawn is involved, the dish is transformed—the prawn's head releasing its intense, almost creamy richness into the stock, the body tender and aromatic. At La Barceloneta restaurant (L'Escar, 22, Moll dels Pescadors), you'll find one of the most delicious paellas, crowned with this crustacean. It's located right in front of the Moll dels Pescadors, where all the action happens—fresh catches, lively auctions, and seafaring bustle. The views alone are the perfect pairing for your dish! 3. Grilled: Simplicity as a Statement In the hands of a good chef, the simplest approach often reveals the most. When grilled over a hot iron plate with only coarse sea salt, the red prawn becomes an intense concentration of itself: the shell crisps, the head caramelises, and the flesh retains its natural sweetness and bite. For this traditional, no-fuss preparation, 7 Portes (Passeig d'Isabel II, 14) is a benchmark. Located just by the old port, this historic restaurant has been serving classic seafood since the 19th century. Their grilled Palamós red prawns come sizzling on the plate, with nothing added except salt, smoke, and the confidence that you're eating something exactly as it should be. Another great place to enjoy them in this style? 4. Charcoal-Grilled: a Fire Dance Grilling over charcoal is a ritual more than a technique. It transforms the prawn's outer shell into a smoky, blistered crust while sealing its juices inside—an elemental style of cooking that elevates seafood into something primal and powerful. At Kresala (Moll de Gregal, Local 1, Port Olímpic), a Basque-inspired restaurant nestled in Port Olímpic, the charcoal grill is the heart of the kitchen. Named after the Basque word for sea salt, kresala evokes the fishermen of towns like Orio, Getaria, and Hondarribia, where seafood is grilled outdoors over open flames. Here in Barcelona, Kresala recreates that coastal spirit with a charcoal-grilled touch that honours the prawn's natural character —and the smoke tells its own story. 5. Avant-Garde: Red Prawn Reimagined Barcelona has long been a city where food and creativity go hand in hand. In the realm of contemporary fine dining, the red prawn often becomes a kind of canvas—a product so perfect it invites reinterpretation, not deconstruction. At Moments (Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40), the two-Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Mandarin Oriental, Carme Ruscalleda and Raül Balam pay homage to tradition through the lens of innovation. One of their signature dishes brings together red prawn with salmorreta (a Valencian base of garlic and dried pepper), rice horchata, and a soft fartó pastry—a whimsical, elegant composition that merges land and sea, old and new. Another original way to enjoy it? Try it steamed in the Japanese style at Estimar restaurant (Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, 3), served on a bed of fresh leafy greens. A single prawn here speaks volumes—refined, precise, and touched by the legacy of El Bulli through the hands of chef Rafa Zafra, one of Ferran Adrià's former disciples. 6. What to Drink with Red Prawns? Pairing wine with red prawn is an art of balance. Its richness demands something fresh; its sweetness, something structured; its intensity, a touch of elegance. Thankfully, the wine regions surrounding Barcelona offer perfect answers. From the coastal hills of DO Alella, Pansa Blanca wines provide a delicate acidity and floral lift that complements the prawn's raw or gently cooked forms. Move inland toward the DO Penedès, and you'll find aromatic rosés —often blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir—that pair beautifully with grilled or garlicky preparations, their crispness cutting through the prawn's natural oils. Even red wine, if chosen wisely, can bring out a new dimension. Young, fruit-forward reds from DO Pla de Bages, made with varieties like Ull de Llebre, Sumoll, or Cabernet Franc, offer hints of Mediterranean herbs—rosemary, mint, wild berries—that harmonise with the prawn's depth without overpowering it. All of these wines are grown within an hour of Barcelona, making every pairing not just a culinary choice, but a journey through the local landscape! 7. The Season is Now! The red prawn is more than just a seasonal ingredient—it's an icon of Mediterranean cuisine. With its unmistakable flavor and exceptional quality, it's a product deeply valued in high-end kitchens and a must-try for anyone visiting this part of the world. Beyond the restaurants featured here, a curated list of 20 top establishments selected by Macarfi also includes the red prawn on their menus—proof of its status as a culinary standout across the region.
The Independent
24-07-2025
- The Independent
The best beach hotels in Barcelona, with rooftop pools, Michelin-starred restaurants and epic views
Classic images of Barcelona tend to involve Mediterranean-view seafood restaurants, soft gold-sand beaches and people strolling along the palm-lined seafront promenade. So it is often a surprise to discover that beachside accommodation options in the Catalan capital are quite limited, despite its sparkling seaside setting. The shoreline extending around the old fishing quarter of La Barceloneta has a small crop of high-profile luxury hotels overlooking the shimmery waves. This is the busiest patch of Barcelona's seafront, where runners weave through the promenade's crowds and paddleboarders head off across the water. There are also some chic top-end boltholes dotted along nearby Passeig de Colom, next to the Port Vell marina, a short stroll from Barceloneta's beaches. Slightly further afield, several non-beachfront neighbourhoods – such as El Born and the Barri Gòtic – have tempting places to stay within a 15- or 20-minute walk (or a quick bus or taxi) of the sand. Here are the best beach hotels in Barcelona for 2025. For the best spa hotels in Barcelona, see our guide. Best beach hotels in Barcelona 2025 At a glance El Poblenou, a revitalised former industrial district just northeast of the centre, offers its own handful of enticing hotels, which are ideal for relaxing on the less-touristed beaches of Bogatell, Nova Mar Bella and Nova Icària. 1. Hotel Arts Barcelona For all-out beachfront Barcelona luxury, there's no beating the long-established, creatively designed Hotel Arts – a soaring glass-and-steel tower overlooking Platja de Somorrostro and the newly revived Port Olímpic marina. The 432 calming rooms feel elegantly fresh following a head-to-toe 2025 makeover that has brought in Barcelona-evoking tones and locally made design pieces such as handwoven headboards and bold ceramics. A chic spa gazes out across the city from the 43rd floor, offering views of both the sparkling coastline and the Collserola hills, while fabulous restaurant Enoteca – led by Catalan chef Paco Pérez – has bagged two Michelin stars with its ambitious menus rooted in local, seafood-rich produce. 2. Hostal Poble Nou hotel Just five minutes' stroll from the powdery sands of Platja del Bogatell, Poblenou Bed & Breakfast offers the chance to switch off in a stylishly renovated 1930s neighbourhood home. There are 11 light-filled rooms to pick from, featuring beautifully tiled original flooring, breezy rattan lamps and bright floral-stamped walls. Thoughtful touches such as wicker beach baskets and colourfully striped towels to use during your stay add to the laid-back coastal feel, and some rooms have balconies overlooking the Poblenou action. Breakfast among the greenery on the raised back terrace is a lovely way to start the day. 3. SLS Barcelona hotel Spain's first SLS outpost is shaking up Barcelona's hotel scene with its good-time vibe, creative dining, 471 playfully moody rooms with balconies and Med-view deck set around a glowing triangular pool. Freshly launched in 2025, it is part of the design-driven Ennismore group, so you know the look will be dazzling, down to the neon-lit lobby tunnel. The setting in the El Fòrum area means being quite far removed from the city-centre buzz (though perfectly located for Primavera Festival, which takes place in early June each year), but there are golden sands within a 10-minute walk and easy access to the Zona de Banys coastal swimming platforms next to Parc del Fòrum. 4. W Barcelona hotel It is impossible to miss the sail-shaped, five-star W Barcelona looming over the waves just south of Barceloneta. The shimmering building was designed by Ricardo Bofill, and is famous for its fun energy, including DJ nights on its beach-view deck and a glamorous 26th-floor cocktail bar serving Japan-inspired sips and snacks. There are sea views from two sun-drenched pools, as well as from all 473 sleek rooms and suites, which have full-length windows beaming in Mediterranean light and a clubby feel with suspended lamps, swirling-blue floors and Bluetooth speakers. The food-and-drink scene is a big draw too, from creative grill-based cooking at Fire to seafood rice dishes made for sharing at beachy Salt Restaurant. 5. Borneta hotel It might not sit quite on the beachfront, but Borneta is a soulful, boutique-style retreat in nearby El Born that will delight design-savvy travellers. While the arch-fronted building dates from the 19th century, there's an arty edge to the stylishly homey rooms, with Spain-sourced antiques, earthy tones and, for some, private terraces. Much of the look – creative tilework, wooden flooring – was inspired by Barcelonese homes. The excellent lobby bar and restaurant Volta pulls in a mixed crowd of local regulars and visitors. You'll glimpse the greenery of Parc de la Ciutadella just across the road from the tiled rooftop, which has a dip pool and pop-up fitness classes. Beach-wise, it's a 20-minute stroll through lively Barceloneta to the nearest sands. 6. Soho House Barcelona hotel A playground of design, arts and fun vibes awaits at Barcelona's Soho House, which borders the southern edge of the Barri Gòtic around a 20-minute walk from Barceloneta's buzzing beach. Within a rose-pink 18th-century building are 56 divine rooms with suitably stylish Catalan design features such as vaulted ceilings and floral-patterned textiles. A wealth of facilities and communal spaces includes a sought-after rooftop pool and cocktail lounge looking out on Port Vell; a farmhouse-feel underground spa by Cowshed; and creative, light-flooded restaurant Cecconi's, best known locally for its Italian-influenced Sunday brunches. 7. Sofitel Barcelona Skipper hotel Popular Platja del Somorrostro sits just a block away across the palm-fringed promenade from Barcelona's five-star branch of the upscale French brand Sofitel. Lush greenery frames the angular main pool, though the big highlight is the twinkling, more grown-up ElCielo rooftop pool overlooking the Med. A splash of Parisian elegance sweeps through the maritime-inspired rooms, which are all richly decorated with cobalt-blue velvet curtains, rugs and cushions and have luxe Diptyque products in the white-tiled bathrooms. Luxury, Premium and Suite categories include their own terraces, with coastal panoramas to enjoy from upper floors. 8. Serras Barcelona hotel One of the city's best-loved luxury boltholes also happens to be just a 15-minute stroll away from the Barceloneta beaches, at the foot of the Barri Gòtic. Part of a small boutique-hotel label, Serras Barcelona is set in a 19th-century building on Passeig de Colom, making it ideal for both beach time and cultural adventures. Soak up Port Vell panoramas from the sunny rooftop, where a metallic plunge pool sparkles amid potted greenery. Like many of Barcelona's top hotels, it's strong on gastronomy too, with smart Catalan tapas on the roof terrace restaurant, Informal, and Italian-meets-Catalan cuisine with a slow food focus at lobby-level Agreste. There are 28 dreamy rooms, all with balconies, decorative hydraulic tiles and perks, such as complementary yoga mats. 9. H10 Port Vell hotel Set right on the Port Vell marina, this four-star branch of reputable H10 Hotels (a well-known Catalan chain) offers understated, contemporary-feel stays in a historical building within 15 minutes' walk of Barceloneta's beachfront. Rooms are crisply styled in clean whites and have welcome extras like Rituals toiletries, but most guests make a beeline for the royal-blue rooftop dip pool. Select a Port room if you'd like a balcony with waterfront panoramas. The surrounding streets burst with tapas bars and vermouth counters. Address: Pas de Sota Muralla 9, 08003 Barcelona Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writer, Isabella Noble, who lives in Spain and has a deep knowledge of the country. She has lived in Andalucía and Barcelona and has authored several guidebooks on the country. When picking which hotels to include, Isabella considered her own experience staying in the hotels and evaluated location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller. FAQs What are the best months for hot weather in Barcelona? The best months for hot weather in Barcelona are June, July, August and early September. During these months, temperatures tend to hover around the 30°C mark during the day, while evenings often remain above 20°C. Sun worshippers can also expect around 9-10 hours of sunshine per day. Bear in mind that this time of year can be humid and very busy with both tourists and locals, who often holiday in August. Where are the best beaches? Situated in the heart of the city, Barceloneta Beach is a perennial favourite with tourists and visitors alike. It's buzzy, great for people-watching and has volleyball courts and outdoor gyms – but it can get very busy during the peak summer months. Bogatell Beach is a more relaxed option and a good choice for families, with lifeguards, showers and sunbeds and is situated close to the trendy El Poblenou neighbourhood. Elsewhere, Mar Bella Beach is best known for having a clothing-optional area, but it's also a relaxed and inclusive spot that attracts a diverse crowd. And Nova Icària Beach is a good choice for a quieter day out, home to seafood dining spots, as well as being one of Barcelona's best-equipped beaches for wheelchair users, with amphibious chairs, adapted showers and a ramp. The currency you'll need in Barcelona is the Euro (€).
