(81 Gran de Gracia in Barcelona, Spain)

Among the three hundred diners that fill this 30-year-old restaurant every day, you may spot the Kin...g of Spain, movie stars, and politicians. Botafumeiro has to be a well-oiled machine to keep all and sundry happy and coming back for more, and it does. The decor is so trad, with wood railings and banisters, white table linens, and nautically-themed art and objets. The menu focusses on the sea, try fruits de mer for two to start, followed by anglerfish fisherman's stew with white beams or one of the barbecued fish, then a dessert of Belgian chocolate volcano with chocolate sherbet. Wine list is an ambassador for Spanish wines. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 1pm - 1am [moreless]

(22 Sant Elies in Barcelona, Spain)

A respected restaurant run by the Freixa family has been here for many years, but when son Ramon too...k over the kitchen, the classic Catalan cuisine was turbo-charged with new inventiveness and a buzz of excitement began about the place that has never ceased. Dark-eyed chef Friexa is now a Spanish celebrity, with telly appearances and popular cookbooks. The decor is quite traditional, perfect for romantic trysts or business meals. The creative menu includes dishes like potato and olive millefeuille with crayfish crumble, fennel ice cream and roman lettuce hearts, main courses of roasted lobster with rabbit ribs a la milanese with home-made pasta and dried fruits, and sweet -- Freixa's first love -- of an astounding Chocolate 2004.5 The Cardinal Points of four chocolate dream dishes. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. A credit card is required to secure a reservation, if there is availability - this is simply to secure your booking, absolutely no money will be charged to the card except in the case of late cancellations. Late cancellations (within 24 hours of the reservation) and no-shows will incur a charge of €30 per person Opening hours: Tues - Sat 1pm - 3:30pm & 9pm - 11pm Mon - Sun: closed all day [moreless]