Moments / Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40The table everyone is talking about is undoubtedly waiting for you at Moments. With two Michelin stars, the restaurant has gained a reputable following who travel long distances for the delights of traditional Catalan cuisine. Under the watchful direction of Chef Carme Ruscalleda and her son Raul Balam, Moments offers one of the best dining experiences in town. After winning seven Michelin stars for her restaurants in Spain and Tokyo, Ruscalleda has become one of Spain’s leading chefs. Decorated with sophisticated hues of gold and amber, the dining room at Moments makes a perfect setting to sample the award-winning menu. A window to the kitchen allows diners to watch the excitement behind the scenes. The fare is neo-traditional Catalan cuisine with a modern and innovative twist. “The quality and freshness of the products we use are essential,” says Ruscalleda. “My goal has always been to create healthy, delicious and well-prepared meals.” Diners also have the opportunity to test the “anti-age” midday menu, created by Ruscalleda and Dr. Manuel Sánchez, head of the anti-aging unit at Barcelona’s Planas Clinic. The special meals aim at restoring inner balance and slow down the aging process. It uses delicious seasonal ingredients known to provide optimal nutritional value.ABaC Restaurant
ABaC Restaurant / Avenida Tibidabo, 1This whimsical and fabulous restaurant has a calm, neutral and classic atmosphere. Its sophistication is evident in the careful attention to details and the quality of the materials used. The seductive lighting also sets the mood for a wonderful meal. The huge kitchen is painted black, and the steel appliances take center stage. There are also two lounges for private events and a wine cellar with nearly 1,000 selections from all over the world. The restaurant has earned three Michelin stars thanks to a team of young professionals, led by Chef Jordi Cruz who dish out creative cuisine, based on principles of inventiveness and innovation. The smoked steak tartare, seasoned veal, cooked yolk, with a touch of mustard and crispy peppered bread… or the ventresca of Mediterranean tuna with ponzu macaroni, crispy artichoke, and spicy mashed roots are true gastronomic punches. Dishes come served in exquisite Versace tableware and accompanied by an extensive list of select wines.Windsor Restaurant
Windsor Restaurant / Còrsega, 286Housed in a beautiful modernist building, this chic restaurant is intimate and quiet and boasts its own indoor private garden. The Windsor is a benchmark of contemporary Catalan cuisine. A kitchen expertly led by the young chef Carles Alconchel, who masterfully travels from tradition to innovation with the utmost respect for the final product. The restaurant offers fresh, tasty and healthy cuisine, which is reflected in dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled vegetables in their own reduced broth, or the delicate scallop burger with mustard and melon chutney. Dining at the Windsor is a luxury: rooms with high ceilings, magnificent crystal chandeliers, modernist moldings and attentive service. But you can also enjoy freshness outside. The terrace has a tapas menu that combines gourmet products with smaller portions of the dishes featured in the main menu. It is an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely lunch, a good dessert or a drink outdoors. ■