Located in the Sant Pere neighborhood, just north of Barcelona’s ultra-hip El Born, Elsa y Fred is quirky in an enchanting sort of way, much like the neighborhood that surrounds it. Once an overcrowded, blue collar area, Sant Pere has seen more than its share of neglect in the past. Lately, it’s been quickly evolving into an artistic enclave and cultural hub, and it’s commercializing, quickly. If the opening of Elsa y Fred is any indicator of what’s to come, Sant Pere is likely to transform into one of the hottest spots in the old city.

Warm and inviting with an air of old-world elegance, Elsa y Fred is the type of place you might expect to find French bistro food. But that’s not what chef Ramón Miracle is cooking; prepare yourself for a menu full of elegant tapas and traditional Spanish dishes with a modern, international twist. With food that falls under the “gastrotapas” category, you might expect Elsa y Fred to be ultra fashionable and pricy. That couldn’t be further from the case. Opened by Ramón along with his wife, Camila, and her sister, Sofia, Elsa y Fred is a family-owned restaurant; a fact that’s perfectly reflected in the restaurant’s casual but classy feeling.

All of the food served at Elsa y Fred is 100% homemade. The love and care that goes into everything is apparent, from the thoughtfully plated dishes coming out of the open kitchen to bouquets of fresh flowers that sit atop the bar to the friendly service with helpful recommendations to embroidered tags hanging from the cloches containing freshly baked tarts and cakes. Servings aren’t huge, but the relationship between quality and price is outstanding. For two people, an order of 3 or 4 raciones plus dessert is plenty. The kitchen at Elsa y Fred stays open continuously from breakfast through dinner, and with house-made vermouth, local cavas, designer Gin and Tonics, weekend brunch and even live Jazz on Tuesday nights, there is always a reason to stop by!