Burgers in Barcelona

“Why buy it if you can make it?” Such is the philosophy at Caravelle, a creative café and restaurant on Pintor Fortuny. The brainchild of Zim and Poppy, an Australian-British couple who owned gastropubs in London before coming to Barcelona, this place pairs a minimalist, seemingly effortless style with a varied American-European menu based on homemade ingredients.

Hot sauces, jam, ice cream, cola, craft beer… it’s all made from scratch, and it all tastes amazing. The menu changes seasonally, but must-tries have included the mouthwatering fried chicken, slow-cooked carnitas tacos, double cheeseburger or salmon poké bowl. The Full Spanglish brunch (available in veggie form too) will make your weekend – pair it with a flat white from the La Marzocco machine.

And it’s never too early for Caravelle’s own craft beer – Galactic pale ale, Mixtape New-World Pilsner, Midnight IPA, or many more – all brewed onsite with brewmaster Ben.

We all have those quirky queridos (loved ones) who are a bit of a nightmare to eat out with. Some are vegan, while others will eat nothing but meat. Some seem to survive on little more than olives, while others are perennially in the mood for “something other than tapas.”

And it’s moments such as these that we’re lucky to have dynamic foodie spots like La Querida, which overlooks Parc de la Ciutadella. The menu is chock full of nibbly delights like patatas bravas, nachos and hummus con crudités, while the hearty burgers, pasta dishes and wok-based treats are sure to put a smile on the face of even the fussiest of eaters. And, yes, there’s plenty for vegetarians and vegans too, while the value-packed menú del día (available weekdays) is ideal for your penny-pinching lunch dates.

They also do a mean Bloody Mary, and the house special Michelada Querida is the perfect companion on a blistering summer’s day.

Thank (or blame) these guys for kicking off Barcelona’s gourmet burger boom.

They were the first, in the form of sister restaurant La Burg, opened up in 2008; El Filete Ruso followed soon after. Partners Claudio and Adrian traveled from Tokyo to London to New York and brought back a fast food tradition in a Slow Food spirit – the only one of its kind in Spain. They source local (km0), organic ingredients directly from small producers, such as grass-fed, hormone-free beef from the Pyrenees.

Choose from a dozen burgers (California with bbq & bacon, Mountain with mushrooms, asparagus & goat cheese), free-range chicken, veggie or breaded Russian Fillet, the Spanish version that lends the place its name.

There is no shortage in this city of restaurants and bars offering deluxe burgers or craft beers, so you could be forgiven for thinking enough is enough. Quality can vary though, so it’s always good to hear of a place where you can sample both.

Chivuo’s, which opened in 2014, have deservedly gained a substantial following for their “Slow Street Food & Craft Beer.” Particular praise is due for having Philly Cheese Steaks on the menu; they’re the perfect accompaniment to a good beer. There are veggie options, pulled pork buns (with homemade salsa) and plenty of side dishes too. The décor is simple with a few hipster touches – but not too many.

They’ve also gained a reputation for friendly and enthusiastic service, as well as tasty food, making them a popular option for a night out in Gràcia.

Copasetic is American slang for “completely satisfactory,” and that has been the house promise since Omar and Therry opened their vintage-dressed corner of the Eixample in 2013: comfort food, honest recipes, portions that satisfy. The sourcing does quiet work underneath – sourdough from Baluard, organic beef from Pyrenees cooperatives, free-range chicken, organic eggs and fair-trade coffee.

The brunch canon runs from Eggs Benedict, Hemingway and Florentine through crepes, pancakes and organic burgers, with the Greek plate – Cretan cheeses, feta dip, Kalamata olives, Cypriot pita – as the sharing order and a nod to the kitchen’s Hellenic streak. What really sets the place apart is dietary breadth: every crepe and pancake comes gluten-free, lactose-free milk is the default, there’s a vegan bread option, allergen codes sit on every dish and even the beer list carries gluten-free bottles – as complete a gluten-free menu as any in the city.

The rhythm has shifted with the years: brunch is now an afternoon affair, starting at lunchtime and handing over to cocktails – a Bloody Mary with a “secret sauce” among them – as the light goes. The room still fills, so book ahead.