Housed within the walls of what was once Bar Torino, which opened in 1902 and is thought to have been Barcelona’s first vermouth bar, Grill Room Bar Thonet already feels like a modern classic. The intricate carpentry and smooth marble lives on, with just enough gilt detailing to give this ornate space that old-world charm we all desire from this sort of venue.
The menu hits the spot too, with vermouth-friendly tapas like gildas, boquerones, oysters and olives. There are also larger dishes to share (or not), like the mackerel salad and steak tartare. And, yes, there’s plenty to warrant the “grill room” aspect of the name, including rabo de toro and chunky hamburgers. But although it looks like the sort of place frequented exclusively by blue bloods and those who wear nothing but tailored attire, the prices are, in fact, extremely reasonable.
Go at lunchtime to make the most of the menú del día, which includes two courses, dessert, bread and a drink