Cal Pep, Barcelona

I got there at noon and it was already full in the small dining area with bar stools that is adjacent to Plaza de Olles. We were a party of six and I was told to wait until all of us in the party were there. It took another hour before the other members of my party showed up but the timing was perfect since it was the time it took for those six stools to be vacated anyway since there were prime spots. My friends and I had all the fresh catch of the day and the cooking was done right there on the other side of the counter. Every small plate was amazing and flavorful. We had them with refreshing Spanish white wine. Senor Pep was friendly and spunky. He and his staff were good humored and highly skilled.

Favorite Dish: Everything was amazingly fresh and good. The clams were divine, the oysters were creamy and delish. Local white wine served was also excellent.

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Of all of the delicious cuisine and tapas I sampled in Barcelona, Cal Pep's was easily the best. It is tiny and crowded, but best to sit at the bar counter and ask the waiter to choose for you. The dishes are prepared right in front of you and are of the local Catalan seafood variety. I ate here once in Feb 2005 and then again twice in Jun/Jul 2008 and this place was no disappointment. Worth the trip to Barcelona!

Favorite Dish: I especially liked the squid with chickpeas. Yummy!

We ended up waiting for two hours in rather uncomfortable conditions and still had no chance of getting a place. We left hungry, angry, tired and simply - very disappointed. The waiters ignore the customers in the line, one has no idea how long the wait will be or how much it will cost at the end (no menu!). Do not go there, unless you are in the mood for having an argument with your partner or love standing on your feet watching other people eat nice food half a meter away from your face.

Favorite Dish: I wish I had a chance to find out...

great place to wine and dine.i dont speak any spanish, and they cant find anyone that speak english, but i still manage to get some great food.( lots of pointing and sign language do help a bit). i had 5 tapas, wine, dessert, coffee, cost about €60. well worth it. down side is i waited abt 1 hour for the seat

Favorite Dish: clam with bacon

We went here first about 5 years ago, waited an hour, not sure what to expect, had some of the best food, we let the chef choose and just ate what they put in front of us, it was all fantastic, fresh and cooked to perfection but with so little hassel, all in front of us,

Favorite Dish: calamari, squid in red wine and peas, steak on the griddle with green capsicums, langoustines with garlic and butter/lemon, 2 bottles of red wine and the Picasso museum on the way home!

A total must, I recommend this to everyone I know, it was the best tapas ever

We got there at 8pm and all the seats were taken, and there about 4 people in line ahead of us. We talked the main person at the counter how long it would be and how we could hold a spot for ourselves. He asked us to come back in 30 minutes and that he would have a spot at the counter for us. We walked around for that time and came back and mentioned our discussion (and by this time there was a very long line), and all the idiot at the front could did was tell the other waiters and kitchen staff something and they all got a good laugh out of it.

I think their attitude was insulting and really in poor taste. I do hope that their poor service and attitude catches up with them someday, and that the readers of this review avoid this stupid restaurant.

Favorite Dish: This restaurant sucks.

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If you are going to Barcelona don't miss your chance to eat at Cal Pep!
The place is always busy so there will be a wait for your spot at the tapas bar but it is worth it. While you wait you can have a drink and check out what people are eating and enjoy the aromas coming your way. There is a dinning room out the back, but I think that it's a shame to miss out on watching the show of the waiters, chefs, the food and Pep him self all happening behind the bar. Once you get your place I recommend that you let the waiter order a selection for you. As there is no menu, just let the surprises come your way. All the produce is really fresh and of a high quality. Both the red and white house wine are reasable for the price or you can choose some thing more to your taste. We had the tomato bread, yellow fin tuna tar tar, fried crispy prawns and calamari, clams in garlic sauce, fried mild green chilli’s, local sausage with beans, crispy fried artichokes, fillet of beef with potatoes and 3 desserts including wild strawberry’s with cream and two bottles of wine. All that came to a total of 105 euros and was a great dinning experience ......worth every cent! So if you are already in Barcelona or are heading there soon, take the time to eat at Cal Pep ....... you will not be disappointed!

Favorite Dish: It is to hard to chose a favorite dish as it was all so good. But stand outs were the Clams in garlic sauce, the fried crispy prawns and calamari and the crispy fried artichokes.

This is a very popular restaurant so we were warned to line up at opening time for dinner (8:00PM). We managed to obtain two places at the counter and people quickly started to line up behind us. We asked for the tapas menu. First Warning - there is no menu and we did not know enough Spanish to order. The owner/manager offered to bring us a selection of Tapas - Second Warning. We ended up receiving some very expensive dishes and paying over US$60. On top of this I got sick, probably from the seafood.