Los Caracoles, Barcelona

 
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  •   Los Caracoles
    by traveloturc
  • very old
      very old
    by traveloturc
  • the bar
      the bar
    by traveloturc
  • atmosphere
      atmosphere
    by traveloturc
  • musicians
      musicians
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10 Reviews of Los Caracoles

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Los Caracoles: Not as good as it's cracked up to be?
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Xdeclcs 2 reviews

Although this restaurant has obviously been there years and is undeniably atmospheric, there is an air of arrogance about the place.

Don't let your guard down, this is a tourist trap. This was a special celebration for us, so we wanted to have what we wanted.

However, I do advise you to check the menu and unless you're multi-millionaires, carefully select the more reasonable things on there. We made the mistake of asking for a recommendation from the waitor, and was recommended the most expensive starters, clams and prawns pil pil, you only get about 6 for 14 euros each - ridiculously expensive. I then had paella which was by no means that nice, and it was gritty. My husband had a tasteless seafood stew.

We also nibbled on the bread, and were then brought more without asking, which we didn't eat and were still charged for.

As another review mentioned, we were also very firmly asked how much more tip we were going to leave - very rude!

Our total bill came to 120 euros, for 2 starters, 2 mains, 1 bottle of the cheapest wine. All in all, very disappointing!

We had another meal at a restaurant les quinze nuits, in plaza real, much nicer, much more reasonable, advise you to go there or Agua at Port Olympic!

Favorite Dish: the clams in green sauce were nice, but 14 euros for 6 clams ????

Written Jun 27, 2009

Address: Escudellers 14, Barcelona

Phone: 93 302 31 85

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Los Caracoles: Paella forever
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

traveloturc 1427 reviews
very old
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This is a very famous restaurant situated in las Ramblas.The most important think is that they can serve for muslims too .Paella without porc !!! I suggest to all muslim people to try it.
All you have to do is to warn the waiter ...easy
Musicians included to the program in my last visit

Updated Mar 22, 2007

Address: Escudellers 14, Barcelona

Phone: 93 302 31 85

Related to:
 Food and Dining

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Los Caracoles: Character and Atmosphere
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

alanhaggart 10 reviews
Los Caracoles - exterior
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Arrived late afternoon, and asked to reserve a table for 3 for that evening: we were told that they were full, but come at 8 o'clock and be prepared to wait. We did this, and were called through after only 10 minutes. Amazing, labyrinthine interior with oil paintings and cured hams hanging on every wall and ceiling. There's even a well in there somewhere. Eventually we reached our table and enjoyed good service and well prepared food at a reasonable cost considering the popularity and character of the restaurant.

Favorite Dish: The snails, after which the place is named, were delicious, in a sauce not unlike lentil soup. With the snail-shaped bread, one portion made a hearty starter for two people. Roast chicken excellent. Lamb rib cutlets were plentiful and tasty. The manchego cheese was salty and delicious, and the local speciality dessert "creme catalan" was smooth, rich and sweet, with a not unpleasant hint of fireworks in the taste!

Wine (Torres) was good value at EUR11.50 per bottle (as usual I ordered the second-cheapest bottle on the list!)

Written Oct 18, 2006

Address: Escudellers 14, Barcelona

Phone: 93 302 31 85

Related to:
 Arts and Culture
 Historical Travel
 Food and Dining

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Los Caracoles: Pleasant atmosphere
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3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

jorgejuansanchez 512 reviews

This is, without doubt, the most charismatic restaurant in Barcelona.
It is located in a lane next to the Ramblas and to the Plaza Real, and was inaugurated in 1835, being one of the oldest restaurants in Spain (the oldest restaurant in the world, without interruption, according the Guinness Book of Records, is Sobrinos de Botin, in Madrid, where they will give you a certificate for having had dinner). It has two floors and the main speciality is escargots (caracoles means in Spanish escargots). Prices are not too expensive compared with Botafumeiro restaurant (the most expensive restaurant in Barcelona, serving seafood from Galicia) but meats and fish are delicious (try the Bouillabaisse soup as first dish and Crema Catalana as dessert).
In all the rooms of the two floors you will see all popular personages that have had lunch or dinner there, such as the Prince Felipe from Spain, Hollywood actors such as John Wayne and Charlton Heston, among many others, toreros, football players, the unavoidable inauspicious politics, etc.
It is an unforgettable experience.

Favorite Dish: Caracoles!!!

Written Aug 30, 2006

Address: Escudellers 14, Barcelona

Phone: 93 302 31 85

Related to:
 Food and Dining
 Business Travel
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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Los Caracoles: Nice but pricey and not enough on our plate
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

madfrenchgirl 26 reviews

OK, pushed by all the lovely review this restaurant had, partner and I decided to go in there and pay the full asking price for their expensaive dishes.

Well, the food was nice, but there was way not enough on our plates. I do appreciate the decor, but we were stuck between butts of people waiting for a table in our faces and sidestreet door in our elbows. Also, when we ordered some of the cheapest dishes on the menu, some of the staff looked down on us.

The only person I spoke to who was friendly enough is the guy taht took over the poshy guy. My meat was not cooked enough, and when I complained, he brought us a "crema catalana" for free to compensate for it. We left a tip for this reason, but I must admit we went to McDonalds straight after as our tums were still grumbling...

Favorite Dish: Since the portions are so small... I would say the quality of the food was tops, so whatever you order, your taste will be rewarded... but not your tummy nor your wallet!

Written Oct 11, 2005

Address: Carrer dels Escudellers

Related to:
 Food and Dining

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Los Caracoles: More than just snails...
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Bregman 886 reviews

A beautiful restaurant serving a variety of Spanish and Catalunian dishes. When you enter the restaurant, you right in the kitchen where you can see the food being prepared. You can try a dish of the snails, the restaurant is named after. Or, you can order on eof the many great paellas they serve. While you are there, explore the place. It is full with little rooms decorated in traditional style. Go down to the basement and have a look there. The entire restaurant is built from little spaces where people can dine in a more intimate atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: I particulary loved the black paella, made with black squid ink.

Updated Sep 28, 2005

Address: Escudellers 14, Barcelona

Phone: 93 302 31 85

Website: http://www.eatanddrink.co.uk/restaurants/CaracolesBarcelona.asp

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Restaurante Los Caracoles: Restaurante Los Caracoles
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pugwashman 225 reviews
Los Caracoles

After passing through a small bar area with hams hanging above you are taken to your table by walking through the kitchen with buckets of fresh seafood on either side and steaming rice and sizzling meats. If you're lucky, you might get a seat with a frontline view over the kitchen. The atmosphere is unique and after dining here we read our guidebook and apparently this is the most famous restaurant in Barcelona, and I can see why. Well worth the visit and good value for money. Every meal we saw being served up looked delicious, and they even spit-roast chickens out on the street if you fancy a takeaway.

Favorite Dish: Suckling Pig.

Written Oct 12, 2004

Address: calle escudellers 14

Phone: 93 302 31 85

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Los Caracoles: Los Caracoles - Great atmosphere
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JanPeter74 369 reviews

Los Caracoles is one of these restaurants that is always busy, so prepare to queue, or come early.

The Catalan cuisine is great, but it is the ambiance that makes most impression when having diner here. It already starts outside where a large open grill is used to grill chickens. When you enter, you pass the bar and then there are two options. One is to stay downstairs and have diner while looking into the kitchen. To many people the best place. Another option is to have diner in one of the two upstairs dining rooms, which is a bit more relaxed and is a bit more stylish.

It is not a cheap address, but a very nice experience.

Favorite Dish: Caracoles means snails, which is the specialty of this restaurant. But simple pick something that sounds appetizing, like we did.

Updated Sep 30, 2004

Address: Calle des Escudillers 14

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Los Caracoles.: Don't miss the roasted chicken.
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

pulgaron 200 reviews
Open fire spit

If you only go to one restaurant in Barcelona, make it Los Caracoles.
As famous as this place is, it is not a tourist trap. They serve real catalonian food, well prepared and at reasonable prices.
They are famous for their raoasted chicken and I got to see why.
They give you one half chicken flamed on a spit and roasted to perfection, for under 10 Euros.
Incredible chicken, you must try it.
The problem is getting in. get reservations if you can, other wise arrive early, at 9pm, for first sitting.
The entrance is incredible. It looks like a little bar when you first step in. If they are not ready for you in the back, they seat you at the bar to wait for your table. You can sip wine, or drink a cana(beer) while you wait. We had the pleasant experience to seat at the bar next to a famous artist and his lovely wife, with work shops in Paris, Barcelona, Mexico City, and New York. Maybe he will set up in Miami next if I can convince him.
In the back, you can see an open fire grill where the magic happens.
Incredible place in the Barrio Gotico, don't miss it.

Favorite Dish: Roasted chicken, and the Caracoles(escargots). The chicken is incredible, and the caracoles, they give you a full plate of them, like 24 of them. Ummmnnn.

Updated Nov 1, 2003

Address: In the Barrion Gotico, a block from Las Ramblas

Related to:
 Family Travel

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LOS CARACOLES: Do you need a chicken?????
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Azhut 1076 reviews
Los Caracoles

Written Jan 7, 2005

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Los Caracoles

Escudellers 14, Barcelona

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