Sitting down to enjoy a meal at the temple of Catalan cuisine in a restaurant with almost two centuries of history is a real privilege that you don’t find everywhere. And if that historic establishment is filled with works of art by geniuses such as Pablo Picasso or Joan Miró, the experience becomes even more unique.
All this is possible in one of the most emblematic restaurants in Barcelona, the 7 Portes restaurant, a place that has witnessed almost 187 years of history and has become an authentic institution of traditional Catalan cuisine.
Located in Pla de Palau, between the neighborhoods of El Born and Barceloneta, the 7 Portes restaurant is a jewel of the city that has undergone a fascinating evolution over the years.
This venue, with its distinctive seven-arched architecture, has not only been a shrine to Catalan cuisine, but also a meeting place for intellectuals and celebrities, as well as home to some of the most outstanding works of art by 20th century Catalan painters.
The history of the 7 Portes restaurant dates back to 1836, when Josep Cuyàs opened the Café de les 7 Portes in Pla de Palau. This café, located in a classic building with seven arches known as the Porticos de Xifré, has been a landmark in Barcelona for more than 90 years.
During that period, the café boasted five rooms decorated with ornate mirrors and crystal chandeliers on the ceiling, creating a distinctive atmosphere that attracted the city’s elite.
A temple of Catalan cuisine
In 1929, the Café de les 7 Portes was acquired by the Morera family and transformed into a restaurant serving traditional Catalan cuisine. This change marked the beginning of a new era for the establishment, which became a meeting point for journalists, intellectuals and politicians.
During this golden age, the restaurant began to accumulate an impressive collection of works of art, including pieces by Picasso, Miró and Tàpies, among others.
In 1980, the restaurant passed into the hands of its current owner, Francesc Solé Parellada, who has maintained the essence of the place over the years.
History and personalities
The 7 Portes restaurant has been the meeting place of more than fifty Nobel laureates, including Alexander Fleming, as well as a host of celebrities, from Ava Gardner and Plácido Domingo to Salvador Dalí and Orson Welles.
The menu at 7 Portes reflects the restaurant’s history, with nearly a hundred years of traditional Catalan cuisine. Dishes range from the famous paellas to more modern and international recipes. Among the most outstanding dishes is the Paella Parellada with lobster, a real favorite among diners.
