This elegant place, according to what I had read, had been defined one of the top restaurants in Barcelona. Quite curious about such a flattering reputation, I decided to find out if that fame was well deserved. Upon the whole, I shall say that Casa Delfìn generally lived up to the expectations.
Casa Delfìn is located along Passeig del Born, or to precise at the northern extreme of the square, which is enclosed on its southern side by the church of Santa Maria del Mar. Nowadays a lively space, full of coffee bars, restaurants and interesting stores, Passeig del Born has been for some centuries (from the late Middle Ages to the Renaissance) the main square in Barcelona. As it has been said, it offers a wide range of locals of various kinds. Though not exactly economic, Casa Delfìn probably represents one of the best choices, due to the refined setting and the high quality of the food.
The restaurant also offers a series of tables outside, enlivened by the vivacious crowd animating Passeig del Born. Although, sitting inside may allow you to appreciate the unique atmosphere permeating the local. Celebrated for its traditional Catalan dishes, it offers a wide variety of tapas at a reasonable price (4-5 Euros each, or maybe 6-7 Euros for the one based on fish). Among them, the classic patatas bravas, the delicious calçots (small onions), the grilled sardine or the green peppers seem to be particularly popular and appreciated.
On the other hand, it is also possible to taste more elaborated dishes. If the price obviously rises to 12-15 Euros for a paella, or for meat or fish courses, you will also find less expensive (but equally tasty) dishes. It was indeed my case, as I went in for a simpler version of paella, namely rice with chicken and gorgonzola. The food was indeed delicious, though it must be said that the portion was not exactly abundant. Anyway, my experience in one of the most renowned places in Barcelona was not disappointing, also due to the refined location. By the way, though I have not tried any special drinks, an inviting assortment of wines seemed to be available!
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