If you aren’t planning a magical summer getaway to Spain or the Mediterranean, there’s a popular new restaurant and wine bar in downtown Raleigh that can transport you there for a fraction of the cost.
Specializing in Spanish tapas, Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar is located at 430 W. Martin St. by The Dillon. The intimately-sized restaurant features sophisticated decor and a dreamy outdoor dining area that will make you want to linger for hours with your friends or significant other.
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The comprehensive wine list also has options from around the world focusing on lesser-known regions of Spain and Portugal. I opted for a glass of rosé on my visit, but I had some FOMO when the pitcher of sangria arrived at a neighboring table. Looking forward to trying it on my next visit.
Barcelona is known for their simple, yet bold food, and I’d also add the word “fresh” in the mix. The menu is loaded with more than 10 Charcuterie and cheese board options, over 25 tapas, along with salads, large plates for sharing and dessert (if you have room after all the other goodies).
Here are few of the items I sampled on my visit.
Sweet Potato Hummus
According to NCSweetPotatoes.com, North Carolina is the No. 1 sweet potato producing state in the country. Being a North Carolinian who loves hummus and sweet potatoes independently, I had to try this. It was the tastiest mashup I have experienced since trying boiled peanut hummus a few years back. The pimenton oil spiced the flavor up perfectly, and it was served alongside lavash, a type of flatbread.
Spicy Eggplant Caponata
Ok, I’ll be honest. I’m not a huge eggplant fan, but I do love spicy food, so I thought this would be worth a shot. This is a type of ratatouille, so there was a ton of flavor including sweet pepper, basil and parsley. The caponata was super refreshing will be perfect for the coming summer months.
Roasted Bone Marrow
This was a new experience for me, and it was the most savory of all of the tapas I tried at Barcelona. The bacon and onion jam brought the boldness to this dish and made it a tasty treat.
Salads
If you’re a fan of beets, you won’t want to miss the Roasted Beets salad with Valdeon cheese and walnuts. I also sampled the Ensalada Mixta with olives, onions and tomatoes, which was a large portion that could also be shared.
There are also dessert options at Barcelona, so be sure to ask for the menu to check them out. I went with the cheesecake, and it was super creamy and not too tangy.
Barcelona has been a hot spot since it opened in the Warehouse District, so I recommend making reservations. It’s a great date spot, but also perfect for a relaxed girls night out or post-work drinks. I was also impressed by the reasonable prices, including $6.50 Charcuterie and cheese options and tapas ranging from $4.50 to $12.50. Grab a seat outside for the full experience. The restaurant is open 4 p.m. until late.