Patatas bravas are probably Spain’s most iconic tapa, alongside Russian salad and croquettes. Every place has their version. However, which are the best in Barcelona?
The Bravas Fest runs an annual competition to find the city’s top bravas. The latest edition took place at Poble Espanyol from 3rd to 5th October. We’ve visited this year’s winner and previous champions to pick three places serving championship-level bravas.
Món Viêt (Google Maps): The 4th Mahou Bravas Fest crowned this Eixample restaurant’s bravas as 2025’s best. They come with spicy curry mayonnaise and peanut sauce. Anh-Van Chac and Carles Amat run this spot where phở is king. They serve dishes honouring family memory. Moreover, Món Việt probably deserves the title of Barcelona’s best Vietnamese restaurant.
Rooster & Bubbles (Google Maps): The Pla de Palau and Carrer de París rotisserie doesn’t just do brilliant roast chicken. Marc Martínez, grandson of roast chicken inventor Joan Casas, serves bravas with Monalisa potato, aioli and shichimi togarashi. These won the 2024 competition. The place is run by someone who properly understands chicken.
La Esquinica (Google Maps): Many consider this the tapas mecca. It’s been open over 50 years and was one of the first places where you had to take a number to get a table. Located in Turó de la Peira, it serves more than 50 tapas and some of Barcelona’s best bravas. In 2022, they received an honorary award for the establishment’s 50th anniversary.
These three restaurants represent different approaches to bravas. Món Việt brings Asian fusion flavours. Rooster & Bubbles offers a Japanese twist. Meanwhile, La Esquinica delivers traditional excellence perfected over five decades.
If you fancy chaimpionship bravas this weekend, any of these spots will deliver. Just don’t expect them to taste the same. That’s the beauty of Barcelona’s bravas scene. Everyone’s got their own take.
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