9 Reinas

Barcelona isn’t just about the frantic clatter of tapas plates or the salt-sprayed ritual of seafood. Sometimes, the soul demands something more primal. It demands the scent of wood smoke, the hiss of fat hitting a hot grill, and a piece of beef so tender it feels like a personal favor from the chef. That is why you go to 9 Reinas. Located on Carrer de València in the heart of the Eixample, this isn’t some dusty, roadside parrillada. It’s a polished, high-ceilinged sanctuary for the unapologetically carnivorous, named after the classic Argentinian heist film—and the experience here is just as calculated and rewarding.

When you walk through the door, you’re leaving the Mediterranean behind and entering the pampas by way of Barcelona’s most sophisticated grid. The atmosphere is thick with the kind of 'deal-closing' energy you expect in this neighborhood, but there’s an underlying warmth that’s purely South American. It’s the kind of place where the waiters know their cuts like a surgeon knows anatomy. They aren’t just bringing you food; they are guiding you through a curated selection of some of the most formidable cuts of beef in the city. Take a linen-draped table or a spot near the hum of the kitchen; either way, you know you’re in for a serious meal.

The menu is a manifesto of meat. If you’re here, you’re likely here for the Wagyu or the Black Angus. The Wagyu Argentino is a revelation—a protein rush to the cortex that melts with a buttery, nutty complexity that makes you wonder why you ever settled for a supermarket sirloin. Then there’s the picanha, a cut that requires respect and a steady hand on the grill to render that thick cap of fat into something transcendent. Don't skip the starters, though. The empanadas are the real deal—crimped by hand, stuffed with savory beef or humita, and served hot enough to remind you you’re alive. And the provoleta? It’s a bubbling, gooey disc of grilled cheese topped with oregano that serves as the perfect, salty precursor to the main event.

There’s a certain pedigree here that locals whisper about—the restaurant was founded by figures from the world of professional football, including Javier Mascherano. You can feel that high-stakes, high-performance vibe in the service. It’s professional, efficient, and occasionally a little brisk, but they know their business. They know that when a person orders a medium-rare tenderloin, they aren't looking for a conversation; they're looking for perfection. The wine list is equally focused, leaning heavily into the dark, malbec-soaked heart of Argentina, providing the necessary tannins to cut through the glorious richness of the meat.

Is it expensive? Yeah, it’s Eixample. You’re paying for the location, the pedigree, and the fact that the cow probably had a better social life than you did. It’s not a place for a casual Tuesday night unless you’ve got a very healthy expense account. But for a date night in Barcelona or a celebratory dinner where the quality of the ingredient is the only thing that matters, it’s hard to beat. It’s honest food served in a dishonest neighborhood, a place where the only thing that matters is the relationship between the flame and the flesh.

The verdict is simple: if you want to understand why Argentinians are so obsessed with their grills, and you want to do it while surrounded by the architectural elegance of Barcelona, 9 Reinas is your altar. Just don’t ask for your steak well-done. That’s a sin even the most forgiving waiter won’t truly absolve you for.