ILUZIONE Turó

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is the part of Barcelona where the air smells like expensive perfume and old money. It’s the 'Upper Diagonal,' a world away from the sweat and grime of the Gothic Quarter. Here, tucked away on Carrer de Ferran Agulló, you’ll find ILUZIONE Turó. It isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an extension of Luzio, a high-end furniture and concept store that looks like the loft of a billionaire with very specific, very expensive tastes.

Walking in, you’re hit with a vibe that is pure New York industrialism filtered through a Mediterranean lens. It’s dim, it’s moody, and it’s filled with the kind of furniture you’re afraid to spill red wine on. But don't let the velvet and the vintage curios fool you—this isn't a place where the decor does the heavy lifting for a mediocre kitchen. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Barcelona for anyone who values atmosphere as much as they value a perfectly executed plate of pasta.

The star of the show, the reason people fight for a table here, is the Focaccia di Recco. Forget the thick, bready stuff you find at the airport. This is the real deal: two paper-thin layers of unleavened dough, stretched until they’re translucent, sandwiching a molten, funky layer of Crescenza cheese. It comes out of the oven blistering and charred in all the right places. It’s a salty, fatty, crispy masterpiece that demands you eat it with your hands while ignoring the polished crowd around you.

The menu doesn't stop there. You’ve got a Vitello Tonnato that respects the classics—thinly sliced veal submerged in a tuna-caper sauce that’s creamy without being heavy. The pastas are unapologetic. Whether it’s the truffle-laden pappardelle or a simple, sharp carbonara, the kitchen understands that Italian food is about the quality of the raw materials, not how many garnishes you can pile on top. It’s honest cooking served in a room that is anything but humble.

As the night wears on, the volume ticks up. The cocktail bar in the center of the room starts pumping out Negronis and bespoke creations that are actually worth the price tag. This is a 'see and be seen' spot, populated by the local 'pijos'—the well-heeled youth and the stylish veterans of the neighborhood. It’s high-energy, it’s loud, and if you’re looking for a quiet place to contemplate your life choices, this isn’t it. But if you want to feel the pulse of modern, affluent Barcelona while tearing into world-class focaccia, ILUZIONE is the place.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it a bit pretentious? Absolutely. But in a city where 'concept' restaurants often feel like hollow shells, ILUZIONE Turó delivers the goods. It’s a well-oiled machine of style and substance. Just make sure you book ahead, dress like you mean it, and whatever you do, order the damn focaccia. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why we travel—to find those places that shouldn't work on paper but somehow, through sheer force of will and good olive oil, become essential.