Jacqueline Barcelona

Enric Granados is the kind of street that makes you want to buy a linen suit, a vintage Porsche, and a messy divorce. It is the runway of the Eixample, a pedestrian-friendly stretch of prime real estate where the beautiful people of Barcelona come to see and, more importantly, be seen. And right in the thick of it sits Jacqueline, a venue so ambitious and over-the-top it makes most other restaurants look like they’re playing house.

Walking into Jacqueline isn't just entering a restaurant; it’s stepping into a theatrical production designed by the Rockwell Group. It’s a multi-level labyrinth of Art Nouveau curves, surrealist details, and enough velvet to clothe a small nation. This isn't a place for a quiet, contemplative meal about the soul of a carrot. This is a high-octane, gilded engine of hospitality designed to carry you from a civilized dinner to a champagne-fueled blur in the basement club.

The layout is a three-act play. You’ve got the main dining room, a sprawling Mediterranean-focused space where the seafood is the star. Then there’s the Omakase bar—a tiny, eight-seat sanctuary of Japanese precision that feels like a secret hidden within a spectacle. Finally, there’s the 'Dinner Club' and the basement 'Champagne Bar,' where the live music kicks in and the DJs take over, turning the whole enterprise into a sophisticated den of iniquity.

Let’s talk about the food, because in a place this pretty, the kitchen often phones it in. Not here. The Mediterranean menu leans heavily on the bounty of the Catalan coast. You’ll find red prawns from Palamós that taste like the essence of the Mediterranean sea, and a sea bass ceviche that hits with enough citrus and spice to wake up a dead man. The Wagyu tataki is another heavy hitter, marbled and melting, served with the kind of confidence that only comes from knowing your ingredients are top-tier. If you’re lucky enough to snag a seat at the Omakase bar, you’re in for a masterclass in restraint—a sharp contrast to the maximalist decor outside.

Is it 'authentic' Barcelona? That depends on what you think Barcelona is. If your version of the city is limited to dusty tavernas and sawdust on the floor, Jacqueline will offend your sensibilities. But if you recognize that this city has always had a streak of flamboyant, bourgeois madness—the same energy that fueled Gaudí and Dalí—then Jacqueline fits right in. It’s the best Mediterranean restaurant Barcelona has to offer for those who want their dinner served with a side of spectacle.

The service is what I’d call 'professional theatrical.' The staff are polished, moving through the crowded rooms with the grace of stagehands during a Broadway hit. They know the wine list, they know the cocktails, and they know how to manage a crowd that’s increasingly lubricated by high-end gin and tonic as the night progresses.

Be warned: this is not a cheap date. You are paying for the design, the live music, the prime Eixample location, and the feeling of being at the center of the universe for a few hours. It’s one of the most popular restaurants in Eixample for a reason. If you hate people taking selfies with their appetizers, you might find the atmosphere grating. But if you can lean into the glamour, order another round of cocktails, and let the live band lead you toward the basement, Jacqueline offers a version of Barcelona that is vibrant, expensive, and undeniably fun. It’s a polished, professional, and beautiful machine.