Porky's Uptown Barcelona

Let’s get one thing straight: Balmes is a long, uphill slog. It’s the kind of street that reminds you that Barcelona isn’t just a flat beach town; it’s a city built on the incline of ambition and old money. By the time you reach the 400s, you’ve left the neon-lit chaos of the Gothic Quarter and the selfie-stick-waving crowds of Passeig de Gràcia far behind. You’re in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi now—the 'Uptown.' It’s quieter, wealthier, and generally more suspicious of outsiders. But tucked into this neighborhood of private schools and polished SUVs is Porky’s Uptown Barcelona, a place that doesn’t give a damn about your social standing as long as you appreciate the divine properties of rendered pig fat.

Walking into Porky’s, you aren’t greeted by white tablecloths or the hushed tones of a library. It’s industrial, lean, and functional. High ceilings, metal accents, and a vibe that says, 'We’re here to work the grill, not hold your hand.' This is the second outpost of the Porky’s brand, and they’ve brought their A-game to the hills. It’s a restaurant in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi that manages to feel like a neighborhood local while serving food that deserves a much wider audience.

The menu—or 'la carta' as the locals call it—is a love letter to the hog. If you’re looking for a light salad to nibble on while discussing your stock portfolio, you’ve wandered into the wrong room. You come here for the best bocadillos Barcelona has to offer in this zip code. We’re talking about 'bocadillos de autor'—gourmet sandwiches that treat the bread as a vessel for serious culinary intent, not just a dry afterthought. The bread has that essential crunch, the kind that shatters and then gives way to a soft, pillowy interior soaked in meat juices.

But the real star, the dish that people whisper about in the reviews, is the carrillera de cerdo—pork cheek. If it’s done right, and here it usually is, you shouldn't need a knife. It should yield to the mere suggestion of a fork, collapsing into a rich, gelatinous heap of pure, unadulterated flavor. It’s a protein rush that hits you right in the lizard brain. Then there are the croquettes. In this city, everyone claims to have the best croquetas, but Porky’s makes a compelling argument with theirs. They are creamy, almost liquid on the inside, encased in a golden, greaseless shell. They taste like home, if your home happened to be run by a chef who obsessed over the perfect béchamel.

Is Porky's Uptown worth it? If you’re staying down by the water, it’s a trek. But that’s the point. The best eats Barcelona provides are often found where the tourists aren't looking. It’s a place for people who live here—the ones who want a solid meal after a long day and don't want to deal with the 'gastronomic adventure' bullshit. It’s honest. It’s loud. It smells like grilled meat and ambition.

The service is typical of a busy Barcelona spot: efficient, brisk, and entirely devoid of the fake 'have a nice day' energy you find in the tourist zones. They know the food is good, they know the beer is cold, and they expect you to know what you want. It’s a refreshing lack of pretension in a neighborhood that can sometimes feel a bit too buttoned-up. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or settling in for a late-night meat-fest, Porky’s delivers exactly what the name promises. No more, no less. And in a world of over-hyped dining, that’s a win.