Restaurant Dos Torres

Barcelona isn’t just the Gothic Quarter’s damp alleys or the Raval’s beautiful, chaotic mess. There’s another side—the 'Upper Diagonal.' This is the Barcelona of old money, quiet courtyards, and people who wouldn’t be caught dead in a souvenir shop. Restaurant Dos Torres is the embassy of that world. Located in a stunning 19th-century Modernist villa on Via Augusta, it’s a place that demands you slow down, order another bottle of Priorat, and remember that life is meant to be lived at a civilized pace.

You walk through the gates and the roar of the city just... stops. The garden is the real star here—a sprawling expanse of gravel paths, towering trees, and white linen tables that feels a thousand miles away from the cruise ship crowds. This is a tactical retreat into the shade, elegant without being stiff, though you’ll definitely want to leave the flip-flops at the hotel. This is where the Sarrià locals come to celebrate, to argue over business, or to simply hide from the world for a few hours.

The kitchen doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, and thank God for that. They do 'market cuisine,' which is a fancy way of saying they buy what’s good and try not to mess it up. But the rice—the rice is where they show off. We’re talking about the Arroz de Pato y Foie (duck and foie gras rice). It’s rich, earthy, and has that perfect layer of socarrat—the caramelized, crunchy bit at the bottom of the pan that people in this part of the world would probably go to war over. It’s a protein-heavy, decadent punch to the gut that reminds you why Catalan cuisine is so much more than just tapas.

Start with the croquetas—creamy, salty, and fried with a level of respect usually reserved for religious icons—or the steak tartar, prepared with the kind of precision you’d expect from a place that’s been doing this for years. The grilled octopus (pulpo a la brasa) is another heavy hitter, charred just enough to give it some attitude but tender enough to melt. Everything here feels intentional. The wine list is a serious map of the region’s best vineyards, and the staff handles it with the kind of effortless professionalism that only comes from years of dealing with the city’s most demanding diners.

Is it expensive? Yeah, it’s not exactly a cheap eat. You’re paying for the real estate, the history, and the privilege of sitting in one of the most beautiful gardens in the city. The service can be a bit leisurely, but that’s the point. If you’re in a rush, you’re in the wrong neighborhood. This is a place for long lunches that bleed into the evening, for the kind of meals where the conversation is as important as the food.

If you want to understand the soul of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, you have to eat here. It’s a glimpse into the city's quieter, more refined upper reaches—a place of architectural beauty and a deep-seated respect for the ritual of the meal. It’s honest, it’s beautiful, and it’s unapologetically Catalan. Just make sure you book a table on the terrace; sitting inside a villa this pretty and not being in the garden would be a damn tragedy.