Smash Hiro

Listen to the sound. That’s the hiss of cold, high-fat beef meeting a screamingly hot plancha. It’s the sound of the 'smash'—a violent, necessary act that creates what the locals here call the 'scab.' In any other context, that word is a medical deterrent. Here, at Smash Hiro, it’s the holy grail. It’s that lacy, ultra-crispy, Maillard-reaction-fueled brown crust that separates a real burger from the grey, steaming pucks of sadness served at the chains.

Located on Carrer de Floridablanca in the Sant Antoni corner of Eixample, Smash Hiro is the brainchild of Esttik, a Spanish YouTuber known for competitive eating. Usually, when an 'influencer' opens a restaurant, you should run—fast—in the opposite direction. It’s normally a cynical exercise in branding over substance. But Smash Hiro is the exception that proves the rule. This place isn't just a backdrop for TikToks; it’s a legitimate temple to the church of the flat-top grill.

Walking in is like being punched in the face by a 1990s Japanese arcade. It’s a riot of neon, anime murals, and Dragon Ball references. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it smells like rendered beef fat and ambition. This isn't a place for a quiet conversation or a third date where you’re trying to impress someone with your knowledge of natural wines. This is a place where you come to commit a delicious, greasy crime against your cholesterol levels.

The menu is focused, which is always a good sign. You’re here for the 'Rocky.' It’s a double-patty masterclass in texture. The buns are soft, pillowy brioche that exist solely to transport the meat to your face without getting in the way. The patties are smashed so thin they’re almost translucent at the edges, creating a crunch that rivals a potato chip, while the center remains impossibly juicy. It’s salty, it’s fatty, and it’s exactly what your lizard brain craves at 9:00 PM on a Tuesday.

And then there’s the cheesecake. Specifically, the Lotus Biscoff cheesecake. It has become a cult object in Barcelona, and for good reason. It’s thick, creamy, and unapologetically sweet, topped with that spiced cookie crumble that makes grown adults weep. It’s the kind of dessert that demands you skip breakfast the next day.

Is it perfect? No. The service is fast-casual and can feel a bit like an assembly line when the queue stretches down the block—which it often does. You might have to elbow your way to a stool, and you will definitely leave smelling like a fry cook. But that’s the price of admission for one of the best smash burgers in Barcelona. It’s honest food in a neighborhood—Sant Antoni—that is increasingly becoming the city’s most interesting culinary battleground.

Don't come here looking for a 'gastronomic adventure' or a 'fusion experience.' Come here because you want a burger that was cooked with intent. Come here because you want to see what happens when someone actually cares about the crust. Smash Hiro isn't trying to change the world; it’s just trying to give you the best damn burger in Eixample, and most nights, it succeeds brilliantly.