Walter Ponce
Babula Bar 1937 is a cocktail bar and restaurant on Carrer de Pau Claris, in the Dreta de l’Eixample area of Barcelona. It serves fusion small plates built on crudo, marinated and semi-cooked dishes, with Mediterranean, Japanese and Latin American influences, alongside one of the more inventive drinks lists in the district.
More than just a restaurant, Babula is a tribute to family traditions, inspired by the warmth of grandmothers. That idea translates into a welcoming, cosy atmosphere where dishes and drinks mix tradition with new ideas.
The concept and atmosphere
Babula Bar 1937 fuses a high-end restaurant with a cocktail bar. The ambience strikes a good balance between elegance and comfort, which makes it suit intimate dinners, casual gatherings and nights out alike. The interior has a modern yet nostalgic charm, with warm lighting, plush seating and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work.
Babula Bar 1937 menu: what to order
The menu focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients, with an emphasis on lightly marinated, crudo and semi-cooked preparations. Each dish draws on global influences, with exciting textures and refined flavours that rework traditional recipes. Plates are meticulously presented, and the open kitchen lets you see the craft behind each one.
The must-try dishes:
Duo de Ostras: fresh oysters served with refined accompaniments.
Ventresca de Atún Toro: lightly seared tuna belly with white miso and Dijon mustard.
Hakao de Langostinos: prawn dumplings with soy mayo.
30-Hour Marinated Salmon: house-marinated salmon with a smoky sweet mustard sauce.
Japanese Steak Tartare Taco: delicate beef tartare with nori seaweed and wasabi mayo.
For dessert, Kinder Sorpresa is a signature favourite: a white chocolate mousse with a mango “yolk” surprise inside.
A quick guide to the terms on the menu
- Crudo: raw fish or seafood, thinly sliced and dressed with oil, citrus or salt.
- Ventresca: the belly of the tuna, one of the fattiest and most prized cuts.
- Toro: the Japanese term for fatty tuna belly.
- Har gow (hakao): a Cantonese dim sum dumpling with a translucent wrapper, usually filled with prawns.
- Leche de tigre: the citrusy, spicy marinade used in Peruvian ceviche, sometimes added to cocktails.
- Pisco: a grape brandy from Peru and Chile, the base of the Pisco Sour.
- Salicornia: also called samphire or sea asparagus, a salty coastal plant.
The cocktails
Babula Bar 1937 is equally known for its cocktail programme, which blends classic recipes with modern techniques: premium spirits, house-made infusions and unexpected pairings. Two standouts:
Pachacutec: a bold mix of pisco, leche de tigre and passion fruit.
El Colom: tequila infused with salicornia, fresh lime and grapefruit soda, refreshing yet complex.
Babula Bar 1937 review: service, portions and price
One of the highlights is the excellent service. The staff are attentive, happy to give recommendations and explain the menu, and make every guest feel well looked after.
The downside is size. The portions are not particularly large, and the price can feel a bit high for the amount of food served. The quality of the ingredients and the care in every dish still make the experience worthwhile, but go expecting a tasting-style meal rather than a big dinner.
Live music
Babula Bar 1937 has hosted live jazz sessions on Sunday evenings, which adds a lot to the atmosphere. Combined with the food and cocktails, it makes for a memorable evening in Barcelona. Check the bar’s own channels for the current schedule before planning around it.
Where is Babula Bar 1937? Address and getting there
Babula Bar 1937 is at Carrer de Pau Claris 139, 08009 Barcelona, in the Dreta de l’Eixample. Pau Claris runs parallel to Passeig de Gràcia, so the bar is a short walk from Passeig de Gràcia station (metro lines L2, L3 and L4).
The Eixample is the 19th-century expansion of Barcelona, known for its grid of wide streets and modernist buildings, and one of the best areas in the city for restaurants and bars. Nearby you have Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) on Passeig de Gràcia, the terraces of Rambla de Catalunya and the Mercat de la Concepció. For more ideas in the area, see my 50 favourite restaurants in Barcelona, and if you want a drink with a view afterwards, the best rooftops and sky bars in Barcelona.
Is Babula Bar 1937 worth it?
Babula Bar 1937 is more than just a restaurant: it is a celebration of tradition, innovation and culinary craft. If you are after a refined meal, a carefully mixed cocktail or a lively night with good music, it is a strong choice in the Eixample. It is best for food lovers and cocktail fans who enjoy sharing several small plates; if you want a big, filling dinner, the portions may leave you wanting more.
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead, especially on Sunday evenings and weekends.
- Order several plates to share, since the dishes are designed for tasting.
- Check current hours, events and prices on the restaurant’s official channels before you go.
- Dinner in Barcelona starts late, usually from around 21:00.
FAQ
What is on the Babula Bar 1937 menu? Fusion small plates such as oysters, seared toro tuna belly with white miso, prawn hakao, 30-hour marinated salmon and a Japanese steak tartare taco, plus the Kinder Sorpresa dessert.
Is Babula a restaurant or a cocktail bar? Both. Babula Bar 1937 combines a full dining menu with a creative cocktail programme.
What are the Babula Bar 1937 reviews like? My review gives it high marks for service and food, with the main criticism being small portions for the price.
Where is Babula Bar in Barcelona? At Carrer de Pau Claris 139, in the Eixample, a short walk from Passeig de Gràcia metro.
Does Babula Bar 1937 have live music? It has hosted live jazz on Sunday evenings. Check their channels for the current schedule.
Are the portions large? No. The dishes are designed for tasting and sharing, so plan to order several.
