Walter Ponce
Located in the heart of the city, La Clara boasts an ambiance that strikes a balance between casual charm and refined elegance. With its table linens, carefully curated interior design, and elegant furnishings, the restaurant exudes a sense of understated luxury.
Upon arrival, we were seated at a cozy rounded table tucked away in a corner, which unfortunately felt a bit cramped. Despite the basic decor, the ambiance worked well and added to the overall dining experience. Intrigued by the restaurant’s popularity on social media, we eagerly anticipated our meal.
We began by selecting a wine to complement our meal, but were disappointed to find that there were no Rioja wines available by the glass. Reluctantly, we relied on the waiter’s recommendation of BALDOMÀ SEL.LECCIÒ (D.O. Costers del Segre) for €4.25 per glass, which unfortunately did not suit our tastes.
Seeking guidance on the menu, we asked our waiter for recommendations and were advised to order 3-5 dishes each for a satisfying meal. Here’s how our dining experience unfolded:
Food review Clara restaurant
Cod fritters ‘buñuelos’ at €3.20 each: A basic starter with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Veal cheek with potato puree, Perigord sauce, and foie gras priced at €18: A decadent dish with rich flavors and tender meat.
Pickled quail priced at €14: Disappointingly small portion size and underwhelming taste.
Presa Iberica carpaccio for €16.20: A flavorful dish, but slightly overpriced for the portion size.
Tuna belly with dashi sauce at €19.80: Despite a pleasing taste, the portion size was minimal, leaving us feeling unsatisfied. We only had 3 slices of tuna to be shared among 2 people.
Lazy omelette with spring garlic priced at €13.50: Mediocre in appearance and taste, failing to impress.
Bread with tomato (four slices) for €4.50: A simple yet tasty accompaniment to our meal. The bread was too cooked for my taste. Quite surprised at the end of the evening to realize that it costed that much.
For dessert, we opted for the cream custard priced at €6.50: While enjoyable, the portion size was disappointingly small.
Overall, our dining experience at La Clara left much to be desired. Despite the restaurant’s upscale ambiance, the portions were meager, and the taste of the dishes failed to justify the high prices. Combined with a lackluster service experience, we left feeling underwhelmed and with a hefty bill of €68 per person. Regrettably, we cannot recommend Clara Restaurant to fellow diners seeking a memorable culinary experience.
**Clara restaurant address: **C/ de Buenos Aires, 42, L’Eixample, 08036 Barcelona Clara restaurant website: https://www.instagram.com/clara__barcelona/
About the dishes on the menu
Clara’s menu draws on Catalan and Spanish classics, served as sharing plates. If you are visiting Barcelona for the first time, some of the names are worth knowing:
- Buñuelos de bacalao: small fried fritters made with salt cod, a classic in Catalan and Spanish tapas bars
- Pa amb tomàquet: bread rubbed with ripe tomato, olive oil and salt, served with almost every Catalan meal
- Presa ibérica: a prized cut from the shoulder of Iberian pork, known for its marbling and flavour
- Ventresca (tuna belly): the fattiest and most tender part of the tuna
- Crema catalana / custard: the Catalan cousin of crème brûlée, with a caramelised sugar top
- Escabeche: a traditional pickling method using vinegar, oil and spices, often used for quail, partridge or fish
About the wine
Costers del Segre is a wine region (D.O.) in the province of Lleida, inland Catalonia. It produces reds, whites and rosés from both local and international grapes.
If you prefer a specific style, such as Rioja, it is always worth asking which wines are available by the glass before ordering, as many Barcelona restaurants focus on Catalan wines from regions like Penedès, Priorat, Montsant, Empordà and Costers del Segre.
Tips for sharing-plate restaurants in Barcelona
Many modern restaurants in Barcelona work with small plates that are priced per portion or per piece. To avoid surprises with the final bill:
- Ask about portion sizes before you order, especially for dishes priced per unit.
- Check if bread is charged separately. Bread with tomato is often a paid item.
- Start small and add more. Order a few dishes first, then decide if you need more.
- Look at the menu online before you go, if it is available, to get an idea of prices.
- Read recent reviews, as menus, chefs and quality can change over time.
The neighbourhood
Clara is on Carrer de Buenos Aires, in the upper part of the Eixample, close to the border with Sant Gervasi and Les Corts. It is a residential area with elegant buildings, local shops and plenty of restaurants.
Things nearby:
- Turó Park: a small, peaceful park surrounded by upscale streets
- Plaça Francesc Macià: a busy square with access to the tram and shopping streets
- Avinguda Diagonal: one of Barcelona’s main avenues, lined with shops, cafés and offices
- Carrer de Muntaner and Carrer de Casanova: both with many bars and restaurants
The nearest public transport includes the Hospital Clínic metro station (L5) and the tram stops around Francesc Macià.
Restaurant status
Restaurants in Barcelona open, close and change concept quite often. Check the restaurant’s Instagram or a recent map listing for current hours and status before you go.
Best time to visit Barcelona
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer warm weather and fewer crowds than summer.
- Summer is hot and busy, especially in the centre and by the beach.
- Winter is mild compared to most of Europe, and a good season for restaurants without the summer crowds.
Remember that Barcelona eats late: lunch is usually from 13:30 to 15:30 and dinner from around 20:30 or 21:00.
FAQ
What type of food does Clara serve? Catalan and Spanish dishes in a sharing-plates format.
What area is Clara in? The upper Eixample, on Carrer de Buenos Aires, near Turó Park and Avinguda Diagonal.
What is pa amb tomàquet? Bread rubbed with tomato, olive oil and salt, a basic part of Catalan cuisine.
Is bread free in Barcelona restaurants? Not always. Bread and pa amb tomàquet are often listed on the menu and charged separately.
How many sharing plates should I order per person? It depends on the portion size. Ask the staff, and start with fewer plates before adding more.
Do I need to book restaurants in Barcelona? For popular places, especially on weekends, booking ahead is recommended.
