Walter Ponce
Fat Veggies is a vegetarian restaurant on Carrer de Bailèn in Barcelona’s Eixample, with many vegan options on its menu. It puts seasonal vegetables at the centre of every plate, with ferments, pickles and marinades made in-house, and presents creative dishes that delight the eye. We visited to explore the menu, and while the service and ambiance were excellent, we left with mixed feelings about the food itself.
Here’s an honest review of our experience at Fat Veggies, including what we loved and where we felt there was room for improvement.
The venue: cozy and welcoming
The first thing that strikes you when you walk into Fat Veggies is the charming atmosphere. The venue is modern yet cozy, with earthy tones, warm lighting and stylish decor that sets the stage for a relaxed meal. It suits a casual dinner with friends or a date night.
The vibe is laid-back, with an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work.
Exceptional service
The service was one of the highlights of our visit. From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. They were happy to explain the menu and offer recommendations based on our preferences. The hospitality truly stood out, making the evening enjoyable even when the food didn’t hit the mark.
Fat Veggies menu: the dishes we tried
We started with a selection of starters to share:
- Seasonal croquetas
- Fat tacos
- Focaccia
Visually, all of these dishes were stunning. The croquetas were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, while the fat tacos and focaccia came with vibrant colours and textures.
For our mains, we chose:
- Zucchini, seaweed and watercress
- Aubergine with a parmentier of arugula and egg
Both dishes were visually appealing and featured perfectly cooked vegetables. The zucchini was tender and the seaweed added an interesting twist, while the aubergine paired nicely with the arugula parmentier. However, the main courses were too salty for our taste. The presentation was spot-on, but the flavours didn’t balance out as much as we’d hoped, leaving us wishing for more finesse in the seasoning.
The menu is seasonal, so these exact dishes may no longer be on it. Check the current menu on the restaurant’s website.
Flavours and presentation: a mixed experience
There’s no denying that the food at Fat Veggies is visually impressive. Every dish we tried was presented with care and creativity, with clear attention to detail in plating. The textures were also well considered, with vegetables cooked to perfection.
However, we found the flavour profiles inconsistent. The overuse of salt in several dishes took away from what should have been fresh, vibrant flavours. We appreciated the creativity and boldness of the combinations, but the execution didn’t always meet our expectations on taste. Given the freshness and quality of the ingredients, we expected more subtle, layered flavours to shine through.
Is Fat Veggies worth it?
Our visit to Fat Veggies was a pleasant experience overall, thanks to the wonderful service, inviting atmosphere and beautifully presented dishes. When it came to flavour, though, the food was too salty for us, which was a letdown given the high expectations set by the presentation. The potential is definitely there: with a few tweaks to the seasoning, the dishes could match the level of the service and ambiance. My rating is two stars overall, with four for service and one for the food.
If you love creative, plant-based cooking and don’t mind bold seasoning, it is worth trying, and you can ask the kitchen to go lighter on the salt. For another vegetarian option in the city, see my review of The Green Spot, or browse my list of where to eat in Barcelona.
Where is Fat Veggies? Address and getting there
Fat Veggies address: Carrer de Bailèn, 81, L’Eixample, 08009 Barcelona
Fat Veggies website and menu: https://www.fatveggies.com/menu
Carrer de Bailèn is on the eastern side of the Eixample, a short walk from Passeig de Sant Joan. The nearest metro stations are Girona (L4) and Tetuan (L2), and Verdaguer (L4/L5) is also close by.
Plant-based dining in Barcelona
Barcelona has become one of the most vegetable-friendly cities in Europe, with fully vegan restaurants, vegetarian cafés and many traditional places offering creative plant-based options. Catalan cuisine itself has a long tradition of vegetable dishes:
- Escalivada: roasted aubergine, peppers and onions, dressed with olive oil.
- Calçots: grilled spring onions with romesco sauce, eaten in winter and early spring.
- Espinacs a la catalana: spinach with pine nuts and raisins.
- Pa amb tomàquet: bread rubbed with tomato, olive oil and salt.
What to do nearby
- Passeig de Sant Joan: a wide, tree-lined boulevard with terraces, leading down to the Arc de Triomf.
- Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella: a great place for a walk before or after your meal.
- Sagrada Família: reachable on foot or with a couple of metro stops.
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead for dinner, especially on weekends.
- Tell the staff about your taste preferences, for example if you prefer less salt.
- Check opening hours before you go, as they can change.
FAQ
What are Fat Veggies reviews like? Our review: excellent service and beautiful plates, but the mains were too salty for our taste. Two stars overall.
What is on the Fat Veggies menu? Creative vegetarian dishes built on seasonal vegetables. We had seasonal croquetas, fat tacos, focaccia, zucchini with seaweed and watercress, and aubergine with arugula parmentier. The menu changes with the seasons.
Is Fat Veggies vegan? It is a vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options. Some dishes, like our aubergine main, included egg, so ask the staff if you follow a strict vegan diet.
Where is Fat Veggies in Barcelona? At Carrer de Bailèn 81, in the Eixample, close to Girona and Tetuan metro stations.
How was the service? Exceptional. The staff were friendly, attentive and knowledgeable.
Is Fat Veggies worth visiting? If you appreciate creative, plant-based cuisine and don’t mind bold seasoning, yes. I hope you have more luck with the mains than we did.
