Walter Ponce
La Selva is a steakhouse in Barcelona’s Eixample district, known for its jungle-themed dining room and grilled meats such as short ribs and tomahawk steak. “La selva” means “the jungle” in Spanish, and the name says it all: you eat your steak surrounded by greenery, wood and swinging chairs. Here is my La Selva Barcelona review, with the menu highlights, my rating and practical tips.
The jungle restaurant in Barcelona
If you are looking for a jungle restaurant in Barcelona, this is the one. La Selva brings a playful concept to the city’s steakhouse scene. The interior is full of plants, wooden accents and even swinging chairs, creating an exotic yet cozy atmosphere. Warm, low lighting and the nature-inspired decor make it feel more like an evening out than a simple dinner.
It works well for groups and celebrations, when the setting is part of the fun, and the restaurant also offers a selection of wines and cocktails to go with the meat.
La Selva menu: what to order
The menu focuses on grilled meats and simple sides. These are the dishes that stand out:
Short ribs: A house specialty, slow-cooked until tender and fall-off-the-bone, with a rich, smoky flavour that goes well with the barbecue sauce.
Beef tomahawk: For a hearty meal, the tomahawk is the showpiece. It is a big cut cooked over the flame, best shared between two or more people, and it makes a real centrepiece on the table.
Grilled vegetables: A good option for vegetarians or as a side, lightly seasoned and charred to bring out their natural flavour.
Menus and prices change, so check the current menu before you go.
Steak cuts explained
If you are not sure which cut to choose at a Spanish steakhouse, here is a quick guide:
- Tomahawk: A rib-eye with the long rib bone left on. Large, well marbled and usually meant for sharing.
- Short ribs: From the lower rib area, rich in connective tissue, which is why they become so tender when slow-cooked.
- Rib-eye (entrecot): Well marbled, juicy and full of flavour.
- Sirloin (lomo bajo): A little leaner than rib-eye, with a good balance of tenderness and flavour.
- Fillet (solomillo): The most tender cut, with a milder flavour.
How to order your steak in Spain
You will usually be asked how you want your meat cooked:
- Poco hecho: Rare
- Al punto: Medium-rare to medium
- Hecho: Medium-well
- Muy hecho: Well done
Many grill restaurants in Spain recommend premium beef rare or medium-rare to keep it juicy. If you prefer it cooked more, just tell the staff.
Is La Selva worth it?
I gave La Selva three stars overall: three for service, food, price and portions, and four for the location. The jungle decor is the main reason to go, and it makes for a fun night out with friends. If you want a steak dinner with a setting people will remember, La Selva delivers. If you are comparing grills in the area, also read my review of Braseria, an Argentinian grill in the Eixample.
Where is La Selva? Getting there
La Selva is in the Eixample, Barcelona’s grid-plan district built from the 19th century onwards following Ildefons Cerdà’s design. Check the restaurant’s map listing for the exact address before you go, as listings for “Restaurante La Selva” can point to more than one place.
Its wide streets and chamfered corners make the Eixample easy to walk, it is well connected by metro, and there is plenty to see before or after dinner:
- Passeig de Gràcia: Barcelona’s elegant shopping avenue, home to Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera).
- Sagrada Família: Gaudí’s basilica is also in the Eixample. Book tickets in advance.
- Rambla de Catalunya: A tree-lined boulevard with terraces, parallel to Passeig de Gràcia.
- Casa de les Punxes: The castle-like Modernist building by Josep Puig i Cadafalch on Avinguda Diagonal, worth a photo stop.
- Modernist facades: Look up as you walk. Many buildings have beautiful balconies and doorways from the Modernisme period.
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead, especially for dinner on Friday and Saturday.
- Dinner in Barcelona starts late. Many locals eat around 21:00 or later.
- Share a tomahawk if you are in a group, as it is a large cut.
- Ask about wine pairings. Spanish reds such as Rioja or Ribera del Duero are classic matches for grilled meat.
- Vegetarians can still join. The menu is meat-led, but grilled vegetables and other sides mean there is something for everyone at the table.
- Check opening hours on the restaurant’s website or social media, as they can change.
For more ideas, see my list of where to eat in Barcelona.
More photos
FAQ
What kind of restaurant is La Selva? A steakhouse in Barcelona’s Eixample with a jungle-themed interior, plants, wood and swinging chairs.
What should I order at La Selva? The short ribs are a house specialty, and the tomahawk is the cut to share. Grilled vegetables work as a side or a vegetarian option.
Where is La Selva in Barcelona? In the Eixample district. Check the restaurant’s map listing for the exact address before you go.
How much does a meal at La Selva cost? When I wrote this review it was around 40 euros per person. Prices may have changed.
Does La Selva take reservations? Yes, and booking is recommended, especially on weekends.
Is La Selva good for a special occasion? Yes. The jungle decor makes it a fun choice for celebrations, dates or dinners with friends.
