Walter Ponce
Casa Petra is a restaurant, grocery store and old-fashioned delicatessen on Carrer de Manila in Les Corts, in the upper part of Barcelona near Avinguda Diagonal. It serves traditional Spanish cooking and tapas made with seasonal products, and if there is one restaurant that wants you to feel as if you were walking into your own home, it is Casa Petra. The mix of shop, deli and dining room creates a super cozy place.
When I visited in early 2023, Casa Petra had only been open for about six months, yet it already enjoyed a certain fame and a good reception from people in Barcelona.
The idea behind Casa Petra
Casa Petra works with seasonal products, and some are even prepared in-house (the butifarra and the tomatoes are highly recommended), just as it was done in the past. The intention is that you associate the flavour of their dishes and products with a traditional touch. The restaurant honours the grandmother of one of the partners, and the food is meant to remind you of the snacks of your own grandmother’s kitchen.
Casa Petra menu: what to order
If you want to eat a bit of everything, the assortment of Iberian products is the perfect option, so you won’t leave without trying the delicatessen. And if you trust my criteria (you’ll do well to do so), the truffled mortadella with Parmesan will blow your mind. Casa Petra is the perfect place for an aperitif.
Once the snacking is done and the food gets serious, you can move on to the real action. You could order from the entire menu and not go wrong, but here are my picks:
- Classic steak tartare: a 10 out of 10, both for the flavour and quality of the meat and for the bonus of watching it being prepared. The accompaniments are top too.
- Fried eggs with fries and blood sausage: incredible, very tasty and aromatic.
- Flan: the icing on the cake. A winning classic, the traditional recipe taken to a higher level that literally melts in your mouth.
According to the city’s official listing, the menu also features oysters, seafood preserves, rice dishes, grilled fish and meat, and an XL house butifarra with chips. Menus change with the seasons, so check the website for the current version.
Is Casa Petra worth it?
Yes. Casa Petra keeps Spanish food traditions alive for everyone who walks in, in a warm, homely setting. My rating is four stars overall: four for service, food and portions, and three for location and price. It is especially good for a weekend aperitif that turns into lunch. For another favourite with the same spirit of sharing plates, see my review of Paco Meralgo, or my list of where to eat in Barcelona.
Where is Casa Petra? Address and getting there
Address Casa Petra: C. de Manila, 51, 08034 Barcelona
Website Casa Petra: https://www.casapetrarestaurante.com/
Instagram Casa Petra: https://www.instagram.com/casapetrarestaurante
Carrer de Manila is in the Les Corts district, close to Avinguda Diagonal. It is a residential, business-friendly part of the city, quieter than the old town and with fewer tourists.
- By metro: Maria Cristina station (L3) is the closest metro option for the area around Diagonal.
- By tram: the Trambaix lines run along Avinguda Diagonal with several stops nearby.
- By bus or taxi: many city buses run along Diagonal, and taxis are easy to find.
Nearby you will find Spotify Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s stadium and museum, the L’Illa Diagonal shopping centre, and further uphill the Gothic Pedralbes Monastery.
The Spanish aperitif culture
The aperitivo is one of the best traditions in Spain. Before lunch on weekends, people meet for a vermouth (vermut) and a few small bites. In Barcelona this is known as fer el vermut, a social ritual more than a meal. Typical aperitif bites include:
- Olives and pickles (encurtidos), like gherkins and pickled onions.
- Potato chips with a splash of hot sauce.
- Canned seafood (conservas), such as mussels, cockles or anchovies.
- Iberian ham and cured sausages.
A restaurant that is also a delicatessen fits this tradition perfectly, because the products you see on the shelves can end up on your plate.
Tips for eating out in Barcelona
- Eat on Spanish time: lunch is usually from around 14:00 and dinner from 21:00.
- Book ahead: popular neighbourhood restaurants fill up, especially on weekends.
- Share plates: the best way to try more of the menu.
- Check current hours before you go, as menus and opening times can change.
More photos
FAQ
What are Casa Petra reviews like? My review gives it four stars, with the steak tartare, the fried eggs with blood sausage and the flan as highlights.
What is on the Casa Petra menu? Traditional Spanish dishes and tapas: Iberian products, truffled mortadella, house butifarra, steak tartare, fried eggs, rice dishes and flan.
Where is Casa Petra restaurante? At Carrer de Manila 51, in Les Corts, near Avinguda Diagonal. Do not confuse it with Petra, a different restaurant in the Born.
Is Casa Petra good for an aperitif? Yes. The mix of delicatessen and dining room makes it a natural place for a vermouth and some snacks.
Do I need a reservation? It is recommended, especially for weekend lunches and dinners.
What can I visit nearby? Spotify Camp Nou, Pedralbes Monastery and L’Illa Diagonal are all in the area.
