Walter Ponce
Tierra Brava restaurant, located inside the Mercat del Ninot, was open back in 2020. It has been on my list since a while and finally this last month I managed to go.
Inspired by the typical catalan markets, to offer maximum freshness and proximity, literally from one meter away, Tierra is a singular space and consists of a chill-out space at the entrance, a snack bar and a dining room that at night becomes a cocktail room with live music.
Tierra Brava is the closest thing to a market: fresh produce, proximity and good times. You can find Tierra Brava menu here.
From Monday to Friday it offers a very complete lunch menu with a good quality/price ratio. For those who love the night life, Tierra Brava BCN also has a space dedicated to a non-stop bar where you can enjoy the best signature cocktails made at the moment in front of the clients so that they can see the process.
In regards the food, the menu is not very extend but has a good variety for meat and fish lovers. We decided to start with some patatas bravas and Beef “montadito”, with japanese truffle mayo & pecorino cheese. The bravas were excellent! Quite a good quantity and the taste was really good. In regards the montadito, it was ok, one bite with good flavour.
Another of our choices were to try the Stracciatella di burrata, cherry tomatoes, pesto and pistacho. Quite an interesting combination! We really like it honestly. Refreshing, aromatic and very creamy.
As main course, we agreed to go for beef and fish (quite a combination hehe). We had Beef sirloin steak tartare with herb mustard & National grilled calamari with lemon, allioli and pesto.
The steak tartare was amazing! Really good and fresh meat, recommended 100%. The portion was good for 2 people. In regards the calamari, honestly not a big fan. Not very flavourfull and it was a bit cold. The base on allioli and pesto was not a good combination in my opinion.
For dessert, we had lemon pie. A different interpretation of Lemon pie as it has nothing of pie at all. Very fresh and not very heavy. The perfect way to finish the meal.
Service at Tierra Brava BCN was very attentive and fast honestly. We had lunch around 1pm so there was not much people. Not sure how they would respond on rush hours.
Something to highlight is that they have very good cocktails. Several nights a week, the venue has the presence of different artists and live music to give the special touch to your evening.
In terms of “damage”, we paid each 50 euros, having in consideration that we had 1 bottle of wine of around 20 euros + coffee and water.
I liked the place and the food, planning to go back and try some other dishes.
Address Tierra Brava: C/ de Casanova, 133, 08036 Barcelona, España
Website Tierra Brava: http://www.somosesencia.es/
Instagram Tierra Brava: https://www.instagram.com/tierrabrava.es/
Tierra brava menu: https://www.somosesencia.es/cartas/tierra-brava
About Mercat del Ninot
Mercat del Ninot is one of the traditional municipal food markets of Barcelona’s Eixample. Like many of the city’s markets, it was renovated in recent years and combines fresh produce stalls with bars and restaurants.
Barcelona’s markets are a big part of local life. They are where many residents buy fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, and they are a great place to understand Catalan food. Restaurants located inside or next to markets often build their menus around what is fresh that day.
If you visit, it is worth walking through the stalls before or after your meal.
Dishes worth knowing
A few of the dishes mentioned above are Barcelona classics:
- Patatas bravas: fried potatoes served with a spicy sauce and often allioli. Almost every bar in the city has its own version.
- Allioli: a Catalan emulsion of garlic and olive oil, similar to aioli.
- Montadito: a small piece of bread topped with an ingredient, a classic bite-sized tapa.
- Calamares a la plancha / a la romana: squid, either grilled or fried in batter.
- Steak tartare: raw, finely chopped beef seasoned with mustard, capers and herbs, very popular in Barcelona’s modern restaurants.
Menus change over time, so check the current menu before you go.
The “menú del día”
Many restaurants in Spain, including in Barcelona, offer a set lunch menu on weekdays, known as the “menú del día” or “menú de mediodía”. It usually includes:
- A starter
- A main course
- Dessert or coffee
- Bread and sometimes a drink
It is usually much cheaper than ordering from the full menu, and is a great way to eat well during the week.
Tips for visiting
- Go for lunch on a weekday if you want a calmer atmosphere and the set menu.
- Book for evenings, especially on nights with live music.
- Try the cocktails, which are a big part of the concept in the evening.
- Check current hours before you go, as market-based restaurants sometimes have different schedules from the market itself.
The neighbourhood
Mercat del Ninot sits in the Eixample Esquerra (the left side of the Eixample), a central and residential part of Barcelona known for its grid of streets and modernist buildings.
Nearby things to see and do:
- Hospital Clínic area: the busy streets around the hospital, full of cafés and bars
- Mercat de Sant Antoni: another renovated market, with a famous Sunday book market
- Historic building of the University of Barcelona: on Plaça Universitat, with courtyards and gardens open to visitors
- Passeig de Gràcia: home to Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera), around 15 to 20 minutes on foot
- Carrer d’Enric Granados: a quieter, semi-pedestrian street with terraces and restaurants
How to get there
- Metro: Hospital Clínic station (L5) is the closest, a short walk away.
- Bus: many city bus routes run along the nearby avenues.
- On foot: from Plaça de Catalunya, it is roughly a 20 minute walk.
More photos
FAQ
Where is Tierra Brava located? Inside Mercat del Ninot, on Carrer de Casanova in the Eixample, Barcelona.
Does Tierra Brava have a lunch menu? At the time of writing, there was a weekday lunch menu. Check the current offer before you go.
Is there live music? The venue has hosted live music on several nights a week. Check their Instagram for the current programme.
What is the nearest metro station? Hospital Clínic on line 5.
What should I order in a Barcelona market restaurant? Fresh seasonal dishes, grilled fish and classics like patatas bravas are usually safe choices.
Do Barcelona markets open on Sundays? Most municipal food markets are closed on Sundays, so plan market visits for weekdays or Saturdays.
