Cafe Barcelona

Ph: (03) 9525 4244; 25 Fitzroy St, St Kilda 3182

Spanish, $$, * for Ambience
Open Mon-Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 11am-1am, Sun 9am-11pm, Closed Most public holidays; Licensed; BC, MC, V, Seats inside 45, Outside seats 48

Mietta's Review
Barcelona is a cafe-restaurant advertising Spanish cuisine in the heart of St. Kilda. Espagnols dispute the authenticity of the cuisine but still like the place. It utilises its narrow space wisely and has additional tables and chairs on the street. Perfect for summer evenings and even cold winter nights are catered for with PVC plastic drop blinds and moveable gas stand heaters. There is a variety of tapas or starters that are perfect to accompany a jug of sangria. Main courses include paella, pastas and meat dishes. The Spanish donuts for dessert are a must. There are a variety of simple dishes to choose from, all made from good quality ingredients and produced in a very small kitchen. You actually get to walk through the kitchen and take a look at the preparation on the way to the bathroom at the back.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "IT'S hard for a restaurant to stand out in the over-catered streets of St Kilda, but this glassfronted place keeps pulling the crowds. It can get clamorous inside so it's not great for an intimate evening, but it is the spot for a trad taste of Spain."

Age A2 John Weldon 31/7/04 "Down at the beach end of Fitzroy Street lurks Barcelona. There's a certain flourish here that is different from other Spanish restaurants and cafes."

The Age Cheap Eats 2004,Good vegetarian options,Excellent breakfasts,Somewhere we highly recommend,'There are strings of dried chillies,aqua limewash walls and hanging pans,but also R'n'B music,wine racks and low lighting.There are plenty of eating options,but why not slam the menu shut and ask for the tapas tasting plate?'