My boyfriend and I have come every morning to La Boqueria market, just to enjoy Pinotxo bar. We started by just having coffee and chucho there in the morning before starting our day. But getting lazier and more and more tempted by the inviting scents coming out of Pinotxo’s kitchen we started to seat longer at the bar and checking out everyone’s plate. I tried the spinach tortilla bocadillo. Then William order something else, we ended up spending hours each morning there.

The food is great, the service is good and Pinotxo himself will be very amused by your interest in his food. His son and grandson work in the shop with him it seems and that makes it even more special.

Another great place to have breakfast/lunch is El Quim in the center of La boqueria. We arrived there one morning around 10:30, wanting just a little snack for the road. When I saw the things going around this kitchen, I told william that this was lunch too. I started with tripes (third picture from the top).

I am so used to Les tripes a la mode de Caen, the French white wine version which in any given day, I will sell my mother for this. Ok, Ok I can hear some people already gagging. Yes tripes are the stomach and the intestines of the cow most commonly, it’s funny looking, gelatinous, and to me one of my favorite delicacy. When well prepared they have a very settled gamy taste, but most of all they are tender and biting into them should feel like eating a firm jello. It’s gelatinous constitution will give a nice sticky consistency to the sauce leaving your lips as if you just had a lollipop.

El quim tripes almost brought tears to my eyes they were so good. After that I couldn’t leave without trying more food from that kitchen!

my boyfriend order one then 2 of the pork with chili rub kebabs drizzled with a bit of olive oil. The meat was so tender and the rub perfectly seasoned. I ordered the morcilla with grilled onion. The boyfriend saw a basket full of wild mushroom on the counter he asked if they could sauté a hand full and have 2 eggs sunny side up. They off course agreed and serve something totally of the menu (second picture from the bottom) The eggs were topped with the sautéed mushroom. We were in love with the Chef. This was an amazing dish very simple but filled with flavors. At the second bite the yolk of the eggs start coating the mushrooms like a sauce. Just remembering this dish makes me want to have it again. 

We have since made the same dish at home on a Sunday morning.

Summary: Pinotxo Bar and El Quim are the two best places to have breakfast/lunch if you are around La Ramblas. And they are definitely worth the detour. Please feel free to ask your chef for recommendations. The food is great and the price even better. Bill for 2 El Quim: 44 Euros (including tip and wine)