TocaTeca (Garcilaso, 172) is located in the area of Congrés i els Indians, in Sant Andreu, far from the madding crowds of the centre. That said, it’s a top tapas restaurant, wherever you’ve come in from.
TocaTeca is easily one of the best places in Sant Andreu to go for tapas. The restaurant is pleasant, modern and decorated in a way that’s simple but welcoming. It’s a little on the small size, meaning that it oftens fills up and it would be wise to reserve in advance. One of the main focal points is the kitchen, which is in a glass cubicle that anyone can look into. Furthermore, it offers an outside area that allows you to savour your food in a quiet neighbourhood street.
TocaTeca holds a position as one of the best place to go for tapas in Barcelona due to its excellent mix between traditional tapas and fresh food. It’s a place which pays more attention to quality and careful presentation of dishes than quantity. Furthermore, originality is highly prized here, with a range of dishes that includes both a varied fixed menu and a changing list of delicious daily suggestions.
The tapas and dishes on offer at TocaTeca are very elaborate, and the details are fully looked after. The dishes we tried included some very tasty patatas bravas with Catalan delicacy all-i-oli (garlic mayonnaise, tastier than it sounds!). We tried the standard patatas bravas, but they also have an original version made with basil. Here, even something as simple and ubiquitous in the region as pan con tomate (bread with tomato) is incredible, almost literally melting in your mouth. We also tried an original, exquisite-tasting dish of gin & tonic smoked salmon, which had a slight air of licquor to it, and to finish off, one of the house specialities: a spectacular chocolate melt.
The wide list of delicacies means we’re already planning our next visit, which will include highlights such as bull’s tail stew, squid, ham croquettes or scrambled eggs with cured meats from León. All of the tapas on offer represent sensory delights, as well as an excellent price-quality ratio.
Service is fast and effective, with a pleasant personal touch. The fact that this establishment is relatively far from the centre or any of Barcelona’s tourist sites means that it maintains an intimate, family atmosphere, given that few tourists come to hear about it.
TocaTeca is an excellent option for going out for tapas with your partner or a small group of friends (given that there’s not masses of space), where you can enjoy a variety of different tastes and impeccable presentation at very reasonable prices. Whether you live closeby or in another area of Barcelona, TocaTeca is a must for any lover of quality tapas who appreciates the magnitude of fine detail.
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