Firebug

Casual dining is the name of the game at Firebug brunch · tapas · bar, the younger sibling of the much-loved Milk brunch · tapas · bar, a staple of the local nightlife scene ever since Barcelona Life ordered our first ever mojito in the city.

What does “casual dining” mean exactly though? It’s all about dropping by – no reservation (or jacket) required – and snagging a sofa-style bench in their cosy two-floor space near Arc de Triomf and then ordering a selection of small plates to share. Dishes like Crispy Peking Duck pancakes, Popcorn chicken, Vegetarian mezze on wood, Pepper Calamari and ‘girl on fire’ Baba Ghanoush are perfect for splitting between friends, especially with a bottle of wine, and there’s no starched napkins and silverware, nor standing on ceremony from the staff. Served every evening from 5pm til late.

If you’re hungry before dinnertime Firebug also serves a very creative brunch menu, featuring the likes of the Royale salmon benedict, pastrami sandwich, Turkish eggs and Mexican pulled pork tacos, daily from 10am to 4pm. The venue’s decor is a cut above the competition with huge street view windows, tasteful furniture and upholstery and a scattering of old jars, implements and books to give it a homely vibe. The signature piece though is the ground floor bar, which has been tiled with cut away suitcases from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. A romantic place to pull up a stool and order one of their house cocktails or a gin and tonic.

Lovely new space off Passeig Sant Joan