Located on Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia is a 30,000 square foot eatery that holds over 700 diners and serves up traditional recipes from around the Iberian Peninsula, prepared with high quality produce. With a growing reputation for their local culinary expertise and stunning interior design, El Nacional BCN is Barcelona’s newest multi-zone culinary establishment of choice.

The space was built in 1889. Initially, it housed a café-theatre, a fabric dye factory, a car dealer's shop before the Civil War...and finally a garage. Large windows and metal pillars give the place a unique charm that is very difficult to put into words.

El Nacional represents an innovative concept that will mark a turning point in culinary trends. 4 areas, 4 bars and a thousand ways to feed the soul. That is El Nacional. A meat restaurant, a fish restaurant, a tapas and rice restaurant and a fast deli restaurant. Four distinct areas, as well as 4 bars specialized in: beer, wine, cava and cocktails, making El Nacional Barcelona's restaurant of the moment, a place to immerse oneself in local life in the city. A multi-zone culinary establishment, where each of the sections has its own unique characteristics, creating the sensation that there are different experiences to be had within the same restaurant.

Local Interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán was responsible for transforming this great ship. The designer was greatly inspired by Barcelona style in the 30’s and 40’s. The design of each space transcends into the next, spreading surprise and delight from room to room. The oyster bar is outfitted in white tiles, glass blown light fixtures, and an intricate blue wall motif. Over the fish counter, a grid of pale blue glass tiles are separated by gold ceiling lights and complemented by traditional Spanish floor tiles.

El Nacional is the first restaurant in Barcelona with different areas where we can try traditional recipes from around the Iberian Peninsula, prepared with high quality produce in unique surroundings. Located at the heart of Passeig de Gràcia, it reflects Barcelona's social and cultural life.

Photography courtesy of El Nacional Barcelona