RAÓ Restaurant

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2,124 reviews

#48 of 7,640 Restaurants in Barcelona$$ - $$$, Mediterranean, European, Spanish

+34 655 59 70 21+ Add website

Hours

Tue

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Wed

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Thu

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Fri

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Sat

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

5.0

2,124 reviews

#48 of 7,640 Restaurants in Barcelona

Travellers' Choice 2023

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Spanish, Mediterranean, European, Catalan, Fusion

“Recommend a local wine that was superb.”

“Highly recommend the grilled scallops and the ceviche (with celery sorbet, no...”

“Start with the tomato bread.”

“The menu is broad-based (vegetarian, beef, pork, sea food) but not extensive.”

Location and contact

Carrer de les Sitges, 3, 08001 Barcelona Spain

El Raval

+34 655 59 70 21

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Details

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About

Raó Restaurant "where fine meets casual". Modern Barcelona cuisine with locally-sourced products. Our dishes respect the traditional local cuisine with our own modern and creative twist. The restaurant is situated on one of the most emblematic streets of Barcelona, very close to Plaza Catalunya. The beautiful ambience, flawless service and creative cuisine makes for the perfect evening out in Barcelona.

PRICE RANGE

$37.00 – $60.00

CUISINES

Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Fusion, Catalan

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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5.0

2,124 reviews

Excellent

1,830

Very good

170

Average

Poor

Terrible

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Kirsty B

Manchester14 contributions

Great food, service and ambience

Feb 2020 • couples

We stumbled across this restaurant by chance after a quick google search for restaurants nearby. The welcome was warming and personal, along with the ambience. The food, well the food was THE best tapas we have ever ate, the duck and the beef are exquisite. Not only was the food some of the best, the service was second to none, each dish was explained during service and there was absolutely no rush. 10/10 would recommend for a perfect tapas meal whilst in Barcelona - with moderate pricing.

Written February 12, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rao_BCN

Hola Kirsty Thank you for coming to dine with us, it´s really great to know how much you enjoyed your time at Raó. We do believe that we offer excellent value for money. We serve only the finest ingredients and whenever possible we source products from the local area, which is the majority of what we offer. We hope we see you next time you´re back in the city. Thank you again. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 12, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dean L

3 contributions

Best Tapas in Barcelona

Feb 2020 • couples

We celebrated my wife's 30th birthday here and Rao certainly delivered in making it a special evening. The service was top notch, waiters attentive and knowledgeable, ambience was great, the food was extremely innovative and beautifully presented. It really stood out in every aspect and. No other tapas bar or any restaurant we searched for even comes close to comparison. We would come back to Barcelona just for a meal here

Written February 10, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Dean It´s great to know that you enjoyed your time at our restaurant. Thank you for coming, especially for such a special occasion. We hope you enjoyed your experience in Barcelona and we really hope that you come back to visit us again soon. Thank you Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 12, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Latoya Antonia

2 contributions

The best restaurant experience we've had in Barcelona

Jan 2020 • none

The intimate, quaint and warm feeling of Rao is the first thing that captures your attention. Then when you are greeted and led to your table you start to bubble with excitement because it's quite clear it's going to be a memorable evening. Why? Their friendly, professional and sharp service. We have now dined here twice and each time we have been blown away. I have not yet even started on the food! Jason the restaurant Manager will have you drooling as he comes on and eloquently describes each dish to you and before you know it you will be trying the whole menu! (Well why not it's tapas) I say that but this is the most innovative tapas you will try! Jason made each of our experiences unforgettable and it will be a place we dine frequently as we now live here. So thankful and look forward to bringing many friends along with us to enjoy the experience.

Written January 14, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Thank you for coming to try out our restaurant, twice :))) We´re very glad that you´ve come to live in Barcelona so we get to welcome you to Raó more time. Soon will will be revising out menu so you will be able to try some different dishes on your next visit. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written January 14, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Philip C

9 contributions

UNBEATABLE Service and Food

Jan 2020 • none

This was our last meal during the trip to Spain, and arguably the best meal that we've experienced here. We came as 2 people, and we ordered jamon ham, grilled octopus, pork tenderloin. When I struggled what dish to order next, the server generously recommended us to try out oxtail and let us know how complicated to prepare such dish. So thankful he did, as the oxtail is definitely the BEST dish (or tapas) that we've ever tried in the ENTIRE Spain. It was so tender and flavourful! A must-try item! And their services are impeccable as well - other than recommending us their signature tapas, they constantly engaged with us and made us feel like the VIP guests. They even showed us the dishes that other patrons have ordered. What a memorable and joyful night! So look no further and book this restaurant in advance when you're in the lovely Barcelona!

Written February 2, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Philip Thank you for choosing to dine with us at Raó, it´s really great for us to read that you enjoyed your meal with us at our restaurant. We call our dish size "platiollos", which are bigger and more elaborated than tapas and are mean for sharing between the guests. We hope to beable to welcome you back to Raó again soon. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 2, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emma E

Liverpool10 contributions

Amazing

Feb 2020 • couples

Me and my partner were visiting Barcelona from the UK and booked a table for 2 at Rao for his 30th Birthday. From start to finish the service was outstanding. I mentioned when booking the reservation that it was his birthday and we were kindly welcomed with a free glass of cava each! All the members of staff were so polite, friendly and spoke many languages. We ordered a few plates from the tapas menu and the food was fantastic!! I didn’t think it was too expensive for the quality of the food. I would definitely recommend the octopus leg! We had the sangria which was lovely. I also asked if they could bring a surprise dessert over to him and they placed a candle in and all sang happy birthday to him. It was amazing!! They made his night so special and they totally went the extra mile. I can’t thank them enough.

Written February 21, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Emma Thank you for coming to dine with us with your partner,. We are very happy to know that you enjoyed your meal with us, especially on such a special occasion as his 30th!!! We hope you had a great time in Barcelona during your stay....and we hope we see you again next time you´re in town. Thank you Our best regards The Raó Team

Written February 21, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

dtmclark

Falkirk6 contributions

2nd time in Barcelona, 2nd time in Rao.

Feb 2020 • none

Visited the restaurant with my family last July, and left a glowing review of both the service and food. Visited Barcelona again this weekend , for a friends birthday, and having spent the day at the Nou Camp, watching Messi score 4 in a 5-0 win, where else to finish of the perfect day than Rao. Food and service again were excellent, really friendly and relaxed atmosphere and then the food came. Wow. We ordered 3 fish dishes ( Ceviche of Sea Bass, Grilled Octopus and Scallops), and 3 meat dishes (ox tail stew, roast beef and duck) every single one of them looked and tasted sensational. Hard to pick a favourite, however the oxtail stew was something else - as Jason the extremely friendly and professional manager explained - this has been slow cooked for 19 hrs, and as a result was so tender and flavoursome. Would order more than one of these if going again as would want one all to myself. Roast beef I had for the first time( 12 yr old daughter ate it all herself in July and can see why), would recommend. highly. Desserts and wine also very good. Quite simply an outstanding restaurant. When I return to visit Barcelona for a 3rd time, I will also be visiting Rao for a 3rd time.

Written February 23, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola It´s always very nice to be able to welcome back guests for their return visit. We have changed a few plates and we´re glad you got to try some of our new offerings. We look forward to seeing you next time you´re in the city. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 23, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kashif N

1 contribution

THE PERFECT FIND

Feb 2020 • couples

We managed I do not know how to get a table just as we where told by someone who cancelled a few minutes before . Although we sat near the entrance it did not bother us in the slightest . We where treated like royalty and with such professionalism . The host/manager made us feel so at home and so welcomed . He told us it's normal 5 or 6 plates to share so we went with 4 as not so hungry he told us what plates to choose and we trusted that. What followed was complete mouthwatering greatness we had ceviche of white sea bass (best I have ever tasted !) Then volcanic coal grilled octopus (also best I have ever tasted!) Roast duck with apple and moscatel. SUBLIME! And the most mouth watering scallops with cauliflower puree. I have to say I'm afraid I didn't catch his name (I'm sorry) the lovely Englishman but how he dealt with every customer trying to enter without reservation whilst his phone was ringing . Taking the calls whilst also speaking some french!( I heard) And spanish was very impressive and completely controlled a very busy place . We will definitely return on our next visit . It will be our first thought to come back again . And will definitely count our stars with such luck to grab that last table . Thank you Rao

Written February 25, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Kashif Thank you for coming to try out our restaurant, we are very pleased to know that you enjoyed your meal and experience with us at Raó. Because we serve "medium sized gourmet tapas", we do recommend that a couple take around 5 plates plus a dessert to be satisfies, but each to their own. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back again next time you´re in town. Thank you Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 25, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Adrian L

Orpington58 contributions

20th wedding anniversary celebration

Mar 2020 • none

Upon our arrival Jason introduced himself to my wife and I as I'd mentioned on SM we were attending on the Tuesday for our 20th wedding anniversary. We were shown to our table and this was swiftly followed up with a glass of bubbly The menu was well presented tapas plates with meat, fish or veggie options with a modern twist to the traditional simple tapas. I knew we/I got a little exuberant and ordered 6 dishes (2 of fish, meat & vegetable) Our personal favourite was the Iberian tenderloin, Sea Bream, though if you forced me to decide the Pan Seared Scallops were exquisite... Jason did acknowledge that some plates came out at random times, though it did not hinder our evening and he brought over a glass of wine on top of the Albarino we'd consumed. This was followed up with a local complimentary chocolate liqueur. We concluded our culinary trip by sharing the crème Catalan (where else) and a cheeky espresso martini... I knew that I'd made the right choice for our celebration, as I loved the personal touches that differentiate between a very good restaurant to excellent, so all the plaudits are well deserved. A restaurant for all occasions - Highly recommended

Written March 9, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Adrian It was our pleasure to have you as our guests, especially for such a special occasion as your 20th wedding anniversary. Thank you for choosing to come to our restaurant. We wish you many more happy years of happy union! And we hope we are able to welcome you back to Raó again soon. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written March 11, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ellis4family

Bromley24 contributions

Fine Dining Tapas with a difference

Jan 2020 • none

Another great find. This restaurant certainly deserves the good reviews. The menu was different and certainly not your standard tapas, the food was AMAZING. The plate sizes are great for two sharing and would recommend start with 3 and then order more so that food stays hot and have time to digest and decide.

Written March 8, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Ellis It´s a pleasure for us to read your kind review of our restaurant. Thank you for coming to give us a try. We do offer sharing tapas and we recommend that a couple take around 6 dishes to share. As we serve the plates one after the other; you may place your order in one go and we serve them in a timely fashion. We hope to be able to welcome you back to Raó again soon. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written March 9, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Denise O

16 contributions

Fantastic food and service!

Feb 2020 • none

The service is beyond amazing here, some of the best service i've ever had in a restaurant and I live in NYC! And after two weeks in spain it was a relief to have a server who spoke perfect english :) I spilled my cava and literally like magic they had cleaned it up, given me a new glass and we had new food that wasn't covered in cava, that all happened in like 5 second, amazing! The food is also outstanding. Everything we ordered was delicious. I wish we'd had room in our stomachs to order more! I would definitely return if we are back in Barcelona!

Written February 22, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Denise Thank you for coming to dine with us at Raó. It´s great to know that you enjoyed you meal with us. We are a cosmopolitan team and between us we speak several languages to meet our cosmopolitan client´s needs. We definitely look forward to the opportunity to welcoming you back to Raó next time you´re in Barcelona. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 22, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

piggygoh

4 contributions

Great food, service & ambience- highly recommended

Feb 2020 • business

We read about the great reviews about Rao, & we weren't disappointed. The food was really good & fresh, probably one of the best tapas we've had. Service & ambience were also great! The manager was very knowleageable about the food/menu & gave us great recommendations

Written February 7, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola We´re really pleased to know that you enjoyed your meal and experience with us at our restaurant, thank you for coming to try Raó. We do us as much as possible products from KM0 (local) providers, which is key to tasty and high quality dinner. We hope have/had a great time in Barcelona and we look forward to hopefully see you again. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written February 7, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Nora M

Toronto14 contributions

Enjoyed Our Last Meal in Barcelona!

Sep 2021 • none

The tapas at this restaurant was spectacular! Being a group of seven, we ordered most of them and were impressed with both the presentations and delicious flavours. Service was friendly and impeccable, in a classy and cosy atmosphere. The selection of wines was also great. What a wonderful memory! Be sure to make a reservation, especially if your group is larger than two persons because this place fills up quickly.

Written October 6, 2021

Deborah K

North Vancouver6 contributions

Excellent service and food!

Oct 2021 • couples

Loved this. Excellent service! The food here was fantastic. Started with sparking water and a bottle of Albariño.., sea bass ceviche with cilantro sorbet (to die for). Scallops (perfectly cooked) with the most glorious roasted cauliflower purée. Tomato bread was excellent too. And lastly the Iberian tenderloin served sliced with the most beautiful salsa (mojo canario). These three medium size tapas plus the cristal bread were quite filling and all delicious. If we didn’t have a 9:30 ticket for a club we would have stayed longer and enjoyed more of the menu!! Bravo!

Written October 4, 2021

Tatiana N

2 contributions

Great food and service

Sep 2020 • solo

Came to RAO accidentally while walking along La Rambla and looking for a restaurant with a different food than typical Spanish. Once in, i was never sorry - starting from a yummy sangria. I would describe the cuisine as Spanish with a twist - unusual interpretation of traditional dishes, which i personally appreciate. Had burrata with salmorejo sause and ceviche. Both very good. The owners are really warm and engaged - having friendly conversations with the visitors. I highly recommend the place to all who love to explore different tastes and atmosphere.

Written September 13, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Tatiana Thank you for coming to try our restaurant. We are very glad to read that you enjoyed your meal with us. It was great chatting with you and we hope to welcoming you back next time you´re in town. Our best regards The Raó Team

Written September 14, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Derek B

1 contribution

Wonderful Experience

Aug 2020 • family

The husband and wife team that run the restaurant took excellent care of us and made it a great evening for our family. Their warm and attentive service was equally matched with the delicious regional food. The quality of ingredients and careful preparation truly showed on the plate and with delicious flavors. Great size plates for sharing and overall good value. You will be happy you made this choice.

Written August 23, 2020

Rao_BCN

Hola Derek Thank you for coming with your family to Raó. It is great to know that you enjoyed the meal experience with us. We hope you have/had a great weekend in the city and we hope to welcome you back to Raó next time you´re in Barcelona. Our kindest regards The Raó Team

Written August 23, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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