Bar Raval

German actor Daniel Brühl (best known internationally for his lead role in Good Bye Lenin!) has a stake in this modern tapas bar, but the celeb cred is hardly the reason this place has garnered most-favorite status with local foodies. The menu has a great selection of impeccably prepared standards such as patatas bravas (fried potatoes) drizzled with garlic-mayo, and crunchy pimientos de padron (fried peppers). But it's innovations like tataki de presa iberica (tender pork slices) and avocado-mushroom tartare that let the chefs' talents truly shine. First-timers should bring along their posse to sample as many tastes as possible. The modern and sparsely decorated dining room (no Spanish folklore kitsch!) and, in season, the summer terrace get mobbed night after night, but the service manages to remain fast and friendly and the wines are tops to boot.