At A Glance
Regions explored: Barcelona, Sagas
Length: 6 days
Date: November 4th to 9th, 2024
Availability: Limited to 12 guests
Highlights
❀ Join our special “Living Table” celebration with our friends at Disfrutar, now recognized as the best restaurant in the world!
❀ Spend 24 hours at the 600-year-old Rovira farm while experiencing specially curated menus at its Michelin-starred Els Casals!
❀ Discover how rich and deep is the Catalan cuisine while enjoying its best for four full days in its capital, Barcelona!
❀ Discover with us the secret places where Barcelona’s chefs go to eat.
❀ Spend time in the intimate company of interesting and like-minded people from all over the world.
The Juicy Details
Disfrutar
In Disfrutar (in English “Enjoy”), which is ranked #1 on the world’s 50 best restaurants list, creativity, high technical skill, fantasy, and good taste are the hallmarks of El Bulli veteran chefs Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruchhere.
They conjure up a true gastronomic experience via several tasting menus in a simple, contemporary space with an open-view kitchen. The name of the restaurant, which translates as ‘enjoy’, says it all!
We will enjoy the special “Living” Table experience.
A proposal that was born from the initiative of the interior designer Merche Alcalà and with which chefs Castro, Xatruch, and Casañas have worked to offer a totally different and new culinary experience.
The “living” table is located in the R&D kitchen of the restaurant gives life to the table and invites guests (you) to participate in the gastronomic experience.
els casals
The Hungry Tourist’s sanctuary and foodies’ heaven.
Chef Oriol Rovira’s Els Casals is more than just a restaurant. It’s a way of life. Set within farmland owned by the Rovira family for over 600 years, Els Casals offers cuisine from the land in which the majority of products come from the family’s own farm or nearby producers: vegetables and fruit, eggs, milk, and dairy products, poultry, pork, mushrooms, truffles, etc.
The cuisine is highly dependent on the seasonality of products, which are always treated with the highest respect so they may be appreciated and enjoyed in the best conditions.
alkimia
Chef Jordi Vilà ‘at the helm of Alkimia, digs deep into the past, present, and future of Catalan gastronomy. Exploring the entire range of our culinary landscape, from the center to the margins, Both grounded in tradition and open to embracing the most radical contemporary ideas.
When thinking about Alkimia’s cooking, we always place value on the moment, that fleeting instant in which the secret of each dish is revealed.
Cooking is an odyssey, a journey that can only be made in one way: cooking.
We shall enjoy a specially prepared feast at Alkimia’s most beautiful Private Dining Room.
ultramarinos marin
Our food tour wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Ultramarinos Marín, a hidden gem adored by locals and in-the-know travelers. Chef Borja García, a former Noma, Etxebarri, and Dos Pebrots alum, weaves his magic with the freshest seasonal finds.
Imagine succulent, perfectly grilled red shrimp or melt-in-your-mouth artichokes. Be sure to try the “must-have” partridge with pochas – it’s a flavor explosion! Soak in the lively atmosphere, watch the kitchen ballet, and savor the dedication to quality in every bite. This is Barcelona’s fresh, hidden face of fine dining.
gresca
A “Best of Barcelona” food tour is not considered complete without a visit to Gresca, a Michelin-recognized gem helmed by the talented Chef Rafa Peña.
Unlike Ultramarinos Marín’s focus on simplicity, Gresca offers a more playful and innovative take on Catalan cuisine. Chef Peña, who honed his skills at renowned restaurants like El Bulli, crafts dishes that surprise and delight.
Expect a special menu curated especxcially for you by Chef Peña showcasing his culinary artistry. Don’t miss the chance to witness the chefs in action and experience Chef Peña’s unique brand of culinary magic.
can valles
Just before heading to Gresca, for a taste of Barcelona’s traditional soul we will take takes a detour to Can Valles.
This unassuming restaurant is a local favorite, cherished for its authentic Catalan flavors. Forget fancy plating – here, the focus is on quality ingredients and time-honored recipes.
Chef’s recommendations might include the house specialty, lobster and chickpea soup, or the crowd-pleasing pork trotter cannelloni.
Can Valles offers a warm, familiar atmosphere and a delicious journey through Barcelona’s rich culinary heritage.
Bonannova
As our food tour winds down, we end on a high note at Bonanova. This charming restaurant isn’t run by celebrity chefs, is where you can find the best chefs of the city dining with their friends and family.
run by passionate brothers, Adolfo and Carlos, who’ve built a haven for those seeking a taste of home prepared from the best possible ingredients. Expect a warm welcome and a menu that changes daily, showcasing the freshest local produce.
The Bonanova brothers create a genuine atmosphere, perfect for savoring a leisurely meal and indulging in heartfelt hospitality.
It’s the perfect ending to our exploration of Barcelona’s diverse culinary landscape.
AND MORE. MUCH MUCH MORE
the Barcelona Edition Hotel
Experience the 5-star luxury of The Barcelona EDITION. This luxury lifestyle boutique hotel epitomizes luxury through a personal, intimate, individualized, and unique local hotel experience and the timelessly elegant design that Ian Schrager is known for and provides inspired amenities for your stay in Spain.
The Barcelona EDITION is located in the city center, beside the Picasso Museum and the Barcelona Gothic Cathedral, adjacent to the Santa Caterina Market and steps away from Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia and Barceloneta beach. More than 15 iconic Barcelona sights and historic landmarks are walking distance from the hotel, avoiding the need for any transportation while discovering Barcelona’s best kept secrets.
The hotel features 100 stylish and sophisticated rooms and suites with custom-made Le Labo bathroom amenities, a selection of rooms with stunning views over the iconic architectural masterpiece Santa Caterina Market roof, multiple connecting rooms for family travel and exclusive penthouse suites with private panoramic terraces and extended space.
The Essentials
Itinerary and Hotels
Kick-off meal: Lunch at Els Casals on November 4, 2024
Last meal: Lunch at Bonanova on November 9, 2024
Els Casals: One night from November 4 to 5, 2024
The Barcelona Edition Hotel: Four nights from November 5 to 9, 2024
Tour Fees
Per person, in a shared room: Euro 6280
Single occupancy supplement: Euro 1200
The price includes all food, beverages, wine pairings, taxes, service charges, transportation to Els Casals and back, and five nights of accommodation.
The price does not include airfare to and from Barcelona, transportation in the city, and any travel or medical insurance.
Extra nights: in Barcelona Edition before and after the tour can be booked in advance at special rates.
Apply to Join The Tour
A Note on Set Menus
The menus offered during the tour are selected by The Hungry Tourist with the help of our local partners. We believe they represent the best culinary fare the Basque Country has to offer. Guests may order outside of these menus at their own expense.
Payment
A non-refundable deposit of Euro 2000 per person will be charged upon reservation.
The balance must be paid no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the tour.
Payments are preferred by bank transfer. Payments with Credit Card will incur a 4% supplement.
Cancellation Policy and Penalties
If cancellation is received up to 30 days before the first day of the tour, the deposit will be forfeited.
If cancellation is received up to 10 days before the first day of the tour, a penalty fee of 50% of the remaining balance will be charged. If cancellation notice is received within 10 days of the first day of the tour or the guest is a no-show, the entirety of the remaining balance will be charged.
Testimonials
Joined THT San Sebastián tour and it is a must-do experience for food lovers!
David is warm and welcoming, and super happy to be hanging out and eating with others who love food as much as him. Gabriella, our local guide, also elevated the experience – sharing the history of the region, the people, food, and culture and giving us insider access to the chefs, which was amazing.
It was great to interact with the chefs directly for some of the spots and see the action behind the scenes. Every restaurant was very happy and excited to host both David and Gabriella, which made our group feel right at home – as if we were at a friend’s place dining and chatting.
The food and wine were endless and delicious and the menus were very thoughtfully curated for the group. The planning and logistics were perfectly done as well, and we easily got from place to place – very much on time and also with time for us to explore on our own in between (with great local recommendations from both David and Gabriella).
Lastly, it is amazing how people from all over the world from such different backgrounds can be brought together by David and bond over the common love of amazing food. You’ll leave not only having had the best meals of your life but also with connections around the world!
The Grand Tour of Spain in March 2023 was my first Hungry Tourist Food Tour ever and it will not be my last. It was an all-out experience of the finest art.
The food was outstanding, and so was the selection of the restaurants and the chefs. Not only did we have great dining experiences but in many places, we were also invited into the kitchen area to get a look behind the scenes. The hotels and their location also added to a high-level experience in my view.
Last but not least it was an outstanding experience on a human level. Meeting like-minded people from all around the world makes the food experience so much deeper and better. My next tour is already booked and I can not wait for it.
Anyone considering THT for their next foodie trip is in for a treat. At each restaurant, a bespoke experience awaits. Plus, you’ll quickly realize that the value of the trip goes well beyond their access to great food/restaurants. The lifetime of memories and bonds you’ll inevitably create is priceless.
Dudi and Sinan, the masterminds behind THT, are prepared to execute on a highly curated food extravaganza. Their deep knowledge and experience within the gastro industry is bar none. Simply put, magic happens the moment you step into an eatery. For the duration of the meal, you can expect custom menus, elevated wine pairings, and extra special treatment. The food speaks for itself; always delicious.
So how do you get the most out of THT? Go with a hungry stomach. But above all, go with an open mind and really get to know your tour mates.
We joined The Grand Tour of Spain (Mar 2023). And we look forward to future trips.
