Kiosko Universal — Restaurant in Barcelona

Generally the food is very good and food quality is great. Like most purveyors in major European markets, chefs and cooks are very proud of their products and seldom back down to admit an error or failure.

In this case we had breakfast here, and loved it so much that we ordered the exact same breakfast the next day. Fried eggs, ham, with fried potatoes. Huevos fritas con jamon to be specific. It was served as what is effectively lightly fried French fries with 2 fried eggs and on top of that some lightly grilled shredded ham. The ham became a very nice version of bacon. Really, a nice breakfast the way it was made.

On our return trip we waited a good while happily for them to open. The cook said it would be 20 minutes. "No problem, we will wait, it's good."

When it came the ham was left off. It was mentioned, and they took it back and tossed cold shredded ham on top instead of the nice grilled bacon like version we had the prior day.

I mentioned that it was cold (we are talking referigerator cold) and said that the prior day it had been hot. The cook said he had been there many years and it's always cold.

I told him we came back because it was hot just yesterday and asked that it be hot like yesterday. He said, "No."

I said we don't want it cold so he threw it away.

He charged me for it and refused to credit it or make it to order. In his opinion making a hot breakfast with cold meat thrown on top as an afterthought is the right way to do it, and doing what the customer loved the day before was...

Arguably the best and freshest seafood tapas you can get in Barcelona.

I last visited this joint 21 years ago when it was a shabby shed in the market. The owner Antonio left a deep impression with his larger than life personality and passion for food. Had 5 bruches there as food was so good and affordable.

Now Kiosko Universal is a professionally run outfit by Uncle Antonio's nephew (apparently - didn't spot Antonio the 2 times I visited).

The food is still excellent, albeit pricey for the location and setting. I was there at stall opening at 0900h.

Steamed mussels were fresh, juicy and seasoned perfectly with white wine and olive oil. So were the grilled scallops (wished they were bigger for the price I paid).

My favourite is still the grilled plate of green peppers. Grilled to perfection with a bit of char, sprinkled with rock salt. The sweetness and slight spice of the peppers, blended seamlessly with very light char taste on the skin.

The joint has lost its old charm and personal touch but great to see it has progressed to serve great food to...

The must go cooked seafood stall in the market. Located at the less crowded side of the market, this stall still sees queues for seating. Had a plethora of seafood such as their famous garlic shrimps, razor clams, fried anchovies, oysters, garlic octopus, mixed seafood platter (which included more shrimps, mussels and clams, sea scallops and lastly their creme brulee. Everything was cooked to a T and was delicious. Seafood was fresh and cooked to order right in front of us and prices and quantity was reasonable for 4 adults. You can't go wrong with any dish that was mentioned above. One tip about oysters though, there are stalls that specializes in selling oysters in the market as well and they offer a wider variety and at a cheaper cost, so maybe satisfy your oyster cravings there instead.

My favourites were definitely the razor clams and garlic shrimps. They were the highlight of the meal. The stall was not as crowded due to seating arrangements but was equally full. Overall vibe was friendly and chill. Would argue it's the best stall to have seafood...