Los Caracoles — Restaurant in Barcelona

Los Caracoles, a family-run establishment with over 150 years of history and spanning more than five generations, stands as a bastion of culinary tradition and a testament to the enduring appeal of family businesses in the gastronomic world. This spacious venue, which has hosted countless celebrities over the last century, is renowned for its meticulous operations and an atmosphere steeped in history.

The restaurant's specialty lies in its snails and paella, offering a unique dining experience that is both a nod to traditional cuisine and a rare find in today's culinary landscape. The ambiance of Los Caracoles is a journey back in time, where the medieval setting serves as the perfect backdrop for a meal that is as much about the experience as it is about the food.

A visit to Los Caracoles is recommended not just for the chance to sample its signature dishes but also to immerse oneself in the authenticity of a space that has withstood the test of time. The leisurely service complements the historic ambiance, allowing diners to truly savor their meals and the unique atmosphere of the restaurant. This unhurried approach to dining, however, does mean that visitors should plan for an extended stay, allocating an additional 30 to 60 minutes to fully embrace the experience.

Beyond the culinary delights, Los Caracoles offers a memorable opportunity for photographs that capture the essence of its storied past, making it not only a feast for the palate but also a visual treat. Whether you're a history buff, a culinary adventurer, or simply in search of a dining experience with character, Los Caracoles invites you to step into a living piece of history for a meal that transcends...

We came to Los Caracoles on a recommendation from a family friend who had visited over a year ago and described it as “charming.” The only charming part was walking through the open kitchen on the way to our table—watching the huge pot of snails bubbling on the stove smelled garlicky and promising.

I ordered the vegetarian paella, and my mom had the codfish version. What arrived at our table looked like no paella I’ve seen in my two years living in Spain—just a strange, brown heap of rice. Not black rice, not cuttlefish & not squid ink—just brown. One bite and I was shocked: it tasted like mushy Chinese fried rice soaked in soy sauce, made with Spanish bomba rice. It was salty, soggy, and honestly inedible. My mom’s was even saltier thanks to the cod.

I dreaded the server asking what we thought because I couldn’t fake it. When he did, I told him the truth: all I could taste was soy sauce, and it was far too salty. He was kind and offered to speak to the kitchen. He returned and said they could remake it in 25 minutes. I didn’t even want it, but out of courtesy, I agreed. The second version came without the soy sauce—but it was still just as mushy, bland, and sad. No saffron, overcooked vegetables, and absolutely no flavor.

To top it off, for just two paellas, one small side salad, two sodas, and one glass of water, the bill came to €78. Easily the worst €78 I’ve ever spent in my life. My mom, who is not a picky eater, said she’d give it one star, only because zero is not an option.

This place may have a long history, but it’s clearly coasting on reputation and location. Total tourist...

It’s a trap as the late admiral Gial Ackbar said. This place has the potential to be outstanding. If they could serve a decent meal. We had the house speciality Escargots. Snails where tender but what makes eating snails interesting is the sauce. But the house special sauce was literally a thick “broth” made of cardboard sludge with absolutely no flavour at all. A massive disappointment. I bit of garlic and some fresh herbs could have made their special dish edible. My wife had the Spanish broken eggs with truffle as a starter. A fried egg with truffle on top and chips. While it’s was ok it would have been more genuine if they had stuck with the traditional recipe and used paprika instead of truffle. The main course was sausage and beans. Well cooked sausage that tasted like any good quality sausage bought in a supermarket. Nothing Catalan about it. Reheated white beans. Boring. Wife had the gazpacho which was ok but oiled up for flavour. We make it better ourselves from the boring Scandinavian flavourless tomatoes. The place is only worth the visit to look at the interior decorations when you go through the restaurant to visit the water closet. If they got there act together and reduced the all ready small menu and settled for fever but well cooked recipes they could be worth the visit. Wine was nice. Had half a bottle of the expensive Rioja. But they really can’t mess up wine. That would have taken effort. For now. Stay away....