Seafood and paella are two of the most common recommendations people seem to ask about in Barcelona food threads. Paella is from Valencia but I suppose since Barcelona is relatively near and also the most commonly visited Spanish city. Barceloneta is the port area in Barcelona known to be home to the city's best seafood restaurants.
It was lucky that one place came up with recommendations for both quality seafood and paella. There are certainly other options mentioned around, but Can Majo seems to have the least number of negative reviews of the lot. The food turned out to be fantastic.
- Pan con Tomate - Barcelona's staple of toasted bread with olive oil & fresh tomato. I felt it needed a little salt to stop it from feeling like cold tomato juice;
- Navalla del Delta del Ebre a la Planxa (grilled razor clams from Ebro) €15.45 - I had eaten razor clams at several places in the prior few days so wasn't going to order these, but the waiter insisted they were shorter and better. Indeed he was correct and their grilled sweetness and released juices were intensely stronger, unique and much better;
- Calamarsets a la Planxa (grilled medium squid) €15 - bargain collection of whole squids cooked to perfection, a soft elastic texture without any hint of chewiness;
- Paella de Marisc al estil Can Majo for 2 (shellfish paella Can Majo-style) €43.86 - excellent paella finished (probably) in the oven so the top rice and seafood also had a charred surface. Serving for 2 contained 2 bugs, 4 whole prawns, 4 clams, some loose mussels, prawns and squid. Deep hearty satisfying flavour.
Next time I would order any of the three dishes I ordered (the bread was automatic) but there are many others to pick from. Their unique options such as Barnacles or Sea Cucumber or Anemones would be high on my list next time.