Los Toreros has the fortune of being one of the very few tapas recommendations that is actually right in the heart of the tourist centre of Barcelona. It is just north of the market and very close to Las Ramblas. Judging by the guests and recommendations from stickers at the front door, it seems popular with the French.
They are particularly renowned for serving Rabo del Toro - bull tail stew as their famous tapas. Unfortunately on this evening they didn't have any available. Initially that turned me away, but after a short walk around and careful reconsideration of the area I returned hungrier. It was a good decision at reasonable value also. The sangria washed the food down well.
- Boquerones Rebozadoes a la Andaluza (breaded anchovies) €5.9 - great meaty anchovies lightly fried;
- Chipirones Rebozados (small fried calamaries) €5.95 - really juicy calamari pieces with the best light wispy batter that melted in your mouth. Sensational;
- Lomo a la Gallega (pork fillet specialty of Galicia) €4.9 - the only slight let down with dry slices of boiled pork fillet, olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika. Like Galician-style octopus (which I also am not a fan of) except with pork;
- Paella de Mariscos (seafood paella for 2) €25.8 - nice collection of prawns, mussels and lots of calamari chunks embedded into smoky paella rice. My only criticism would be there was no crunchy burnt rice parts.
I would definitely come back for the food and especially location.
Next time I would order Fried Calamari and Seafood Paella. If available, the Rabo del Toro should be tried. Additionally there is a large variety of tapas to choose from at reasonable prices.