LA PEPITA

Near Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, which are one of the most famous architectures by Gaudi, there is an unique tapas restaurant which will totally amaze you. La Pepita is named after Pepito, which is a meat sandwich, the popular breakfast menu in Spain. Andreu and Sofia feminized pepito to pepita. 

Friendly and lively tapas bar with locals and tourists

Once you enter, a friendly and lively atmosphere welcomes you. Walls are all decorated with notes from customers. Staffs are kind and friendly, and through their servie and the notes on walls, you can see their philosophy to value the communication with customers. There are bar tables and some more seats inside. The restaurant is not the biggest, but still spacious, surrounded by cozy and casual atmosphere. 

Unique and traditional Spanish tapas menus

Tapas culture in Spain is famous worldwide. Tapas is to try a small portion of different foods, and there are numerous tapas bars and restaurants all over Barcelona and Spain. However, tapas from La Pepita is somehow different and special. Not following the traditional Spanish tapas recipes, they created their own creative recipes inspired by various recipes and ingredients from all over the world. They serve unique tapas menus which you cannot find anywhere else. 

Wines are varied, and gin and tonic is one of the most famous from La Pepita.

SPECIAL LA PEPITA ANCHOVY (ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE IN THE PHOTO)

La Pepita's special bread topped with a big anchovy. It can be ordered by unit. On a toast, is an anchovy and caramelized milk. It might be hard to imagine the taste, but once you take a bite, you will be attracted by its salty, but not fishy, taste of anchovy and sweet milky sauce. 

SMOKED AUBERGINE FRITTERS WITH GOAT CHEESE CREAM, HONEY AND APPLE (ONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE PHOTO)

Smoked aubergine is deep fried and added with creamy goat cheese and sweet honey underneath. On top of the fritters, they added sliced apples to add crunchy texture and fresh and sweet taste. If you are not familiar with goat cheese, put some cheese aside, and simply enjoy the fritters with honey and apple. Sweet honey and fresh apple balance the smell of goat cheese. 

MARINATED SEA BASS WITH BABY SPINACH, STRAWBERRY, BASIL AND PIQUILLO PEPPER

One of the must-try food in La Pepita. Sea bass is marinated in a traditional way. After marinating sea bass in vinegar for 12 hours, they put them aside for another 12 hours so that sea bass can be perfectly seasoned. Even though it is not cooked, it is not fishy nor smelly, and goes perfectly with fresh strawberries, baby spinaches, olive oil, and piquillo peppers. It just melts in your mouth and suddenly disappear from your plate, delivering the most unique and perfect taste. 

GRILLED SCALLOPS, CORN / KIMCHI CREAM, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, EARS OF CORN AND KIKOS

Grilled scallops which instantly melts in your mouth. On top of scallps are brussels sprouts which is emerging as a super food, adding deep taste and crunchy texture. The sauce under is made with kimchi cream and ears of corn and kikos, creating a bit spicy and addictive flavors. 

FRIED CALAMARI "A LA ANDALUZA" WITH KIMCHI MAYONNAISE

One of the most famous tapas in Spain, fried calamari. It often gets too greasy when they are fried, but fried calamari of La Pepita, is crispy outside while it is extremely soft inside without any oily or fishy feeling. Sofia, the owner of La Pepita, loves Kimchi because of its fresh taste and effects and came up with the idea to add kimchi mayonnaise sauce on top of fried calamari. Kimchi mayonnaise delivers savory taste of mayonnaise and spicy taste of kimchi at the same time, making fried calamari even tastier without any oily feeling. 

IBERIAN CROQUETTE V.I.C (VERY IMPORTANT CROQUETTE)

You cannot really say that you have been to Spain without trying Spanish jamons! Iberian jamon is considered the best, and at La pepita, you can try the croquette wrapped with Iberian jamons. Croquette is soft and mild, while it is crispy outside. Jamon truly adds deep and great taste. 

O'bon Paris' tip

Besides the menu introduced above, there are so many other menus we would like to recommend you to try. From the menu for vegetarians to lunch menu, salads, appetizers, desserts, and coffee, they have all the menus you are looking for. Except the sea bass salad with strawberries and la pepita anchovy, the other menus are only a half portion of the normal portion. Some menus can be ordered just a half portion so that you can try more various tapas. You can ask the staffs when you order if you can order a half portion for some menus. The price is very reasonable and the they serve quite a big quantity. If you want to try more unique and creative tapas menu you haven't seen before, try La Pepita.

Words and Photographs by Yuna Lee