Casa Platos – The Hi-Fi Restaurant in Gràcia Everyone Is Trying to Book

Some restaurant openings generate a lot of buzz and hype before opening. Others gain momentum through word of mouth without making much noise.

Casa Platos seems to have done both.

I’d been curious to visit since it opened a few weeks ago, and after finally having dinner there yesterday, I completely understand why it’s already one of the hardest reservations to get in Barcelona.

Located on a (very) quiet street in Gràcia, Casa Platos is Barcelona’s first Hi-Fi restaurant (we have a few Hi-Fi bars and cafes, as you probably know by now). If you’re not familiar with the concept, don’t worry. You don’t need to be an audiophile to appreciate it.

Casa Platos, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.

What it means in practice is that music is treated with the same care as the food and drinks. The sound system is exceptional (you’ll see the speakers throughout the space), but unlike many restaurants and bars where music ends up competing with conversation, here it simply becomes part of the atmosphere.

We could enjoy the music, appreciate the quality of the sound, and still have a normal conversation without raising our voices.

A place you’ll want to stay awhile

The first thing I noticed when we walked in was how comfortable the space felt. The cocktail bar is pretty, and the restaurant in the back is cozy, warm and inviting.

There were groups of friends catching up over dishes to share, and couples on dates. It felt like everyone was having the same idea: stay for one more drink and one more dish.

Casa Platos is the latest project from Ot Salvans and Víctor Martínez, but if you’ve visited their other restaurant, Manda Huevos, forget everything you know. This is a completely different concept.

The focus here is on an interesting combination of Japanese techniques and Mediterranean ingredients, alongside a cocktail list that deserves just as much attention as the food.

Japanese influence without the clichés

If you’re expecting sushi rolls and nigiri, you’ll be surprised.

The Japanese influence here comes through technique, fermentation, broths, precision and respect for ingredients rather than through the usual dishes.

It’s a style of cooking that feels creative without becoming too complicated and unappealing, and the kind of menu where you find surprises and the feeling of “I’ve never seen that before.”

What we ordered

There were quite a few highlights.

The Gilda with chutoro tuna was one of our favorites from the start. The tuna was fantastic and the whole thing was gone in seconds.

The pork trotter and mushroom dumplings were another standout and among my favorite dishes of the evening, and I loved how they came served with the onion broth on the side and poured over at serving.

Feeling adventurous, we also ordered the chicken heart yakitori, which turned out to be an excellent decision.

The hamachi crudo was one of the most interesting dishes we tried, delicate and very unique, while the eel arroz meloso delivered exactly the kind of comforting richness you hope for from a dish like that.

One thing worth mentioning is how smoothly (and fast!) everything arrived. Despite the restaurant being full, the dishes seemed to fly out of the kitchen.

Don’t overlook the cocktails

I urge you to make the cocktails a priority.

The Japo Mule, made with vodka, wasabi, ginger, yuzu and shiso, was one of my favorite drinks of the evening and one I’d definitely order again.

But if there’s one cocktail you should try, it’s the Umami Colada.

And then order the flan. Honestly, just trust me on this.

The pairing was ridiculous. The drink itself is fascinating and comes out completely different than you’d expect. It brings together rum, coconut, pineapple, oloroso and pandan, and somehow it works perfectly with the richness of the dessert, cleansing the palate. It was one of those combinations that immediately got passed around between us to try.

Save room for dessert

We ordered two desserts (we usually order one to share) because it was way too difficult to decide.

The flan with tonka bean caramel is already becoming one of the restaurant’s signatures, and deservedly so.

The black sesame molten cake with coconut ice cream was equally memorable and, if anything, disappeared even faster. They warned us that it would take a little longer to prepare, and you could understand why: it comes out nice, warm, and just like the name promises, molten.

If you’re considering skipping dessert, don’t.

One of the most exciting openings in Barcelona right now

A special mention goes to the team, who were really lovely throughout the evening. They were friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A particular shoutout goes to the mixologist, who guided us through the cocktail menu and clearly loves what he does.

What I liked most about Casa Platos is that it doesn’t feel like a restaurant chasing trends. The food is interesting, the cocktails are excellent, the music adds something to the experience, and the whole place feels warm and welcoming.

While not exactly a budget-friendly night out, Casa Platos feels well suited to a date night, a celebration or a dinner with friends. Expect to spend around €60-70 per person, depending on how hungry you are and how much the cocktail menu tempts you.

A few weeks after opening, reservations are already becoming difficult to get. After spending an evening there, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Casa Platos, Carrer de la Fraternitat, 37, Gràcia, Barcelona.

Reservations are highly recommended.