Au Port de la Lune, a French bistro

‘Au port de la lune’ restaurant

Update: this French restaurant/bistro has moved to a new address and the post no longer describes the new place. The phone number and location further down, however, are the current ones.

The old ‘Au port de la Lune’ restaurant

In a building in the Raval, on a first floor with high ceilings and narrow stairs, parquet floors and wooden beams, decorated à la parisienne with touches of French humour, there’s a bistro hidden away a stone’s throw from La Boqueria: ‘Au port de la lune’. A semi-clandestine restaurant that takes you straight into the purest French tradition. Using top-quality produce bought fresh at La Boqueria market, they offer French-style seasonal dishes such as cassoulet, duck confit, beef burger, oysters, pâté or a cheeseboard. Guy, the owner and the soul of the place, makes sure everything is served his way: each dish is made one way only, and that’s the way he says. If the burger isn’t ‘saignant’ it isn’t served, because otherwise it would be a waste of a good piece of beef. ‘People have to learn how to eat,’ he says. The Parisian feel is everywhere in the restaurant, from Guy’s remarks to the advertising posters, the staff, the regulars and even a notice that warns: ‘No hay ketchup, no hay Coca-Cola, no hay Coca-cola light Y NO HABRÁ’ (No ketchup, no Coca-Cola, no Diet Coke AND THERE NEVER WILL BE).

The restaurant is in an excellent spot, and at just the right height so that, from the window beside our table, we can look out over the stalls of La Boqueria, closed by then, and the bell tower of Santa Maria del Pi lit up by the moon.

The day we went was the feast of La Mercè, and almost on the spur of the moment four good friends got together for dinner in this place with its very special charm. The surprise was a call from my namesake and good friend Mercedes, who, by pure chance, was having a drink in the very square where the restaurant is. Seeing each other on our name day was a tradition that fate invited us not to break… And we raised a glass of limoncello to our name day and to traditions.

All in all, a special day in a charming, peaceful place with views of a dreamlike Barcelona.

To see more photos of the old restaurant.

‘Au port de la lune’ bistro restaurant: information

Opening hours: 1pm–5.30pm / 8pm–11pm

Average price per person: €35–40

Set lunch menu: €15

Phone: +34 93.412.22.24

The restaurant’s website.

Map: where to find ‘Au port de la lune’

Address: Pau Claris, 103 Gràcia 08009 Barcelona