Update (October 2019): of the restaurants on this list, 1. La Vermutería and 3. Restaurante Japonés Zuka no longer exist. Meanwhile, Michigan by Rossi has changed hands, and we’ll see whether the new owners live up to it. Even so, we want to keep this article as a record of how quickly restaurants open and close in central Barcelona. And it doesn’t only happen with restaurants, but with all kinds of businesses. That’s why we’ve created this ‘Lost Barcelona’ section, where we keep articles about places that no longer exist.

For a few days now I’ve had it in mind to publish a list of my favourite restaurants with a set lunch menu (menú del día), Monday to Friday, near Avinguda Diagonal and Carrer de Muntaner in Barcelona. It’s an area of Barcelona with a wide choice of places to eat, so we’ll add any restaurant-bars that deserve it to this list.

We’ve put this list together based on each restaurant’s value for money, and all of them have a set menu under €16, VAT included.

As you know, at anotherBCN we love good food, and we want to recommend some restaurants where you’ll enjoy yourselves and make a good impression on your clients or colleagues, while getting quality and a competitive price for the set lunch.

1. Restaurante La Vermuteria (Casa Fausto)

This is the discovery of 2017: this set-menu restaurant on Carrer de Muntaner has well and truly earned its success with the area’s discerning clientele.

As its chef Carlos puts it, ‘Cocina como la de casa’ (home-style cooking): it offers a €12.90 lunch menu that’s unbeatable for quality.

A choice of two first courses, two second courses, dessert and a drink are included in the price, with coffee extra. The dishes are traditional and carefully prepared, and the menu changes completely every day, so there’s no problem going back in the same week; in fact, if you try it, I’m sure you’ll be back. Bear in mind that it’s closed on Mondays.

Restaurante Vermuteria Casa Fausto
Set lunch menu: €12.90
Carrer de Muntaner, 233, 08021 Barcelona
Contact and bookings: 932 09 45 26
Open Tuesday to Sunday

2. Restaurante Bar Michigan by Rossi

The legendary Bar Michigan on Carrer Casanovas has been reborn this year in the hands of its owner, Rossi, thanks to a complete refurbishment led by Alfons Tost’s prestigious interior design studio. The improvement is obvious the moment you walk in: the soul of the place (Rossi) is still there, and the bar has taken a giant leap forward, with much more space than the old one had.

Now there’s more room to sit down for a slice of potato tortilla (pincho de tortilla) or some finger-licking eggs with sobrasada (a soft, spreadable cured sausage).

The bar counter looks spectacular and the kitchen turns out exquisite tapas as always, in a relaxed and one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Restaurante Bar Michigan by Rossi
Set lunch menu: €14.90
Travessera de Gràcia, 22, 08021 Barcelona
Contact and bookings: 932 09 87 28
Open Monday to Saturday

3. Restaurante Japonés Zuka

For lovers of Japanese restaurants, here’s one you really shouldn’t miss. On Carrer de Muntaner at the corner of Carrer de Londres, a few metres from the Diagonal, this Japanese restaurant offers a €15.90 lunch menu that includes a starter, two courses and dessert.

The menu has plenty of options, such as miso soup or gyozas as a starter, salmon uramaki or hot Philadelphia rolls as a first course, or an exquisite sushi selection as a second course.

The menu also includes dessert and a drink, and you mustn’t miss the cheesecake, which is delicious. There’s lots of variety on the menu, though it stays the same all year round. You can also order à la carte.

Restaurante Japonés Zuka
Set lunch menu: €15.90
Carrer de Londres, 90, 08036 Barcelona
Contact and bookings: 936 81 73 82
Open Monday to Saturday

4. Restaurante La Brochette

On Carrer de Muntaner, just a few metres from the Diagonal, we find this gem of a bistro specialising in chicken, with a sixties feel.

At La Brochette we can enjoy a pollo a l’ast (spit-roast chicken) or an exquisite, French-inspired parmentier casserole with shredded chicken, on a high-quality menú del día for €15.50, including two courses, dessert and a drink.

If you prefer, you can choose dishes from the à la carte menu, and don’t forget to book, given the size of the restaurant and its excellent value for money. A restaurant and a menu that won’t disappoint, with just the right amount of food to see you through the working afternoon.

Restaurante La Brochette
Set lunch menu: €15.50
Carrer de Muntaner, 215, 08036 Barcelona
Contact and bookings: 93 494 24 53
Open Tuesday to Sunday

This list is based on our own tastes and criteria, and we have no commercial relationship with any of the restaurants listed here.