Modernisme and haut cuisine in the Fonda Espanya

Located at number 9-11 Carrer Sant Pau, a few steps from La Rambla, this perfectly restored building houses a glamorous restaurant (as well as a four star hotel).
The decoration of the whole property dates back to the Modernista period when its main structure was remodelled by the famous architect Lluís Domenech i Muntaner.

Famous artists designed and decorated this astonishing place where the old Modernista friezes perfectly combine with the stylish chairs and cutlery. Lluís Domenech i Muntaner, Ramón Casas i Eusebi Arnau contributed to transform it in one of the most beautiful and famous hotels in Barcelona at the beginning of the 20th century. The project of the building also won the architecture prize from the City Council in 1904.

Belonging to a rich Catalan businessman (owner of a textile factory), the building housed a public “bath house” for the middle-class for many years as well as several flats to rent and in 1888, on the occasion of the Universal Exposition, it took the name of “Hotel España”.

Nowadays la Fonda Espanya is a fine restaurant also thanks to its internationally known Spanish chef, Martin Bersategui, owner of a 3 Michellin star restaurant, in the Basque Country.
Traditional Spanish recipes are revisited by Bersategui in a renewed but simple style suitable to all kinds of public. Worth mentioning is the very high quality the products coming directly from the markets of Barcelona.

La Fonda Espanya is open daily from 1 pm to 4 pm and from 8 pm to 11 pm.

This is only an introduction to this fascinating place…now it’s your turn to discover more about it with a BGB guide on a private walking tour in the heart of Barcelona!