Braseria Xorus Barcelona Review: Poblenou's Best Grill

A Local Favorite in Barcelona

Xorus: The Grill Specialist

Hola! I'm Melissa, your go-to Spain travel blogger.

When you search for the best places to eat in Barcelona,

are you tired of seeing the exact same spots over and over again?

If you're looking for somewhere fresh and truly local,

you'll definitely want to bookmark

Braseria Xorus, which I'm sharing today.

You can enjoy a fantastic variety of Spanish dishes

at incredibly reasonable prices.

I wanted to share all the juicy details, so this post got a bit long,

but I hope it helps you plan your culinary adventure!

Alright, let's dive into this foodie recommendation—vamos!

1. Barcelona Local Favorite: Braseria Xorus

This hidden gem, Braseria Xorus, is located in Barcelona's vibrant Poblenou neighborhood.

It's not your typical tourist trap. Since I've been to Barcelona several times and covered all the main sights, I wanted to explore somewhere new and bookmarked this spot specifically to get off the beaten path.

But oh my goodness, the food was absolutely delicious, the staff was incredibly friendly, and the overall experience was so satisfying. If you have a slightly longer itinerary in Barcelona, I highly recommend making the trip here.

Boasting over 2,000 Google reviews with a stellar 4.6 rating, here is my honest review of Braseria Xorus!

2. Inside the Restaurant & The Menu

When you first see the entrance, you might think it's a tiny hole-in-the-wall, but it actually has a deep, elongated layout with a surprisingly spacious dining area in the back.

As you walk in, you'll see a cozy bar counter first, with plenty of table seating waiting for you further inside.

They also have three kinds of draft beer on tap, including the refreshing lemon beer (Clara) that's perfect for those who prefer something lighter and sweeter!

I arrived around 8:00 PM without a reservation, and luckily, there were still some open tables.

Since locals in Spain typically have dinner around 9:00 PM, the place was just starting to fill up when I arrived, and it got quite lively and bustling by the time we left.

If you tend to eat dinner on the earlier side (say, around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM), you shouldn't have any trouble getting a table without waiting!

Whenever I dine out in Spain, I love to order a bottle of Cava (Spanish sparkling wine).

It's incredibly affordable and pairs beautifully with almost any dish. If I'm not in the mood for Cava, a cold draft beer is my go-to.

If you love sparkling wine, I highly recommend ordering it by the bottle—it's so reasonably priced that it won't break the bank!

Sipping on the freshly poured Cava before the food arrived, I must have been in an incredibly good mood.

Looks like I'm trying to express something grand with my hands here... haha.

The name of the restaurant is Braseria Xorus, and "Braseria" refers to a grill restaurant specializing in charcoal-grilled or wood-fired cooking.

Looking at Google reviews, many people rave about their grilled meats. However, I visited specifically because they specialize in Galician and Catalan cuisine, rather than just grilled meats.

I wanted to reminisce about the flavors of Galicia, particularly Santiago de Compostela, where I spent time during my student days.

The first dishes to arrive were Zorza and the classic Galician octopus dish, Pulpo a la Gallega.

Zorza was a Galician dish I tried for the very first time that day. To put it simply, it tastes like the flavorful, seasoned pork used in chorizo sausages, but stir-fried on its own.

It has a subtle kick and a lovely smoky aroma—definitely a crowd-pleaser that anyone would enjoy!

Next up, Spain's most famous octopus dish: Pulpo a la Gallega.

The traditional way is serving boiled potatoes and tender octopus on a round wooden plate, but here, they used a different plate and served the potatoes mashed/finely chopped as a bed underneath.

Either way, it was absolutely delicious.

Then, the dish recommended by our waiter arrived!

It was a braised Ossobuco-style dish served with a side of crispy fries. This wasn't on the regular menu, but rather a special "dish of the day" prepared with the freshest ingredients they had.

Oh my, one bite and I completely understood why he recommended it with such confidence! My husband and I still talk about this dish to this day... it was incredibly delicious.

When the waiter asked how we liked it, we showered him with compliments. He told us that while they used Ossobuco (beef shank) today, they usually make the exact same dish with beef cheek.

So even if Ossobuco isn't available, ordering the beef cheek version should give you the same amazing flavor with just a slightly different texture. Highly recommended!

Lastly, a quick addition to our order: the classic Spanish staple we all know and love, Pan Con Tomate.

Looking at the beautiful grill marks on the bread, you can tell it was toasted over a real grill. :)

This dish is a classic light bite enjoyed all over Spain, and its name literally translates to "bread and tomato" (Pan con Tomate).

You just rub raw garlic onto the warm, toasted bread, rub a ripe tomato over it, and finish it off with a generous drizzle of olive oil.

It’s incredibly simple, yet absolutely delicious. It's a go-to snack I often make at home whenever I miss Spain.

In the Catalonia region, where Barcelona is located, you might also see it referred to as "pan de coca." "Coca" refers to the specific flat, baguette-like bread used for this dish.

Our total bill, which included a whole bottle of cava, came out to around €55.

To be honest, we ordered quite a lot, but getting that ossobuco dish for just €14.50 is an absolute steal in Barcelona!

3. If You're Looking for a New Culinary Spot in Barcelona

My husband and I loved it so much that this is a spot we'll absolutely revisit the next time we're in Barcelona.

While the location is a bit off the beaten path, if you have plenty of time in Barcelona, the Poblenou neighborhood is definitely worth exploring.

It's home to Westfield, a massive shopping mall, which is perfect for shopping since it's much less crowded with tourists compared to the city center.

I hope this helps you plan an amazing Spanish adventure! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!

Buen Viaje!