Best Barcelona Restaurant that’s Worth the Splurge

Barcelona is probably the most unique aspect of España’s mainland. In a city with two native languages, it’s no surprise that two native Catalans, Ignacio Ussía and Sergi Palacín created another perfect duality in their Asian-Mediterranean fusion Barcelona restaurant.

A Memorable Birthday

My last birthday was actually probably one of the most memorable one’s I’ve celebrated thus far. I turned 32 on the tail end of my Morocco trip with my mom. Our flight home had a stop in Barcelona for 3 wonderful days.

As luck would have it, we weren’t the only ones visiting Barcelona that weekend. Once upon a lifetime ago, I met a girl in a hostel in Jerusalem. Her name was Gisella. She was a German girl living in Paris, and we bonded over rooftop hammocks and market baklava.

Over the years, Gisella and I stayed in touch. I visited her in Paris where I met her future husband (and native Catalan) Roberto. Some time after they moved to the South of France, Gisella came to visit me in New York. We became a special sort of friends.

Roberto’s family still lives in Barcelona, so when Gisella found out that my mom and I would be in the city for my birthday, they arranged to fly in and celebrate with me. This was a very special occasion for me, and I looked forward to it the whole trip.

An Unexpected Dining Experience

Since I always prefer a local’s recommendation on food, I let Gisella and Roberto choose the spot. It was, after all, my birthday, so I didn’t mind doing something a little outside the box. When we arrived at The Alchemix, I had absolutely no idea what we had in store.

The backs story: Ignacio Ussía (bar manager) and Sergi Palacín (chef) met while working in the world renouned Gaggan restaurant (now closed) in Thailand. In 2018 they came together to create the most unique Barcelona restaurant.

The ambiance of the restaurant is very tasteful, with elements of both eastern and western cultures. Bamboo place mats paired against a stunning wall wine rack. What’s more impressive is the service.

The effort put into the presentation at The Alchemix is beyond superb. Not only is the quality good, but every element is beautifully plated, and you are given a complete explanation of the every component with a smile.

Real Creativity at Work in a Barcelona Restaurant

Don’t let the prefix menu discourage you. The combination of ingredients in each of the courses is actually mind blowing. The plate sizes are perfectly balanced to enjoy without the “I can’t breathe” feeling of stuffing your face.

The flavor profiles of the food we ate was so unique I have a hard time describing it. That’s okay though, they’ll tell you exactly what you’re eating. Sound weird? Just go with it, it will be amazing!

Don’t even get me started on the drinks. The stellar mixology at this Barcelona restaurant is beyond measure. There are 11 drinks on the menu. Some of them come with a smoker machine. There is no wrong choice.

This is the kind of place you want to come to for dinner and then never leave. Savor every bite, every sit, every sensory explosion. The experience is worth every penny spent on the meal.

An Unforgettable Evening

Spending my birthday in such wonderful company was amazing. Alchemix was the perfect environment for enjoying the evening. There’s not a single element of that that I would change.

It is a unique concept perfectly executed. It’s not just dinner, its a whole experience. Hat’s off to Gisella and Roberto for introducing me to a whole new kind of eating. One I’m not likely to forget.

For more about The Alchemix or to make reservations: