Best local restaurant – in Barcelona

As someone who advocates for home and hospitality exchange, I find so many reasons for not staying in a hotel.  One of of the most important for me is finding where the locals eat.  There’s nothing worse than being sucked into some tourist trap restaurant.  Tonight I took a recommendation from my hosts here in Barcelona and had dinner at Toyo.  Toyo is a little Japanese restaurant tucked into one of the old streets that my friends tell me used to be part of an old village.  The restaurant didn’t open until 8:30 and by 8:10 there was a line forming outside.  My 4-year old and I patiently waited as more and more people came.

As we were directed into our seats at the buffet (you know – one of those conveyer belt buffets) – I realized we were in the best seats, at the beginning of the buffet.  I was ravenous and quickly snapped up delicious dish after dish – from grilled asparagus with sesame seeds to all kinds of sushi and chicken teriyaki.  Even my daughter was satiated!

Dinner is only 15€ buffet for adults and 10€ for children.  If you are in Barcelona – I highly recommend Toyo, it’s located at Torrent del’Olla 10-12.  Thanks to my home exchange hosts, I was saved from another bad tourist meal.  GRACIAS!