The new restaurants that have opened in Barcelona and those that will open very soon

BarcelonaIn the food industry, everything is in flux. It's very dynamic and constantly reinventing itself out of necessity. I'll start with a piece of advice: don't assume a place is open on Sundays, or that they're serving food. Always check the hours, because they change more than the tide. Of course, restaurants are businesses and, as such, they need to be profitable. Now that we're starting a new year, let's take a look at the current landscape.

Those to come

The pace of openings is relentless, so we must stay alert. One opening that has generated considerable interest is Mineral. It will be the restaurant of Oliver Peña, the chef of the recently closed Teatro restaurant (formerly Tickets). Mineral will be located near the Ninot Market. where the fantastic Suru is also locatedThere will be other types of cuisine, although it's possible that we might find some among the starters. snack that reminds us of it as a tribute.

Where the Theater wasThe Orobianco Group will open a restaurant that will be completely different from its predecessor. Paolo Casagrande will be responsible for its gastronomic design. The chef from Lasarte (a three-Michelin-starred restaurant) is working on this concept. For now, we only know that a tasting menu will not be mandatory.

More news. Finca Nebot will be opening in Poblenou. Leo Chechelnitzky, the mastermind behind the successful Malparit restaurant, has taken over this charming space. He will create a more sophisticated restaurant featuring Catalan cuisine. Will Rosalía be among the guests?

Another interesting opening is the Italian restaurant coming to Gràcia, on Bonavista Street. Gerard Barberan, a Catalan chef, is opening a Bottega Bernacca, a successful concept that has triumphed in São Paulo and which he now wants to bring home. The world is getting smaller. The restaurant will have its own unique offerings, distinct from those found in Brazil. I wonder if they'll also have candles, a trend that seems to have no end in sight in Barcelona. I'm happy for the candle shops.

Finally, in the Born district, the same people behind the Arcano restaurant are opening a Catalan restaurant, Bornès. It seems that traditional cuisine is finally in fashion. We'll see if it lasts or if it's just a passing fad.

The newcomers

Some have just opened. Let's take a look at those who have recently opened. Let's start with Arraval, with the chefs ofIn the Kostat del MarIn the Raval neighborhood, I found a fantastic onion soup bikini and a fluffy, flavorful meatball dish. A tribute to Jordi Vilà, with whom they've worked closely. In fact, there's a wonderful vegetable and sausage dish dedicated to him.

We also have Barra Oso, by chef Òscar Álvarez, who was a huge hit this summer in Begur with Trozo de Oso and has now opened a tiny restaurant in Barcelona. Or Meloso, chef Miquel Pardo's most prestigious restaurantA beautiful space that allows it to reach its full potential. We continue with Mercado Central, by chef Pablo Ortega (of Pueblo Libre is highly recommended.It is a ceviche restaurant In Poble Sec, it occupies the space of what was once a much-loved restaurant, Mano Rota.

On Pintor Fortuny street, we also find Sagarra, the latest landmark establishment opened by the Confiteria Group. This has been a busy year for this group, which already has a portfolio full of venues, such as Focacha and the World Bar.

Big houses, small houses

There are two very significant openings in Barcelona, both from the Big Mamma group. Let's pause here for a moment. The group, of French origin, arrived in Barcelona with its Gloria Osteria brand. To my surprise, I must admit, a French company has achieved great success serving Italian food everywhere. In Italy, too. In Barcelona, they first opened Gloria on Enric Granados, the former location of Messi's restaurant and the Iglesias family's Bellavista del Jardín del Norte. It can accommodate almost 300 diners. A mega-restaurant, indeed. The decor is meticulous, and they serve pasta dishes, pizzas, and cocktails that sell very well. The average price is around 40 euros, and they strive to use more premium ingredients, such as truffles and lobster. The same group recently opened a second restaurant on Passeig de Gràcia, the former Citrus location. This one is called Circolo Popolare and can seat about 220 diners. As its name suggests, it's more casual and designed for sharing. A meal costs around 30 euros. The portions are very generous, the decor is eye-catching and striking, and they have dishes that are a hit with the general public, like pasta that ends up inside a giant wheel of cheese or pizza in the subway.

But when I think about the best dish I've eaten this year, it's from a less flashy but equally innovative place. My mind goes to the creamy tendons with cod cheeks and chanterelle mushrooms at Ginnan restaurant on Aragó Street, by Catalan-Chinese chef Chunlin. The photo is completely un-Instagrammable, but the dish doesn't need it because it's absolutely memorable. His golden eggplant with a hot and sour glaze also deserves to be remembered. Often, the best things come in small packages.