Twenty years ago the Claver family entered the culinary world. It all started with Victoria, now a grandmother, who made her living as a seamstress until, by chance or by luck, she set up a small restaurant on Paris street: Alba. There Victoria would cook for neighbors, friends, and anyone who wanted to relax after a hard day’s work. She would serve ham croquettes, Catalan cannelloni, and fried eggs – dishes that still appear on the Alba menu.

With the passing years, and with hard work and affection, the Alba grew strong. In its success, it moved to one of the most popular streets in Barcelona: Enrique Granados, its current location.

Eventually, Victoria’s daughter Aurora inherited and led the restaurant until Carlota, the third generation of the Claver family, finished school. Carlota decided to mix the original cuisine of the restaurant with a new and healthy approach, highlighting local and quality ingredients. “I would not serve anything at Alba that I would not give to my daughters,” she explains.

The recipes at Alba Granados cover all genres from salads to sausages and seafood. We cannot fail to mention the grilled rock mussels; scrambled eggs with goat cheese and green asparagus; or the salmon tartar stewed with passion fruit. You can dine at the bar, the interior lounge, or on the terrace, but we recommend you visit the New York style cocktail bar on the upper level. And, when you leave, don’t forget to stop by the gourmet store to pick up products to take home.

In August 2015, a short circuit started a fire that led to the destruction of the Alba, forcing the Claver family into 10 months of restoration. Now, the restaurant is stronger than ever.

Alba Granados Hours: Monday – Sunday Noon – 11 p.m. Phone: 93 454 61 16 Text: Ana J. Palmer Photos: Anika Stieling