Can Solé

Barceloneta, the old fishermen's quarter by the port, is full of rice and seafood restaurants, and Can Solé, open since 1903, is one of the most established. It began by feeding the fishermen of the port, and four generations of the same family have run it since. The dining room is unflashy and traditional, with photographs on the walls, and the focus is firmly on what has come in from the market.

The menu is built on traditional seafood cooking: fresh fish, shellfish and the rice dishes for which the neighbourhood is known. Order a seafood paella, a black rice or a soupy rice to share, and ask what fish is available that day, which can be prepared simply on the griddle or baked. Starters of local shellfish and fried fish are a good way to begin, and Catalan desserts round off the meal. Rice dishes are generally ordered for two or more people, and some fish is priced according to the market, so ask about the price of the day's catch before ordering if you are keeping to a budget.

Can Solé is closed on Mondays. From Tuesday to Saturday it serves lunch from 1pm to 3.45pm and dinner from 8pm to 10.45pm, and on Sundays it opens for lunch only. Reservations can be made online through the restaurant's website or by phone, and booking is recommended, especially at weekends and for Sunday lunch, when local families fill the room. Allow a couple of hours for a leisurely meal.

The restaurant suits couples, families and small groups looking for a traditional seafood meal in a place with real history. It is mid-to-upper priced, as fresh seafood tends to be, but the setting is relaxed. It is a good choice for a long lunch after a morning on the beach or exploring the port.

Can Solé is on Carrer de Sant Carles, in the grid of narrow streets in the heart of Barceloneta, a few streets back from the beach. Barceloneta station on metro line L4 is about ten minutes' walk away. Before or after the meal, walk to the Mercat de la Barceloneta nearby, stroll along the Passeig Marítim, or follow the waterfront back towards Port Vell and the Museu d'Història de Catalunya.