Hisop | Barcelona is a recommendation in the curated guide of Almanac Barcelona.
Hisop is a quietly confident Michelin-starred address where chef Oriol Ivern distils Catalan tradition into precise, seasonal cooking in a sleek, minimalist setting. Expect playful, detail-driven plates—often with a maritime accent, like the celebrated red mullet with “mollusc” mayonnaise—supported by thoughtful wine pairings and a price-to-quality balance locals genuinely appreciate.
Edit: further visit after 12 mths — still excellent in every respect! Excellent experience — clearly deserves its 1* Lovely, small space (can be noisy if there’s a large table). Welcoming, smiling staff who explain the menu choices; wine by the glass is limited but those offered are excellent. The food reflects seasonal availability but special mention must be made of the prawns with bearnaise, blue swimmer crab…
I don’t know how anyone gives Hisop less than 5 stars. They completely change the menu every 3 months, and we visited every 3 months for the 3 years we lived in Barcelona. We brought so many friends here with us. I can’t remember a single dish where anyone complained, everything was so good. The food is creative, with combinations you don’t see other places. It doesn’t use a lot of chemical gastronomy, it’s real…
You can get the tasting menu with a full wine pairing at a comparatively low price. I loved the great variety of wines, from sherry to cider, but while I liked all the dishes, the menu was lacking a true standout that I've come to expect from Michelin Star restaurant. Additionally the atmosphere was hurt a bit by the lack of decor and the somewhat run down look of the ceiling.