Dos Palillos
Asian Fusion · el Raval, Barcelona
Restaurant in Barcelona, Spain
The Read
Ibero-Japanese Counter Tasting
Chef
Albert Raurich & Takeshi Somekawa
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Albert Raurich, El Bulli's former head chef, runs this Raval counter around a daily-changing Asian-fusion tasting menu that pairs Galician seafood with Japanese, Thai, Indian technique. The gastronomic U-shaped counter delivers Michelin-starred precision (Guía Repsol 2 Soles), while the front sake bar offers walk-in tapas at half the price. Book three weeks out for weekend dinner; expect €90–120 per head before wine.
About Dos Palillos
Dos Palilos is an Asian Fusion restaurant in Barcelona from Albert Raurich and Takeshi Somekawa.1 the verified profile is intentionally narrow: the confirmed essentials are the city, cuisine, chef/owner names, opening hours, smart-casual dress code. Claims about awards, formats, specific dishes, seating, prices, beverage programs, or booking difficulty are not treated here as confirmed unless they appear in the verified venue data.
Verified Cuisine and Menu Notes
Dos Palilos is best described here only as Asian Fusion in Barcelona, led by Albert Raurich and Takeshi Somekawa. External articles may discuss particular dishes or experiences,2 but this edited profile does not verify a fixed menu format, course count, signature dishes, prices, or daily rotation. If those details matter for your booking, confirm them directly with the restaurant before you go.
Because the verified data does not confirm a specific menu structure, plan around the confirmed basics instead: Asian Fusion cooking, Barcelona location, the published service windows below.
Access, Service, Drinks Notes
This profile cannot verify a walk-in policy, counter layout, à la carte format, beverage list, or relative pricing. A cited travel listing discusses the restaurant experience,3 but the verified venue data here does not establish those operational details. Treat access, menu options, drinks information as details to confirm directly before visiting.
Booking, Hours, Practical Constraints
Verified hours are: Monday closed; Tuesday 7:30 PM–10 PM; Wednesday 7:30 PM–10 PM; Thursday 1:30 PM–3 PM and 7:30 PM–10 PM; Friday 1:30 PM–3 PM and 7:30 PM–10 PM; Saturday 1:30 PM–3 PM and 7:30 PM–10 PM; Sunday closed. Dress code is smart casual.
The verified record does not confirm booking lead times, phone details, seating capacity, noise level, nearby landmarks, or a direct reservation method. Check our full Barcelona restaurants guide for broader Barcelona dining context and current planning help.
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Dos Palilos delivers a compact, high-energy dining room that reads more like a Tokyo izakaya than a sprawling Barcelona fine-dining temple. Tables are placed close together, generating an immediate, social hum, while the restaurant’s two-room plan concentrates that energy into distinct experiences: a casual sake bar at the front and a more formal U-shaped counter beyond. The result feels cozy and kinetic—precision cooking and choreography play out in tight quarters, and the atmosphere rewards diners who enjoy being close to the action and to each other rather than seated in expansive, hushed dining rooms.
Best For
The venue splits into two complementary modes, making it suitable for multiple occasions. The no-reservation sake bar is ideal for solo visits or casual after-work drinks and à la carte plates, while the U-shaped counter is built for a planned, chef-led tasting sequence that suits date nights and celebrations. The small-shared-plate, sequential ethos also makes this a natural choice for groups who enjoy sharing a progression of dishes and tasting different preparations together, though the space’s compressed layout keeps things intimate rather than sprawling.
Ordering Tips
If you want the theatrical, sequence-driven experience, aim for the U-shaped counter where the gastronomic tasting menu runs and you can watch preparation in real time; the dining is arranged so the meal unfolds as it’s assembled. For spontaneous visits or lighter, solo dining, use the front sake bar, which operates as a no-reservation, à la carte space where you can eat without commitment. Expect small, shareable plates and a rhythm that favors ordering in sequence rather than treating each dish as an isolated course.
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- closed
- Tuesday
- 7:30 PM-10 PM
- Wednesday
- 7:30 PM-10 PM
- Thursday
- 1:30 PM-3 PM 7:30 PM-10 PM
- Friday
- 1:30 PM-3 PM 7:30 PM-10 PM
- Saturday
- 1:30 PM-3 PM 7:30 PM-10 PM
- Sunday
- closed
Location
Carrer d'Elisabets, 9, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Tentempie, Notable alternative
- Carlota Akaneya, Notable alternative
- Rosa Negra, Notable alternative
- Caravelle, Notable alternative
- Teresa Carles, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Dos Palilos anchors the middle of Barcelona's Asian-fusion spectrum, more technically ambitious than Tentempie or Rosa Negra, which trade Michelin precision for neighbourhood charm and lower price points, but less formal than multi-starred European tasting-menu temples. Carlota Akaneya offers a similar Japanese-meets-Mediterranean approach but skews younger and louder, with a bar-forward layout that suits groups better than solo diners. For vegetarians, Teresa Carles delivers plant-forward Mediterranean cooking at a fraction of Dos Palilos's cost, though without the technical fireworks or Michelin star. Caravelle sits closer in price and ambition but leans Vietnamese rather than pan-Asian, with a more predictable menu and easier walk-in access.
If you want El Bulli pedigree and are willing to commit to a tasting menu, Dos Palilos is the clearest choice in this. If you prefer à la carte flexibility or need same-day availability, the sake bar at Dos Palilos or a full meal at Tentempie or Carlota Akaneya will serve you better. For the tightest budget, Rosa Negra or Teresa Carles offer solid cooking at half the spend, though neither matches the technical range or Michelin validation that Raurich's kitchen delivers.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Dos Palillos guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Dos Palillos
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dos Palilos | Barcelona | Asian Fusion | No published awards |
| Tentempie | Barcelona | No published awards | , |
| Carlota Akaneya | Barcelona | No published awards | , |
| Rosa Negra | Barcelona | No published awards | , |
| Caravelle | Barcelona | No published awards | , |
| Teresa Carles | Barcelona | No published awards | , |
How Dos Palilos Barcelona compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dos Palilos handle dietary restrictions?
The verified venue data does not confirm allergy handling, dietary accommodations, or menu flexibility. If you have serious allergies or restrictions, contact Dos Palilos directly before booking.
How far ahead should I book Dos Palilos?
The verified venue data does not confirm booking lead times or walk-in availability. Plan around the confirmed opening hours and check directly with the restaurant for current reservation options.
Is Dos Palilos good for solo dining?
The verified data does not confirm seating layout, counter availability, or whether the room is especially suited to solo diners. Solo guests should confirm the current setup and reservation options with Dos Palilos before visiting. Carlota Akaneya is another Barcelona restaurant you may want to compare while planning.
Is lunch or dinner better at Dos Palilos?
Dos Palilos has verified dinner hours Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 PM to 10 PM. Lunch is verified on Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 1:30 PM to 3 PM. The verified data does not confirm whether the menu or experience differs between lunch and dinner.
Is Dos Palilos good for a special occasion?
Dos Palilos may suit diners looking for Asian Fusion in Barcelona from Albert Raurich and Takeshi Somekawa. The verified profile does not confirm atmosphere, privacy, seating style, pricing, or special-occasion services. For other Barcelona options to compare, you might also look at Teresa Carles or Rosa Negra.
What are alternatives to Dos Palilos in Barcelona?
For other Barcelona dining options to compare with Dos Palilos, consider Caravelle, Carlota Akaneya, Rosa Negra, Tentempie, or Teresa Carles. This guide does not verify specific similarities in cuisine, format, price, or atmosphere among them, so compare current details before booking.
