The story
On the walls of Paco Meralgo lives a story. King Adolfo X “El Tripero”, travelling with his retinue, stopped at a venta run by a man named Paco. The ventero poured the king a glass of wine and, to keep the dust and flies at bay, covered the glass with a slice of chorizo. “That’s the tapa,” he said. The king drank the wine, ate the chorizo, and demanded another – “¡Pero con tapa!” And so, the story goes, a royal decree obliged every venta in the kingdom to serve wine with a tapa.
That playful legend sets the tone at Paco Meralgo, an Alta Taberna on Carrer Muntaner in Barcelona’s Eixample. The restaurant’s name itself winks at the myth: “Some say they know Mr. Meralgo…”
Paco Meralgo calls itself an “Alta Taberna” – a high tavern – and proposes “a unique way of snacking in the Barcelona Eixample.” The focus is on the art of eating and drinking well, with a menu built around small plates that encourage sharing. The kitchen works in the Spanish tradition of tapas, offering a range of dishes that are both familiar and refined. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, a place where the bar and the table blend into one another.
The restaurant’s commitment to quality has been recognised by the Michelin Guide, which awarded it a Recommended status in 2026 – a mark of consistent, well-executed cuisine in a city where dining standards are high.
Beyond the main room, Paco Meralgo offers a private sala for up to 18 guests, suitable for both business dinners and family celebrations. The space provides discretion and an intimate setting, while the same spirit of sharing – tapas, conversation, company – carries through. Group menus can be tailored to fit the occasion, with options that include a selection of sharing plates, drinks, and coffee.
Whether you come for a single glass of wine with a tapa or a full evening of plates passed around the table, Paco Meralgo delivers the essence of Barcelona’s eating culture: direct, generous, and rooted in a good story.
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