Puda Can Manel

It was our first time in Barcelona and had zero clue where to go to for a good paella. Luckily, our AirBNB host recommended this restaurant. They certainly delivered. My boyfriend tried the traditional paella while I ordered the lobster paella. It was absolutely phenomenal. Our server had some great recommendations in regards to appetizers.

Sorry, this did not work for me. I had two tapas dishes and both were no better than average. I’m guessing the larger dishes are better; I certainly hope so.
And to top it off, the service was surly

A friend recommended this place and a whole group of 11 of us went one night for dinner. We had no reservation, but we got seated right away, outside, which was nice. We all had sangria and paella, plus a few small dishes. the portions were well sized for spain, and didnt leave me too hungry afterward. nothing was bad, but nothing was really good either, except for the whole small fish dish. it was all just fine, not really yummy. one of my friends the next night even asked me if i’d really liked it, and i said no, not really, and she agreed, it was just meh and too expensive for what we got. she said how she’d had way better paella for much less money the night before. nothing was horrible, and no one got sick, and we weren’t hungry, so that’s why i’m giving it a low 3 stars. but if we were in san francisco, it would be getting less. it came out to a lot of money and seemed like more of a tourist trap type restaurant. i don’t think any of the eleven of us would return.

Bartering is where it’s at these days.
I promised to buy a lovely sun dress from a boutique in Barcelona if the owner (a local) would give me the name of the place locals went to eat the best paella.
Both the owner and her assistant agreed it was Can Manel ‘on the front street overlooking the beach — you can’t miss it’.
This is where the locals queue to eat good paella and the other varieties that substitute noodles and black rice. Nothing at all like the overpriced touristy yuck served up on the Ramblas.
It pays to not look and act too touristy as the service level seems to decrease, I gather.