Hidden in a small back alley near the Barceloneta stop off the L4 line is a tiny little tapas restaurant with a big name. The name is Can Paixano, also known as La Xampanyeria, and this local tapas bar is known for its cheap yet quality cava and tapas. Literally this place is hidden on a side street and with no sign outside, you'd be lucky enough to stroll by it or know someone who's already been.
When this place gets busy, like it usually does, it is packed to the brim. You can find mainly locals here and if you want to practice your Spanish or Catalan, it is the perfect place to do so considering they know almost no English. Once you make it into the restaurant if there's a line, you're packed in like sardines, however it is well worth it once you get your food and cava.
The first time I experienced La Xampanyeria was when I was working on a Spanish video for a class and we had to give a tour of Barcelona through our eyes. A girl in my group brought us here and oh my god....it was phenomenal. I got a botifarra amb cebolla, croquetas, i formatge. They come on small little plates and are finger food, well all except for the huge sausage on a bun. And to wash it all down we had some cava that was probably the least expensive cava I have yet to have in Spain, but still tasted great. Also don't worry about a garbage because once you're done with your napkins feel free to crumple it up and throw it on the ground with all the other napkins that have probably started to pile up underneath your feet!
I would definitely recommend this small hole in the wall tapas restaurant for anyone looking for a great local and traditional experience with authentic tapas. The next time I am in Barcelona, I will be back for the croquetes and cava. Fins a la proxima La Xampanyeria!
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