When you visit the busy La Boqueria market, admiring tons of tastefully displayed fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat, chances are that you will sooner or later get hungry. The good news is that you don't need to go far to satisfy your taste buds. La Boqueria market offers quite a few choices and Kiosko Universal is one of the best you can find.
Kiosko Universal is a simple affair. Busy cooks are constantly preparing fresh seafood on the plancha (grilled on the plank) in a small, open kitchen surrounded by a bar where you can sit and enjoy your meal. All the stools are usually occupied so once you get there, signal to the staff that you would like to eat there and they will tell you how long you can expect to wait. We came quite late in the afternoon (around 3pm), so we only had to wait 5 minutes, but if you happen to get there earlier, expect up to 20 minutes wait. It might seem long but it is worth it.
We tried grilled Galician octopus and grilled prawns. The octopus came first, swimming in olive oil and sprinkled with red paprika. It was fresh, skilfully prepared and simply delicious. The real star of our meal though were the prawns: large, sweet, lightly seasoned and grilled to perfection. It has been a while since we tasted such fresh prawns. We finished our meal in no time and washed it down with a glass of white wine. The bill: just over 30 €.
Considering the fact that Kiosko Universal is just a simple place at the market, the prices might seem a little steep. However, the seafood at Kiosko Universal is so fresh that the place is extremely popular among tourists and locals alike. If you love seafood you will love Kiosko Universal and will not feel sorry to pay the price. There are other dishes and simple desserts on the menu, but in essence, Kiosko Universal is a specialized seafood place.
Location: La Bouqueria market, 91 Las Ramblas, shop 691. Metro: Liceu. Web: www.kioskouniversal.com