Barcelona Tapas Bar y Restaurante - Botolph Street

This gorgeous, vivacious restaurant is a City favourite, and not just among worker bees yearning to buzz away to the Spanish sunshine. There's fun in the air - the splendid yellows, reds and blues of the decor, the vivid flavours on the plates, the unusual and intriguing wine list, and the jostling sociability of the smart waitstaff all add up to a hugely enjoyable mix. This branch of Barcelona takes advantage of its site in a shiny office block to let the huge plate glass windows shed sunlight on all within. The ground floor offers both bar and table service, and is a terrific place to meet up at lunch or after work and sample some of the excellent - and rare - Spanish wines and bubblies. The mezzanine level is guarded by a Gaudi-inspired mosaic lizard and decorated with flamenco and toreador costumes. You can stick to your favourites from the menu, like chorizo, patatas bravas, and paella, or you can close your eyes and point and be delighted by the culinary adventure. You may discover rare Iberian ham or broad bean stew with black pudding. Save room for the excellent cheeses.