Vermutería La Dolores

Two minutes from Ciutat Jardí beach, on Carrer Illa de Xipre, La Dolores calls itself a ‘vermutería canalla’ — a cheeky vermouth bar: properly poured beer, vermouth on tap (Yzaguirre with a splash of soda is a house classic) and dishes from the old Spanish tavern repertoire with the odd modern touch. The place, decorated in a busy vintage style, fills up most nights and sounds the way a full vermouth bar sounds: loud. The menu is long but sorts itself out. First, the croquettes, about two euros apiece, which are why many people come back: ham, Aunt Dolores’ chicken, cocido stew, mushroom and truffle, brie, or butifarró, the Mallorcan blood sausage. Then the squid sandwich in squid-ink bread with kimchi mayo, fried eggs over chips in several versions (Casa Lucio style, with chistorra sausage, with acorn-fed ham) and bao buns with beef cheek or baby squid, the cheeky side of the menu. The big dish is the house cachopo (breaded veal stuffed with ham and cheese), for sharing. There are also traditional tostas — the anchovy one with black-olive butter on brioche is the most recommended — tortilla pintxos and pan-cooked rice dishes for the table, such as arroz del senyoret. Chef Daniel Pablo runs the kitchen. It works better for a casual lunch or dinner in a group than for a quiet dinner for two, and long-time regulars have noticed, over the last seasons, smaller portions and an uneven kitchen when the place is packed.

Reviewed in November 2026