Photos by Pete Sung
Thirty-three year old Pete Sung, founder of a design website and a DJ, spills Barcelona’s best secrets for those looking for to mix their tourist agenda with local flavor.
Pete Sung Bio
Brief bio, occupation: I’m Pete Sung, and I’m 33 years old. I co-founded design:related, which is a social website that brings together creative people from various design disciplines. I’m also a DJ and music producer, as well as a label owner and media consultant.
Length of time in city: I have lived in Barcelona for 1.5 years.
Eat & Drink
Favorite high-end restaurant:
Cal Pep
8 Plaza de Olles
They have the most amazing tapas. If you’re a foodie like me, this is a place that you have to visit for the best papas in town.
Best deal restaurant:
Organic
Junta de Comerç 11
If you are looking to be healthy as well as eat some great food, definitely try Organic. They have a fixed fee menu, and by far, the best vegetarian place in the city. The staff and owners have a great vibe, and it’s a great place to eat and hang out.
Best street food:
Karpanta
Escuadaellers in the Gotico
Arguably one of the best shwarmas I’ve had in Europe. Go for the lamb schwarma and durum. This is a truly delicious late night meal after playing a gig in Barcelona, or if you are just starving at any point in the day. It’s brilliant food from the barrio.
Favorite cafe:
Cafe Opera
Les Ramblas 74
This happens to be on Les Ramblas, but don’t worry—it’s not just for the tourists. Located right across from the famous Liceu Opera house, it’s an old school Catalan cafe with great bravas as well.
Best place to work on laptop with free wi-fi:
Dos Trece
Carme 40
This is also the spot for L.A.-style Mexican food and an American Sunday brunch.
Best bar:
Bar Bodega Teo
Ataulfo 18
Otherwise known as BBT or Rafa’s Bar, to the locals. Rafa can make any drink you want, and his lovely wife Lizzie is usually there as well. Great people running an awesome local hip watering hole. Totally off the beaten path.
Read
Best bookstore:
Librería La Central
Elisabets, 6
This store has an amazing assortment of books for any literary fan. It has a large selection of books in English as well.
Best magazine stand:
Freetime
Les Ramblas
The best selection of international magazines is situated right here.
Shop
Best boutique:
Suite
Carrer Verdi, 3-5
A great selection of shoes, clothes and bags by Spain’s up-and-coming designers like La Casita de Wendy and Espera Drap. This is also where all the Gracia hipsters hang.
Sightsee
Favorite art space/gallery/museum:
Museu D’art Contemprani Macba
Plaça Àngels 1
This museum of modern art is the quintessential modern structure with hundreds of pro and amateur skate kids literally jumping off the actual museum—truly a Barcelona experience.
Favorite outdoor space:
The labyrinth in the Parc del Laberint d’Horta gardens is fantastic. This beautiful palace has koi fish in the river and even an 8-foot high maze of bushes that is fun to get lost in.
Best touristy thing to do:
Sagrada Familia
C/Mallorca, 401
There’s a reason certain things are considered touristy. This unfinished church by Gaudí is simply amazing.
Only local does or knows about:
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to hoard our local secrets, would it? Try hanging out in Placa de Sant Felip Neri (Barcelona’s most romantic square) or have some champagne Champañeria Bar.
The must-see thing in your city:
Park Guell, Carrer D’Olot
It’s an architectural gem by none other than Gaudí with amazing views of the city.
Events
Best events in each season?
In the summer, the Sonar Festival rules! The European WMC is one of my favorite times to DJ in Barcelona. The festival has been a pioneer in fostering electronic music. Check out the Circuit Fashion Show in the fall, which is an alternative fashion show with all sorts of nontraditional vendors. Believe it or not, there is actually skiing in Spain. In the winter, head to Catalunya, which is 45 minutes outside Barcelona. And the Primavera Sound Festival in the spring is the premier indie alternative rock music festival.
Tips
How would you spend a day off in your city?
Get on my bike and ride along the beach or head up to either Monjuic or Montserrat, the site of a former monastery. Both are great outdoor things to do in Barcelona.
Issue 24 Apprentices
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