Discovering the essence of Catalan rumba
Barcelona is a must-see destination for its rich gastronomic and cultural offering, and in particular, its vibrant music scene, which includes the emblematic Catalan rumba. This musical genre, which has its roots in the 1940s in the Catalan capital, achieved overwhelming popularity starting in the 1960s. Rumba, in its purest essence, invites anyone to move to the rhythm of its infectious melody; Even those who feel awkward on the dance floor often end up moving their hands and hips, adopting the spirit of a true ‘rumbero’ or ‘rumbera’. As a lover of food and music, I can’t resist the idea of enjoying an evening with live music, especially if it’s rumba.
A new place to enjoy the rumba in Barcelona
The Arenal Group has opened a new restaurant called Rumbla, which, as its name suggests, is located on the famous Rambla Catalunya. This new space joins the group’s successful proposals, such as the Xup-Xup, located in Barceloneta, where the impressive views of the sea are part of the attraction. Rumbla specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and is a sensory journey from the moment we enter. Upon entering the premises (located at La Rambla, 70), the decorations evoke the beauty of Granada, particularly the Alhambra, with its walls that reflect the impressive geometric ceilings of that iconic monument in southern Spain.
Vibrant atmosphere and photographs that tell stories
In addition to the charming live music, one of the great attractions of Rumbla are the black and white photographs that adorn its walls. These images capture lively moments of the ‘rumbero’ lifestyle, showing guitars, long conversations and people enjoying the breeze on the threshold of their homes. The experience becomes even more special thanks to the opportunity to sit right in front of the musicians, enjoying live concerts that liven up the evening. On our visit, we were fortunate to hear Casi ná!, Anna and Pepe, who performed rumba songs and other styles, providing the perfect soundtrack for our dinner.
A letter full of delights to share
When reviewing the menu, we find an extensive menu full of dishes ideal for sharing. The curious thing about the letter is its format, similar to a small diary that offers information about rumba, its origins and beautiful photographs. This unique design not only serves as a guide, but can also be taken home as a souvenir of the day you enjoyed an unforgettable dinner. Our culinary adventure began with some bravas accompanied by a mild aioli and a mild sauce, garnished with crispy onion. Always in favor of a good crunchy touch in dishes.
Dishes that surprise and captivate
The temptation to try the Folgueroles coca bread with aioli was irresistible, because, honestly, the bread alone can be a delight. Although there is a saying that ‘bread with bread is food for fools’, bread is more than welcome here. Next, we tasted piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese with rose honey. Although my preference will always be the piquillo peppers stuffed with cod, I must admit that this fresh and slightly sweet version also won me over.
The artichoke dish with romesco and Iberian ham was presented exceptionally; the artichoke seemed candied and extremely tender, with the tips of the leaves lightly toasted. The restaurant warns that they are ‘one at a time’, since, without a doubt, they will want at least one per person. Another of the most striking dishes was eggs with whitebait, chistorra in white wine, piquillo pepper and truffle oil, where the whitebait, small fried fish that resemble pipes, provided a fun texture to the dish. The chistorra, unexpected in this combination, turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Delicacies to close the dinner
The Iberian beef culatí stood out for its supreme quality; The meat, tender and tasty, was served to the ideal point, accompanied by apple compote and a creamy pumpkin sauce that delighted the palate. One dish that wowed me, and that I would never order on my own, was the crispy corn with smoked butter. It turned out to be a sweet combination that could be devoured with your hands, perfect to enjoy without complexes.
And finally, we couldn’t miss the dessert: an apple crumble served warm, with the perfect balance of sweetness, crunch and an ice cream that contrasts wonderfully with the warmth of the crumble. We also explored other delicacies under the motto ‘today we sin at Rumbla’, including a cream dome and a tasty red fruit ice cream that was very much to our taste buds. However, the apple crumble will always take the lead in our hearts.
An authentic experience in the heart of Barcelona
Let’s not make the mistake of thinking that Rumbla is only a restaurant aimed at tourists, only because of its privileged location on Rambla Catalunya. Someone challenge that idea! Rumba and tapas are a delight for everyone, and Rumbla is the perfect place to immerse yourself in this experience. This restaurant is a space where you can enjoy a dinner full of flavors and music. When we arrived home, the rhythms of the rumba still resonated in our hearts. Until next time, food lovers!