Bar Fischer

Bar Fischer occupies an Eixample corner that served as a tapas bar for a long stretch before this one took over, and it borrows its name from a chess player. A Josper oven drives the kitchen, which turns out squid croquettes sitting in a bisque of shrimp, macaroni made in house with jamón ibérico, and grilled pluma served with escalivada that leans sweet. Seating is split between a bright room beside the bar and a calmer one next to the kitchen, and both tend to fill with residents from the surrounding blocks.

The set lunch on weekdays is the reason a queue forms, and the kitchen puts as much care into it as into the evening service, so turn up early in the lunch hour rather than later. If you plan to linger, the staff keep chess boards stored by the counter and will bring one over when asked.