Tibi Eats 019 | Xemei

Pg. de l'Exposició, 85, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004 Barcelona, Spain

As Tibi Eats has evolved with time, we have received many requests expressing the desire to know more about our Tibi travel excursions. The last couple articles for this section have been a reflection of that, as we previously highlighted a wonderful experience staying at the Gjelina Hotel in Venice, and our trip to Spain in early August provides a fantastic continuation of this creative direction for the Tibi Eats franchise.

We visited Barcelona on a Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, the quieter days of the week, a noiselessness that was further accentuated by the fact that most of the younger, local population was also on holiday during our time in the city. This set and setting allowed for a uniquely intimate connection with the city, free from sidewalk congestion, fostering an ability to walk-in to most, not all, but most of the incredible museums, galleries, concept stores, and restaurants with a relative ease that is generally unfamiliar when visiting Europe in the summer. Sure, there is a certain energy ushered into a city and its night-life by the younger generations, but for the purpose of this trip, the end to a beautifully long and eventful summer, all we really wanted was the freedom to explore and to dine effortlessly, not into the wee hours of the night, but until we felt satiated, and that we did.

Gresca | Carrer de Provença, 230, L'Eixample, 08036

Though we ultimately opted to stay at a friend’s cozy apartment in Sant Antoni, we did look into a few charming hotels, the two worthy of distinguished mention being Hotel Neri and Casa Sagnier - the former is located in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, while the latter resides in the more central area of the city. Our first night began with drinks at the historic Bar Allegria before walking over to a more complete dining experience at Gresca, a restaurant by Rafael Peña that will celebrate a 20-year anniversary next year, and for good reason. The next morning we visited Raw Studio’s new location in L’Esquerra de L’Eixample for a coffee and fresh breakfast. The space is raw, as the name would suggest, but layered, with an innate warmth derived from minimalist floral arrangements and Ring 3 color tones - coffee by La Cabra, a “Copenhagen” plate, and Yogur con Granola y Fruta set the tone for the day.

Raw Studio | Carrer de l'Avenir, 66, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021

We then set off to explore a few concept shops and galleries, Bassal Store for a tightly curated range of young contemporary designers, Muy Fragile for the weird and intriguing selection of jewelry and found objects, and Terranova for a passionate and thoughtful selection of books on photography, art, and culture. A mid-day snack was found outdoors at Ciutat Comtal, where an Estrella on tap and a Pan con Tomate held us over until The dinner.

I say The dinner because it is the meal and experience from which the fundamental inspiration for this article is derived - Xemei, a Cocina Venexiana. You may be curious why and/or how a Venetian restaurant has found itself as the highlight of our Tibi Eats for Barcelona, so let me explain. Xemei is the profound work of twin brothers Stefano and Max Colombo, chef and manager respectively - the two are also the creative minds behind Bar Súper, Bar Brutal, and the various Can Pizzerias scattered throughout the city. This year, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of Xemei, and we just so happened to be dining on the same night that they hosted their team for a celebration of their two decades of service (celebration in the hospitality industry means providing service for those you love). Upon sitting down, we were immediately embraced with open arms. Conversation with the couple to our left turned into a full evening of coincidences and core memories. As wine was tasted and shared (with everyone), bottles flew through the air between, under, and around the tables with a careless grace, the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and forces the relinquishment of any worry, be it spillage or shatters, because such is life, and this moment of pure joy and laughter, of new friends and cherished lovers, is worth submitting to.

L’Opera des Vins, Les Années Folles | Jean-Pierre Robinot

The Xemei wine list is our dream curation, full of both natural wines from young producers and those of traditional production methods. We began with L’Opera des Vins, Les Années Folles by the classic Frenchman and legendary wine artisan Jean-Pierre Robinot - effervescent, perfectly light, subtly tense, but deeply emotional. To be honest, I lost track after this. I think my glass was traded around so many times that by the end of our meal, it was at the opposite end of the restaurant held by a hand whose owner’s name I would not remember, but a face I could not forget. Images of the meal itself are scarce, the sign of an acutely present experience, but the memories flow back in endless waves. A Vitello Tonnato of pure elegance and perfection, Black Squid Ink Spaghetti obliging a fulfilled grin with each bite, a black grin, the prettiest and most special of grins, and a Goat Shoulder for our Segundo warmly recollected by the tender meat that did not just fall off the bone, but lightly slipped with the soft pressure of a fork, as it should.

Xemei | Pg. de l'Exposició, 85, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004

We were done, ready to tap out, but were lured back into the wondrous Xemei flavor void by a Tiramisu, perfectly jiggly mango Panna Cotta, and limoncello on the house. We walked away from our table with unrelenting smiles and very, very full hearts - a level of contentment only attainable by one thing – seeing the care and passion driving those with a true, and real, dedication to their craft for no reason other than a genuine love for the game. Such is the ongoing trend here amongst our featured travels, and the team behind Xemei is precisely emblematic of the places we want to share with you all. Not because they asked, not because they need or want the attention, but because they deserve it.

**Honorable Mentions**: Fundació Joan Miró, Odd Kiosk (coffee/art), Bar del Pla (tapas), Ultramarinos Marin (mariscos), House of Rowdy (vintage)