Restaurant of the Week: Barca, Princes Square, Glasgow

Location

It’s a popular Spanish tapas and cava bar on the second floor of the trendy shopping centre on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. With more than 25 shops and a dozen restaurants and bars, there’s no shortage of options, however you want to spend your money.

First impressions

Bright, airy and on a late Sunday afternoon, rather than the interior main restaurant, we were fortunate enough to get a table on the open terrace. With the light streaming in from the domed glass roof, it was a perfect spot.

Service

Because it was fairly quiet, we were quickly shown to our table and the speedy service continued throughout. The staff were friendly and efficient.

Menu

There are various menus and we ordered off the lunch/early evening menu which is available from noon until 6.30pm most days. You get any three tapas from £13.95 per person.

Taste

The six tapas we chose between the two of us were fried potatoes with smoked paprika sauce, halloumi, Spanish black pudding and chorizo, chicken skewers with lime and coriander, Spanish meatballs and eggs baked with Serrano ham and piquello peppers. There were no let downs but the meatballs were delicious with a spicy kick and the fried potatoes were super scrummy.

Price

It came to £48 with a couple of rounds of drinks.

Ambience

There was a low-key atmosphere but just enough of a buzz with the other restaurant terraces also fairly full.

Something special

It’s hard to beat the lovely setting, in one of Scotland’s architectural gems.

Toilets

Surprisingly small but perfectly clean and acceptable.