Place to eat: Mar de la Ribera, Barcelona, Spain

About this place:

Nestled in the shadow of the Cathedral de Santa Maria del Mar, Mar de la Ribera is a tiny, unassuming seafood restaurant with wooden tables, dark walls, and a menu packed with fresh fish selections prepared to your liking. The mixed platter of fried fish for two people is an excellent choice—it includes mussels, baby squids, small whole fish, larger whole fish, and calamari. (Don’t be squeamish about popping the tiny fish in your mouth, heads and all.) The paella is also reliably good. All dishes are served simply, without garnish other than a wedge of lemon. Don’t miss the leg of jamon secured to the bar—it’s sliced to order. Prices are low: the fried fish platter for two is €17; paella is €7 per person.