Toni Simões
Chef and co-founder of La Taverna del Clínic in Eixample — a Repsol Sol gastrotavern run with his sommelier brother Manu.
- Repsol Soles
1- Restaurants
- 1
- Born
- 1983
Toni Simões is the chef and co-founder of La Taverna del Clínic in Barcelona's Eixample, a Repsol-Sol gastrotavern he opened in 2006 with his brother Manu, who runs the dining room and wine programme. Trained at Can Fabes alongside Santi Santamaria, his cooking is built on tapas and inventive small plates. He was awarded the Sol Repsol prize in 2015.
Biography
Early years
Born in 1983 to a Galician-heritage hospitality family, Simões attended the Culinary Arts School of Barcelona and trained side by side with Santi Santamaria at Can Fabes — the formative experience that shaped his signature style.
Career
In 2006 Simões and his brother Manu opened La Taverna del Clínic in Barcelona's Eixample, a few steps from the restaurant their father had managed since 1973. Toni leads the kitchen; Manu — described as a perfectionist — is sommelier and head waiter. The restaurant has built its reputation on tapas and inventive small plates and earned Toni the Sol Repsol prize in 2015. In 2015 it also won the Cartaví award for the best wine list in Barcelona.
Philosophy
Simões's cooking sits at the intersection of tapas tradition and modern technique. The format — a gastrotavern — keeps the cooking lively and accessible while the kitchen and sommelier partnership pushes pairings rather than formality.
Restaurants
Accolades
- ·1 Repsol Sol at La Taverna del Clínic
- ·Sol Repsol prize (2015)
- ·Cartaví award — best wine list in Barcelona (2015, jointly with brother Manu Simões)
Frequently asked
Does Toni Simões have a Michelin star?
No — La Taverna del Clínic carries one Repsol Sol. He was awarded the Sol Repsol prize in 2015 and trained alongside Santi Santamaria at Can Fabes.
Where can I eat Toni Simões's cuisine in Barcelona?
La Taverna del Clínic in the Eixample, a few steps from the restaurant his father has run since 1973. Toni leads the kitchen; his brother Manu is the sommelier and head waiter.