Merendero de la Mari closes at Barcelona's Port Vell after a rent dispute
The Merendero de la Mari, a family seafood restaurant at Barcelona's Port Vell, has closed. Owner Rosa Maria Ribera told betevé the landlord would not renegotiate the rent.
The Merendero de la Mari, a long-running family restaurant at Barcelona's Port Vell, has closed. La Vanguardia reported on 1 October that it had shut its doors and that it had stopped serving meals days earlier. Owner Rosa Maria Ribera confirmed the closure to betevé.
The reason, according to Ribera, is the lease. "Hem intentat negociar amb la propietat però no ens han fet cas" ("We tried to negotiate with the landlord but they didn't listen"), she said. La Vanguardia also puts the closure down to not being able to keep up with the rent, alongside fewer customers, changing habits and the transformation of the area. Ribera made a similar point about the neighbourhood: "Els barcelonins no venen" ("Barcelonians don't come").
It began as a beach shack. The restaurant started as a barraca in Barceloneta known as Can Costa, which La Vanguardia describes as a chiringuito by the beach that grew into a restaurant known for rice dishes, hake a la romana and rape a la Mari.
Asked whether it would reopen somewhere else, Ribera said she first has to take it all in.
Frequently asked questions
Has the Merendero de la Mari closed?
Yes. La Vanguardia reported on 1 October 2026 that the restaurant had shut and had stopped serving meals days earlier, and owner Rosa Maria Ribera confirmed the closure to betevé.
Why did the Merendero de la Mari close?
Ribera told betevé the landlord would not renegotiate the rent. La Vanguardia adds fewer customers, changing habits and the transformation of the area to the reasons.
Will the Merendero de la Mari reopen elsewhere?
Not announced. Asked by betevé, Ribera said she first needs to process the closure.