Il Giardinetto
Il Giardinetto
Il Giardinetto is a Barcelona dining icon, founded in 1974 by photographer Leopoldo Pomes in the same Sant Gervasi block as his Flash Flash. The magical-garden interior, designed by Alfonso Mila and Federico Correa, has won the FAD Interior Design Prize twice (1974, 2013) -- the only establishment in history to achieve this.
Background
About Il Giardinetto
The Story
Il Giardinetto was founded in 1974 by the legendary photographer Leopoldo Pomes, who had previously created Flash Flash next door. The interior was designed by architects Alfonso Mila and Federico Correa, evoking a magical garden inspired by chestnut trees from southern France, with tree-like columns and teal banquettes. Maria Levi, mother of architect Ricardo Bofill, helped Pomes shape the Italian culinary concept and change Barcelona's perception of Italian cuisine. The restaurant has won the prestigious FAD Interior Design Prize twice (1974 and 2013) -- the only establishment in history to achieve this. Now in its second generation, it is run by Leopoldo's children Juliet, Poldo, and Ivan Pomes.
The Cuisine
Chef Francis Santos, who joined as a kitchen assistant in 1988, leads a kitchen devoted to Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with all pasta made fresh in-house daily and boiled portion by portion to order. The menu features signatures like Fettuccine a la trufa negra (17.70 EUR), Plato brutal de rigatoni a la aumm aumm (15.60 EUR), Spaghetti al laurel Sofia Loren (15.60 EUR), Risotto Giardinetto, Carpaccio Giardinetto, Steak tartar, and the famous L'Ou en Panet d'ibèric.
The Team
Chef Francis Santos has led the kitchen since 1988, with maitre Angel Fernandez serving since 1986 -- together representing decades of institutional knowledge. The Pomes family (Juliet, Poldo, and Ivan) continue their father's legacy. House pianist Pere Ferre plays during evening service, and the team delivers warm, attentive hospitality in a space that has hosted Barcelona's cultural elite for half a century.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Il Giardinetto Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Notable fresh pastas, live piano, late kitchen
Diner Ratings
4.1
500 reviews
Yelp
4.0
2 reviews
Diners rate it 4.1/5 on Google (500 reviews) and 4.0/5 on Yelp (2 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Il Giardinetto
Booking
Reservations recommended, especially for dinner and weekend evenings. Book by phone at +34 932 18 75 36 or by email at giardinetto@ilgiardinetto.es. The cocktail bar is available for walk-ins. Saturday is dinner only (no lunch).
Reserve
Experience
Il Giardinetto Dining Experience
One of Barcelona's most iconic restaurant interiors, designed in 1974 by architects Alfonso Mila and Federico Correa and renovated in 2013 by Llamazares Pomes studio -- winning the FAD Interior Design Prize both times. The space evokes a magical garden with tree-like columns, teal banquettes, and forest-floor colours inspired by chestnut trees from southern France. House pianist Pere Ferre plays during evening service. The cocktail bar stays open until 2 AM on weekends. A terrace (13.5 m2) offers outdoor seating.
Navigate
Il Giardinetto Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Located on Carrer de la Granada del Penedès in Sant Gervasi-Galvany, between Balmes and Tuset, right next to Flash Flash (also created by Leopoldo Pomes). The restaurant sits in the heart of the Tuset corridor, one of Barcelona's most established uptown dining and nightlife areas, steps from Diagonal.
Nearby
Sant Gervasi-Galvany is an upscale residential neighbourhood in the Sarria-Sant Gervasi district, known for its established dining and nightlife scene along the Tuset/Balmes/Muntaner corridor near Diagonal. The area between Granada del Penedes and Tuset has been a cultural hub since the 1960s, when the 'Tuset Street' movement put it at the centre of Barcelona's bohemian scene.
Nearby Restaurants
Flash Flash
Market Cuisine
Market kitchen led by chef Paco López Moreno in Sant Gervasi - Galvany.
La Balmesina
Italian Pizza
Chef Max Morbi runs a Italian pizza counter in Sant Gervasi - Galvany.
Ultramarinos Marín
Grill
Live-fire cooking and over a hundred garum preparations in constant flux.
Details
Il Giardinetto Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:00–00:00 |
| Tuesday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:00–00:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:00–00:00 |
| Thursday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:00–02:00 |
| Friday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:00–02:00 |
| Saturday | 20:00–02:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
Il Giardinetto hours verified 2026-04-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Recommended
Good to Know
Social
From ilgiardinetto on Instagram
Entre los platos de nuestro menú semanal: Ensalada de tomate con naranja, calabacin asado, stracciatella, almendras tostadas y vinagreta de albahaca. Spaghetti boloñesa a la antigua. #ilgiardinetto #barcelonarestaurants
🌴🌿
Mandarina con té negro #ilgiardinetto
Nace la primera edición del PREMIO Il GIARDINETTO "POR UN MUNDO NUEVO " que responde a la iniciativa de un grupo de amigos que habitualmente se reúnen en este restaurante barcelonés en una tertulia que cree en el diálogo y la fuerza de la palabra. Formado por mujeres y hombres de las letras, el peri
Francis Santos y Alejandro Sales. Algo se está cocinando en Il Giardinetto.
Spaghetti con angulas del Cantábrico al aglio e olio. #ilgiardinetto #restauranteitaliano #barcelonarestaurants
Questions
Il Giardinetto FAQ
What is Il Giardinetto's full menu and what pasta dishes are available?
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Il Giardinetto serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with all pasta made fresh daily and boiled to order. Pasta signatures include Fettuccine a la trufa negra (17.70 EUR), Plato brutal de rigatoni a la aumm aumm (15.60 EUR), Spaghetti al laurel Sofia Loren (15.60 EUR), Paccheri with tomato and burratina (15.60 EUR), and Pappardelle al ragù bianco (17.70 EUR). Other highlights are L'Ou en Panet d'ibèric (14.80 EUR), Risotto Giardinetto (16.40 EUR), Carpaccio Giardinetto or Harry's Bar (14.70 EUR), and Steak tartar (21.80 EUR).
Where exactly is Il Giardinetto located in Gràcia or Sant Gervasi?
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Il Giardinetto is located at Carrer de la Granada del Penedès, 28 in the Sant Gervasi-Galvany neighborhood, between Balmes and Tuset. The nearest metro stations are Sant Gervasi (7-minute walk) and Gràcia (8-minute walk).
Can I see photos of Il Giardinetto's interior and what makes it special?
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Il Giardinetto features one of Barcelona's most iconic restaurant interiors, designed by architects Alfonso Mila and Federico Correa. The space evokes a magical garden with tree-like columns, teal banquettes, and forest-floor colors inspired by chestnut trees from southern France. It's the only establishment in history to win the prestigious FAD Interior Design Prize twice (1974 and 2013).
Is Il Giardinetto a pizzeria or does it serve pizza?
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Il Giardinetto is not a pizzeria and does not serve pizza. It's an Italian restaurant specializing in handmade fresh pasta, risottos, carpaccio, and Mediterranean cuisine.
What are Il Giardinetto's opening hours and when should I make a reservation?
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Il Giardinetto is open Monday-Wednesday 13:30-16:00 & 20:00-00:00, Thursday-Friday 13:30-16:00 & 20:00-02:00, and Saturday dinner only 20:00-02:00. Closed Sundays. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner and weekends, by calling +34 932 187 536 or emailing giardinetto@ilgiardinetto.es.
Does Il Giardinetto have live music and what is the atmosphere like?
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Yes, Il Giardinetto features live piano music during evening service with house pianist Pere Ferre. The atmosphere is elegant and romantic with the award-winning magical garden interior design.