Los Caracoles
Los Caracoles
Los Caracoles is a legendary Gothic Quarter restaurant established in 1835, now in its fifth generation of the Bofarull family. Famous for its wood-fired spit-roasted chicken visible from the street and namesake garlic snails.
Background
About Los Caracoles
The Story
In 1835, Agusti Bofarull and his wife founded Can Bofarull as a small grocery and wine shop on Carrer Nou de Sant Francesc in the Gothic Quarter. His cousin Felicia introduced food service, including the snails that would make the restaurant famous. By 1915, customers had so strongly associated the restaurant with snails that it was officially renamed Los Caracoles. The Bofarull family introduced Barcelona's first rotisserie chicken in the 1950s. Now in its fifth generation under Aurora, Ramon, Cristina, and Yolanda Bofarull, it is the second oldest restaurant in Barcelona at 190 years.
The Cuisine
The kitchen serves traditional Catalan cuisine centred on the namesake snails and the iconic wood-fired spit-roasted chicken visible from the street. Signature dishes include caracoles especiales (18 EUR, the garlic snails on the menu since the 1800s), half spit-roasted chicken (19 EUR), bouillabaisse (29.40 EUR, on the menu since 1925 and once photographed by Irving Penn for Vogue), and lobster paella (39 EUR). The house requires a minimum spend of 35 EUR per customer in the dining area.
The Team
Los Caracoles is run by the fifth generation of the Bofarull family: Aurora, Ramon, Cristina, and Yolanda Bofarull. The kitchen team maintains the traditional recipes established over 190 years. Google reviewers give it 4.2/5 from 5,579 reviews.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Los Caracoles Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Groups, stews, private rooms, classic
Recommended
Diner Ratings
4.2
5,579 reviews
Professional recognition includes Macarfi food 6.7/10 and TimeOut 3/5. Diners rate it 4.2/5 on Google (5,579 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Los Caracoles
Booking
Reservations recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. Book online via OpenTable,, or the restaurant website. Also by phone at +34 933 012 041. Maximum party size of 20. Private cellar dining available for groups. Group menus available for large parties.
Reserve
Experience
Los Caracoles Dining Experience
A historic Gothic Quarter landmark where guests walk through the working kitchen to reach multiple sprawling dining rooms. Walls covered with photographs of famous visitors spanning decades, legs of jamon iberico hanging from the ceiling. The wood-fired rotisserie with chickens roasting on spits is visible from the street. Live Spanish musicians perform during service. Intimate cellar space available for private dining. 19th-century Barcelona tavern atmosphere -- bustling, atmospheric, and unmodernised.
Navigate
Los Caracoles Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Located on Carrer dels Escudellers in the Gothic Quarter, steps from Placa Reial and Las Ramblas. The iconic wood-fired rotisserie with chickens turning on spits is visible from the street corner. Guests walk through the working kitchen to reach the dining rooms. A Barcelona landmark since 1835.
Nearby
The Gothic Quarter is the heart of Barcelona's old city, a labyrinth of medieval streets centred around the Cathedral. Carrer dels Escudellers connects Las Ramblas to Placa Reial and has been a dining destination for centuries. The area draws both tourists and locals with its historic restaurants, bars, and cultural landmarks.
Details
Los Caracoles Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30 |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 13:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30 |
| Thursday | 13:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30 |
| Friday | 13:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30 |
| Saturday | 13:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30 |
| Sunday | 13:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30 |
Los Caracoles hours verified 2026-04-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Recommended
Good to Know
Social
From lcaracoles on Instagram
Has provat el postre pijamada a Los Caracoles? Un clàssic que mai falla. Have you tried the pijamada dessert at Los Caracoles? A classic that never fails. #loscaracoles #foodiebcn #restaurantbcn #foodiesinbarcelona
un espai únic, ple d'història a unique space, full of history #loscaracoles #190loscaracoles #foodiebcn #barcelona #restaurantbcn
Des de 1835, Los Caracoles forma part de la història de Barcelona. Fundat per la família Bofarull i gestionat per generacions de la mateixa família, és un dels restaurants familiars més emblemàtics de la ciutat, mantenint viva la tradició de la cuina catalana durant gairebé dos segles. Since 1835,
Croquetes de pollastre i pernil Ham and chicken croquettes #loscaracoles #190loscaracoles #foodiebcn #barcelona #restaurantbcn
Gràcies per formar part de la nostra història! Thank you for being part of our story! #loscaracoles #190loscaracoles #foodiebcn #barcelona
cocina de restaurante #loscaracoles #bcnfoodies #bcnfood #barcelona
Questions
Los Caracoles FAQ
How do I make a reservation at Los Caracoles Barcelona?
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Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. You can book online via OpenTable,, or the restaurant website at loscaracoles.es, or call +34 933 012 041. The maximum party size is 20, with private cellar dining available for larger groups.
What is the history behind Los Caracoles Barcelona?
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Founded in 1835 by Agusti Bofarull as a small grocery and wine shop, Los Caracoles is the second oldest restaurant in Barcelona at 190 years old. Originally called Can Bofarull, it was renamed Los Caracoles in 1915 when customers became so associated with the restaurant's famous snails. It's now run by the fifth generation of the Bofarull family.
What are the menu prices at Los Caracoles Barcelona?
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Signature dishes include caracoles especiales (18 EUR), half spit-roasted chicken a l'ast (19 EUR), bouillabaisse soup (29.40 EUR), and lobster paella (39 EUR). The special mariscada seafood and lobster platter is 158 EUR for two. The restaurant requires a minimum spend of 35 EUR per customer in the dining area, and 10% VAT is included.
What is the dress code at Los Caracoles Barcelona?
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There is no formal dress code at Los Caracoles. The restaurant has a traditional, atmospheric Gothic Quarter setting where casual to smart casual attire is appropriate for the historic tavern atmosphere.
Where exactly is Los Caracoles located in Barcelona and how do I get there?
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Los Caracoles is located at Carrer dels Escudellers, 14 in the Gothic Quarter, steps from Placa Reial and Las Ramblas. The nearest metro station is Liceu (L3) just a 5-minute walk away, or Jaume I (L4) which is 7 minutes. The iconic wood-fired rotisserie with chickens is visible from the street corner.
What are Los Caracoles' signature dishes and what makes them special?
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The restaurant is famous for its namesake caracoles especiales (garlic snails that have been on the menu since the 1800s) and the iconic wood-fired spit-roasted chicken visible from the street. Other signatures include bouillabaisse that's been served since 1925 and was once photographed by Irving Penn for Vogue, and lobster paella.
What are Los Caracoles' opening hours and do I need to book for specific times?
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Los Caracoles is open Monday and Wednesday-Sunday from 13:00-15:30 and 19:00-22:30, closed Tuesdays. Reservations are recommended especially for dinner and weekends.