Xemei
RepsolSpain's Repsol Guide awards up to 3 Soles for culinary excellence. One sol: notable quality.Xemei
RepsolSpain's Repsol Guide awards up to 3 Soles for culinary excellence. One sol: notable quality.Xemei is an authentic Venetian osteria in Poble Sec, run by twin brothers Max (chef) and Stefano (front of house) Colombo. Venetian fish assortment, handmade pasta, vitello tonnato, and an organic wine programme. Terrace near Teatre Grec. Always full, book ahead.
Background
About Xemei
The Story
Xemei, Venetian dialect for 'twins', is the creation of brothers Max and Stefano Colombo, who arrived in Barcelona from Venice and found a lack of authentic Italian restaurants. They transformed a Poble Sec tavern near Teatre Grec into a bustling Venetian osteria that has become one of the city's most enduring dining institutions. In the early days, the brothers were advised by local culinary legends Carles Abellan and Albert Adria. The restaurant earned 1 Repsol Sol, and the Colombo brothers published a cookbook, 'Xemei. Cocina venexiana en Barcelona' (Planeta, 2016), documenting their recipes. '
The Cuisine
The cooking is rooted in Venetian tradition, a cuisine that emphasises seafood, handmade pasta, and preparations unique to the Veneto region. The brief but solid menu features a Venetian fish assortment (baccala mantecato, sardines en Saor, marinated anchovies, mackerel confit), steak tartare with Cipriani sauce, vitello tonnato, and handmade pastas including pappardelle with ossobuco ragu, bigoli with Venetian onion and anchovy sauce, and the famous maccheroni cacio e pepe. Mains include suckling goat with mashed potatoes, squid stuffed with artichokes, and Venetian-style veal liver with polenta. Stefano curates an organic wine programme leaning towards Italian producers.
The Team
Chef Max Colombo runs the kitchen, bringing recipes and techniques from Venice adapted with locally sourced Mediterranean ingredients. His twin brother Stefano Colombo manages the dining room and the organic wine programme, providing warm Italian hospitality that makes guests feel like regulars. Their complementary skills, one creative, one convivial, define the restaurant's character.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Xemei Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
1 Sol
Aggregated across multiple platforms
Diner Ratings
4.4
2,191 reviews
TripAdvisor
8.8
Yelp
4.3
28 reviews
Professional recognition includes 1 Repsol sol and TimeOut 5/5. Diners rate it 4.4/5 on Google (2,191 reviews), 8.8/10 on TripAdvisor, and 4.3/5 on Yelp (28 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Xemei
Booking
Xemei is open daily for lunch (13:30-16:00) and dinner (20:30-23:00). Reservations are strongly recommended, the restaurant is almost always full. Book through the website at xemei.es/reservas or call. The terrace fills up quickly in warm weather.
Reserve
Experience
Xemei Dining Experience
A bohemian, always-full osteria with colourful walls, vintage furnishings, and large windows onto the street. The terrace on Passeig de l'Exposicio is popular in warm weather. The vibe is casual and lively, a happy contrast between relaxed presentation and serious cooking.
Navigate
Xemei Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Xemei sits on Passeig de l'Exposicio in Poble Sec, at the foot of Montjuic near Teatre Grec. The bohemian setting features large windows onto the street and a terrace during warm months. The neighbourhood is one of Barcelona's most vibrant dining districts.
Nearby
El Poble Sec is one of Barcelona's most vibrant dining neighbourhoods, nestled between Montjuic and Avinguda del Parallel. The area has become a magnet for independent restaurants and bars, with Carrer de Blai's pintxos strip and a growing number of acclaimed kitchens. Xemei sits on Passeig de l'Exposicio near Teatre Grec, in a quieter, more residential stretch that adds to the restaurant's neighbourhood charm.
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Details
Xemei Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
| Tuesday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
| Thursday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
| Friday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
| Saturday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
| Sunday | 13:30–16:00 & 20:30–23:00 |
Xemei hours verified 2026-03-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. Book via website (xemei.es/reservas) or by phone.
Good to Know
Social
From xemeibcn on Instagram
28/02❗️ Dinner sessions 01. XEMEI x COHETE. Curated by Panorama. Panorama Sessions cumple 1 año y lo celebramos con mucha ilusión lanzando nuestra primera Dinner Sessions collab de la Mano de @xemeibcn x @cohetebarcelona Un menú a 4 manos de cocina venexiana y oriental. Cocktails de @drymartini
Por causas de forzas mayores( problemas estructurales de la finca)nos vemos obligados a cerrar el restaurante hasta el día 13 de febrero!!! Igualmente estaremos encantados de poder atenderos en @barbrutalbarcelona y @barsuperbarcelona, hasta pronto y disculpen la molestia!!!
Xemei un clásico en Barcelona Xemei, un imprescindible veneciano en Barcelona. En los sabores del Véneto se reinterpretan con maestría en un ambiente cálido y auténtico. Pasta fresca impecable, pescado y recetas tradicionales que transportan desde Poble-sec hasta las trattorie italianas más memora
Si quieres comer una buena pasta, @xemeibcn es tu sitio. 📍 Passeig de l'Exposició, 85 - Poble-sec 💰 60€ - 80€ 🐟 Tartar de lubina al estilo veneciano 🍝 Pasta de erizo de mar 🍝 Pasta con mejillones, almejas y tomatitos 🍝 Cacio e pepe con trufa negra 🍰 Panettone casero de chocolate con crema
En el marco de la décima Settimana della Cucina Italiana, la Cámara de Comercio Italiana de Barcelona en colaboración con el Consulado de Italia y el Istituto Italiano di Cultura de Barcelona reedita 'Italia con Gusto' un recorrido gastronómico con parada en 12 restaurantes barceloneses reconocidos
Simple dishes that hit the heart, not just the palate. Venetian comfort food, captured in Barcelona.✨ 📍 @xemeibcn #capturedbycocoro #foodart #visualtaste #restaurantvibes #xemei #foodphotography #creativelens
Questions
Xemei FAQ
Does Xemei have Michelin stars?
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Xemei does not hold Michelin stars. It holds 1 Repsol Sol (Spain's most respected domestic guide), a food score of 8.0/10, and /5. It is widely considered one of Barcelona's best Italian restaurants.
How much does it cost to eat at Xemei?
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Expect approximately €50 per person without drinks. Prices are not listed on the restaurant's website, the menu is brief and seasonal, with starters, handmade pasta, mains, and desserts. The organic wine list features mostly Italian producers.
Who are the chefs at Xemei?
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Xemei is run by twin brothers from Venice: Max Colombo leads the kitchen and Stefano Colombo manages front of house and the wine programme. 'Xemei' means 'twins' in Venetian dialect. They published a cookbook, 'Xemei. Cocina venexiana en Barcelona', in 2016.
Do I need a reservation at Xemei?
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Yes, Xemei is almost always full. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner and weekend terrace seating. Book through xemei.es/reservas or call +34 935 535 140. Open daily for lunch (13:30-16:00) and dinner (20:30-23:00).
What does 'Xemei' mean?
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Xemei (pronounced 'zeh-may') means 'twins' in Venetian dialect, a reference to twin brothers Max and Stefano Colombo who founded the restaurant.
What is the difference between Venetian and Italian cuisine?
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Venetian cuisine is the traditional cooking of Venice and the Veneto region. At Xemei, this means dishes like baccala mantecato (whipped salt cod), sardines en Saor (sweet-and-sour sardines), bigoli pasta with onion and anchovy, veal liver Venetian style, and squid ink spaghetti, distinct from the southern Italian cooking more commonly found in Barcelona.
What are the signature dishes at Xemei?
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Key dishes include the Venetian fish assortment (cod, sardines, anchovies, mackerel), maccheroni cacio e pepe, pappardelle with ossobuco ragu, steak tartare with Cipriani sauce, vitello tonnato, and veal liver Venetian style with polenta. The tiramisu is a standout dessert.