The Prince and The Hawker

If you’ve ever lived in Barcelona or spent any time there with locals, you’ve probably heard of Foc i Oli. Their burgers and sandwiches are famous throughout the city. When I lived in the Catalonian capital from 2016 to 2018, I often visited their restaurant on Carrer d’Aribau for a quick and tasty lunch or dinner. It was a favourite among my friends and me.

I was back in Barcelona in 2023 for my school reunion and a bunch of friends and I decided to go to Foc i Oli for old times’ sake. We panicked when we saw that it was marked “permanently closed” on Google Maps, something I’m sure we’ve all experienced after the tough business conditions for eateries during COVID.

We breathed a sigh of relief when we saw another Foc i Oli marked open on Carrer de Paris. Had we merely forgotten our Barcelona geography? Surely not! We walked to the resturant at c/Paris. We definitely had never seen this storefront before.

Walking in, we found a very spacious, two-tired dining room with an open kitchen. I always forget how deep the buildings are in Barcelona’s Eixample district. Sitting down at one of the tables near the entrance, we eventually struck up a conversation with one of the friendly owners.

The founders of Foc i Oli turn out to be a pair of twin brothers. They named the restaurant, meaning “Fire and Oil” in English, after the essential elements in preparing great food and burgers. When we inquired about the c/Aribau location, the owner told us their story. Appparently, they had expanded and opened the current c/Paris location, unluckily, 4 months If before COVID hit. They miraculously persevered through the pandemic, and ultimately decided to close their original location in late 2022. We all proclaimed how glad we were that they were open with a much larger space at the new location!

Time to Eat at Foc i Oli

The signature sandwich at Foc i Oli is the Chivito, which is actually the national dish of Uruguay. Their version has slices of entrecote, ham, gouda, and various vegetables all served with mayonnaise in a delectable brioche bun. If you’re visiting Foc i Oli for the first time, I highly recommend you order the Chivito.

Another option I like is the Patxi. It has steak and mayo, with gouda, red pepper, and my favourite thing on a burger, a fried egg. It comes on burger bread and is a slightly less decadent option.

Final Thoughts

Foc i Oli is a perennial favourite for gourmet burgers and sandwiches in Barcelona. They have a huge variety of items on their menu at prices that are hard to beat. With their latest expanded location, there is plenty of room for large or small groups in their airy dining room and outside on the terrace. Their service is energetic and friendly. Visit Foc i Oli next time you’re in Barcelona.