Bar-Ton Restaurant: Barcelona

WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo IMAGES Lourdes Segade and Aleix Bague

Just in case the Autumn weather is getting to you already, and you’re heading up north to enjoy the Spanish spring (as one does), do make sure to check out Barcelona’s Bar-Ton Restaurant, where the design is as innovative as the food.

The former delicatessen in Barcelona’s Eixample neighbourhood was transformed by Spanish interior designer Isabel López Vilalta into a tapas bar and restaurant, combining traditional local dishes with modern vegan cuisine.

The decor reflects the cuisine in its design approach. There’s the more traditional elements like the retro timber paneled wall alongside contemporary elements like the minimalist bar counter and concrete floors. Wireflow graphic-style lamps by Spanish company Vibia add a trendy touch to the space.

Apart from the wireflow light fittings, Isabel’s studio designed and produced just about everything else, including the recycled wood paneling and the Eames-inspired chairs.

With warm wooden colours, the space embodies the kind of ambience that is often lacking in contemporary minimalist spaces. In fact, never mind spring, we’d be happy spending winter there too.