There are awards that come as a result of hard work and staying true to a certain way of understanding cuisine. These are awards that are earned when you have been doing things right for a long time. The recognition given to Bar Bauma in Joc de Cartes is one such award. It is an award that we are grateful for and that comes as a result of a very specific way of understanding cuisine and the traditional bar.

The fact that our bar won Joc de Cartes with a dish as simple and demanding as patatas bravas says a lot about the moment Barcelona is experiencing... and also about who we are.

‍

A traditional bar, built from the inside out

Bar Bauma wasn't created to follow trends. It was created like all bars that matter: with a bar, shared tables, neighbors, conversation, and a kitchen that doesn't need to dress up to function.

From day one, Bauma has been just that: a traditional Catalan bar where the product reigns supreme, where recipes are steeped in history, and where friendly service is part of the experience. For us, Bauma is a way of understanding the restaurant business. One that focuses on the essentials and shuns unnecessary noise.

‍

Win card games by doing what you always do

Participating in Joc de Cartes means putting yourself out there. It means being scrutinized, having your cuisine, your consistency, and your approach evaluated. And when recognition comes precisely for a dish that doesn't seek to reinvent anything, the pride is twofold.

Bar Bauma's patatas bravas don't try to impress with fireworks. They are patatas bravas as they should be: well-prepared potatoes, perfectly fried, with a sauce that has character and balance. A popular dish cooked to perfection. No more, no less.

The fact that the program has highlighted our patatas bravas as a signature dish and considered them among the best in Barcelona confirms something we have always believed: honest cuisine, well executed and faithful to its origins, continues to be hugely valuable.

‍

‍

Patatas bravas as a symbol of a way of doing things

In Barcelona, everyone talks about bravas. Every neighborhood defends its own, every bar has its own version. But few people recognize how difficult it is to get such a seemingly simple dish just right. At Bauma, bravas reflect our philosophy and respect for tradition, refined technique, and zero artifice.

They are not a side dish. They are a dish to be shared, one that sparks conversation and defines character. That is why this recognition is not just for a recipe, but for a way of understanding bar cuisine.

‍

Much more than just a winning dish

Although Joc de Cartes has put the spotlight on bravas, Bar Bauma is much more than just that dish. It's coffee at the bar, mid-morning vermouth, seasonal brioches that bring back flavors from home, leisurely lunches, and impromptu dinners.

Everything coexists on a menu designed with common sense, without losing the essence of the classic bar, but with the freedom to reinterpret tradition when necessary. That is Bauma today, a lively place with identity, which evolves while remaining recognizable.

‍

An award we feel is our own

Bauma winning Joc de Cartes is a source of pride for the entire team and for Somos Esencia. Because behind the bar there are many hours, many decisions, and a clear idea of doing things right every day, even if it's not always visible.

This recognition tastes like perseverance, neighborhood, and well-made cuisine. And above all, it tastes like the future. To continue working with the same calm, the same respect, and the same enthusiasm.

‍

Why Bauma remains Bauma

Because after decades of history, it's still the bar you want to visit.

Because when you walk in, you find the same old bar.

Because the patatas bravas are still the same.
And because we still believe that a bar doesn't need to shout to be remembered.

If you come to Bar Bauma, you'll find what's always been there. Authentic cuisine, familiar dishes, and an atmosphere that invites you to stay. And now, in addition, some patatas bravas that have proven that well-executed simplicity can go a long way.

Sometimes, the greatest recognition comes when you stay true to who you are. And at Bauma, that has always been the most important thing.