Casa Calvet

The Casa Calvet was one of the architect's first commissions, built for textile magnate Pere Calvet. Now private apartments, the building is off-limits to the public, but a restaurant occupies Calvet's former ground-floor offices. Replete with velvet drapery, florid stained glass, attractive tiles, Gaudí-designed furniture, and other memorabilia, the only thing that jolts you back to the 21st century is the contemporary twist on Miguel Alija's excellent Catalan cuisine, such as giant prawns with rosemary-infused oil or duck liver with oranges. And although the setting ensures a fair share of tourists, Casa Calvet is also popular with locals.