Foni, an African bar&restaurant in Barcelona

In the ShBarcelona’s blog we like to discover some places in the city that are usually out of the tourist guides radar, not because of a quality of charm lack, but because of they don’t appear in social media, Internet or magazines. This African bar and restaurant is a clear example of this type of highly recommended hidden places, which are never mentioned in guidebooks. Foni is one of the few places in Barcelona where you can eat and drink authentic African dishes and drinks, prepared by native cooks.

If you are walking through the center of Barcelona and looking for some authentic, cheap and with good homemade dishes restaurant, you’ll find between the Rambla of Barcelona and the Avenida Parallel, in the heart of Raval neighbourhood, specifically in the Est Street number 9. Before going into detail on the menu, it is noteworthy that Foni waiters are really friendly, and they will talk to you and try to joke about anything if you feel like so. Let’s talk about the dishes and cocktails there; drinks include African juices as the bisap, the baobab juice or cold ginger just like some traditional dishes: the Gambian domoda (a sauce made of peanut to season many dishes), the chep bu yapp (fried rice with meat or fish), the super kanja (a delicious stew with fish and vegetables), or mafe (white rice with peanut sauce), among others. Each course won’t cost you more than 6 €, and if you’re not really hungry you can order half the dish for half the price.

Besides all these delicious meals and drinks you can also have a cocktail or a beer at a very low price: cubatas (alcohol mixed with some soda) cost 4 euros and cocktails (mojito, capiriña, piña colada, San Francisco, etc.), cost 3 euros. The first impression of the Raval district may be shocking, as it is an area full of contrasts, but that fact adds charm for the adventurous visitor who wants to explore not only the most typical areas of the city, but to know thoroughly and all its sides. Right next to the Foni you also find other good places to go at night such as the Cassette Bar or Moog, which we have mentioned before on this blog, or other quality bars and restaurants with good prices where you can discover the traditional cuisine of many other cultures.