Rupia is one of many small Catalan villages that you can easily speed past on your way to coastal resorts like Estartit or L’Escala. I must have passed this way hundreds of times and thought little about it.
After all there’s not much to look at when driving, just a small car garage and a lonely set of traffic lights, that’s because the village sits astride the main road. Luckily for craft beer lovers there’s a trendy micro-brewery / bar called Dos Kiwis that also has a food truck. We’ve stopped here a few times, the beers on offer are a mix of frothy fruit flavoured IPA’s and lagers, all relatively strong. The food’s another matter, I’ll do a separate review of this place.
We’ve never ventured to look further but this time it’s different, as an old friend is doing a Sunday afternoon DJ spot at what appears to be the only village bar as far as I can tell. Aptly named Bar de Rupia. The well kept village has visitor parking, useful as some of these mediaeval villages are riddled with narrow streets and car restrictions.
Safely parked we slowly ambled along the quiet streets, curiously admiring the cute mix of village house styles, large and small. Some of the stone built ones look very old with tiny windows. It even has a small grocery store.
We must be getting closer as wafting cool blues music pervades the afternoon sky. Bar Rupia looks over a small square surrounded by large imposing residences, no doubt lending a good acoustic touch. It’s close to 1pm and business is brisk, with no sight of an empty outdoor table. It’s a bright sunny spring day and sitting al fresco is the prime objective.
Our friend’s DJ spot is in full swing, set back far enough from the bar so the music is background and non-intrusive. As we chat away a table becomes vacant, we’re in. A quick visual scan of the other patrons and they look like locals. I’m beginning to wonder why I’ve never heard about this place and like what I see, and pick up their one page clipboard food menu (in Catalan).
These lazy Sunday afternoon outings are what tapas is all about and we order some snails (12€), calamari with wasabi mayo (9€) and xoricets (5.70€), small spicy sausages in a cider sauce. A small selection of much bigger dishes are also on offer and a takeaway menu too.
Choices are a variety of typical Catalan fare and prices are not over the top at all. Dishes we ordered were plentiful and the calamari a hit, crunchy batter with the wasabi mayo a tasty kick.
It’s starting to feel toasty as our table is bathed in direct sun, thankfully there are a few large sun umbrellas. Additional tables and chairs are quickly provided as a steady stream of new customers arrive.
If you’re looking for tasty no frills food or just a slow relaxing drink, in a cute village setting away from the hustle and bustle, then Bar Rupia is surely worth a look.
