Barcelona has Boqueria, the wonderful covered market filled with stalls selling the freshest produce and some of Spain’s finest artisanal products, not to mention a little café for lunch or a late-night snack at every turn. We’re got two places—just a subway ride away—that bring the spirit of that market to downtown New York. At Boqueria Soho and Boqueria Flatiron, look for a chic, minimalist aesthetic where you can enjoy the very tapas you’d find in the Catalonian, Basque, and other regions of Spain: Albóndigas, the classic meatballs of lamb and sheep’s-milk cheese; irresistible pan con tomate, grilled bread rubbed with tomato and garlic as if to hint at the flavor of pizza; and crisp patatas bravas with roasted aioli. Of course, a restaurant paying homage to a famous market guarantees a menu that changes with the season—alcachofas fritas (deep-friend artichokes with arugula and potato) might not be there forever—but you can always expect a wonderful selection of jamón (Serrano is even hanging from the ceiling), cheeses like Manchego and tangy Mahón. These plates are made for sharing, as are the communal tables. And, yeah, both places are open late, although not as late as places in Spain.

Albóndigas
Pan con tomate
Patatas bravas
Alcachofas fritas
Meat and cheese plates
view full menu here

The sexy leather barstools put you in the middle of the action. It’s quieter in back, near the open kitchen. But note: both places fill up fast and only accept reservations for groups of six or more, so you’re best chance of getting a seat is during less-popular hours.

A Barcelona native, Chef Marc Vidal took the reigns in September 2010, following stints as executive chef at Solea in South Beach and Por Fin in the Miami area. This fall, his duties will expand to cover Boqueria’s newest location—in Washington D.C.

daily 12 noon–12 midnight
brunch: Sat.–Sun. 12 noon–4 PM
*no tapas 5 PM–5:30 PM (Soho);
*limited tapas selection 3 PM–5:30 PM (Flatiron)

$5 (pan con tomate) to $19 (paella de mariscos)