Maricarmen NQ

Maricarmen NQ is the second chapter from Marian Díaz, Jose Núñez and Andrés Vielma — a place shaped as much by resilience and friendship as it is by food. What started as a pop-up born from uncertainty has become one of the city’s most heartfelt Spanish dining rooms, where humour, hospitality and honest cooking come first.

The ground floor runs on El Tableo — a lively, walk-in-only way of eating where freshly made tapas circulate the room and you choose with your eyes, nose and instinct. It’s spontaneous, social and designed to get people trying things they might never order off a menu. Expect plates rooted in Spanish tradition but full of personality: croquettes, chorizo a la sidra, scallops with verde sauce, anchovies with vinegar and crisps, plus rotating specials that reflect whoever’s cooking that day.

Upstairs, Gildas shifts the mood. Inspired by Basque pintxo culture, the first floor is a more intimate space focused on skewered bites, premium tinned fish, charcuterie, cheeses and a carefully chosen line-up of Spanish vermouths. It’s slower, snackier and perfect for grazing with a drink in hand.

Design-wise, the Northern Quarter site takes cues from Mediterranean beach houses and grandmotherly Spanish kitchens — bright, relaxed and comforting, with playful details and nods to the building’s past. It feels lived-in rather than styled, which fits the ethos perfectly.