Carpe Diem: Inside dining
If Barcelona has the chic design flair, the warm beach atmosphere and the late-night party vibe thing working for it, then Carpe Diem is a microcosm of all that in one place. With Buddha statues, bamboo accents, and plush pillows and cushions, the beachfront locale is where "chill" takes on a new meaning.

During the day, you have a mixed bag of Asian-Mediterranean fusion plates to chose from, with everything from sushi to vegetable samosas to monkfish medallions on the menu. Eat on the open-terrace if you want to take in the sea views. At night, the place, located near the Hotel Arts in Vila Olímpica, turns into a teeming night club with DJs slamming out latest (mostly techno) music.

Carmelitas: Main dining room
Although it may be housed in a renovated, former historic convent, Carmelitas certainly doesn't have anything stuffy or Old World about it. Instead, the bright red and white décor and spacious dining areas play more to energetic street life you'll find in its surrounding neighborhood, the Raval. In the heart of Barcelona, only a few blocks away from the famous Boqueria market and the Rambla, the restaurant uses fresh ingredients in its Catalan fare, and pours some of the best locally produced wines and cavas.

Agua: Beachfront dining
Having earned its place in nearly all of the guidebooks and usually topping the concierge's list of hot dining spots, Aqua certainly is worth a visit. It's beachfront location, near the super lux Hotel Arts - one of the twin high-rise towers dominating the Vila Olímpica skyline, makes the restaurant an easy choice for seaside dining.

Outside, you can chill out on the terrace, or inside, enjoy a stylish mix of bright colors and colonial décor. Fresh, simple, Mediterranean cuisine is what you'll find on the menu, and the house specials are seafood and rice dishes grilled over coals. It's a popular place, so it's worth making reservations in advance.