Enjoy Belgian fries and football at Ben Tips
On a warm Spring morning in Barcelona, as I walk into Ben Tips, I am greeted with the smells of freshly served coffee. I settle down in one of the unique bench-style booths and look around at some of the other patrons tucking into croissants and fartons.
I’m here to meet the owner Koen, who opened Ben Tips only three years ago. Originally from Belgium, the idea came about because he wanted a place to eat authentic Belgian fries. At Ben Tips, the speciality is freshly cooked Belgian fries, recommended to be enjoyed as a “full option” together with a hamburger.
Of course, Belgian fries need to be accompanied by Belgian beer, of which there is a great selection to choose from.
Whether you opt for a well-known staple such as a Stella Artois, a stronger but tasty option with a Chouffe, or a Hoegaarden beer made of wheat and particularly refreshing in the summer months, there is a beer waiting for you.
The decoration of the bar goes hand-in-hand with the beverage selections, as there are signs from the beer brands hanging on several walls.
The bar at Ben Tips is particularly noteworthy. Traditional bars are straight, which makes it uncomfortable to sit at the bar without having your legs bang against the wall. But, at Ben Tips, the bar has a curved shape that makes it uniquely comfortable. You can swing your legs underneath to sit at the bar without a problem as it has a shape almost like a glass of Duvel.
There is a huge terrace out back and a screen can come down so customers can enjoy watching the match from either outside, or inside on one of the many TVs. On match days they don’t take reservations and as the restaurant can fill up it’s best to come in advance to make sure you can get a seat. They are showing a lot of the World Cup matches next month, and it’s definitely the best place to cheer on Belgium.
The differentiating value of the Ben Tips is that they treat people the way they would want to be treated. There is quite a young team of around ten staff, and they aim to treat customers with the same level of customer service as they would want to receive.
And it’s not just with the customer service that this rule applies, but with the drinks or the menu as well. They do not want to offer an item on the menu that they themselves would not want, and are constantly looking for new ideas and feedback.
That mindset of continuously working to improve sets it apart from many other restaurants in the city. Too many places in Barcelona seem content to keep the same menu, the same decor, etc. and never work to improve their offering.
Ben Tips might not be in the center of the city, but it is worth the visit. Whether you’re a local or a neighbor looking for somewhere unique to enjoy the football, or a visitor on your way to wander Parc Güell, looking for a place to enjoy a refreshing Hoegaarden, you should definitely stop by.
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