Spanish Conservas Bars

Toronto-based Bar Raval transforms the idea of a local watering hole into something so much more with its inspired design and exploration of Spanish conservas and tapas. Designed by Toronto-based design firm Partisans, this Spanish-inspired eatery boasts a beautiful restaurant interior thanks to the use of sculpted African mahogany. The sculpted wood traverses most of the restaurant and flows through the space, curving, dipping and eventually opening up to reveal windows and the bar.

While most restaurants push their fresh seafood options, Bar Raval focuses more on the tinned variety, also known as Spanish conservas. This choice may seem strange to most North American eaters, but in Spain, many discerning customers value tinned goods over the fresh variety. This is the idea Bar Raval is pushing with its food such as its tinned razor clams, smoky oil-packed mackerel and sardines. For those used to supermarket canned seafood, Bar Raval's options are starkly different and sure to change the opinions of even the pickiest eater.