Tiffany Low in Barcelona, Spain
“I’m originally from NZ but left the motherland during my uni studies (I studied Business Management and International Business) for a stint in Sydney, Australia. Within a year of graduating, I spontaneously decided to move to New York, where I ended up living for eight years. I worked in fashion wholesale, climbing the corporate ladder.
I left New York in August 2020, which happened to coincide with COVID and New York was the American epicenter at the time. I moved to Milan, Italy, but when I came back to NZ to sort out my visa, I ended up staying and meeting Fabio. Now, four years later I'm still here!
I currently work in media advertising sales, teach Pilates, and, of course, co-own Tempero alongside Fabio. My role is what I call a ‘floater’—I manage the floor as the restaurant manager, oversee operations (finances, accounts payable, payroll), and handle all the marketing, digital, and social media. Hospitality is still fairly new to me. Never in a million years would I have opened a restaurant if it weren’t for Fabio’s passion and talent. I had worked as a maître d’ at New York’s Mercer Kitchen—one of many side jobs I juggled to pay the bills—but I had never properly served tables the way I do now.
However, I’ve learned a lot (and continue to do so) by being in the restaurant, and it’s fun—I love getting to know everyone dines with us! For me, it’s like being at a party where everyone is happy to be there.”
—Tiffany Low
1. What’s your ultimate foodie destination, and why does the food there blow your mind (What makes it so special? Is it the flavours, the vibe, or something completely unexpected?)
Barcelona. Everyone had always told me what a great place it was in terms of food, culture, nightlife, and vibe. I was never entirely fussed about visiting but I went last year for the first time to visit a friend living there, and it absolutely blew me away. I came home telling Fabio that I want to move there! Right now, Barcelona is killing it on the “World’s Best” list. Spain in general has such a big food culture, and paired with the warmness of the people , you’ve got a great mix.
2. What’s the one dish from this place that you dream about when you’re back home? (We all have that one dish we can’t stop thinking about. What’s yours, and where did you have it?)
One of my friends who I went to Barcelona with insisted we had to go to Cal Pep. They only take reservations for large groups (there were just three of us, so we had to walk in). The roller doors open at 7 p.m., so we grabbed a drink nearby at Paradiso. As we happened to walk past at 6:47 p.m., we noticed a line had already formed outside—so we jumped in.
At precisely 7pm, the doors opened. They ushered in the first 20 or so people to sit along the bar, the next 20 had to stand behind them, literally waiting as they dined, and the rest of the line stayed outside until a new round of seats became available.
The server behind the bar does a “trust the chef” style of menu, asking if you want red or white”wine, and serves you a bottle. They sent out the best shishito peppers I’ve ever had, clams, steak tartare on crostini, razor clams (a first for me!), bruschetta, scallops with foie gras and lentils, and the most delicate, tender white fish. Paired with a bottle of albariño, it was perfect.
3. When you're in Barcelona, what does a perfect food day look like? (Walk us through breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and don’t forget the snacks!)
For breakfast a croissant or focaccia at Funky Bakers along with an iced coffee, gelato from Oggi followed by an afternoon pick-me-up coffee at Nomad in El Born, a “trust the chef” style of dinner at Cal Pep, followed by the delicious natural wines at Bar Brutal.
4. What’s the most surprising or underrated ingredient you’ve discovered in the city? (Share a hidden gem that you think more people should know about.)
I had never tried razor clams before so I would say they are a good one to try.
5. Are there any foodie or cultural experiences there that have stuck with you? (Street markets, cooking classes, or anything that gives you a deeper connection to the local food culture?)
I guess my experience at Cal Pep really sums this question up. Do not miss it!
6. When you’re planning a trip, how much do you structure your itinerary around food? (Do you chase down restaurants and markets first, or are you more of a ‘discover it on the fly’ person?)
Mainly everything is structured around food – there are countries I’d like to visit but haven’t prioritised them solely because the food/food culture doesn’t appeal to me as much as others. I research first using the Internet, social media, and word of mouth. Then when I’ve arrived at the destination, I’ll ask the locals, saving some room (aka stomach space) for random discoveries. I like finding where the locals go as those places are definitely a sign of a good time.
7. What are your top tips for fellow food-lovers visiting Barcelona for the first time? (What’s the best advice for someone who wants to eat like a local?)
Go with the vibes. Also, make sure you make restaurant reservations if you’re going in the peak of summer. There were other places on our list but they were fully booked – I’m saving them for my next trip!
8. Any must-visit shops or markets to hit up for food souvenirs or local ingredients? (We’re talking spices, sauces, cookware—anything you’d throw in your suitcase!)
There are so many markets in Barcelona. I went to La Boqueria which I was told used to be better than it is now – I would suggest going to Sant Antoni or Santa Caterina instead. I guess it depends what you’re looking for; they’re all full of vendors selling colourful fruits, seafood, and jamon. You can get a bit of everything then go and sit outside or visit a pintxo bar.
9. What would you say to someone who’s never been to Barcelona—what are they missing out on? (Sell us on this place! What’s the vibe, and why should we add it to our must-visit list??
As soon as I landed in Barcelona, I could already tell I was going to like it (and I hadn’t even left the airport!) There’s something about the energy in the air. The people are warm, the place is bustling, the food and drinks are incredible. It's a city with local beaches and good weather. What more could you want? Just go – you won't regret it.
📷 Jay Manic