TELEFÈRIC BARCELONA is now open AT FASHION ISLAND

Photos courtesy of Telefèric Barcelona

The brand's ninth U.S. location and third California opening of the year marks a decade in the U.S. for the group, now bringing vibrant Spanish tapas to the heart of Orange County’s retail and dining scene

Newport Beach has a new destination for Spanish dining with the arrival of Telefèric Barcelona at Fashion Island.

The family-owned restaurant, founded by siblings Xavi and Maria Padrosa, has officially opened at 311 Newport Center Drive, marking its ninth location in the United States. The opening follows recent debuts in Scottsdale and La Jolla and comes as the Padrosa family celebrates 10 years since bringing Telefèric Barcelona to the U.S.

For the family, Newport Beach felt like a particularly natural fit.

“Newport Beach immediately felt different to us. The coastal breeze, the Mediterranean light, the energy of the people and the connection to the ocean remind us so much of Barcelona,” says Xavi Padrosa, co-founder of Telefèric Barcelona.

Rather than duplicating one of the group's existing restaurants, the Padrosas wanted the Newport Beach location to have an identity of its own.

“There’s something about Newport that feels very familiar to us,” Xavi says. “Barcelona is also a city where the beach, food, beautiful weather and social life all come together, and we feel that same energy here.”

From Barcelona to Newport Beach

Telefèric's story began long before its arrival in Southern California. The family's original restaurant opened in Sant Cugat, Spain, in 1992. More than two decades later, the Padrosas brought the concept stateside, opening their first U.S. restaurant in Walnut Creek in 2016.

Today, the group has expanded throughout California and into Arizona while maintaining its connection to Spain, both in the kitchen and in the design of its restaurants.

Executive Chef Óscar Cabezas oversees the culinary program after more than a decade with Telefèric Barcelona. Before joining the restaurant group, Cabezas trained at Arzak, the acclaimed three-Michelin-starred restaurant in San Sebastián. The Newport Beach kitchen team was brought directly from Spain, and ingredients used throughout the menu are imported from Spain as well.

At the center of the experience is a style of dining meant for sharing.

Tapas arrive family-style, with familiar Spanish favorites including patatas bravas, garlic-infused gambas al ajillo and 38-month-cured jamón ibérico de bellota. Pulpo Telefèric pairs grilled octopus with potato cream and Pimentón XO, while Wagyu empanadas are filled with braised short rib and served with Manchego crackers and mojo sauce. Croquetas come filled with either Spanish jamón or king crab.

Then there are the paellas.

Every paella is cooked to order and can be finished with socarrat, the caramelized layer of rice at the bottom of the pan prized in traditional Spanish preparation.

The Paella Mixta combines pork belly and chicken with shrimp and octopus, while Paella Fiesta pairs lobster with ribeye steak. Seafood lovers can opt for Lobster Paella with Canadian lobster, Gulf shrimp and Piquillo peppers. A vegetable version features shiitake mushrooms, broccolini, snow peas and Piquillo peppers.

The Spanish influence continues behind the bar. Guests will find Barcelona-style gin and tonics, house-made sangrías and specialty cocktails including The Tourist, a combination of blanco tequila, lychee, raspberries, honey and lime.

Wine is given equally serious attention. The list features more than 100 bottles representing regions including Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat and Rías Baixas. Rotating sommelier selections spotlight smaller family-run wineries, while collectors can explore rare vintages from producers including Vega Sicilia and Artadi.

Barcelona Meets the California Coast

The connection between Spain and Newport Beach extends beyond the menu.

Maria Padrosa, who leads the design of the family's restaurants, sourced much of the Newport Beach location's furniture, tile and decorative materials directly from Spanish artisans. Whitewashed walls, hand-glazed tile, natural wood, ceramics, linen and greenery give the dining room its Mediterranean character without losing sight of its coastal California setting.

“I wanted this space to feel like it grew out of the coastline it sits on,” Maria says. “We brought in hand-glazed tile and furniture from Spanish artisans, but the light and the setting here in Newport did a lot of the work for us. It truly feels like Barcelona meeting the California coast.”

An open kitchen and dedicated paella station add another dimension to the room, allowing guests to watch dishes being prepared as they dine.

Telefèric has also brought El Merkat, its in-house Spanish marketplace, to Newport Beach. The shop gives guests a chance to take a little of the experience home, with imported olive oils, tinned seafood, conservas, specialty rice, spices, artisanal cheeses, hand-carved jamón and Spanish wines.

For those interested in trying their hand at one of the restaurant's signature dishes, at-home paella kits include rice, seasoning and a traditional paella pan.

The restaurant will also accommodate private and corporate events, with semi-private and fully private dining options and curated menus available for parties of 10 or more. Catering ranges from pickup and delivery to fully staffed events. For larger gatherings, the Telefèric team can create an on-site Spanish experience complete with live paella cooking, tapas, flamenco entertainment and bar service.

Regular programming is another part of the Telefèric experience. The restaurant group is known for events such as its Olé! Flamenco & Tapas evenings, while Happy Hour is offered Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. Additional programming created specifically for the Newport Beach location is expected to be announced in the coming months.

The Newport Beach opening represents another chapter in a family restaurant story that began outside Barcelona more than three decades ago. And while the Fashion Island location carries many of Telefèric's traditions with it, the Padrosas see Newport Beach as more than simply the newest pin on the map.

“We didn’t want this restaurant to feel like simply another Telefèric location,” Xavi says. “We wanted it to feel like it truly belongs here.”

Telefèric Barcelona Newport Beach

311 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

For menus, reservations, and additional information, visit telefericbarcelona.com or follow @telefericbarcelona on Instagram.