Telefèric Barcelona recently debuted the brand in a new community, and has been quickly embraced by the local industry. The family-owned restaurant group was founded in Spain and has continued to expand in the United States, marked by its latest opening in Newport Beach’s Fashion Island, at 311 Newport Center Dr.
During its opening week, the Spanish eatery immersed itself in the scene, hosting What Now Orange County’s Accelerate networking event on Wednesday, August 26, where local restaurant operators, hospitality professionals, and industry partners gathered to network and share insights.
It was a wonderful way to introduce the esteemed concept to the community, the latest that Telefèric Barcelona has entered. The company also has restaurants in Walnut Creek, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Roseville, and La Jolla, and also expanded to open a Scottsdale, Arizona outpost earlier this year.
Founded by the Padrosa family, Telefèric Barcelona traces its roots to 1992, when Ramón Padrosa and Soledad Urabayen opened a restaurant in Sant Cugat, just outside Barcelona. Their children, Xavi and Maria Padrosa, later continued the family business and expanded the Telefèric Barcelona name internationally.
“Telefèric Barcelona was created to bring the vibrant flavors, traditions, and social dining culture of Spain to the United States while adding a modern and innovative touch,” shared Beatriz García, marketing associate, in an exclusive interview with What Now OC.
“At our core, Telefèric Barcelona is about more than food. We aim to create meaningful experiences that celebrate Spanish culture, hospitality, and the joy of gathering around the table with family and friends. We bring our chefs, managers, and ownership from Spain, so we try to keep it as authentic as we can. Our restaurant decoration, styling, and materials are also imported or inspired by Spain.”
The restaurant’s name also has a connection to its European origins. A toy cable car hanging from the ceiling became a favorite among guests. That inspired the name Telefèric, which means “cable car” in Catalan.
For the Newport Beach location, the team was drawn to Fashion Island and its setting within the community.
“Years ago, when we saw this mall, we fell in love with the location, with the energy that we felt here in Newport Beach. We felt that we were in Barcelona. We had the opportunity of opening in Fashion Island, and we’re so happy. It’s a great location,” García continued.
Its menu centers on Spanish tapas, paellas, jamón ibérico, sangria, cocktails and Spanish wines, with more than 200 Spanish wine labels selected by Catalonian sommeliers. The restaurant features a paella station, open kitchen and an extensive wine program.
The reception from the surrounding area in the few weeks since its debut has been exceptional.
“We have been incredibly grateful for the warm welcome from the Newport Beach community since day one. Guests have embraced our tapas-style dining experience, paellas, craft cocktails, and Spanish wines, and we’ve enjoyed becoming part of the local dining landscape,” said García.
“The most rewarding aspect is creating a place where people can connect, celebrate, and create memories. Seeing guests enjoy our food, experience Spanish culture, and return with friends and family is incredibly fulfilling.”
This Newport Beach opening is part of a significant period of growth for Telefèric, the most recent in a string of four debuts this year. For now, the brand says there are no additional openings currently planned, but it remains interested in bringing the concept to more communities.
“We are always exploring opportunities for growth while remaining focused on delivering exceptional Spanish hospitality,” García added. “We are always excited to keep bringing the Telefèric experience to even more communities across the United States.”
