Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen delight Barcelona restaurant staff

Former US President was visiting Catalan city with his wife Michelle

Former US president Barack Obama, film director Steven Spielberg and singer Bruce Springsteen with staff at Amar restaurant, in Barcelona. Reuters

Former US president Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and filmmaker Steven Spielberg had many people in Barcelona doing a double take on Friday, when they joined the throngs of tourists to visit some of the city's main sites — albeit with added security.

The trio were in Barcelona to attend a concert by pal Bruce Springsteen at Barcelona's Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Friday night.

Mr Obama, Mr Spielberg and Springsteen dined at the Amar restaurant in the Palace Hotel on Thursday.

Staff member Pol Perello uploaded a photo of them posing with wait staff and chefs to Instagram with the comment "the pleasure this job brings you!."

On Friday, the Obamas and Mr Spielberg took in some of Barcelona's most famous cultural sights. Stops on the tour were set to include the Sagrada Familia basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudi, and the Picasso museum.

Spanish news outlets showed the former president and first lady walking hand in hand through central Barcelona surrounded by a large group of security guards.

Mr Obama and Springsteen first met on the presidential campaign trail in 2008. In 2021, they hosted a podcast that spawned a book Renegades: Born in the USA.