Ah, Barcelona. A city of vibrant colors, ancient architecture, and a seemingly endless supply of delicious food. It’s a place where the sun shines brightly, the sea breezes are refreshing, and the tapas are simply divine. Join me on a gastronomic journey through Barcelona’s restaurants and bars, where every bite is a delectable surprise.
Here are the traditional foods you should seek out in Barcelona.
- Tapas
- Seafood
- Meat
- Snacks
- Sweets
- Drinks
- Non-Traditional Restaurants
- Foodie Destinations in Barcelona
Tapas
Tapas are small dishes of food, often served in a leisurely fashion, allowing one to sample a variety of culinary delights without the burden of a full meal. They are typically enjoyed alongside a glass of wine or other refreshing beverage.
- Pa amb tomàquet (pan con tomate) is a simple but delicious Catalan dish that consists of bread rubbed with fresh tomato, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
- Patatas bravas are a popular Spanish tapas dish consisting of fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce. The sauce, known as brava sauce, is usually made with tomatoes, garlic, chili peppers, and other seasonings. And the dish is often served with aioli.
- Bombas are are essentially large, round potato croquettes filled with seasoned ground meat, such as beef or pork. The croquettes are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy, and they are typically served with two distinctive sauces: a spicy red sauce, often a brava sauce, and a garlicky white aioli.
- Escalivada consists of roasted eggplant, red bell peppers, onion, and garlic. The vegetables are roasted until they are charred and slightly softened. Then they are peeled, sliced, and drizzled with olive oil.
- Calçots amb romesco features grilled scallions (calçots) served with a thick, nutty, and slightly spicy tomato dipping sauce called romesco.
Restaurants with good tapas in Barcelona:
- Paco Meralgo Restaurante – Experience a Michelin-recognized tapas bar that redefines the concept of a traditional tavern. Savor a curated menu of open-faced sandwiches, fresh seafood, and succulent meats, expertly prepared and presented with a modern flair.
- Ancestral Bar – Ancestral is a restaurant known for its innovative cocktails and tapas, craft beer, and affordable daily set menus. Take a seat at one of the outdoor tables and start ordering.
- Gresca – This restaurant offers a vibrant exploration of seasonal Catalan cuisine. Unlike some Michelin-starred establishments, Gresca provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, eschewing stuffy service and delicate portions. While the menu may fluctuate daily, certain timeless dishes, such as the comforting Asian broth and the succulent grilled quail, are essential for any first-time visitor.
- Soma – This restaurant, with its cozy decor and Parisian-style terrace, offers a delightful menu of Catalan tapas with Italian and French influences. Indulge in dishes like duck à l’orange, galetes de socarrat de risotto (a crispy risotto), marinated mackerel with strawberries, and ragu-stuffed rigatoni.
- La Bombeta – This beloved tapas bar nestled in the heart of Barcelona’s vibrant Barceloneta neighborhood, is renowned for its authentic and lively atmosphere. This unpretentious eatery offers a delectable array of traditional Catalan tapas, with their signature bombas being a must-try.
- El Xampanyet – This bustling bar, though initially daunting, serves incredible food: succulent octopus, pillowy pancetta, savory butifarra sausage, and refreshing house cava or vermut.
- El Nacional Barcelona – This destination boasts 9 delectable dining options, ranging from tapas bars to fresh seafood restaurants, all housed in a space guaranteed to impress. Indulge in the local flavors at the wine bar, where you can savor a curated selection of cheeses, meats, and local wine.
Seafood
- Esqueixada de bacallà is a traditional Catalan dish made with shredded salt cod (bacallà), tomatoes, onions, olives, and a vinaigrette dressing.
- Paella is a popular Spanish rice dish that originated in Valencia but is also popular in Barcelona. It’s characterized by its vibrant yellow color from saffron, and it’s typically made with a combination of rice, vegetables, meat (often chicken and rabbit), and seafood. The ingredients are cooked together in a large, flat-bottomed pan called a paella pan, and the bottom of the pan is typically browned, adding a delicious crust.
- Fideuá is a Spanish dish similar to paella but made with thin, short noodles called “fideus” instead of rice. It’s typically cooked in a large, shallow pan and often includes seafood (like squid, shrimp, and mussels) and vegetables.
- Mejillones al vapor is a classic Spanish dish made with steamed mussels. The mussels are typically steamed in their own juices with white wine, garlic, and herbs like parsley.
Restaurants with good seafood in Barcelona:
- El Cangrejo Loco – This unassuming eatery offers an array of traditional Catalan cuisine. Fresh fish and seafood, expertly prepared, is the star of the show. From the classic paella to the less familiar fidueá, you’re sure to find something to love. Note that there is also another location with stunning sea views that may be more appealing.
- Berbena – This restaurant offers a cozy, Mediterranean dining experience with a global twist. Expect seasonal dishes inspired by Asian and South American flavors. Don’t miss their homemade sourdough with smoked butter, Jerusalem artichokes, fresh seafood, and a variety of delectable cheeses.
- CruiX – This cozy Michelin-guide restaurant, with its exposed brick walls and warm service, offers two tasting menus: Classic Cruix (7 courses) and Grand Cruix (11 courses). Their specialty? Exquisite rice dishes, including paella with the coveted socarrat (crispy bottom).
Meat
- Embutidos refers to a variety of Spanish cured meats such as butifarra, chorizo, fuet, salchichón, and jamón.
- Jamón ibérico (Iberian ham) is a world-renowned Spanish cured ham, considered a delicacy and a symbol of Spanish gastronomy. It is made from the rear leg of a free-range black Iberian pig raised on a diet of acorns.
Restaurants with good meat in Barcelona:
Ultramarinos Marin – This unassuming eatery, open for breakfast and lunch, is a culinary gem dedicated to traditional Catalan cuisine. Here, a master chef wields a hot plancha and a wood-fire oven to create dishes that are both simple and sublime. From succulent grilled langoustines to smoky braised pork shanks, each bite is a testament to the power of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss the house-cured fish charcuterie and the iconic grilled smashed potatoes with garlic alioli.
Snacks
- Coca Catalana is a popular Catalan flatbread made with a thin, crispy dough that’s often topped with various ingredients. It can be made sweet and topped with sugar, pine nuts, and orange zest, creating a delightful dessert. Or it can be made savory by topping it with ingredients like sausages, onions, peppers, and cheese.
Restaurants with good snacks in Barcelona:
- Brunells – This historic bakery is nestled in the heart of Barcelona and is known for its award winning coca.
Sweets
- Crema Catalana is a popular Spanish dessert that is similar to crème brûlée but it is flavored with citrus zest.
- Mel i Mató is a traditional Catalan dessert made with honey and mató, a fresh, creamy cheese similar to ricotta. Sometimes, toasted almonds or pine nuts are added as a topping for extra texture and flavor.
Restaurants with good sweets in Barcelona:
- Granja M. Viader – The general consensus is that this historic cafe has the best Crema Catalana in Barcelona.
Drinks
- Cava is a sparkling wine produced in Catalonia, Spain. It’s made using a similar method to champagne, involving secondary fermentation in the bottle that gives it its bubbles. Cava is known for its fresh, fruity flavors.
- Vermut (vermouth) is a fortified wine flavored with herbs, spices, and sometimes citrus peels. Dry vermouth is typically made with white wine and has a drier, more bitter flavor, while sweet vermouth is typically made with red wine and has a sweeter, more aromatic flavor. Vermouth is typically served as an aperitif in Spain, often accompanied by tapas or other small snacks.
Restaurants with good drinks in Barcelona:
You can expect to find a basic selection of cava and vermut at any restaurant or bar in Barcelona, but here are a few standouts.
- Can Paixano – Can Paixano is a traditional bar in Barcelona that serves tapas and sandwiches. It is known for its friendly atmosphere, good food, and wide selection of drinks. Specialties include cod croquettes, patatas bravas, anchovies, and sardines.
Non-Traditional Restaurants in Barcelona
We tried a recommended taco place and a highly rated pizza place, but I can’t say I loved them enough to pass on those recommendations so maybe it’s best to stick to traditional Catalonian food in Barcelona. That said, here are two non-traditional restaurants I’d like to try next time I visit Barcelona.
- Ramen-ya Hiro – Renowned as Barcelona’s finest ramen, the menu offers a focused selection: three hot ramen varieties (soy, miso, and seafood) and two cold options (tsukemen and hiyashi chuka). Secure your spot with a reservation, though walk-ins are occasionally accommodated.
- Mikan – The chef here, a master of Northern Chinese cuisine, infuses her dishes with Japanese and Korean influences. From a delightful fixed-price lunch to an exciting a la carte dinner, Mikan offers a dining experience that’s both affordable and unforgettable. Indulge in dishes like grilled koji-cured mackerel, elevated with green onion oil, daikon, and shiso; spicy beef salad, bursting with cilantro and chile; or Iberian pork loin katsu. Pair your meal with the perfect wine from their extensive selection.
Foodie Destinations in Barcelona
La Boqueria: The Mercat de la Boqueria is a place of wonder and gastronomic delights dating back to the 13th century. Imagine a vibrant indoor market filled with fresh seafood, unusual fruits, prepared foods, and tantalizing aromas. But it is more than just a place to buy food; it’s a cultural institution where people come together to celebrate the joy of eating more better. Pro tip: go early and bring your appetite.
Barceloneta: Locals flock to the sun-kissed shores of La Barceloneta, where they may be seen basking in the sun’s warm embrace (be prepared to avert your eyes). In the evenings, locals and tourists congregate at al fresco seafood restaurants and traditional tapas bars, indulging in sizzling paella and freshly caught fish.
Gothic Quarter: The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic, is a place where the past clings to the present like a cobweb to a forgotten corner. Its narrow, winding streets are a maze of shadows, where the sun struggles to penetrate. The air is thick with history, the scent of ancient stone and freshly baked bread. It is a place of secrets and surprises, where hidden courtyards, ancient churches, trendy tapas bars, and Catalan restaurants lurk behind seemingly ordinary facades.
Eixample: The Eixample district, a trendy neighborhood of wide avenues and amazing architecture, is a culinary wonderland. Here, one may indulge in a dizzying array of gastronomic delights, from traditional Catalan cuisine to cutting-edge fusion fare. The district’s bustling streets are lined with charming cafes, cozy tapas bars, and elegant restaurants, each offering a unique and delectable experience.
Don’t know where to start? A food tour is a great option that allows you to try a number of different dishes over the span of a few hours. Here are a few highly rated options.
- Barcelona Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner
- Barcelona: Old Town Evening Food Tour with 8 Tapas & 4 Drinks
- Barcelona Tapas Walking Tour; Food, Wine & History
- Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour
- Devour Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & Gothic Quarter Food Tour
¡Provecho!
Check this out! This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Barcelona.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Barcelona food and restaurants guide. If you’re looking for more, here are all of my posts about Spain.
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