The Best Places to Eat in Barcelona
Bustling Barcelona proffers an ample array of attractions that continues to reel in international crowds year after year. Whether you’re exploring Catalonia’s plethora of multi-peaked mountainous hikes, day trips, Gaudí’s mythical-like monuments, or idyllic Southern-European beaches, the city’s culinary culture is the crown to an authentic BCN experience.
This curated guide will give you a taste into Barcelona’s best of the best.
From tapas-based bistros to alcohol-infused bars and classic Catalan restaurants, there’s a lil’ something to satisfy self-proclaimed foodies and gastronomy-intrigued visitors alike.
First-timers, don’t be deceived by the tourist traps on Las Ramblas; this food-centric city offers much more than just your typical Spanish paella.
Barcelona’s gastronomy scene is threaded with a combination of cultures. Principally sparking the Mediterranean palate, the dishes are predominate in olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish and meat.
Including the best of the best, these are the Best Places to Eat in Barcelona, Spain. Let’s dig in!
Here’s what we cover in this Barcelona food guide:
Catalan Specialities
What to Drink in Barcelona
Authentic Tapas in Barcelona
Best Restaurants in Barcelona
Best Cafes & Brunch in Barcelona
Best Vegan & Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants
Best Coffee Shops in Barcelona
Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Tips for Eating Like a Local in Barcelona
FAQs
Catalan Specialties
If you don’t know where to eat in Barcelona, let alone what to eat, then let’s kick it off right here. This is an essential guide into the city’s most mouth-watering cuisine, and according to locals, you shouldn’t leave Barcelona without trying one of the following Catalonian specialties.
These dishes are relatively simple, nevertheless they pair surprisingly well with a local beer or wine.
Pa amb tomaquet. A quintessential, tasty dish. Bread rubbed with garlic, tomato, olive oil, and topped with a pinch of salt.
Trinxat. A typical plate from the Catalan Pyrenees mountain range. A combination of cabbage, potatoes and pork meat.
Escalivada. One of my personal favourites. Eggplant and bell peppers cooked with olive oil.
Bunyols de Bacalla. Crunchy codfish pastries that are soft and creamy on the inside.
Crema Catalana. Sweet tooth cravings: satisfied! This is kind of a like a local crème brūlée. The custard is enriched with orange zest and cinnamon.
Catanies. Another one of my favourites… Toasted almonds, covered in caramel and white chocolate.
Mel I Mato. A classic Catalan dessert that fuses curd cheese and honey.
What to Drink in Catalonia
Of course, the culinary scene in Catalonia is complemented by its unique beverage culture.
And it goes way beyond sangria. Be sure to check out the following:
Wine. Rioja and Priorat are home to Catalonia’s best wine regions.
Cava. Local sparkling wine that’s similar to the champenoise traditional method, but with less sugar added.
Vermouth. This is an indispensable part of all tapas-based outings.
Vermouth is a fortified wine that’s flavored with herbs. Pairs well with olives.
Beers. Craft beers are painting Barcelona’s beer scene pretty damn high.
If you’re a beer fanatic, you cannot leave without trying Estrella Damm, Moritz, Voll Damm, or San Miguel. You can find bottles of these for the same price of water… Depending on the area, you can even score a pint for as little as €3,50.
It’s fair to say that you can kiss your six pack goodbye and say hello to a different type of six-pack...
Authentic Tapas Bars in Barcelona
The streets of Barcelona are full of charm with their cobblestones, and they boast trendy tapas bars that are rich in history.
For an authentic bite to eat, be sure to head to one of the following:
Best Restaurants in Barcelona
Barcelona boasts a diverse selection of restaurants that cater to a wide range of palates.
From internationally renowned eateries, to locally-owned Catalonian restaurants, the following list incorporates some of the delectable plates the city has on offer.
Best Cafés & Brunch in Barcelona
In recent years, brunch has stormed the scene here in Barcelona.
This city has a plethora of local and international businesses that offer delectable brunch options on almost every street corner.
These are the best places to eat brunch in Barcelona:
Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Barcelona
For all my vegan, vegetarian and plant-based friends, you won’t be missing out on a thing!
All tried and tested by yours truly, these are the top 7 places for eating in Barcelona. If you want to see this Catalan city like a local, then there’s no doubt you’ll get a taste of the authentic veggie lifestyle in these hot spots.
These are the essential restaurants for sustainable eating in Barcelona:
Best Coffee Shops in Barcelona
If you’re on the hunt for a perfectly brewed pick-me-up, luckily for all you coffee lovers, I’ve got you covered.
Here's where you'll find the sexiest coffee in Barcelona. Get on it and get yo’ ass out there to discover the best coffee shops and cafés the Catalan capital has to offer.
Check out my post here for more details on the Best Coffee Shops in Barcelona.
Want to go the extra mile?
Navigating a foreign culture is difficult without language barriers getting in the way. Perhaps you might meet a Spanish lad or lass amid your journey... Now wouldn’t it be helpful to know how to converse... like a boss... I created a Spanish Pocket Book for those travelling to a Spanish-speaking part of the globe. I’ve incorporated the most essential words, basic phrases and expressions. ¡Venga vámanos!
Cooking Classes in Barcelona
For a more immersive culinary experience, there’s no better way to experience a city’s local cuisine and specialities than by taking a cooking class or food tour.
This way, you can learn about traditional Catalan cooking and bask in the various flavours and tastes only known to locals.
There’s plentiful amounts of local chefs and commercial companies offering cooking classes. Look out for:
BcnKITCHEN = approx. €50.
Just Royal BCN = approx. €77.
Devour = approx. €69.
Worried about fitting into the local’s scene here in BCN? I’ve got your back. If you don’t want to stick out like a fish out of water, check out my advice below.
Tips for Eating Like a Local in Barcelona:
Dinner is never before 9:00 pm. The later, the better. When I worked in a restaurant, most people would enter the doors around 10-11 pm and leave after midnight. If your stomach won’t stop rumbling, at least try holding back until 9 pm.
Avoid Las Ramblas at all costs. These streets are big-ass tourist traps. Sure, there’s a handful of restaurants that aren’t too bad, but if you want more of a local’s experience rather than a tourist-targeted, over-priced eatery, your best bet is to stay far away.
Give the Menú del día a fair go. Back in General Franco’s regime, restaurants were obligated to provide this discounted option. But nowadays, Barcelona is known for its wealth of quality lunchtime deals. If you want to save a penny or two, you simply can’t go past the Menú del día.
Ditch the tap water. Yes, you read that right! Even though Google states Barcelona’s tap water is safe for consumption, I’m here to tell you that it’s far from a local’s choice. Grab bottled water instead!
Tapas is for sharing. Don’t get to eat an entire plate of croquetas de espinaca while your friend demolishes the patatas bravas. As a general rule of thumb, you always share and pick at various plates.
After stuffing your face, head for a post-dinner drink. The drinking culture in Barcelona is strong, oh-so-strong. Gin & Tonics, along with a classic Catalan Cava or Vermut Rojo, are all the rage.
Fish are friends and food in Barcelona… Yes, that is a modified quote from the movie Nemo… I can’t personally vouch for the seafood on offer here in BCN because I don’t eat it and never have. But in saying that, it is one of Spain’s hot spots for a quality fresh find. So if you’re into seafood, give it a red-hot go.
FAQS
What food is famous in Barcelona?
Barcelona is famous for a delectable fusion of Spanish and Catalan cuisine. Spanish favourites include jamon iberico, patatas bravas, croquettes, gazpacho and Valencian paella. Catalan crowd-pleasers include escalivada, bacalao (cod fish) and fideuà.
How do you eat like a local in Barcelona?
If you don’t want to feel like a tourist in Barcelona, make sure you eat when the Spanish do. Lunch is around 3 or 5 pm, and dinner is later, usually around 9 or 10 pm.
What is the diet in Barcelona?
Catalan food is based on the typical Mediterranean diet, with many fish, legumes and vegetables. Often served with lots of olive oil, you’ll find it’s easy to feel satisfied and healthy.
How much does a meal cost in Barcelona?
That depends on where you eat! If it’s a tourist-targeted restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between €10 to €14. You can pay around €6 to €9 for a meal if it's a local spot. You’ll find the ‘menu del dia’ at lunchtime, with an entrée, main dinner and dessert or drink for around €11 to €15.
There is so much to discover in this bustling Spanish city; the best part is that it won't cost you a dime! Don't be misled into believing that you need to spend any money to enjoy all that BCN has to offer fully. For a comprehensive guide replete with all my favourite things to do (that don’t require any dosh), check out this post for the best Free Things to do in Barcelona: Barcelona, you bloody beauty.
So there you have it, folks; the best places to eat in Barcelona, Spain. If you’re on a strict mission to pursue quality restaurants, I can guarantee these eateries will leave you in a hard-core food coma. ¡De nada!
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