A Foodie’s Guide to 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 of 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.

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

• Free Things to do in Barcelona

• FAQs

Catalan Specialties

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 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

And, of course, Catalonia's culinary scene is only further accentuated by its distinctive drink 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 flavoured 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 as 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

Spain is well-known for tapas, from patatas bravas to pimientos del padron. Barcelona’s charming cobblestone streets are replete with history-rich, trendy tapas bars.

For an authentic bite to eat, be sure to head to one of the following:

• Vaso d´Oro

• Viblioteca

• Bar Bodega Quimet

• El Puestu 

• Extra Bar 

• La Catalista 

• Bambarol 

• Quimet y Quimet 

• Tapas 24 

• Bar Torpedo 

• Bodega 1900 

• Casa Lolea 

• Lolita Taperia 

• Morro Fi 

Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona is home to an eclectic array of restaurants that are fit to satisfy just about everybody’s taste buds.

From internationally renowned eateries to locally-owned Catalonian restaurants, the following list incorporates some of the city's delectable plates.

• Surfhouse

• El Nacional 

• Ginette

• Disfrutar

• Mr. Porter 

• El Sortidor

• Caravelle

• Dos Pebrots 

• Ca L’Isidre

• A Pluma 

• Cuines Santa Caterina 

• Bambarol 

• Bar Lobo 

• Cecconi’s 

• Espai Kru 

• Les Tres a la Cuina 

Best Cafés & Brunch in Barcelona

In recent years, brunch has stormed the scene here in Barcelona. With local and international businesses popping up on every corner, there’s no doubt that this city won't disappoint if you’re after a scrumptious brunch, this city won’t disappoint.

•       Federal Cafe

•       Billy Brunch

•       The Benedict

•       Brunch and Cake 

•       Eat My Trip 

•       Cremat 11

•       Surf House Barcelona

•       Little Fern 

•       Oma Cafe

•       Citizen Café

•       Sabio Infante 

•       Somewhere Cafe 

•       El Cafe de la Central 

•       Les Tres a la Cuina 

•       Werhaus

Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Barcelona 

For vegans, vegetarians and plant-based diets, be sure to check out the following options for sustainable eating:

• Veggie Garden

• Green Spot 

• Flax & Kale Passage 

• Honest Greens 

• Teresa Carles 

Best Coffee Shops in Barcelona

If you’re searching 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 offers. Check out this post for more details on the Best Coffee Shops in Barcelona.

• Satan's Coffee

• Nømad Coffee

• Espai Joliu

• Cafés El Magnifico

• SlowMov

• Syra Coffee

• Federal Cafe

• Bicioci Bike Cafe

• Onna Cafe

• Black Remedy

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 are 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.

Tips for Eating Like a Local in Barcelona

Are you 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.

1. 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 doesn’t stop rumbling, try holding back until 9 pm.

2. 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.

3. Give the Menú del día a fair go. In General Franco’s regime, restaurants were obligated to provide this discounted option. But nowadays, Barcelona is known for its wealth of quality lunch-time deals. If you want to save a penny or two, you can’t go past the Menú del día.

4. 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!

5. Tapas are a shared plate, so order up! Listen here, amigos; you don’t get to eat a 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.

6. 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.

7. Fish are friends (Nemo reference) 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 lots of 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 meal and dessert or drink for around €11 to €15.

Free Things to do in Barcelona

This Spanish metropolitan hub has so much up stuffed up its’ sleeve, and, for free! Don’t be fooled into thinking you must spend a single penny to get the full BCN experience.

For a comprehensive guide replete with all my favourite things (that don’t require any dosh), check out my post here for the best Free Things to do in Barcelona: Barcelona, you bloody beauty.

So there you have it, folks; the best places to grab a bite 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!