Barcelona Travel Guide

Spain  #1 in Best Places to Visit in Spain

What to Eat in Barcelona

In Barcelona, expect to find a mix of traditional Spanish dishes along with Mediterranean-infused Catalonian classics. While here, make sure to sample Spanish staples including jamón ibérico, manchego cheese, tortilla española (potato omelet), gazpacho (cold soup), and patatas bravas (sautéed potatoes typically served with a spicy aioli). And considering the city borders the Mediterranean Sea, you should indulge in paella accordingly. But when in Catalonia, try the Catalan versions of paella. There's arròs a la catalana, which features much of the same ingredients of paella except the dish doesn't use saffron, a key ingredient in Spanish paella. Fideuà is another paella-like dish with a Catalan spin, only instead of rice you get noodles. 
Catalonian cuisine is big on meat and fish. And while that may not sound too far off from the rustic, meat-heavy fare found throughout the rest of Spain, the difference here is that the Catalans like to mix both of them together in one dish. Mar i muntanya is the name of the phenomenon, so don't be alarmed if while in a restaurant, you notice a dish coming out with chicken and shrimp together on a plate. If that sounds too heavy for your liking, there are plenty of lighter options that are quintessentially Catalan. Grilled vegetables are surprisingly big for a place that loves pork. (Sausage is another staple here. Instead of focusing on chorizo, go for the regional botifarras sausage). One of the most traditional Catalan dishes available is escalivada, which is grilled eggplant and red peppers mixed with olive oil and garlic (sometimes with anchovies) served on top of bread. There's also the vegetarian-friendly, and favored pa amb tomàquet snack, or bread spread with a mix of olive oil, garlic and crushed tomatoes. And if you're visiting from December to early May, seek out a calçot cookout. Calçots are a type of spring onions native to the province, and it's a Catalan pastime to char them on a grill and dip them in romesco sauce.  Also part of the pastime? Wearing bibs (often emblazoned with calçots) and eating outside, where the grilled calçots are spread among newspaper. (If that sounds familiar, it's the same way crab and lobster is consumed in the USA.) 
Whatever you decide to eat while in Barcelona, make sure to leave room for dessert. Crema catalana is the Catalan version of creme brulee. Cheese is also dessert here. Mel i mató is a goat cheese drizzled with warm honey and accompanied by walnuts.  Cava, or Catalan sparkling wine, goes great with these too. 

In Barcelona, expect to find a mix of traditional Spanish dishes along with Mediterranean-infused Catalonian classics. While here, make sure to sample Spanish staples including jamón ibérico, manchego cheese, tortilla española (potato omelet), gazpacho (cold soup), and patatas bravas (sautéed potatoes typically served with a spicy aioli). And considering the city borders the Mediterranean Sea, you should indulge in paella accordingly. But when in Catalonia, try the Catalan versions of paella. There's arròs a la catalana, which features much of the same ingredients of paella except the dish doesn't use saffron, a key ingredient in Spanish paella. Fideuà is another paella-like dish with a Catalan spin, only instead of rice you get noodles.

Catalonian cuisine is big on meat and fish. And while that may not sound too far off from the rustic, meat-heavy fare found throughout the rest of Spain, the difference here is that the Catalans like to mix both of them together in one dish. Mar i muntanya is the name of the phenomenon, so don't be alarmed if while in a restaurant, you notice a dish coming out with chicken and shrimp together on a plate. If that sounds too heavy for your liking, there are plenty of lighter options that are quintessentially Catalan. Grilled vegetables are surprisingly big for a place that loves pork. (Sausage is another staple here. Instead of focusing on chorizo, go for the regional botifarras sausage). One of the most traditional Catalan dishes available is escalivada, which is grilled eggplant and red peppers mixed with olive oil and garlic (sometimes with anchovies) served on top of bread. There's also the vegetarian-friendly, and favored pa amb tomàquet snack, or bread spread with a mix of olive oil, garlic and crushed tomatoes. And if you're visiting from December to early May, seek out a calçot cookout. Calçots are a type of spring onions native to the province, and it's a Catalan pastime to char them on a grill and dip them in romesco sauce. Also part of the pastime? Wearing bibs (often emblazoned with calçots) and eating outside, where the grilled calçots are spread among newspaper. (If that sounds familiar, it's the same way crab and lobster is consumed in the USA.)

Whatever you decide to eat while in Barcelona, make sure to leave room for dessert. Crema catalana is the Catalan version of creme brulee. Cheese is also dessert here. Mel i mató is a goat cheese drizzled with warm honey and accompanied by walnuts. Cava, or Catalan sparkling wine, goes great with these too.

Find the Best Restaurants in Barcelona

  • #1
    La Cava Cakery
    #1 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 124 reviewsTripAdvisor (124)
    $ - $$ | Cafe
    Psg. Sant Joan 111, 08037 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #2
    Pizzeria Da Nanni Barcelona
    #2 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 1253 reviewsTripAdvisor (1253)
    $ | Italian, Pizza, Fast Food, Mediterranean, European, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian
    Calle Llibreteria 10, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #3
    BelleBuon
    #3 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 2193 reviewsTripAdvisor (2193)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Neapolitan, Campania, Sicilian, Southern-Italian
    Travessera de Gracia, 441, 08025 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #4
    Billy Brunch
    #4 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 600 reviewsTripAdvisor (600)
    $ - $$ | Cafe, European, International
    Carrer de Bailen 115, 08009 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #5
    Bodega Biarritz
    #5 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 3466 reviewsTripAdvisor (3466)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, Spanish, Wine Bar, European, Catalan
    Nou de San Francesc 7, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #6
    Swiit
    #6 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 130 reviewsTripAdvisor (130)
    $ | Cafe, Italian
    Baixada de Viladecols 2C Placa dels Traginers, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #7
    Teddy's Barcelona
    #7 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 721 reviewsTripAdvisor (721)
    $ | Lebanese, Fast Food, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
    Carrer Escudellers 12, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #8
    Teoric Taverna Gastronomica
    #8 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 864 reviewsTripAdvisor (864)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Catalan
    Carrer de Bailen, 117, 08009 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #9
    Manna Gelats
    #9 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 1019 reviewsTripAdvisor (1019)
    $ |
    Carrer Dels Banys Nous 22, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #10
    Don Kilo Restaurant
    #10 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 1246 reviewsTripAdvisor (1246)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza
    Carrer de Girona 133, 08037 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #11
    La Gastronomica
    #11 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 1004 reviewsTripAdvisor (1004)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Catalan
    Carrer Vilamari 9-15, 08015 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #12
    Cremat 11
    #12 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 209 reviewsTripAdvisor (209)
    $ - $$ | European, Spanish, International
    Carrer Cremat Gran iXic 11 Right behind the Picasso Museum, 08003 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #13
    Eixampeling Brunch Cafe & Bar
    #13 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 817 reviewsTripAdvisor (817)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, Cafe, Fusion
    Diputacion 158, 08011 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #14
    Paisano Cafe
    #14 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 705 reviewsTripAdvisor (705)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Cafe, Mediterranean, European
    Carrer Lepant, 277 Sagrada Familia, 08013 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #15
    La Tartareria . Raw food .
    #15 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 163 reviewsTripAdvisor (163)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean
    Muntaner 26, 08011 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #16
    Papadam
    #16 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 177 reviewsTripAdvisor (177)
    $ - $$ | Indian, Balti, Eastern European
    Ronda de Sant Pau, 11, 08015 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #17
    Pizzeria Bar Ottantotto
    #17 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 217 reviewsTripAdvisor (217)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European
    Passatge d'Utset, 2 passatge tranquilo en calle Mallorca 442, 08013 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #18
    Pura Vida Cocktails
    #18 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 718 reviewsTripAdvisor (718)
    $ - $$ | Caribbean, Bar, Venezuelan, Central American
    Carrer dels Mercaders 20, 08003 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #19
    Anita Flow
    #19 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 1075 reviewsTripAdvisor (1075)
    $ - $$ | International, Mediterranean, Spanish, Dining bars, Beer restaurants
    Consell de Cent, 413, 08009 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #20
    OGGI Officina Gelato Gusto Italiano
    #20 of 12,357 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 392 reviewsTripAdvisor (392)
    $ - $$ | Italian
    Carrer Comtal 15, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »

Explore More of Barcelona

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