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
    Anita Flow
    #1 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 77 reviewsTripAdvisor (77)
    Bar, International, Pub, Street Food
    Consell de Cent, 413, 08009 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #2
    Pizzeria Da Nanni Barcelona
    #2 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 733 reviewsTripAdvisor (733)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Fast Food, Mediterranean, European, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian
    Calle Llibreteria 10, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #3
    Teddy's Barcelona
    #3 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 527 reviewsTripAdvisor (527)
    $ | Lebanese, Fast Food, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
    Carrer Carme, 70, 08001 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #4
    Don Kilo Restaurant
    #4 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 813 reviewsTripAdvisor (813)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian
    Carrer de Girona 133, 08037 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #5
    Teoric Taverna Gastronomica
    #5 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 687 reviewsTripAdvisor (687)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, European, Spanish
    Carrer de Bailen, 117, 08009 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #6
    Somewhere Aribau
    #6 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 125 reviewsTripAdvisor (125)
    $ - $$ | Cafe, International, Mediterranean, European, Fusion, Healthy
    Aribau 101, 08036 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #7
    Swiit
    #7 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 109 reviewsTripAdvisor (109)
    $ | Cafe
    Baixada de Viladecols 2C Placa dels Traginers, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #8
    Gelarto Rosa - Barcelona
    #8 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 130 reviewsTripAdvisor (130)
    $ |
    Carrer Tapineria 6 Local 5, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #9
    BelleBuon
    #9 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1864 reviewsTripAdvisor (1864)
    $ - $$ | Italian
    Travessera de Gracia, 441, 08025 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #10
    Bodega Biarritz
    #10 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 2354 reviewsTripAdvisor (2354)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, Spanish, Wine Bar, European
    Nou de San Francesc 7, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #11
    Manna Gelats
    #11 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 943 reviewsTripAdvisor (943)
    $ |
    Carrer Dels Banys Nous 22, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #12
    La Gastronomica
    #12 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 755 reviewsTripAdvisor (755)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, European, Spanish
    Carrer Vilamari 9-15, 08015 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #13
    Pura Vida Cocktails
    #13 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 605 reviewsTripAdvisor (605)
    $ - $$ | Caribbean, Bar, Venezuelan, Central American
    Carrer dels Mercaders 20, 08003 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #14
    Chaka Khan
    #14 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 1625 reviewsTripAdvisor (1625)
    $ - $$ |
    Carrer Hospital, 104, 08001 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #15
    Roast Club Cafe
    #15 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 307 reviewsTripAdvisor (307)
    $ | Cafe, European
    Carrer Valencia 143 Bajo, 08011 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #16
    Rudi of Pirate Cooking
    #16 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 207 reviewsTripAdvisor (207)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, Fusion, Spanish
    Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #17
    Viana
    #17 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 4269 reviewsTripAdvisor (4269)
    $ - $$ | International, Mediterranean, Spanish
    Carrer del Vidre, 7, 08002 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #18
    Pizzeria Bar Ottantotto
    #18 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 136 reviewsTripAdvisor (136)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European, Bar
    Passatge d'Utset, 2 passatge tranquilo en calle Mallorca 442, 08013 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #19
    Jefferson
    #19 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 555 reviewsTripAdvisor (555)
    $ - $$ | Bar, Mediterranean, European, Spanish, International
    Paseo Juan de Borbon 81 Passeig del Mare Nostrum, 08003 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »
  • #20
    Paisano Cafe
    #20 of 11,780 Places to Eat in Barcelona
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 545 reviewsTripAdvisor (545)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Cafe, Mediterranean, European
    Carrer Lepant, 277 Sagrada Familia, 08013 Barcelona Spain
    Read More »

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