From tapas to modern Catalan cuisine, Barcelona is a food-lover’s dream. Experience the best there is to eat and drink with this guide to Barcelona food.Dining in the sunshine by the harbour is a quintessential Barcelona food experience. Grab a table on the terrace at Can Majó, order a seafood paella, and watch the beach parade of passers-by.
Almirante Aixada 23, Barceloneta
The only thing is better than drinking a cup of rich, dark hot chocolate is following the local tradition and dipping in a sugar-sprinkled churro doughnut. La Pallaresa café specialises in this treat, delicious year-round but best appreciated in winter.
Calle Petritxol 11, Gothic Quarter
If you’re finding it hard to get your head around tapas, drop into Taller de Tapas for the perfect introduction to these tasty bar snacks. Seasonal treats are prepared before your eyes in the open kitchen. You’ll find several branches dotted around Barcelona, including one in El Born.
L’Argenteria 51, El Born
The tile-lined El Xampanyet is one of Barcelona’s most authentic wine bars to share tapas and a glass of cava, Catalan sparkling wine. In business since the 1930s, El Xampanyet is refreshingly unpretentious, its walls lined with wine barrels, bottles and quirky artefacts.
Montcada 22, La Ribera
Barcelona’s most famous produce market is Boqueria, off Las Ramblas in El Raval. Marvel at the colorful pyramids of fruit and vegetables, and stalls loaded with fresh fish and meat, then recharge at in-house tapas bars like Pinotxo or El Quim.
Visit Comerç 24 to experience the Catalan cuisine that’s been rocking the culinary world. Chef Carles Abellán worked with Ferran Adrià of El Bulli fame for a decade. Order fois gras hamburger, vanilla-scented salmon or truffle-infused eggs, or sample a little of everything with a tasting plate.
Carrer del Comerç 24, La Ribera
Perhaps the most famous café on Las Ramblas, the belle époque-era Café de l’Òpera faces the flamboyant Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house. Whether you come for croissants at breakfast, afternoon tea or last drinks, this lamp-lit, mirror-lined café is a gem.
Las Ramblas 74, Gothic Quarter
Combine dinner with the passionate rhythms of flamenco at Tablao Cordobés. Strumming guitars, clapping hands and stamping feet set the pace, and the buffet dinner includes typical Mediterranean salads, paella and desserts. Bookings for the dinner and show can be arranged by your Barcelona hotel.
Las Ramblas 35, El Raval
For an edible souvenir with a difference, choose from beautifully packaged jams, cakes, sweets and biscuits at Caelum. Everything for sale has been produced in Spanish monasteries, and you can sample the goods at the café downstairs before making your purchase.
Carrer de la Palla 8, Gothic Quarter
The vibe is lively and friendly at Mesón David, on the El Raval side of Las Ramblas, and the food is traditional and reasonably priced. Try dishes from across Spain, like Galician-style octopus, Castilian pork and Valencian paella, and stay on for Catalan cream dessert.
Carretes 63, El Raval
