This Barcelona foodie guide shares some of Catalonia’s capital’s best places to eat. The food in Barcelona is incredible, so deciding where to eat can be overwhelming. This post shares some of the must-eat food in Barcelona.
Barcelona’s food is some of the best in the world. I love how in this city you can eat well on any budget. This list will provide some of the best places to eat in Barcelona without breaking the bank.
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The Barcelona Foodie Guide
Does anyone else feel like their day is ten times more likely to be good if they start it off with good, quality coffee? I feel set up for success if I enjoy a tasty caffeinated beverage first thing in the morning and major bonus points if it happens to be served in an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Let’s include a few coffee options in the Barcelona foodie guide. Since coffee is where my best days begin, let’s start with where to get coffee in Barcelona.
Coffee in Barcelona: The Barcelona Foodie Guide
Nomad Coffee
Tucked away on the most charming private street, Nomad Coffee nails it with both design and beverages. The entire experience felt closely related to that of a high-end craft cocktail bar, where you can see that attention to detail goes into every drink.
Everything we had was excellent, but there was a banana latte drink that was out of this world. I think it’s seasonal, so forgive me if you miss it; I highly recommend trying whatever seasonal beverage is on the menu.
The baristas here make everything fresh and by hand, measuring things out perfectly, so service is a bit slower than at your local Starbucks. It didn’t bother me one bit, but I say that as a warning so you don’t show up and complain that your drink wasn’t served quickly enough. Nomad Coffee is a must-visit for coffee lovers. // PASSATGE SERT, 12, 08003
Food in Barcelona: The Barcelona Foodie Guide
Restaurante O’Retorno
The crew here has been serving fresh seafood at this location since 1992. Since Barcelona is on the coast, we were pretty set on going big with at least one solid seafood dining experience. We decided to give Restaurante O’Retorno a try since it was clear from the photos online that they specialize in seafood dishes.
A Barcelona foodie guide wouldn’t be complete without a meal focused solely on seafood. The octopus was done perfectly and laid over a bed of potatoes that we could hardly put a dent in. The prawns were large and so flavorful.
The seafood options on the menu are extensive, but with only three people in our group, we had to control ourselves and try not to overorder. Overall, this is a great dining option for seafood lovers, and they have plenty of non-seafood options on the menu as well. // CARRER COMTE D’URGELL, 168, 08036
La Paradeta
If you can never have enough seafood, look into dining at one of the numerous La Paradeta locations around Barcelona. The La Paradeta group describes the concept of its restaurants as self-service seafood.
The menu items are on ice, like at a fish market stall. Diners simply walk in, select the fresh-caught items they want, and choose how they want them cooked. The meal then starts being prepped. // CARRER COMERCIAL, 7, 08003
El Quim de la Boquería
This dish came highly recommended. I was living for the idea of eating one of El Quim de la Boquería’s most popular house specialty dishes, the fried eggs topped with baby squid.
Let me tell you, I was not at all disappointed and found it to be completely worth whatever hype there may be. The patatas bravas and croquetas (pictured below) were also great! The same goes for their sangria. All have earned a well-deserved place in this Barcelona foodie guide.
The U-shaped counter restaurant is a food stall within Barcelona’s busy La Boqueria market. We tried arriving a few hours after it opened and found crowds of people waiting around the counter for a spot. Rather than battling other hungry tourists, we returned 30 minutes before opening the next day and secured three bar stools without issue.
I recommend making an effort to arrive early and allow yourself to enjoy this incredible dining experience. // MERCADO DE LA BOQUERIA, LA RAMBLA, 91, 08002
Restaurante La Perla BCN
I love a restaurant that feels like I’m eating in someone’s family dining room, and that’s the vibe I got at Restaurante La Perfla BCN. The food here is authentic Catalan cuisine; the meals are traditional, and much of them were unlike anything else I had seen at other Barcelona restaurants.
The counter was lined with dishes that had been prepared for the day, and the staff were excited to explain each one to us. We decided to try a paella and a traditional stew-like dish featuring tripe. Both were terrific choices and great for sharing and eating family-style. // PASEO DE LA EXPOSICION, 62, 08004
La Tasqueta de Blai
In the Basque region of Spain, ‘pintxos,’ traditional small snacks on toothpicks, are often served in bars. Pintxo bars can usually be found in other cities throughout Spain.
La Tasqueta de Blai made for the perfect pregame snack before we headed to the FC Barcelona match. In the photos below, plates of pintxos sit on the bar—you simply walk up and grab what you want.
When you are done and ready to leave, the bartender counts your toothpicks and charges you based on how many you ate. Pintxos are a must-try on the Barcelona foodie guide and something you should seek if traveling anywhere in Spain—such a fun way to eat!
When I first visited La Tasqueta de Blai, the regular toothpicks cost 1 euro, and the “fancy” red toothpicks cost 1.80 euros. // CARRER DE BLAI, 17, 08004
Irati Taverna Basca
Looking for more pintxos? Irati Taverna Basca is located just off of La Rambla and in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. You’ll likely pass it multiple times because it’s central to many common tourist routes. Because it’s in a high-traffic area, the pintxos were pricier than those at the previous location.
These pintxos were about 2 euros each, so they’re not terrible, depending on how much you eat. But they’re delicious and reminiscent of San Sebastian and the Basque Country. // CARRER DEL CARDENAL CASANAS, 17, 08002
Taverna El Glop
I read about Taverna El Glop, which serves delicious paella in a homey environment. When I saw on the map that it appeared off the beaten tourist path, I was even more convinced it was worth a visit. The portions are large, so the paella here is a delicious option for a group of friends to share and leave completely satisfied. // CARRER DE SANT LLUIS, 24, 08012
Bodega La Tinaja
If you want to feel like you are in an authentic setting while enjoying amazing tapas and a vast selection of wine, then dining here is a must. The interior walls of Bodega La Tinaja are lined with endless bottles of wine. Where there isn’t wine on the wall, you’ll find gorgeous rustic pots, jars, and dinnerware, adding to the undeniable character and charm.
I wish I had better photos of the food and decor, but it was a late-night meal in dim lighting, and I only had my iPhone camera. You’ll have to see for yourself! // CARRER DE L’ESPARTERIA, 9, 08003
Citizen Cafe
Citizen Cafe is the spot for you if you’re looking for a brunch scene reminiscent of what you’d find in cities like San Francisco. The menu here is trendy and, again, what you’d expect to see on a classic brunch menu—avocado toast, beautifully-plated pancakes surrounded by fruit, you get it.
We shared a few dishes, but the standout was the ceviche, and I loved my freshly pressed juice. So, if you need a break from the abundance of cured meat and cheeses being served around Barcelona (I’m not complaining), Citizen Cafe is a great place to switch it up for a meal. // PLACA D’URQUINAONA, 4, 08010
Xurreria Laietana
Sweets will never dominate my Barcelona foodie guide because I’m such a savory person, but we all need a little sugar now and then. Xurreria Laietana specializes in the fried-dough goodness known as the churro, and they know how to do it right here.
The menu offers only one item: chocolate con churros. No thinking is required; walk in and enjoy this tasty treat near the Barcelona Cathedral. Three of us shared one order—it’s quite a bit, or maybe that’s just because we’d been eating nonstop all day. // VIA LAIETANA, 46, 08003
Sensi Bistro
Now for the nicest and most expensive meal in Barcelona, but one worth every penny. Sensi Bistro is said to serve some of the city’s best tapas, and the dishes surely did not disappoint. Compared to most of the other tapas, if not all, we had in Barcelona, Sensi almost felt like a fine dining experience.
That said, it’s still casual enough that you can go for a fun dinner with friends; I don’t want to make it sound overly formal by any means. Also, when I say that it’s the most expensive meal we had in Barcelona, it was—but for the three of us, food and drinks came out to $100 (USD) total.
Sensi has multiple locations in Barcelona. // CARRER DEL REGOMIR, 4, 08002
Looking for more things to do? Check out these secret places in Barcelona
Drinks in Barcelona: The Barcelona Foodie Guide
When it comes to choosing bars to visit, sometimes I lean toward quality and value, while other times, I weigh my decision more heavily on things like aesthetics and killer views. The bars I visited in Barcelona offer a mix of all these things that I like to consider.
El Sueño de Picasso Rooftop at The Serras Hotel
The Serras Hotel Barcelona is a luxury boutique hotel with a chic, modern design. We were not staying here during our trip, but luckily, the hotel has a rooftop bar open to the public. The bar, El Sueño de Picasso, has a hip vibe and comfortable seating and sits next to the rooftop pool.
They serve drinks and light food, although we only had one pitcher of sangria to enjoy the sunset over the marina. Prices are higher than average, but it’s a boutique hotel bar, so it wasn’t shocking. Sharing a pitcher of sangria here was worth it for the sunset views alone. // PASSEIG DE COLOM, 9, 08002
Casa Mariol
If this is your first time in Barcelona, you will most likely be paying a visit to Sagrada Familia—heck, it was my second time, and I still found myself back there. Casa Mariol is a wine bar with light bites just a few blocks away from the chaos of the church.
We were quickly ready to escape the tourist madness, and Casa Mariol was just enough off the beaten path to give us the quiet, relaxing setting we were looking for. And there’s a ton of great wine to enjoy—what’s not to love? You’re in Spain, so get a bottle of cava to share with a few tapas on the side. // CARRER DEL ROSSELLO, 442, 08025
Hotel Colón
I’m a sucker for a bar with a view, and I’m generally willing to pay a premium on drinks for it. Hotel Colón is located directly across from the Barcelona Cathedral and has a panoramic terrace offering unbeatable views.
This is another place where we timed our visit according to sunset. Again, drinks were priced a little higher than usual for Barcelona, but the view and photos made it worth it for me. // AV. DE LA CATEDRAL, 7, 08002
Old Fashioned Gin Tonic & Cocktail Bar
Two of my drink spots are more about the views and overall vibe, but Old Fashioned Gin Tonic & Cocktail Bar is 100% about the art of a brilliantly crafted cocktail. The cocktail experience here is one of the best I’ve ever had; this place takes it to the next level and turns a cocktail into a thoughtful masterpiece.
Pricing is on par with craft cocktail bars in major U.S. cities. It’s worth it to have at least one drink to experience what it’s all about, and the bartenders are awesome, knowledgeable, pleasant people. // CARRER DE SANTA TERESA, 1, 08012
Collage Art & Cocktail Social Club
The Collage Art & Cocktail Social club is a cool space located in the Born and a short walk from where we were staying in the Gothic Quarter. The menu offers bar classics along with an awesome selection of really creative cocktails. The interior is eclectic and cozy, with a small downstairs bar area and additional seating in charming vintage furniture on the loft above the bar. // CARRER DELS CONSELLERS, 4, 08003
Barcelona Travel Tips
Even though this post focuses on food in Barcelona, I would like to include a few travel tips and recommendations for each destination I write about. Here are a few things that come to mind that I always share with friends and family who are planning a trip to Barcelona.
- Entry tickets to Sagrada Familia always sell out! Buy your ticket ahead of time if you want to check out this beautiful masterpiece. I loved having a guide to share the fascinating details and history of Gaudi’s creation. This Sagrada Familia Tour includes a guide and access to one of the towers for an amazing view.
- If you aren’t interested in a guide tour or tower access, this fast-track entrance ticket to Sagrada Familia will allow you to skip the line and explore at your own pace.
- For more foodie experiences outside the city, check out this wine, tapas and cava tour of the Catalan countryside.
