Barcelona Food Guide: What & Where to Eat in Barcelona

Barcelona is a feast for the senses, where every bite tells a story of tradition, innovation, and the pride of Catalan cuisine. As one of Europe’s top culinary destinations, the city offers foodies bustling markets, historic tapas bars, and some of the best restaurants in the world.

Whether you’re savoring freshly caught seafood by the Mediterranean, indulging in classic Catalan dishes like pa amb tomàquet or escudella i carn d’olla, or discovering hidden gems, there are tons of things to include in a Barcelona food tour.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes in Barcelona

Barcelona’s culinary heritage is rooted in its traditional Catalan cuisine, known for its rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and Mediterranean influences. You see this proudly on display with classic Catalan dishes like paella, crema catalana, escalivada, and more.

Paella

Slightly different from what you traditionally find in Valencia, Catalan-style paella often uses proteins like fresh seafood, rabbit, or botifarra sausage. All cooked in a rich saffron-infused broth with bomba rice. Unlike other versions, Catalan paella sometimes includes fideuà, a noodle-based alternative with a crispy, flavorful texture.

I think some of the best restaurants for authentic Catalan Paella are Can Ros, Casa Amàlia and 7 Portes.

Crema Catalana

Considered Spain’s answer to crème brûlée, this traditional Catalan dessert features a silky custard base flavored with citrus zest and cinnamon, topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust. It’s lighter than its French counterpart and often torched tableside for a perfect crunch.

My top spots in Barcelona for crema Catalan are Bar del Pla, Bodega La Puntual, and Granja Dulcinea.

Escalivada

This is a seemingly simple yet deeply flavorful dish of roasted eggplant, red peppers, onions, and tomatoes, served with olive oil and garlic. This smoky, melt-in-your-mouth dish is often enjoyed as a tapa or paired with grilled meats.

When I’m in Barcelona and I’m in the mood for escalivada, my go-to spots are Can Ramonet, or Rasoterra.

Calçots with Romesco Sauce

This is a Catalan specialty, traditionally enjoyed during the Calçotada festival in the spring. They’re a uniquely grown type of over-wintered spring onion that’s char-grilled and lightly steamed. You then dip each onion in a bold, nutty romesco sauce made with roasted peppers, almonds, and garlic.

When they’re in season, I love to get Calçots at Can Travi Nou, Carmen, or L’Antic Forn.

Esqueixada

This is a refreshing Catalan-style cod salad made with shredded salt cod (bacallà), tomatoes, onions, olives, and olive oil. It’s a go-to summer dish that highlights the region’s love for seafood and bold Mediterranean flavors.

For an authentic taste of esqueixada I like to go to Taverna El Glop, La Vinateria del Call, or Cal Pep.

Butifarra amb Mongetes

This is a hearty Catalan classic featuring grilled butifarra sausage, often served alongside white beans sautéed with garlic and herbs. The dish embodies the simplicity and rustic charm of Catalan home cooking.

When I’m looking for the best butifarra amb mongetes I think of Restaurante Portolés, or Restaurante Cal Boter.

Experience Barcelona’s Food Culture – Markets and Tapas

Barcelona’s centuries old food culture continues to thrive in its bustling markets and lively tapas bars, where fresh local ingredients and centuries-old culinary traditions come together.

Barcelona’s Iconic Food Markets

Barcelona’s food markets are the heart of the city’s culinary scene, offering a vibrant mix of fresh produce, local delicacies, and a true taste of Catalan culture.

Photo credit: Mercado de La Boqueria

Mercado de La Boqueria is arguably the most famous market in Barcelona, La Boqueria is a sensory explosion of fresh produce, seafood, meats, and gourmet products. Located off La Rambla, it’s a must-visit for its vibrant atmosphere and iconic fruit juices, Iberian ham, and tapas bars like El Quim de la Boqueria.

Photo credit: Mercat de Santa Caterina

Mercat de Santa Caterina is known for its colorful, wave-like mosaic roof, and offering a more relaxed alternative to La Boqueria. It features high-quality local produce, fresh fish, and a mix of traditional Catalan ingredients with gourmet twists, plus the excellent restaurant Cuines de Santa Caterina inside.

Photo credit: Mercat de Sant Antoni

Mercat de Sant Antoni is a recently renovated market that’s popular with locals. It boasts a striking 19th-century iron structure and a wide range of fresh foods. It also has a famous Sunday book market and is less touristy, making it a great spot to experience authentic Barcelona shopping.

Photo credit: Mercat de la Concepció 

Mercat de la Concepció is an Eixample district gem that’s open 24/7 for fresh flowers and has excellent produce, meats, and cheeses. It’s a great place for those looking for a market with a neighborhood feel and high-quality local goods. Many locals refer to it as the “Flower Market” due to its abundant floral arrangements and vendors selling fresh-cut flowers.

Photo credit: Mercat del Ninot

Mercat del Ninot is a local favorite with top-tier fresh seafood, meats, and artisan products. Its clean, modern design and strong emphasis on high-quality ingredients make it a fantastic stop for food lovers looking for authenticity. You’ve likely seen this market featured a few times on popular international foodie TV shows. 

Tapas Culture: How to Eat Like a Local

Tapas culture in Barcelona is more than just a way of eating for the sake of sustenance. it’s a social tradition that brings people together through a small plate experience unmatched elsewhere in the world.

Some must-try tapas include:

Patatas brava are crispy potatoes topped with spicy brava sauce and aioli. This is sort of the French fries of Barcelona, but reimagined as a flavorful taverna-worthy tapa.

Pan con tomate is essentially rustic bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, like a Spanish take on Italian bruschetta al pomodoro.

 

Pimientos de padrón uses blistered green peppers with a touch of sea salt to let you simultaneously experience the aroma, flavor and mild heat of these distinctly Spanish peppers. It is a tapa very similar to the grilled shishito peppers you find in gastropubs in Southern California

Gambas al ajillo is a tapa made with succulent shrimp sizzling in garlic-infused olive oil; and jamón ibérico. The cured ham is thinly sliced, which gives the shrimp just the perfect touch of rich, nutty flavor without overpowering the natural taste of the sea.

Croquetas are crispy, golden-fried bite-size balls that are breaded and filled with creamy béchamel along with other tasty ingredients like jamón ibérico, cheese, or mushrooms. These delicious tapas are crunchy on the outside and irresistibly smooth on the inside. Most common in tapas bars, but you’ll also find elevated versions on the appetizer menu of fine dining restaurants.

Chipirones are crispy fried baby squid, served with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sea salt. These bite-sized delights are a staple in Barcelona’s tapas bars, offering a perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. This is essentially the filling for the popular street market sandwich bocadillo de calamares, without any sort of bun.

Final Thoughts: Start Your Barcelona Food Adventure

Catalan cuisine and tapas culture are on full display throughout Barcelona, Spain. The local food markets offer the opportunity to get an authentic taste of local ingredients through its street food, and local produce vendors.

Stopping at local bars in the late afternoon and evening for some premium tapas is also a great way to get your Barcelona food tour started on the right foot. Not only is this a world-class small plates experience, but it’s a chance to taste classical and elevated tapas foods.

Once you’ve tasted things like Patatas brava, Croquetas, Pan con tomate, Pimientos de padrón and Gambas al ajillo your palate will be perfectly primed to appreciate everything the Catalan cuisine of Barcelona has to offer.

Sources:

Casa Amàlia. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://casaamalia.com/

Can Ros. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://www.canros.cat/

7 Portes. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://www.7portes.com/

Bar del Pla. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://bardelpla.cat/

Granja Dulcinea. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.granjadulcinea.com/

Can Ramonet. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.canramonet.com/

Rasoterra. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.rasoterra.cat/

Can Travi Nou. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.cantravinou.com/

L’Antic Forn. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.lanticforn.com/

Cal Pep. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.calpep.com/

La Vinateria del Call. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.lavinateriadelcall.com/

Restaurante Portolés. (n.d.). Instagram profile. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/361678097255733/restaurante-portoles/?locale=en_US

La Boqueria Market. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.boqueria.barcelona/

Mercat Santa Caterina. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.mercatsantacaterina.com/

Mercat de la Concepció. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://www.laconcepcio.cat/

Mercat del Ninot. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://www.mercatdelninot.com/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/