8 Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona is a food lover’s paradise, where centuries-old culinary traditions meet cutting-edge gastronomy. From bustling tapas bars to Michelin-starred dining, the city offers an incredible variety of flavors that showcase the best of Catalan and Spanish cuisine.

To help you make the most of your next Barcelona food tour, I decided to explore the best restaurants the city has to offer. 

Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona is home to a diverse culinary scene, blending traditional Catalan flavors with international influences. Here are some of the top restaurants by cuisine: 

Can Solé

Photo credit: Can Solé

Can Solé has been a staple of Catalan cuisine since 1903. With wooden interiors, nautical decor, this legendary restaurant is known for its warm, old-world ambiance, and family-friendly charm.

The menu is like a love letter to traditional Catalan seafood dishes, featuring a variety of paellas, fideuàs, and suquets (fish stews) made with the freshest ingredients from the nearby markets.

My favorite thing on their menu is the Paella de Marisco, which I consider to be a must-try seafood paella when visiting Barcelona. It’s made with rich saffron-infused rice, tender prawns, mussels, and calamari. Then slow cooked to perfection in a traditional paella pan, to deliver the deep flavors of the Mediterranean.

Can Solé (€€) – Carrer de Sant Carles, 4, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

7 Portes

Photo credit: 7 Portes

Located just minutes from the Barceloneta waterfront, 7 Portes is one of Barcelona’s most historic restaurants, dating back to 1836. With its elegant 19th-century decor, black-and-white tiled floors, and white-tablecloth service, the restaurant exudes classic charm. It’s popular with both locals and visitors, so reservations are often required to get a table.

7 Portes is renowned for its traditional rice dishes, including Paella Parellada, a Barcelona specialty that features a luxurious combination of boneless meats, seafood, and vegetables, making it easy to enjoy without the hassle of shells or bones.

On my last visit, I tried their signature Canelons de Rostit. It’s a Catalan-style pasta dish stuffed with slow-roasted meats and covered in a rich béchamel sauce, a comforting and indulgent choice for those wanting to experience the flavors of a true Catalan feast.

7 Portes (€€€) – Pg. d’Isabel II, 14, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

Enigma

Photo credit: Enigma

Enigma is the brainchild of Ferran Adrià’s brother, Albert Adrià. This Michelin-starred restaurant lives up to its name with a mysterious, futuristic ambiance. With dim lighting, curved glass walls, and an almost dreamlike atmosphere that keeps guests intrigued from start to finish.

Enigma offers an immersive tasting menu experience that unfolds across different spaces, with each dish revealing a new layer of creativity. Expect molecular gastronomy at its finest, with elements of Japanese, Peruvian, and Catalan flavors fused seamlessly.

One of the standout dishes that I adore is their Iberian Pork Dumpling with Smoked Eel. It’s a beautifully crafted bite that marries rich, fatty pork with the deep umami of eel, delivering a smoky, melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Enigma (€€€€) – Carrer de Sepúlveda, 38, 40, L’Eixample, 08015 Barcelona, Spain.

Disfrutar

Photo credit: Disfrutar

Disfrutar, with its three Michelin stars, is a culinary temple helmed by three former chefs of world-famous El Bulli. With its sleek, minimalist decor and Mediterranean-inspired design, the restaurant sets the stage for a one-of-a-kind dining experience that blends art, science, and flavor.

As expected, they offer an avant-garde tasting menus that push the boundaries of Catalan cuisine. Expect whimsical presentations, unexpected textures, and bold flavors in every dish. It’s so exclusive and in high demand that reservations are required far in advance.

One of their signature creations that blew me away was the Liquid Ravioli with Payoyo Cheese. It was a mind-bending bite that erupted in my mouth, delivering a creamy, umami-packed explosion. Every course is a sensory surprise, making dining here a true gastronomic journey.

Disfrutar (€€€€) – Carrer de Villarroel, 163, L’Eixample, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.

Best Restaurants for Dietary Preferences & Restrictions

As a world-gastronomic hub, many restaurants in Barcelona cater to various dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Vegetarian & Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Barcelona

Photo credit: Teresa Carles

Teresa Carles is a pioneer in Barcelona’s vegetarian dining scene, offering innovative plant-based dishes with a Catalan influence. The ambiance is cozy yet modern, with warm lighting, rustic wooden accents, and an open kitchen that enhances the dining experience. The menu features everything from fresh salads and homemade pastas to Catalan-inspired comfort food.

I love their Canelons de la Iaia, which is a vegetarian version of traditional Catalan cannelloni, filled with spinach, ricotta, and nuts, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce that’s both rich and satisfying.

Photo credit: Rasoterra

Rasoterra is a slow-food vegetarian bistro known for its commitment to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. The intimate setting, with exposed brick walls and a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, makes it a favorite among plant-based food lovers.

The menu reimagines classic Catalan flavors with creative vegetarian and vegan twists. Their Vegan Fideuà, a delicious adaptation of the traditional seafood paella, features short noodles, seasonal vegetables, and a fragrant saffron-infused broth, making it a must-try dish for those looking to experience Catalan cuisine in a plant-based way.

Gluten-Free Restaurants in Barcelona

Photo credit: Messié Sin Gluten

Messié Sin Gluten is a hidden gem for those seeking a completely gluten-free dining experience in Barcelona. With a relaxed and cozy ambiance, this restaurant combines a casual bistro feel with stylish decor and a welcoming atmosphere.

The menu features a variety of gluten-free pizzas, fresh pastas, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, all made with high-quality ingredients. I especially love their signature Truffle Pizza, made with a perfectly crispy gluten-free crust, rich truffle cream, mozzarella, and mushrooms, delivering an indulgent and flavorful bite that proves gluten-free dining can be just as delicious as traditional options.

Photo credit: Copasetic

Copasetic is a cozy and welcoming restaurant known for its 100% gluten-free menu with a focus on organic and locally sourced ingredients. The ambiance combines rustic charm with a modern touch, making it a great spot for a relaxed brunch or dinner.

Their menu features a mix of Mediterranean and international dishes, including burgers, crepes, and hearty salads. A must-try is their gluten-free eggs Benedict, served on homemade gluten-free bread with perfectly poached eggs, rich hollandaise sauce, and a choice of smoked salmon or crispy bacon.

Final Thoughts: Where to Eat in Barcelona

Planning a Barcelona food tour will easily leave you feeling spoiled for choice. There are so many options from modest eateries like Rasoterra and Copasetic to Michelin-starred restaurants like Disfrutar and Enigma, there is something to fall in love with at every level.

Barcelona has tons of great restaurants that cater to dietary preferences. This includes vegan and vegetarian restaurants like Teresa Carles to gluten-free places like Messié Sin Gluten. Whatever your flavor or need, you’re sure to find it at a high level in Barcelona.

Sources:

Can Solé. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://restaurantcansole.com/

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

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

Enigma Concept. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://www.enigmaconcept.es/

Teresa Carles. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.teresacarles.com/

Copasetic Barcelona. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from http://www.copaseticbarcelona.com/

Disfrutar. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.disfrutarbarcelona.com/

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