4 Best Vegan Restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona is truly an international city that simultaneously embraces Spanish and Catalan cuisine, as well as modern trends and dietary preferences. This translates into Barcelona having one of the most vibrant vegan dining scenes in Western Europe.

From Spanish flavors to authentic Catalan cuisine to Mediterranean ingredients and dishes, you’ll find tons of great vegan restaurants on your next Barcelona food tour.

Why Barcelona is a Top City for Vegan Dining

The rise of plant-based eating in Barcelona and all of Catalonia is a deep reflection of the region’s evolving food culture. Influenced by both traditional Mediterranean and Spanish cuisines with their emphasis on fresh vegetables, legumes, grains, and olive oil, vegan restaurants in Barcelona have a bountiful foundation to draw from for plant-based eating.

In recent years, Catalonia has seen a surge in vegan-friendly cafés, bakeries, and fine dining restaurants. Many of which creatively adapt traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes to cater to vegan diets.

This includes innovative plant-based versions of Spanish classics like paella and escalivada. This shift is not only due to changing dietary preferences but also a growing awareness of sustainability and animal welfare, contributing to the broader appeal of plant-based eating throughout Catalonia.

Top Vegan Restaurants in Barcelona

While vegan restaurants are everywhere in Barcelona, the following are some of my top picks to include in a food tour.

Teresa Carles

Photo credit: Teresa Carles

Located in the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona, Teresa Carles offers a wide range of Spanish and international vegan dishes. The ambiance is cozy, modern, and chic, with a welcoming vibe for a casual dining experience.

While they are well-known for their sumptuous vegan lasagna and seasonal vegetable soups, my personal favorite is the “Sushi Teresa.” It’s made with perfectly ripe avocado and quinoa for a rich, vegetal depth of flavor.

The entire menu is praised for its dedication to using locally sourced, organic ingredients. Teresa Carles is a pioneer in promoting healthy, plant-based cuisine in Barcelona, with a great lunch and dinner service.

Teresa Carles (€20–30) – Carrer de Jovellanos, 2, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain.

Flax & Kale

Photo credit: Flax & Kale

Flax & Kale in Barcelona’s El Raval neighborhood has one of the healthiest vegan menus in the city. The dining room is an open, airy space, decorated with plants and natural wood accents to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Flax & Kale describe themselves as a “flexitarian” restaurant serving up a variety of plant-based, nutrient-packed options. The menu emphasizes fresh, organic ingredients, and a broad range of healthy choices makes it a standout.

While they are known for their avocado toast with smoked salmon. I find their matcha pancakes to be perfectly balanced in flavor and very filling.

Flax & Kale (€10–20) – Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 31, 33, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

Ca l’Isidre

Photo credit: Ca l’Isidre

You’ll find Ca l’Isidre in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona, where they offer a fine dining experience filled with vegan tapas and plant-based dishes. The ambiance is elegant with an intimate feel, making it ideal for special occasions.

One of the things I love about Ca l’Isidre is their dedication to using only the best seasonal produce. This shines through the brightest in their staggeringly creative assortment of vegan “tapas” and seasonal vegetable dishes.

This is one of Barcelona’s few high-end vegan restaurants offering a creative twist on traditional Spanish cuisine, blending local flavors with plant-based ingredients. While they’re certainly deserving of a special occasion dinner, I think this is the place to go in the late afternoon for an elevated vegan tapas experience.

Ca l’Isidre (€20–30) – De, Carrer de les Flors, 12, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain.

Sésamo

Sésamo sits proudly in Barcelona’s El Raval neighborhood, where they offer one of the best animal-free menus in the city. The atmosphere is casual and charming, with a touch of bohemian flair.

The menu at Sésamo combines Mediterranean-inspired flavors with global influences, offering a unique fusion of vegetarian dishes with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Eggplant parmesan is one of my favorite dishes in the whole world, and their version is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The texture of the eggplant is perfectly smooth and absorbs just the right amount of sauce. The nutritional yeast they use to replicate the flavor of parmesan is second to none and truly comes through on every level of the dish.

Sésamo (€20–30) – Carrer de Sant Antoni Abat, 52, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain.

Vegan Tapas and Local Dishes to Try

Barcelona offers a wide range of vegan tapas, providing plant-based versions of traditional Catalan and Spanish classics.

Photo credit: Emi Yañez licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic

Pa amb tomàquet is a quintessential Catalan dish featuring toasted bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. The vegan version uses fresh, ripe tomatoes and a variety of creative toppings, from smoky olives to roasted vegetables.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic

Vegan croquetas are a delightful twist on the classic, with crispy breadcrumbs enclosing creamy fillings made from mushrooms, spinach, or even cashew cream.

Patatas bravas made with 100% plant-based ingredients are usually served with a spicy aioli and bold bravas tomato-based sauce.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons licensed and changes made under Attribution 2.0 Generic – cropped from original

Dscalivada is a smoky, roasted vegetable dish that’s increasingly popular on Barcelona’s vegan dining scene.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Vegan butifarra sausage is made with seitan to create a satisfying, meat-free alternative to the Catalan original.

Tips for a Great Vegan Food Experience in Barcelona

To have a great vegan food experience in Barcelona, it helps to know a few key terms to look for on menus:

Vegano means “vegan.”

Sin productos animales indicates the dish is made “without animal products.”

In neighborhoods like Gràcia and El Raval, you’ll find plenty of vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes offering delicious plant-based meals. Popular apps like HappyCow and Yelp can help guide you to the best vegan spots in the city.

When ordering, some key phases to memorize to ask your server include:

Tienen opciones veganas? Which means, “Do you have vegan options?”

Este plato es vegano? Means “Is this dish vegan?”

Memorizing these simple phrases will ensure you can navigate Barcelona’s vibrant vegan food scene with ease.

Final Thoughts: Vegan Barcelona is Worth Exploring

Barcelona is an exciting destination for plant-based travelers, offering a vibrant mix of traditional Spanish dishes and innovative vegan twists. From casual street food stalls to upscale dining experiences, the city caters to every taste and budget.

Whether you’re savoring plant-based tapas in Ca l’Isidre or enjoying a vegan feast at Sésamo, there are tons of great plant-based eating experiences to include in a Barcelona food tour.