Barcelona: Tapas Walking Tour with Food, Wine, and History
4.197 reviews
Buy now
From 66,00€ per person
Tapas are a true institution in Barcelona: loved by locals and tourists alike, they are a way of eating that is deeply rooted in the culture of the people, and at the same time a fun, cheap and informal alternative to a restaurant meal.
Tapas is the name generally given to small plates served for sharing. They can vary widely, from simple peanuts or olives to elaborate plates of grilled shrimp.
Several other names can be found on menus that can lead to confusion.
For a start, dishes can often be found on menus with two different prices, one for tapas and one for ‘raciones‘. They are exactly the same dish, but a ‘racion’ is a larger portion, ideal for when you are really hungry.
Pintxos are a concept originating in the Basque Country. They are one-bite tapas, always served on top of a slice of bread and joined by a toothpick. They all have the same price and the waiter, at the time of the bill, will simply count the remaining toothpicks on the plate to calculate the total to be paid.
Platos combinados is the name often given to a single dish consisting of a main course and side dish, or even a dish consisting of several tapas.
The best tapas are often served in crowded and numerous bars. The number one rule is to enter the bar and not to be intimidated by the crowds clamouring to order. Make yourself known and let the staff ask you what you want; if you are not sure how many dishes to order, get advice without fail, waiters are generally honest in their answers.
At the bar, you can also explain to the waiter that you would like to eat rather than simply order a drink; you will be seated at a small table or directly at the bar counter and this is where you will eat.
Speaking of the counter, eating‘alla barra‘ (literal Spanish translation of ‘counter’) is one of the most typical ways of eating a meal: several tapas bars display their delicacies directly on the glass of the counter, at which point to order you simply point your finger at what you want to eat and it will be plated for you.
There are dozens and dozens of tapas, from the most classic to the most original, from the traditional to the avant-garde. But you cannot leave Barcelona without tasting at least these:
There are plenty of places in Barcelona where you can enjoy great tapas, scattered all over the city. There are only two golden rules: the first is to avoid eating tapas at the little tables on Las Ramblas, you will find cheap ingredients and inflated prices. The second is to simply choose random places where you see that the patrons are locals, or at least Spanish. With a little bit of intuition, you will be able to enjoy excellent tapas at low prices! However, since there are so many tapas restaurants in Barcelona, here are the ones we think are the best.
At the intersection of Carrer de la Princesa and Carrer de Comerco you will find a pulperia, i.e. a restaurant-tapas bar specialising in octopus dishes. This is Bar Celta, where even those who don’t like this sprawling mollusc can enjoy an excellent gastronomic experience.
Here you can sample typical Spanish and Catalan tapas, from pan con tomate to tortilla, from garlic prawns to the infamous pimientos del padròn, all topped off with a friendly and sociable atmosphere, good wines and typical desserts. Speaking of octopus, you can enjoy it in various preparations: Galician style, fried, marinated, you name it. Whatever your choice, you will fall on your feet!
We are in the centre, a stone’s throw from La Rambla, in an area infamous for its poor gastronomic offerings and high prices. Fortunately there is one exception, and that is Bar Centric. To get there, walk along the Rambla from south to north (i.e. with the sea behind you) and turn left into Carrer dels Tallers when you are almost at Placa de Catalunya. Walk a hundred metres down this street known for its vintage shops and you will find Bar Centric waiting for you.
Once inside, don’t stop at appearances: this small bar with 70s-80s décor has a lot to offer, and you’ll soon realise this by looking at the bar full of excellent tapas. Let’s say right away that the style is rather classic, although at times you may be positively surprised by some of the innovations on offer. However, don’t shy away from some excellent patatas bravas, fantastic tortillas and a very special chorizo.
La Cova Fumada is one of the best tapas bars in Barceloneta. It is located in Placa del Poeta Boscà, the square that also houses the district’s central market. Here, in a quiet corner, you will find this excellent place to enjoy delicious tapas. Among Cova Fumada’s strong points is its open-air space, directly on the square, which allows a good number of people to be seated. And thank goodness, since the place would otherwise be really small! In perfect Barceloneta tradition, expect to enjoy excellent fish tapas: between cod, mussels and octopus, you certainly won’t risk going hungry.
A stone’s throw from the beginning of Ronda Litoral, strategically located between Port Vell, Estaciò de Franca and Barceloneta, is Cerveseria Vaso de Oro, one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona. It is a small but very popular place in the city, thanks to a winning combination of great food and beautiful décor. The tapas are of the highest quality and the ingredients used are really first-rate. Also highly recommended for beer lovers (‘Cerveseria’ means ‘brewery’ in Catalan) as it is brewed directly by them. Remember that it is not possible to reserve a table, so we recommend you get here early.
Let’s move north of the centre of Barcelona, to the heart of theEixample. Here, two blocks from the Casa Milà, is Cerveseria Catalana, a very special place. Already looking at the counter you can admire the care of the preparations, ingredients and presentation, but it is of course tasting the dishes that you will discover the goodness of the dishes they serve, both in tapas format and in ‘classic’ table format. The choice of desserts is also very good, including typical Catalan desserts as well as the delicious churros for breakfast.
Again, the table cannot be reserved. However, what you can do is go to Cerveseria Catalana in advance and get yourself on the list, then you will be told what time to come back for your table. On busy days you can always decide to wait and visit the Casa Milà!
Also in the Eixample, at the intersection of Carrer del Bruc and Carrer de Mallorca, is De Tapa Madre, a famous Barcelona restaurant with indoor tables and an outdoor area, which proves to be an excellent choice for equally good tapas. The ambience is typically Spanish, with hams hanging on the wall and large plates of paella, so it might turn some purists’ noses up. However, give it a chance and you will not regret it. The choice of wines and cocktails to accompany the dishes served is also very good.
At De Tapa Madre you can also eat a very affordable set menu for lunch, where you can choose two main courses, a dessert and a drink.
Txirimiri, with its unmistakable Basque name, is located on Carrer de la Princesa, in the heart of the Born district. The food is excellent and the ambience is also very nice. You can order food at the table like in any restaurant or sit at the bar and enjoy delicious pinchos in perfect Basque style, without labels or directions. If in doubt, ask the staff: they will be able to advise you and direct you to the best pinchos according to your tastes.
A very short distance from Txirimiri, along the same street, you will find the Taperia Princesa. The tapas and dishes are listed directly outside the entrance door on two blackboards, one on the left and one on the right, which are updated daily according to the ingredients available and the chef’s imagination. You can enjoy classic Spanish tapas, such as tortillas, patatas bravas, chorizo, ham croquettes, meatballs and pimientos del padròn, but also something more creative and typical of Catalonia. If you want to sit at the actual restaurant, you will have a wide choice of paella, meat and fish dishes.
Crowded and touristy, the Boqueria market is still one of the most beautiful places to visit in Barcelona and one of the most beautiful covered markets in Europe. Perhaps not everyone knows, however, that inside it there is also an area dedicated to food stalls, where you can stop to eat excellent tapas. The high presence of locals confirms the quality of the products; unfortunately, however, at peak hours it is not easy to find a seat, given the huge influx of people who flock to the market.
As a last of the best tapas bars in Barcelona, we point out one of the few exceptions to the golden rules for choosing where to eat tapas mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph: Tapa Tapa. It is an establishment located inside the Maremagnum shopping centre – actually, it would be better to say outside, as it is located after the entrance door on the ground floor, and most of the seating is on the terrace. Its location makes it very popular with tourists, but don’t be fooled: you will be able to eat excellent dishes, of which you can choose the ‘raciòn’ or ‘tapa’ version, i.e. large or small plate. The prices are not excessively cheap, but all things considered, with 3-4 plates per person and a drink, you will get away with around 30 euros.
A word of advice: since it is a given that sooner or later during your holiday in Barcelona you will pass by Maremagnum, stop at Tapa Tapa before you even enter and book a table, then visit the mall at your own pace and then once you’ve done the tour stop and eat!
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The tapas tour is a truly unmissable experience during a holiday in Barcelona. You can rely on expert guides to take you around the city in search of traditional flavours, wandering from tapas bar to tapas bar, off the beaten track and trying to experience the life of Barcelona’s inhabitants at its best.
Between one tour stop and the next, you can enjoy excellent glasses of wine or local beer, and have the chance to explore Barcelona’s most hidden corners in a truly original way.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts