Best tapas bars, cafes and restaurants in Barcelona

In Barcelona, there is a large offer of places to eat.

Tourism in the city is habitual, so you can choose from a fairly wide range of options that embrace both Spanish gastronomy and all kinds of international cuisine.

If the idea is to find somewhere original and different, the Gracia and Raval areas specialise in Asian and Oriental cuisine. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more ‘Nouvelle cuisine’ feel, the Eixample is the most appropriate.

In Catalonia, in general, eating is much more than simply satiating oneself: eating is a pleasure, a way of socialising, relaxing… sometimes in a decidedly rowdy way!

Discover all the specialities to taste on the page dedicated to Catalan cuisine!

Cafes

Cafés are a regular meeting place for friends to have a coffee or a chocolate(xocolata, in Catalan), which is very popular and which is served accompanied by ‘churros‘ (sweets made of a fried batter sprinkled with sugar).

Most cafés are indoors during the winter, but in summer they put chairs and tables outside on the street.

Tapas bars

From the name of the typical Spanish appetiser, tapas, came ‘tapas bars’ and the very popular custom of ‘ir de tapas’, where people go from one bar to another to have a glass of wine or a beer at a counter full of all kinds of snacks.

The original idea was to serve a small snack (free or paid) accompanied by a drink. Nowadays, most places charge for the snack, but despite this they are still quite cheap, depending of course on the quantity you order!

Restaurants

Dining out in Barcelona is part of the Spanish tradition and it is often difficult to find a place, especially at weekends.

A new option for dinner is some places that offer a restaurant service and then convert to nightclubs where you can have a drink after dinner.

Some addresses

Paradeta

c/ Riego 27
Original restaurant, noisy and always full. But worth a visit: when you arrive you will find a counter full of fish and shellfish (sometimes still alive!). Here you choose what you want to eat and the young lady at the counter will prepare a foil with your choice and send it to the kitchen. Soon it will arrive nice and ready at your table where you will be enjoying a good turbio de la casa!

Can Maño

C/Baluard 12)
One of the most famous restaurants in Barceloneta, with few places but great food, especially the barbecued cuttlefish with potatoes or aubergines.

Agut

Gignas 16
This restaurant in the Barri Gotic is 80 years old and has always prepared cheap and simple menus.

La Vaqueria

Deu i Mata 141
Restaurant located in a former stable, where they prepare excellent simple and traditional cuisine.

Set Portes

Passeig Isabel II
True paella heaven!

Tram Tram

Major de Sarria 121
Not quite central, but worth the trip for its creative cuisine.

El Suquet de l’Almirall

Passeig Joan de Borbó
One of the most famous chiringuitos on Barcelona’s beaches, with truly excellent and original seafood dishes.

Tortilleria Flash Flash

La Granada del Penedes 25
Where Tortillas reign supreme!

Brasserie Flo

Jonqueres 10
Restaurant located in a former textile factory, where Catalan tradition and French cuisine merge.

Can Culleretes

C/Quintana 5
Opened in 1786, it is the oldest restaurant in Barcelona and the second oldest in Spain. Excellent dishes, fair prices and impeccable service.

Tip

• In Barcelona, as in the rest of Spain, you eat later than in other European countries. Breakfast (desayuno) is usually between 09.00 and 11.00 and is not very substantial. However, to meet the demand of many people, a more complete menu is included in the restaurants, which includes pastries and rusks with a coffee or orange juice.
• Lunch is served between 2 and 3 p.m. and dinner between 9 and 10 p.m., although, especially in the busier areas, you can find restaurants open at all hours.
• In general, one can eat in Barcelona at a cheap price, especially in those restaurants that offer a fixed-price menu for both lunch and dinner, which usually consists of a starter, main course, dessert, bread and drink.