Barcelona is a Spanish city located in the northeastern region of Catalonia, along the Mediterranean Sea. The traditional Catalan cuisine is known for its ‘mar i muntanya’ recipes, meaning it mixes sea and mountain ingredients such as chicken and prawns. Chefs like Ferran Adrià or Jordi Cruz have contributed to putting the new Catalan cuisine (nova cuina catalana) in the global spotlight.
Gresca
Best For: Modern Catalan fine dining experience
Rafa Peña has been a key figure in Barcelona’s culinary scene for years with Gresca. It’s no coincidence.
Each dish combines tradition with a touch of avant-garde, clearly rooted in its origins while looking beyond. The wine list is impressive.
On my last visit, a bottle of Cosmic which was recommended by the chef turned out to be a revelation.
Menu Highlights
- Cod gilda
- Profiteroles
- House wine pairings
Atmosphere: Intimate dining room with modern decor and warm lighting that balances sophistication with approachability
La Flauta
Best For: Quality tapas without reservations needed
The name ‘flauta’ actually refers to a type of sandwich in a flute-shaped crusty bread, similar to a baguette. This restaurant apparently does them very well.
The tapas selection is great quality, and the staff here were really wonderful and able to answer any questions we had.
I hadn’t heard of La Flauta before we arrived, and we were seated very quickly. By the time we left there was quite a queue building at the door.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but it’s clearly very popular.
Menu Highlights
- Flautas (baguette sandwiches)
- Traditional tapas selection
- Sangria by the jug
Atmosphere: Bustling tapas bar with energetic vibe, perfect for walk-ins and spontaneous dining experiences
Caelum
Best For: Holy sweet treats by nuns
‘Caelum’ is the Latin word for ‘heaven,’ and for anybody with a sweet tooth, this definitely ticks the heavenly box.
The interior of Caelum has the vibe of a quaint olde worlde tearoom. We’re talking cake stands, sugar tongs and pretty tablecloths, you know the sort.
What really distinguishes it from other tearooms and coffee shops is that everything on sale here was baked or made by nuns and monks from monasteries around Spain.
Truly: these are the holiest of sweet treats.
Menu Highlights
- Apple crumble
- Almond tart with apricot jam and walnuts
- Rooibos tea
- Monastery-made pastries
Atmosphere: Charming tearoom with vintage decor, cake stands, and a hidden 14th-century crypt downstairs
Dos Pebrots
Best For: Mediterranean seasonal cooking perfection
Dining at Dos Pebrots is like tasting the Mediterranean in every bite. From the appetizer that gives the place its name to the desserts.
Each dish honours the product and the season. It’s a true gem of Barcelona’s gastronomy.
My recommendations: the two peppers, an explosion of flavour, and the gnocchi with egg yolk, stracciatella, and gruyere, cooked spectacularly.
It’s a delicate technique, but it’s clear why it’s worth the effort for them from the first bite.
Menu Highlights
- Two peppers (house specialty)
- Gnocchi with egg yolk, stracciatella, and gruyere
- Seasonal Mediterranean desserts
Atmosphere: Intimate Mediterranean setting where product quality and seasonal ingredients take center stage
Bodega Biarritz 1881
Best For: Authentic surprise tapas menu
In Spain, a bodega is actually a warehouse for storing wine. Although you can definitely get some great wine at Bodega Biarritz, what you’ll really want to come for is the tapas.
The selection of tapas on offer at this tiny, cozily-lit restaurant is delicious. The really great thing about it is that you never know what you’re going to get.
Diners pay a set price (either €20 or €25 per person) for a certain number of tapas dishes. Although the restaurant will adjust the menu according to allergies, you then get what you’re given.
Which is genuinely one of my favourite ways to eat, mainly as I find choosing what to order so difficult.
There is a very limited number of seats, and Bodega Biarritz doesn’t take bookings. I’m told that there can be quite a queue to get in.
Whenever I ate here it was at lunchtime, and we were among the first to arrive, so I guess it’s all in the timing.
Menu Highlights
- Set tapas menu (chef’s selection)
- Curated wine pairings
- Traditional Catalan small plates
Atmosphere: Tiny, cozily-lit rustic bodega in quiet Ciutat Vella side street with intimate seating
Casa Maians
Best For: Authentic Barceloneta seafood classics
Finding good restaurants in Barceloneta that aren’t tourist traps can be tricky, but Casa Maians is an exception.
Located in a typical low house in the neighbourhood, their menu is short but filled with classic and delicious dishes. They’re complemented by a daily specials board written on a large mirror.
The black rice with red prawns is a must-try, and the bombas are a delightful surprise.
Menu Highlights
- Black rice with red prawns
- Bombas (stuffed potato balls)
- Daily specials on mirror board
Atmosphere: Authentic neighborhood spot in typical Barceloneta low house, local vibe away from tourist traps
Suculent
Best For: Elevated traditional Catalan excellence
Every time we visit Suculent, we leave completely impressed. Chef Tonet elevates traditional Catalan cuisine, using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients mixed with a good technique.
The service is excellent, led by Pedro, who always seems to have the perfect wine pairing for each dish.
It’s a well-rounded experience, without a doubt.
Menu Highlights
- Seasonal Catalan dishes
- Chef Tonet’s traditional preparations
- Expert wine pairings by Pedro
Atmosphere: Well-rounded fine dining experience combining traditional Catalan cooking with excellent service and pairings
El Xampanyet
Best For: Historic spot resisting mainstream tourism
El Xampanyet is no secret, but I always passionately defend it. This historic spot, despite being overrun by tourists, has managed to keep its essence intact.
What fascinates me the most is the warm treatment they give locals. The classic dishes are perfectly executed, with that spark that captures you on every visit.
A ten out of ten for the team, their magic, and their resilience against the mainstream.
Menu Highlights
- Classic tapas perfectly executed
- House cava and vermouth
- Traditional Catalan small plates
Atmosphere: Historic tapas bar maintaining authentic essence despite popularity, warm service for locals and visitors
Brunch & Cake by the Sea
Best For: Instagram-worthy brunch near beach
The clue’s in the name when it comes to Brunch and Cake. The food here is part taste-sensation, part work-of-art.
The drinks on offer are creative and crazy. The beautiful aesthetic of the Barceloneta eatery features yellow and white parasols, rattan chairs and a clean, airy interior with a shark mounted on the wall. This makes it a hit with the instagram-lovers.
The tagline of Barcelona & Cake is ‘In Grandmothers We Trust.’ This is a restaurant suitable for only the most glamorous of grandmothers.
The dishes use organic ingredients where possible and are all handmade in-house.
There are actually several Brunch & Cake restaurants around the city, but the Barceloneta branch is my favourite.
Menu Highlights
- Artistic brunch plates
- Creative cocktails
- Organic handmade dishes
- Instagrammable presentations
Atmosphere: Glamorous beach-adjacent spot with yellow parasols, rattan chairs, shark decor, and Instagram-worthy aesthetic
Mercat de la Boqueria
Best For: Barcelona’s largest market experience
This covered market may well be Tourist Central Station, but it’s still a must-visit on any trip to Barcelona.
The beautiful Mercat de la Boqueria has been officially running since 1836. There’s evidence that markets were held here as far back as at least 1217.
The prices are much higher than in many of the other markets around the city. That’s what you get for being located right on La Rambla.
Some go just for the atmosphere and skip the food. It’s definitely worth getting a few different bites to wander with.
I love trying different cones of chorizo and jamón, or maybe an empanada or two washed down with a fresh fruit smoothie.
There are also several teeny tiny bars to sit at if you’re lucky enough to get a seat. Grab a platter of seafood or a few tapas dishes with a glass of wine to accompany it.
What a place.
Menu Highlights
- Chorizo and jamón cones
- Fresh fruit smoothies
- Empanadas
- Seafood platters at market bars
Atmosphere: Historic covered market since 1836, bustling tourist hub with vibrant stalls and tiny standing bars
Traditional Catalan Cuisine in Barcelona
Barcelona is a Spanish city located in the northeastern region of Catalonia, along the Mediterranean Sea.
The traditional Catalan cuisine is known for its ‘mar i muntanya’ recipes. This means it mixes sea and mountain ingredients such as chicken and prawns.
Chefs like Ferran Adrià or Jordi Cruz have contributed to putting the new Catalan cuisine (nova cuina catalana) in the global spotlight.
Regional Products to Try
- Butifarra: Traditional Catalan sausage
- Calçots amb salsa romesco: Grilled local scallions with sauce (November to April)
- Escalivada: Smoky grilled vegetables combining eggplant, peppers, onions and tomatoes
- Pa amb tomàquet: Toasted bread with tomato, garlic and olive oil
In terms of local drinks, cava is the king. This sparkling wine is similar to champagne but is made with grapes from the Penedès area.
Cava can be white or rosé.
Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona
Below is a list with some bars in Barcelona where you may try mouthwatering food.
Note that in Spain, we use the term ‘bar’ to refer either to places where you can eat small portions (tapas or raciones), or where you can have a drink.
Top Recommended Tapas Spots
- Cèntric: Tiny hidden gem in Raval with spectacular spinach beignets and octopus
- Mantequerías Pirenaicas: Popular breakfast spot with gigantic Spanish tortilla
- Bar El Tomás: Supposedly the best spot for patatas bravas in Sarriá
- Quimet i Quimet: Historic bar in Poble Sec known for tapas and montaditos
Each of these spots offers authentic tapas experiences. Some don’t take reservations, so arriving early is recommended.
The atmosphere tends to be lively and local. Standing at the bar is common practice.
