A city that is always alive, full of wonderful attractions and characterised by a unique cultural heritage. Barcelona is one of the most important and loved cities in the world, and this is also due to its strong flavours, colours and aromas, especially at the table! Today we want to recommend some traditional Catalan dishes that you absolutely must try during your trip to Barcelona.
1 - Tapas
A workhorse of Spanish cuisine, in Barcelona tapas are not really considered a 'queen' course, but rather an apetiser, which, however, locals and tourists do not give up easily!
The term'tapa' refers to bottle tops and emphasises the 'mini' nature of the dish, as well as its indispensable accompaniment with a nice glass of wine!
Recommended for: as an aperitif or appetiser at lunch or dinner
Average cost: €3.00 to €7.00
Main ingredients: bread, olives, sheep cheese, tortillas
2 - Arroz
A Catalan variant of the classic paella, this is a more'risotto-like' version of the original recipe, enriched with fish. The most famous versions are'a banda' and'negre', with the unusual flavour of squid ink.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: rice, onion, cuttlefish
3 - Esqueixada de bacallà
A seafood speciality, also known as salvitxada. This is a tasty and fresh salad of dried cod accompanied by tomatoes and olives. An appetising and low-calorie side dish in which the flavour of the fish stands out in its simplicity.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: cod, tomatoes, olive oil, black olives
4 - Catalan cream
Another'must' of Barcelona cuisine and in particular of Barcelona confectionery is the as good as popular crema catalana. There is not a single place in the Iberian metropolis where you cannot taste this delicacy, with its unique, spicy flavour of cinnamon and lemon.
Recommended for: as a dessert
Average cost: €5.00
Main ingredients: egg yolks, milk, lemon, cinnamon
5 - Chocolate & Churros
A sweet combination, appreciated by those who might suffer from a lack of affection! To soothe sadness, there is nothing more consoling than a good cup of chocolate, accompanied by this unusual dessert, the churro, an elongated dish with batter and sugar on top.
Recommended for: breakfast or as a snack
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: chocolate, batter, sugar
6 - Sopa de fredolics
Before talking about this typical Barcelona soup, a premise must be made: this dish is recommended for those who love discovering 'unheard of' (or almost unheard of) sensations on the palate. Having said that, the basic ingredient of this hot dish is not as exotic as one might imagine: it is, in fact, a soup made with snails, a 'food' that is quite common in our country too, but not always easy to 'approach' in the kitchen.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: snails, vegetables, water
7 - Zarzuela
The name of the typical Catalan fish soup, the Zarzuela, is reminiscent of the universe of the seven notes and is very popular in the restaurants of Barcelona. A symphony of flavours and textures within a single course that could make us sing with joy from the first bite!
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €18.00
Main ingredients: monkfish, squid, onion, cod, mussels, carrot
8 - Lobster chickens
This is without doubt the strangest dish you can order in a typical Barcelona restaurant. The combination of chicken and lobster might frighten the 'purists' attached to the distinction between meat and fish dishes, but the more daring and the greedy might fall in love with a recipe that aims to satisfy the eternal undecided.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €15.00
Main ingredients: chicken, lobster, tomato sauce, hazelnuts
9 - Canelons a la barcelonesa
Hearty first course with a Catalan twist. Cannellons 'made in Barcelona' are filled with chicken or pork liver: a dish that can also be eaten as a single dish.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: cannelloni, beef broth, chicken, pork
10 - Pa amb tomaquet
Typical Mediterranean flavours summed up in a simple yet irresistibly tasty dish. Don't call it a simple bruschetta, because the pa amb tomaquet, despite having the same main ingredients as its Italian 'colleague' - bread, garlic, tomato - once toasted, becomes the perfect accompaniment for any course, or the spearhead of an aperitif with an Italian-Catalan flavour.
Recommended for: as an aperitif or appetiser at lunch or dinner
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: bread, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil
Where to eat in Barcelona: best restaurants, typical places and street food
Eating in Barcelona is synonymous with Tapas! There are all kinds and prices. There is no end to the choice.
The locals themselves have the habit, instead of dining, of going a tapear, i.e. going from one bar/tavern to another to have a drink accompanied by the very famous tapas.
The most famous tapa is the Bomba, a fried meatball stuffed with mashed potatoes and minced meat, dipped in breadcrumbs and covered with salsa brava (onion and paprika) and allioli (oil and garlic).
To further enhance your culinary experience in Barcelona, you can book your stay at Casa Fuster Hotel, which is a luxurious five-star hotel in the heart of the city. Casa Fuster Hotel is renowned for its excellent service and stylish interiors, making it an ideal base for exploring the vibrant city of Barcelona
Other unmissable courses are the famous Jamon (in both Serrano and Iberian versions); the classic Tortilla;Escalivada, a mix of Mediterranean vegetables grilled over the fire and seasoned only with oil, salt and pepper; and the spicy Patatas bravas.
Among the main courses the Paella and among the desserts, the role of honour goes to the mouth-watering Crema Catalana.
Here are the best places to eat in Barcelona:
1 - Louro
Description: on the Rambla, opposite Palau Guell, a little anonymous seen from the outside, inside it is a classic restaurant with a simple décor. Galician-inspired cuisine
Speciality: tapas and suckling pig
Average price: from €35.00 per person
Address: Rambla del Caputxins, 37 - Get directions
2 - La Mar Salada
Description: seaside restaurant, decorated in a maritime style and specialised in fish dishes, first of all, paella
Speciality: paella
Average price: from €30,00 per person
Address: Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 58-59 - Get directions - Website
3 - Bacoa
Description: small fast-food restaurant specialized in burgers. You choose your sandwich yourself from the type of bread. The products are all natural and the sauces are prepared with the kitchen's own recipes.
Speciality: chilly rojo
Average price: from €13.00 per person
Address: Avinguda del Marquès de l'Argentera, 1 - Get directions
4 - Santa Rita Experience
Description: luxury restaurant based on Spanish cuisine revisited in a modern way and with particular combinations
Speciality: 7-course tasting menu with wine pairings. The menu varies according to seasonality
Average price: from €65.00 per person
Address: Get directions - Website
5 - La Tartareria
Description: sober and elegant restaurant that serves only strictly raw food, skilfully blended with local spices and vegetables.
Speciality: tartare of any kind
Average price: from €35.00 per person
Address: Get directions - Website