This blog post was originally posted on May 13, 2016 and was updated on November 26, 2017.
Barcelona is known around the world for its amazing food, from delicious, mouth-watering tapas to modern gastronomy. Discover our favorite must-visit restaurants in Barcelona!
Furthermore, with blocks and boulevards lined with restaurants and bars, with thousands of restaurants, it can be a daunting task to choose! Take our advice and check out some of these can’t miss restaurants in Barcelona!
Traditional Catalan restaurants
From incredible seafood and paellas to hearty, Catalan countryside eats, what’s not to love. However, these traditional Catalan restaurants in Barcelona are the place to go for comfort food at its finest.
Can Sole
Top-notch seafood, rices, and fideuas made to perfection can be found at Can Sole. It has the admirable reputation of being one of the best restaurants in Barcelona. Endless framed photographs line the walls of this white tablecloth, seaside restaurant. Unsurprisingly, making it the perfect, soulful setting for a memorable paella in Barcelona.
Address: Carrer Sant Carles ,4
Step behind the scenes at Can Sole and discover the secrets of a perfect paella in the video below!
El Glop
The original restaurant in Barcelona to bring countryside fare to the city, Taverna El Glop is a classic in La Vila de Gracia. You can also find it’s sister restaurants in a few other parts of the city. Choose from calçotades (spring onion barbecues) to hearty grilled sausage and white beans. El Glop will transport you to the rustic Catalan countryside in no time.
Address: Carrer de Sant Lluis, 24
Can Culleretes
Dating back to 1786, Can Culleretes is one of Barcelona’s oldest restaurants. This traditional Catalan restaurant is right in the heart of the old city. Furthermore, it is also quite the experience of Barcelona’s hidden past.
Address: Carrer de Quintana, 5
Want to know a little bit more about some typical Catalan restaurants in Barcelona? Look no further than this great little video. Our expert guide fills you in on how to enjoy the best Catalan food in the city!
Modern tapas bars
Barcelona is famous for its modern tapas scene. Check out these fantastic restaurants and tapas bars to get a taste of it!
Bar Del Pla
A fantastic tapas bar in the heart of the Born neighborhood is the place to go for classic Spanish tapas in a modern atmosphere. With a buzzing atmosphere which truly is unrivaled, it’s one of our favorite tapas restaurants in Barcelona. Make sure to order the delicious secreto ibérico for a truly decadent treat.
Address: Carrer Montcada, 2
Suculent
Suculent, is a tiny little tapas bar and restaurant in the Raval neighborhood. It has been making waves in the modern tapas scene here in Barcelona. Choose from dishes like steak tartar in bone marrow and other rich, creative tapas. Furthermore, try one of their different casserole tasting menus for 50, 60 and 70 euros. Trust us—this is one of the restaurants in Barcelona not to miss visiting!
Address: Rambla de Raval, 43
Tickets
For true foodies and adventure-seekers, don’t miss out on Ferran Adrià’s famous thematic tapas bar, Tickets. One of the fathers of molecular gastronomy, expect to find plenty of foams, flames and also edible flowers. However, it can be very difficult to get a reservation as bookings are only accepted at midnight every two months! Goodluck!
Address: Ave. de Parellel, 164
Local’s Tip: Check out our favorite tapas bars in Barcelona for inspiration on even more places like these to visit!
Traditional tapas bars
Not all tapas are modern in Barcelona! Check out these wonderful, timeless tapas bars around the city.
La Plata
There’s a lot to love about La Plata! From its lovely tile-lined walls and marble countertops to the wonderful Pepe and David behind the bar! Not to mention, the four tapas that they’ve been serving since 1945! It’s no wonder why we include this Barcelona gem on our Tapas, Taverns and History tour!
Address: Carrer del Mercè 28
Cal Pep
Cal Pep is undoubtedly one of the most classic traditional tapas bars in Barcelona. There’s no menu, though you won’t need it. Just tell the waiter, perhaps even Pep himself, what you like, and they’ll handle the rest!
Address: Plaça de les Olles, 8
El Quim de la Boqueria & Pinotxo Bar
Lastly, there’s only one thing better than eating market-fresh, and that’s eating it inside the market. Barcelona’s food markets are not only a place to shop, they are also some of the best eats in the city. Yes, that’s right! Some of the best restaurants in Barcelona can be found at La Boqueria. Discover small bars inside, nestled among fruit stalls, fishmongers and the like. El Quim de la Boqueria and Pinotxo Bar are both classics for a hearty tapas-style lunch, rubbing elbows with fellow diners at the bar. Finally, get the most of this emblematic place with top tips from our guide Victoria below!
Address: La Boqueria Market, La Rambla 91
Dear Renee,
I remember doing a daytime food tour with you in Gracia a year ago with a friend of mine. I´ve been trying to remember the name of that local cafe where you brought us for a pastel de crema catalana but I can´t find it. Is there any way you know what I am talking about and could give me the name of the place?
Thanks a lot!
Absolutely David! It’s Pastisseria Ideal and the pastry is called the “cremat”. Enjoy!
I will be in Barcelona this June for two nights before I embark on a cruise. If you had to narrow it down to two lunches and two dinners, what places would you choose? I know this is a hard ask, but I am having a hard time narrowing it down. Also, if you have any other foodie recommendations with regards to dessert and drinks, please let me know.
It would be impossible for us to choose since no two people will have the same answer to that question. Our team does agree on one though! La Pubilla. For drinks here are a couple of posts:
https://devourbarcelonafoodtours.com/cocktail-bars-in-born/
http://devourbarcelonafoodtours.com/cocktail-bars-in-barcelona/