A city that is always alive, full of wonderful attractions and characterized by a unique cultural heritage in the world. Barcelona is one of the most important and loved cities in the world, and this is also due to its strong flavors, colors 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
The workhorse of Spanish cuisine, in Barcelona tapas are considered not really a “queen” course, but an apetizer, which, however, locals and tourists do not give up easily!
The term “tapa” refers to bottle caps and underlines the “mini” character of the dish, as well as the essential accompaniment with a nice glass of wine!
SEE ALSO : The Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona
- Recommended for : as an aperitif or appetizer for lunch or dinner
- Average cost : from € 3.00 to € 7.00
- Main ingredients : bread, olives, sheep’s cheese, tortillas
2 – Arroz
Catalan variant of the classic paella, it is a more “risotto” version of the original recipe, enriched with fish. The most famous versions are the “a banda” and “negre” ones, with the unusual flavor of cuttlefish ink .
- Recommended for : lunch or dinner
- Average cost : €12.00
- Main ingredients : rice, onion, cuttlefish
3 – Esqueixada de bacalla Seafood
specialty, also known as salvitxada. It is a tasty and fresh salad made with dried cod , accompanied by tomatoes and olives. A tantalizing and low-calorie side dish, in which the flavor of the fish fully 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 the cuisine and in particular of the Barceloneta confectionery is the as good as popular Catalan cream . There is not a single place in the Iberian metropolis where you cannot taste this delicacy, with a unique and spicy flavor of cinnamon and lemon.
- Recommended for : as a dessert
- Average cost : €5.00
- Main ingredients : egg yolks, milk, lemon, cinnamon
5 – Chocolate & Churros
A very sweet combination, appreciated by those who could suffer from a lack of affection! To appease the 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, we need a premise: this dish is recommended for lovers of discovering “new” (or almost) sensations on the palate. That said, the basic ingredient of this hot dish is not as exotic as one might imagine: it is, in fact, a soup based on snails , a “food” quite cleared through customs even in our country, but not always easy ” approach “in the kitchen.
- Recommended for : lunch or dinner
- Average cost : €10.00
- Main ingredients : snails, vegetables, water
7 – Zarzuela It recalls the name of the typical Catalan fish soup , the zarzuela, which is popular in Barcelona restaurants to
the universe of seven notes . A symphony of flavors and textures within a single course, which could make us sing with joy from the first taste!
- Recommended for : lunch or dinner
- Average cost : €18.00
- Main ingredients : monkfish, squid, onion, cod, mussels, carrot
8 – Llagosta i pulastre
It is undoubtedly the strangest course that can be ordered in a typical Barcelona restaurant. The chicken – lobster binomial could scare the “purists” linked to the distinction between meat and fish dishes, but the more daring and the greediest could fall in love with a recipe that aims to please 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 declined in a Catalan key. The cannelloni “made in Barcelona” are filled with chicken or pork liver: a course 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 flavors summarized in a simple course, but with an irresistible flavor. Don’t call it simply bruschetta, because pa amb tomaquet, despite having as main ingredients the same as its Italian “colleague” – bread , garlic , tomato – once toasted it becomes the perfect accompaniment to every course, or the spearhead of an aperitif with flavor Italo – Catalan.
- recommended : as an aperitif or appetizer for lunch or dinner
- average cost : €6.00
- main ingredients : bread, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil
Where to eat in Barcelona: best restaurants, typical bars and street food
Eating in Barcelona is synonymous with Tapas ! There are all types and prices. There is nothing but indulging in the choice.
The locals themselves have the habit, instead of having dinner, of going to tapear, that is, going from one bar / tavern to another to drink a glass accompanied by the famous tapas.
The most famous tapa is the Bomba , fried meatball stuffed with mashed potatoes and minced meat, passed in breadcrumbs and covered with brava sauce (based on onion and paprika) and allioli (oil and garlic).
Other unmissable courses are the famous Jamon (both in the Serrana and Iberian versions); the very classic Tortilla, the Escalivada, a mix of Mediterranean vegetables grilled on 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 honor goes to the greedy Crema Catalana .
Here are the best places to eat in Barcelona :
1 – Louro
- Description : on the Rambla, facing Palau Guell, a little anonymous seen from the outside, inside and a classic restaurant with simple decor. Galician-inspired cuisine
- Specialties : tapas and suckling pig
- Average price : from € 35.00 per person
- Address : Rambla del Caputxins, 37 – Get Directions – Website
2 – The Salty Sea
- Description : restaurant on the sea, furnished in a marine style and specializing in fish dishes, primarily paella
- Specialty : paella
- Average price : from € 30.00 per person
- Address : Passeig de Joan de Borbo, 58-59 – Get Directions – Website
3 – Bacoa
- Description : small fast-food restaurant specializing in hamburgers. You choose your sandwich directly from the type of bread. The products are all natural and the sauces are prepared with own recipes from the kitchen
- Specialty : chilly rojo
- Average price : from € 13.00 per person
- Address : Avinguda del Marques de l’Argentera, 1 – Get Directions – Website
4 – Santa Rita Experience
- Description : luxury restaurant based on Spanish cuisine revisited in a modern way and with particular combinations
- Specialty : 7-course tasting menu with wine pairings. The menu varies according to the season
- Average price : from € 65.00 per person
- Address : Get Directions – Website
5 – Tartareria
- Description : sober and elegant restaurant that only serves strictly raw food expertly blended with local spices and vegetables
- Specialty : any type of tartare
- Average price : from € 35.00 per person
- Address : Get Directions – Website
