One of the best parts of visiting and experiencing a city is taking a seat to try the best food from the region. In this article, we encourage you to pull a chair up amongst the locals and learn about their history with each bite.
Catalan cuisine in itself can be quite varied, ranging from the wonderfully simple, yet moreish pà amb tomà quet (slices of home-baked country loaf toasted lightly under a grill then rubbed with garlic and tomato), to more hearty dishes including the spring-time calçots (grilled long sweet onion) and butifarra amb mongetes (Catalan sausage served with delicious white butter beans).
So, where can you try these wonderful Catalan dishes? And how can you possibly choose?
Look no further than our selection of the best Catalan restaurants in Barcelona! We’ve chosen our top picks and listed them below to help you get started on a culinary adventure.Â
If you find yourself in the beautiful neighborhood of Grà cia, we recommend dropping into Cal Boter. The best way to try its scrumptious Catalan cuisine is the menu del dÃa: this daily set menu of seasonal specials is excellent value (€12.50 during the week and €14.80 at the weekend) as it comes with three courses, bread and wine. What more could you ask for?
Carrer del Torrent de les Flors, 158, 08024 Barcelona
Also located in the quaint neighborhood of Grà cia is La Panxa del Bisbe. On the menu you’ll find the most typical Catalan dishes with exciting modern twists and contemporary flavors. We’d advise washing it all down with a bottle of local organic wine which the waiters will be more than happy to recommend.
Marià CubÃ, 189, Francesc Giner, 8-10 & Ciutat de Balaguer, 50
With the essence of a local tavern, these three restaurants are found in the north of the city. Run by three friends, Can Punyetes combines family tradition with the best quality local food. This Catalan restaurant in Barcelona specialises in grilled meats and homemade desserts.
This tavern – that claims neither to be pretentious nor fancy – prides itself on serving local food with no additives. Visit this welcoming and homely Catalan restaurant in Barcelona where you’ll find hearty servings of traditional food, with, plenty of flavor and the best hospitality. Although they specialize in grilled meats, why not try something new and order the flame-grilled artichokes!
A two-minute walk from el Liceu and the famous Les Rambles, you’ll find one of the oldest Catalan restaurants in Barcelona. This old-world, sleepy tavern where history and tradition come together dates back to 1786. This restaurant takes its name (culleretes means teaspoon) from the phrase the head waiter would shout to his staff to prompt them to polish the cutlery. Serving an array of the most traditional Catalan dishes from roasted suckling pig, wild boar stew and baked a la llauna cod, everything on the menu is simply delicious!
The owners of Can Vilaró pride themselves on cooking and serving the best-quality food from the neighboring San Antoni market for the best price. Sisco and Dolers offer everything from liver, tripe and trotters, and on Saturdays the fricandó beef stew in a wild mushroom sauce is simply to die for. Why not drop into a more conventional Catalan restaurant in Barcelona and discover its authenticity for yourself!
This Catalan restaurant in Barcelona has been serving food in El Born for over 100 years. It first opened as a 24-hour eatery for those who worked at the market, and is now well-know and loved among locals and tourists alike. It still conserves its traditional essence in both its food and ambience – the rustic rice dishes and crema catalana dessert simply cannot be missed.
As we wrap up our culinary journey through Barcelona’s vibrant Catalan restaurants, we hope this list inspires you to explore the rich flavors and traditions of this incredible cuisine. Each restaurant offers a unique taste of Catalonia, from time-honored classics to innovative dishes that celebrate local ingredients. So, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just beginning to discover the world of Catalan cooking, we encourage you to be adventurous. Barcelona’s food scene is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself, with endless opportunities to savor new experiences.
