Where to Eat in Barcelona

My favorite thing about Barcelona is the incredible food! Located on the Mediterranean sea, the fresh seafood and classic Spanish tapas make Barcelona a culinary destination. Deciding where to eat can be overwhelming. You can’t go wrong with these 7 places to eat in various neighborhoods of beautiful Barcelona. 

Onofre

Onofre is in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. What appears as an unassuming bar opens up to a must stop place for Catalan tapas. Tapas are savory dishes that are served in portions for snacks or appetizers but are often combined to make a full meal with a variety of dishes and flavors. 

Here we went all out with anchovies, oven baked prawns with garlic, goat cheese salad, ham iberian croquettes, and chistorra - a fast-cure sausage with origins in Spain. 

We also got pan con tomate. Common in Barcelona, this is bread with just a thin spread of tomato to flavor it and rarely any actual pieces of tomato. It is great. This restaurant is an affordable way to try all the Barcelona classics and it was delicious! 

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Located on the famous La Rambla (read more here), this is the most popular market in Barcelona. This market has all the ingredients needed to make a delicious meal at home along with tons of ready to eat food. With fresh fruit, an assortment of olives, seafood, burritos, ham, and chocolate in any shape and style, Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria really does have it all.

The environment of the market is so lively, filled with locals and tourists alike! While the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is the largest market, there are others located throughout the city. If you are staying in a different neighborhood, check out one that is local to you.

Note: La Boqueria is closed on Sundays so plan accordingly. 

La Fresca 

After walking along the beach, I was craving a sweet treat. In the Catalan region, a popular dessert is a distinct version of creme brulee called Crema Catalana.

This dish adds citrus notes with orange and sometimes lemon along with cinnamon which really makes this dish multidimensional. Another difference from traditional creme brulee is that the Spanish version uses milk rather than heavy cream. This makes for a lighter dessert. But don't be fooled, this is still a rich treat! Lastly, Crema Catalana is made on the stove top and set in the fridge whereas traditional creme brulee is set in the oven. With a few differences, Crema Catalana is a must try if you are a creme brulee fan. Which one do you prefer?

Mar Beach Restaurant Bar

As you walk along the beachfront promenade or go for a swim in the blue Mediterranean sea, you are bound to work up an appetite. Mar Beach Restaurant Bar is conveniently located near the water with a beautiful view of the sea. Here you can get two regional classics: patatas bravas and paella. Patatas bravas is a tapas dish of crispy fried potato wedges with a tomato based bravas sauce, a garlic aioli, and maybe even a sprinkle of fresh rosemary. I love a good sauce for my potatoes, so this was right up my alley! 

What makes this place special for a paella is that you can watch as your paella is cooked on large burners created just for the large pan size. What is more quintessential Barcelona than eating a paella while watching the waves crash on the beach!?

Sabio Infante

Need an afternoon pick me up or looking to start the day off right with brunch? A stop at Sabio Infante for coffee or a late breakfast will have you set. This spacious cafe with bright colors located in the La Gracia neighborhood would also be a great place to find inspiration and set up to work for the day! 

Can Codina

Can Codina is located in the La Gracia neighborhood and came to us from a recommendation by a local. A popular spot for those in the restaurant industry to meet after work or for families to gather in the afternoon, this is where the locals go for tapas. Here you can get all the tourist classics with the authenticity of knowing this is where the Barcelona residents go to share a meal or have a drink with friends and family.

Ziryab Fusió Tapas Bar

On the last evening of the trip, we took cover from the rain at a restaurant near our hotel in the Gothic Quarter with good online ratings. This stop turned out to be my favorite stop of the entire trip! Ziryab is a fusion of classic Catalonia flavors with those of the broader Mediterranean region. The food is upscale but not uppity. With an old world feel and the kindest servers, you feel right at home while enjoying unbelievably delicious food. 

Ziryab offers an incredible tasting menu that was too good to pass up. For 42 euros a person, you can immerse yourself in a 4 course culinary experience. You will have a taster size for the starter, tapas, and dessert along with a full serving for the main course. Although the courses are taster size, the expansive menu does not leave you hungry! There are so many things to try for each course. The creativity of the flavor combinations, such as melon and mint Tzatziki or smoked eggplant with pomegranate syrup, makes you wonder why everyone else plays it so safe. 

Many of those who work at Zuryab are deaf. One of the owners is deaf and it is a goal of the restaurant to ensure other people who are deaf also have the opportunity to work in the industry. It was as simple as pointing on the menu and using a whiteboard for any clarifying needs. I found it remarkable how little of what you look for in good service relies on vocal communication.The attentiveness, enthusiasm, and care for special requests was exceptional! If you only have time for one meal in Barcelona, Ziryab’s is the place.

Guide to Visiting Barcelona

Now that you know where to eat in Barcelona, find more inspiration for your trip to Barcelona by checking out the post Visiting Barcelona for a full guide on what to do during your visit.