Barcelona Restaurants

Barcelona's restaurant scene is an ongoing adventure. Between avant-garde culinary innovation and the more rustic dishes of traditional Catalan fare, there is a fleet of brilliant classical chefs producing some of Europe's finest Mediterranean cuisine.

Catalans are legendary lovers of fish, vegetables, rabbit, duck, lamb, game, and natural ingredients from the Pyrenees or the Mediterranean. The mar i muntanya (literally, "sea and mountain"—that is, surf and turf) is a standard. Combining salty and sweet tastes—a Moorish legacy—is another common theme.

The Mediterranean diet—based on olive oil, seafood, fibrous vegetables, onions, garlic, and red wine—is at home in Barcelona, embellished by Catalonia's four basic sauces: allioli (whipped garlic and olive oil), romesco (almonds, nyora peppers, hazelnuts, tomato, garlic, and olive oil), sofregit (fried onion, tomato, and garlic), and samfaina (a ratatouille-like vegetable mixture).

Typical entrées include faves a la catalana (a broad-bean stew), arròs caldós (a rice dish more typical of Catalonia than paella, often made with lobster), and espinacas a la catalana (spinach cooked with oil, garlic, pine nuts, raisins and cured ham). Toasted bread is often doused with olive oil and rubbed with squeezed tomato to make pa amb tomàquet—delicious on its own or as a side order.

Beware of the advice of hotel concierges and taxi drivers, who have been known to falsely warn that the place you are going is either closed or no good anymore, and to instead recommend places where they get kickbacks.

Aside from restaurants, Barcelona is brimming with bars and cafés, the latter of which can serve as an outdoor meeting spot or a place to socialize and enjoy a cocktail. Be advised that the sidewalk cafés along La Rambla are noisy, dusty, overpriced, and exposed to pickpockets.

Catalan wines from the nearby Penedès region, especially the local méthode champenoise (sparkling white wine, known in Catalonia as cava), pairs perfectly with regional cuisine. Meanwhile, winemakers from the Priorat, Montsant, Empordà, and Costers del Segre regions are producing some of Spain's most exciting new wines.

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  • 1. Amar Barcelona

    $$$$

    Chef Rafa Zafra’s elegant hodgepodge of a menu features contemporary Catalan fare, French classics like sole meuniere, and dishes inspired by his alma mater, El Bulli. The prices are as jaw-dropping as the dining room, which features soaring ceilings, towering marble columns, ornate chandeliers, and gilded accents galore.

    Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, 08010, Spain
    93-103–9988

    Known For

    • Fresh seafood from the Costa Brava
    • Caviar menu
    • Dramatic dining space

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., No lunch Tues., No dinner Sun.
  • 2. Au Port de la Lune

    $ | Eixample

    The stereotypical decor of this French bistro (think Serge Gainsbourg photos) verges on parody, but the authentic food is no joke. "There's no ketchup. There's no Coca-Cola. And there never will be," reads Guy Monrepos's sign that sets the tone for a no-compromise showcase of Gallic gastronomy. Delights on the menu include oysters, goose rillettes, and a rib-sticking cassoulet that demands a second helping. Resist the temptation, though, because the cheese is magnifique and the desserts include an outrageously boozy sorbet.

    Barcelona, Catalonia, 08009, Spain
    93-412–2224

    Known For

    • Classic French bistro food including cassoulet
    • No substitutions
    • Outrageously boozy sorbet

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 3. Bar Cañete

    $$

    This spot just around the corner from the Liceu opera house is one of Barcelona's best tapas restaurants, with a long bar overlooking the burners and part of the kitchen that leads down to the 20-seat communal tasting table at the end of the room. Specialists in Ibérico products, they serve obscure cuts of Ibérico pork, such as pluma ibérica and secreto ibérico (nuggets of meat found on the inside of the shoulder blade and much-prized by Ibérico fanatics), though the real highlight of the menu is the market-fresh seafood that ranges from oysters, to grilled baby scallops and house special dishes like the baby squid (chipirones) with white Santa Pau beans.

    Unió 17, 08001, Spain
    93-270–3458

    Known For

    • Boisterous atmosphere
    • Superb tapas
    • Fresh seafood
  • 4. Bar Central

    $

    If you're looking for a calm respite in which to enjoy a mid-morning coffee or a laid-back lunch, you can't beat a patio table at this café in the lush gardens of Casa de la Misericòrdia (a former orphanage), replete with palm trees, ferns, moss, and a small waterfall that mutes the street noise. In the evening, twinkling lights add a touch of romance to the already magical space.

    d'Elisabets 6, 08001, Spain
    93-270–3314

    Known For

    • Good croissants
    • Quiet surroundings
    • Romantic ambience in the evening
  • 5. Bar del Pla

    $

    Specializing in Catalan bar food and local, organic, biodynamic, and natural wine, this sometimes-rowdy bar may not look like much from the outside but the hordes of people waiting to be seated give it away. Top choices include the mushroom carpaccio with wasabi vinaigrette and strawberries, the black squid-ink croquettes and the spicy patatas bravas.

    Montcada 2, 08003, Spain
    93-268–3003

    Known For

    • Catalan natural wines
    • Excellent tapas
    • Totally on-trend despite the old-school appearance

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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  • 6. Bar Mut

    $$$

    Just above Diagonal, this elegant retro space serves first-rate products ranging from wild sea bass to the best Ibérico hams. Crowded, noisy, chaotic, delicious—it's everything a great tapas bar or restaurant should be. The wine selections and range of dishes proposed on the chalkboard behind the bar are creative and traditional and the service is superb. The name is a play on the word vermut (vermouth), which, not so long ago, was about as close to tapas as Barcelona was apt to get. The menu changes with the seasons, but staples include the solomillo with seasonal mushrooms (or foie gras when mushrooms aren't in season) and the utterly decadent lobster with egg and brandy. Don't let the friendly and casual feel of the place lull you into thinking that la cuenta (the check) will be anything but sobering. Entrepanes Diaz, directly opposite, is a spin-off that serves more humble (and more sensibly priced) snacks and sandwiches in a similarly elegant style.

    Pau Claris 192, 08037, Spain
    93-217–4338

    Known For

    • Upmarket tapas
    • Great wine list
    • Snacks at nearby spin-off Entrepanes Diaz

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 7. Benzina

    $$

    Named for the car-mechanic shop that once stood here, Benzina blends industrial-chic elements with splashes of color and excellent music (on vinyl, naturally) to create a hip but cozy Italian restaurant. The food, however, is center stage: the freshly made pasta is among the best in the city.

    Passatge Pere Calders 6, 08015, Spain
    93-659–5583

    Known For

    • Best spaghetti carbonara in the city
    • “Sferamisu” chocolate bomb of deconstructed tiramisú
    • Chic decor

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.--Tues., No lunch Wed.--Thur.
  • 8. Besta

    $$

    The atmosphere is relaxed but sophisticated and the constantly changing menu is a melting pot of seasonal produce from the Spanish regions of Catalonia and Galicia. Freshly caught fish and seafood take pride of place, as do the seasonal vegetables.

    Aribau 106, 08036, Spain
    93-019–8294

    Known For

    • Catalan-Galician cuisine
    • Seafood dishes
    • Cosmopolitan vibe

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.–Wed., No dinner Mon., No lunch Thurs.
  • 9. Betlem

    $

    Set in a charming Moderniste space dating back to 1892, this bar hits the perfect balance of quality, price, service, and ambiance. The menu mixes classic dishes like deep-fried calamari and spicy patatas bravas, with house specials like the steak tartare.

    Girona 70, 08009, Spain
    93-265--5105

    Known For

    • Omelet with black pudding and mushrooms
    • Sunny terrace
    • Moderniste interior

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No reservations
  • 10. Bodega La Puntual

    $$

    Just down the road from the Picasso Museum, Bodega La Puntual might look like a tourist trap, but it's a classic, specializing in hearty portions of Catalan fare, made from seasonal, locally sourced produce. Top menu choices include the fresh marinated anchovies, the plate of premium hand-cut Iberian jamón, and trinxat: a traditional Catalan dish made with potatoes, cabbage, and pork meat, served with a fried egg. 

    Montcada 22, 08003, Spain
    93-310–3545

    Known For

    • Traditional Catalan food
    • Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
    • Great for lunch after the Picasso Museum
  • 11. Caelis

    $$$$

    This restaurant takes contemporary decor and fine-dining style and adds the pizzazz of open-kitchen cooking. It's known for its decadent tastings menus, and the star dish is a rich mar i muntanya macaroni with lobster, foie gras, and artichoke. The contemporary decor combines gleaming traditional copper with retro-cool mid-century modern furniture. Wine selections can be added at a surcharge per person. 

    Via Laietana 49, 08003, Spain
    93-510–1205

    Known For

    • Lunchtime menu option
    • Tasting menus for carnivores and vegetarians
    • Michelin star

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
  • 12. Cal Pep

    $$

    It's has been in a permanent feeding frenzy for more than 30 years, intensified by hordes of tourists, but this loud, hectic bar manages to keep delivering the very highest quality tapas, year-in and year-out. Be prepared to wait up to an hour for a place at the counter; reservations for the tables in the tiny back room and on the outdoor terrace are accepted, but the counter is where the action is.

    Pl. de les Olles 8, 08003, Spain
    93-310–7961

    Known For

    • Excellent fish fry
    • Delicious tortilla de patatas
    • Lively counter scene

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and 3 wks in Aug. No lunch Mon.
  • 13. Contraban

    $$

    Once you find this spot, tucked inside the boutique Wittmore Hotel at the end of a tiny alley, you’ll be rewarded with a wonderfully creative menu of small plates and hearty baked pastas. Dishes are served in the lounge-like dining room or out on the courtyard patio with its twinkling lights and impressive vertical garden.

    Riudarenes, 7, 08002, Spain
    93-737–8159

    Known For

    • Hidden location
    • Creative themed dishes
    • Rotating wine list
  • 14. Cruix

    $$$$

    With two tasting menus priced at just €39 and €56, for seven and 10 courses respectively, Cruix is the fine-dining restaurant for people who don't want to spend hundreds of euros on a meal. Everything here is laid-back and unpretentious, including the exposed-brick interior, but the quality speaks to the Chef Miquel Pardo's pedigree: he worked under Spanish superstar chefs like Albert Adrià and Jordi Cruz before opening Cruix in 2017. 

    Entença 57, 08015, Spain
    93-525–2318

    Known For

    • Fine dining on a budget
    • Creative food
    • Excellent rice dishes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., No dinner Sun., No lunch Wed. and Thurs.
  • 15. DeLaCrem

    $

    For a cool pick-me-up on a hot Barcelona afternoon, you can't beat the seasonal, locally sourced, Italian-style ice cream from DeLaCrem. Expect classics like vanilla, chocolate, and dulce de leche as well as more unconventional combinations like mandarin and orange blossom yogurt, pear and Parmesan, or pumpkin and toasted butter. There are vegan options, too. 

    Enric Granados 15, 08007, Spain
    93-004–1093

    Known For

    • Italian-style ice cream
    • Unconventional flavors
    • Pumpkin and toasted butter gelato
  • 16. Deliri

    $$$ | Eixample Esquerra

    Elevated sharing plates made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients are the bottom line at this trendy Eixample eatery. The menu features unlikely combos: artichoke salad with parmesan cream and bottarga, or glazed mackerel with pumpkin—blends that shouldn't work, but yet they really do—along with nods to the most classic of Catalan "grandma" dishes, like the decadently meaty macaroni covered in cheese. The intimate dining room is chic but unfussy, works by local artists adorn the walls, and the small outdoor terrace has four tables for four for diners who prefer to eat al fresco. 

    Còrsega, 242, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08036, Spain
    +34-93-611–3927

    Known For

    • Dining room showcases local artists
    • "grandma"-style macaroni
    • Top-notch seasonal produce

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 17. Disfrutar

    $$$$

    Three former head chefs from the now-closed "World's Best Restaurant" El Bulli combined their considerable talents to create this roller-coaster ride of culinary fun (the word "disfrutar" is Spanish for "to enjoy") spotlighting tasting menus of dazzling inventiveness and good taste. Bowls are swirled to reveal beetroot meringues emerging from sesame-seed "earth" (the seeds are made to look like soil), and jellied truffle-and-egg tempura hit the bull's-eye of pure pleasure; desserts are otherworldly.

    Villarroel 163, 08036, Spain
    93-348–6896

    Known For

    • Inventive food
    • Tasting menus only
    • Surprisingly accessible wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat.–Sun., 2 wks in Aug., and 1 wk after Christmas, Reservations essential
  • 18. El 58

    $$

    A long list of seasonal Mediterranean small plates, ranging from coal-grilled octopus to vegetarian risotto to traditional Catalan sausage stew, is chalked up on the boards here each day. Inside it's casually hip, with exposed brick walls and vintage furniture; there’s a small back patio for al fresco dining as well as tables out front on the Rambla del Poblenou for excellent people-watching.

    Rambla del Poblenou 58, 08005, Spain
    93-601–3903

    Known For

    • Wide range of tapas
    • Nicely presented dishes
    • Charming back patio

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat. and Sun.
  • 19. El Celler de Can Roca

    $$$$ | Spanish

    Diners who can plan far enough ahead to deal with the waiting list for tables at this multiple-time winner of Restaurant magazine's World's Best Restaurant crown) are rewarded with an all-encompassing feast for the senses. Fine dining doesn't get any better than this. Brothers Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca deliver a one-of-a-kind "freestyle cooking" experience that blends classical cooking with cutting-edge techniques.

    Can Sunyer 48, Girona, Catalonia, 17007, Spain
    97-222–2157

    Known For

    • One of the world's greatest restaurants
    • Outstanding wine list
    • Dazzling creativity and perfectionism

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues. Closed Dec. 20–Jan. 11, Mar. 20–28 and Aug. 1–Sept. 12, Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues. Closed Dec. 23–Jan. 18, Apr. 9–17, and Aug. 20–28, Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues. Closed 1 wk at Easter, 2 wks in Aug., and 2 wks at Christmas
  • 20. El Vaso de Oro

    $

    A favorite with visiting gourmands, this often overcrowded little counter serves some of the best beer and tapas in town. The house-brewed artisanal draft beer—named after the Fort family who owns and runs the bar—is drawn and served with loving care by veteran, epauletted waiters who have it down to a fine art. 

    Balboa 6, 08003, Spain
    93-319–3098

    Known For

    • Old-school service
    • Stand-up dining
    • Beef fillet is a favorite

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