What to eat in Barcelona

written by INSIDR Team October 9, 2022

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With some of the best food in the world, it can be hard to decide where to start when it comes to eating in Barcelona, especially when you’ve only got 2 or 3 days to spend in this city. It’s ‘hard’ in the best way possible, though.

Barcelona is the capital of the Catalan region of Spain and it’s where you’ll find all the delicious, traditional Catalan foods. Catalans are very proud of their culture and heritage, and this is especially true when it comes to their cuisine. Think cheeses, meats and seafood, and plenty of them all.

Some of the most famous Catalan dishes include tomato bread (Pa Amb Tomaquet), calçots with romesco sauce (a Spring tradition), fideuas (paella with short noodles) and a personal favourite – Crema Catalana. It’s Catalonia’s answer to the French Crème Brulée.

However, Barcelona isn’t just home to Catalonia’s finest traditional dishes. The city is also a melting pot of other cuisines, fusions and world-class restaurants. The evolving restaurant scene in Barcelona makes it one of the most popular global destinations for foodies. From some incredible cheap eats to Michelin-star restaurants and everything in between.

The question really isn’t what to eat in Barcelona, but rather how much food can you fit in, in Barcelona. Here’s a selection of some of Barcelona’s best eats and where to find them.

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What’s the best food not to miss in Barcelona

Tapas

Well there’s one thing you just can’t miss in Barcelona and that’s tapas. This Spanish specialty is basically made of bite-sized versions of some of your favourite meals. Cured meats, tomatoes on bread, Spanish omelettes, fresh fish… almost anything you can think of. The best way to eat tapas is with friends. Order a little bit of everything and enjoy the sharing plates with a refreshing drink.

Calçotada

If you happen to be visiting Barcelona between December and March then you’re in luck. That’s when it’s Calçots season in Catalonia. This traditional ‘calçotada’ meal involves dangling chargrilled leeks dipped in romesco sauce over your mouth, while wearing an adult bib to protect you from any spillage. It’s as fun as is it delicious!

Paella

Despite traditionally being a Valencian dish, Barcelona has adopted and adapted the beloved Paella. Mostly eaten as a lunch time food, this rice dish is normally served in a huge pan that feeds at least two. The two rules that locals live by when it comes to picking the best paella restaurants are: 1. Don’t eat in Las Ramblas; and 2. Don’t eat if they have photos of the paella on the menu. Noted.