Where to Eat & Drink in Barcelona: My Top Favorite Restaurants

Barcelona is truly a melting pot of beautiful flavors, places, and people. Its a city offering a diverse food scene that appeals to visitors both near and far. From traditional Catalan restaurants to contemporary natural wine bistros, Barcelona harmoneously blends old and new, which is reflected through its ever-changing food scene that runs from Poble Sec to Poble Nou.

After calling Barcelona home for the past five years, I can confidently say that I’ve discovered some of the best spots this city has to offer. However, I will say there has been a lot of trial and error when it came to discovering new eateries over the past few years.

Because this city attracts waves of visitors from all over the world each and every year, there are a lot of tourist traps and mediocre restaurants, making it hard to distinguish the good from the bad.

That’s why I’ve created this complete Barcelona Food Guide to help you get started!

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed foodie or are just looking for some cheap eats, this list is for you.

Barcelona Food Guide

*Most of these spots take reservations. If you are coming in summer, I highly recommend reserving ahead of time.

The ones with an (*) are some of my favorites that I highly recommend!

Traditional Tapas

• Vinitus: While this place is attracting more and more tourists over the years, it’s still one of my favorite spots if you are looking for some classic tapas. It’s super affordable which is always a plus and they don’t take reservations so you can always get a spot. Whatever you do, be sure to order the torrija for dessert.
• Bar Alegria*: One of my new favorite tapas restaurants is Bar Alegria. Here you will find a lot of seafood tapas and classic Spanish starters. On some nights of the week, they even have a live band playing in the restaurant.
• Paco Meralgo: Another local establishment that has a great selection of tapas and seafood is Paco Meralgo. This is a popular spot among both locals and visitors.
• El Xampanyet: This old school tapas bar is a local establishment and is popular among tourists and locals alike. You cannot reserve so be sure to come early to get a spot.
• Bar Canete: This is another popular tapas bar that you can’t go wrong with.
• Quimet Quimet: Old school casual tapas bar that’s famous for their open faced crostinis with toppings.
• La Vermu: This spot is a traditional vermouth bar with bar snacks.

Not Your Traditional Tapas: Small Plates and Upscale Dining

• Berbena*: This spot offers unique small plates and a great selection of natural wines. Berbena is easily one of my favorite restaurants because of its fun menu and cozy atmosphere.
• Fismuler: This restaurant is right in the heart of el Born and is great for big groups. They offer lots of seafood options. 
• Tragaluz: This restaurant is in a great location and has a beautiful interior/atmosphere. They offer a nice mix of homemade pasta dishes and small plates.
• Les Filles: This is a modern and vibey restaurant with a great terrace for summer. There are lots of healthy options on the menu for vegans and vegetarians.
• Gresca Bar: fancy and trendy tapas place right off of Enrique Granados (one of my favorite streets with great bars and restaurants).
• Jok*: This restaurant serves great cocktails and beautifully prepared catalan dishes. This is the kind of place you will want to dress up for.
• Maleducat: This restaurant offers creative dishes with a twist. It’s located in the Sant Antoni neighborhood which also offers lots of bars and restaurants nearby.
• Palo verde: Beautiful moody restaurant with small plates that are cooked around a charcoal fire. They have an amazing wine selection and beautifully plated dishes.
• La Pepita*: Funky and casual tapas bar with an eclectic menu and casual vibe.
• Soma*: This is one of my favorite new restaurants. It has a great menu and casual atmosphere. 
• LLuritu 2: While it doesn’t have the best vibes, they definitely have the best seafood in town. They have an amazing selection of different seafood and shellfish for a great price.

Wine Bar Restaurants

• Viblioteca: This spot is one of my favorite hidden gems in Gracia. While they have an amazing selection of wines and cheeses, they also offer a full menu as well.
• Boca Narriz*: very similar to Viblioteca but in my opinion offers more intimate vibes. They are also located right next to each other. 
• Monocrom: Monocrom is also one of my favorite wine bars that offers a seasonal menu. It’s small, intimate, and casual. Order the pasta, it’s a staple.
• Garage Bar: This place is known for its natural wine selection and small bites. It’s also located in a fun neighborhood with a lot of bars nearby.
• Mes Amours: Another great natural wine bar that offers cheese plates and small bites.

Paella

• Pez Vela*: My go-to paella spot. Right under the W hotel, it has a great interior and terrace and is the exact place you want to be on a warm summer’s day.
• Terraza Martinez: This elevated restaurant offers incredible views of the city. Aside from paella, they also offer a lot of seafood dishes.
• Camping Mar: Another sophisticated paella spot by the water. This one is a little further out from the city however, so you will have to taxi to get there.
• Restaurante Informal: This restaurant is located on a hotel rooftop right by the water. It offers amazing views of Barceloneta and has great service.

Italian

• NAP pizza

• Parking Pizza

• Can Pizza
• La Balmesina: Pizza
• Xemei: Xemei offers fantastic venetian cuisine. No matter which pasta dish you order, you can’t go wrong.
• Benzina*: This Italian spot really has a beautiful interior and is a great date night spot. It’s also famous for having the best carbonara in town.
• Harry’s: Harrys is an upscale Italian restaurant right in the center of Barcelona. 

Asian

• Robata: sushi
• Parco: sushi
• Kitsune: sushi 
• Koku Kitchen: This is my go-to Ramen spot when I’m in El born.
• Boa Bao: This spot offers a wide selection of dishes like noodles, Pho, pad thai, and curry. It’s also quite a big restaurant, making it great for groups.

Coffee Shops and Brunch

• Satan’s coffee corner

• Bond Cafe

• Syrah 

• Rex

• Slowmov

• Cafe Cometa

• Nomad coffee
• Cremat 11: Proper brunch spot right in the center of el born.If you are craving pancakes or other American style breakfast dishes, this is a great place to go.
• Milk: This is another brunch spot that offers all the classics like eggs benedict, burgers, and cocktails.
• Federal cafe: This is a really cute brunch and coffee spot in a lively neighborhood.
• Mama Cafe: This spot in the Gracia neighborhood offers simple and healthy breakfasts.
• Raw Studio: This coffee shop offers several healthy breakfast options like overnight oats, vegan protein balls, and yogurt granola bowls.
• Flying Monkey: While you can also eat lunch and dinner here, I love coming in the morning for a coffee and small bite to eat.

Lunch Specialties

• Elsa y Fred*: One of the best lunch menus in Barcelona. I always come here when I’m in the center and order their menu del dia.
• Baldomero: Fresh lunch menu that offers healthy and flavorful dishes.

• Can Treso: Great lunch menu that changes often. Also located in the Gracia neighborhood which is a great local area with a lot of life. 

Healthy Bites

• Honest greens*: I eat here once a week at least. This is a great lunch spot that offers a wide variety of fresh salads, bowls, and appetizers at a very affordable price.
• Flax and Kale: Flax and Kale is a famous healthy spot in town and they have a great terrace for summer.
• Teresa Carles: Another restaurant that’s a part of the Flax and Kale family. This spot is better for dinner and offers a wide variety of healthy options.
• The Green Spot: There are two locations in Barcelona and they both offer flavorful and healthy dishes.

• Raw Studio: This new spot is great for breakfast or brunch and offers a variety of healthy vegan options. You can also find golden milk lattes, matcha, and a great variety of teas.
• Vereda Bar: This cute restaurant offers a number of healthy spots and a great selection of natural wines.

Bars

• Bar Salvatge: Natural wine bar in Gracia. It offers a funky atmosphere and a casual vibe that’s great for a pre dinner glass of wine.
• Sauvage: This bar is great if you are looking for something that you can have a few cocktails and dance without committing to a club. This street has a whole row of fun cocktail bars to enjoy.

• Bar el Born: This bar is located on the same street as many of the others is a great spot to grab a cocktail or glass of wine. It has a more old school retro vibe which I love.
• Creps al Born: This is one of the most popular spots in el born and for good reason. It’s always playing Latin music and has a lively crowd.
• Numero Nueve: great bar and great area filled with cocktail bars
• 4 Latas: good for a casual drink with friends. I suggest going to the location on enrique granados or on Tusset, this is our typically friday night spot
• 14 de la Rosa*: Cocktail bar in Gracia that has an old school ambiance 
• Paradiso: speakeasy cocktail bar in el born
• Dr. Stravinsky: another famous but touristy cocktail bar in the center
• Bling Bling: Club
• Sutton: Club

Great for Celebrations:

• Tierra: This spot is great for birthday dinners with friends. After dinner service is over, there is a DJ and bar. 
• Green Spot: the location on Diagonal is the place to be on Thursday nights. Reserve for dinner and stay for the party.

Rooftop Bars

• Casa Luz

• Sir Victor

• Hotel Colon

• The Edition Hotel* 

• Ohla Barcelona on Via Laietana

• Hotel Pulitzer

There you have it. If you have any further questions on specific spots, feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to help!

xx Happy Travels