Food in Barcelona: 12 must-try dishes and drinks

What is food in Barcelona like? Let’s find out. This is a city where it’s really easy to eat well, whether you’re looking for a romantic date idea or enjoying a family-friendly vacation in Barcelona. From tapas to mouthwatering paella, there’s always something tasty on the menu, whether it’s your first time in Barcelona or you're a return visitor.

The best foods to eat in Barcelona will depend on the season you’re visiting. In the summer, the local pa amb tomàquet is at its best, with ripe tomatoes bursting with flavor. In winter, try the calçots followed by dessert: churros dipped in chocolate, which will keep you warm inside and out.

Watch now: Barcelona's must-try food and drink

1. Paella

Everyone who’s been there will tell you that one of the best things to eat in Barcelona is paella. Technically, paella originates in Valencia, about 400 km to the south. Don’t worry; you can still sample authentic versions of this world-famous rice dish in Barcelona.

How to eat the best paella in Barcelona?

What could be better than learning to make paella yourself? With a paella-making class, a trained chef will help you choose the perfect ingredients before teaching you the tricks of the trade. There’s usually sangria to enjoy too.

2. Bomba

Barcelona’s local cuisine features many tapas, and one of the most popular foods is this regional specialty. A bomba, named for its explosion of flavors, is a morsel of meat wrapped in mashed potato, breaded, and then deep-fried.

Where to find the best bomba in Barcelona?

Take a food tour to explore local flavors. Your local guides will take you to one of the best bomba bars in town.

3. Pa amb tomàquet

Some of the most popular dishes in Catalonia are the simplest. Pa amb tomàquet means bread with tomato, and that’s just what it is. The key is in the quality. Rich, crusty bread, ultra-ripe tomato, a hint of garlic, and the best olive oil make this a real treat.

Where to find the best pa amb tomàquet in Barcelona?

There are hundreds of places in town where you can get a mean pa amb tomàquet, but try a food and history tour that shows you traditional Catalan dishes. You’ll also be able to try botifarra, the thick farmer’s sausage that’s a local favorite.

4. Churros

If you’re visiting Barcelona in winter, nothing beats a churro to warm you up. These cylinders of deep-fried dough are traditionally served sprinkled with sugar and dipped in thick hot chocolate.

What is the best kind of churros in Barcelona?

Churros usually come with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. But the best churros are the ones that are freshly fried and accompanied by a chocolate dipping sauce, or filled with the sauces already. Go on a churros discovery tour around Barcelona to find the best spots.

5. Iberian ham

Rich and savory, jamón ibérico (Iberian ham) has become world-famous for a reason. People here take the whole ham process seriously, from the acorn-fed pigs to the professionally cut, wafer-thin slices.

How to eat the best ham in Barcelona?

There are a variety of Iberian hams to try. Enjoy a feast of all things pork on a Jamón Iberico tasting experience. With expert ham cutters on hand and a refreshing glass of cava, you’ll be in heaven.

6. Cava

Cava is the Catalan equivalent of champagne. Sparkling and refreshing, it’s made in the hills around Barcelona.

Where to sample the best cava in Barcelona?

Take a private wine and tapas trip to Penedès, which is true cava country. You’ll see how it’s made before sampling different types of this sparkling wine paired with some great tapas.

7. Local Catalan wines

With a richly varied terrain, Catalonia produces many different kinds of wine. From the delicate whites of the Empordà to the hearty reds of Priorat, this is great territory for wine lovers.

How to drink the best local wine in Barcelona?

Attend a wine and cheese pairing session with a trained sommelier. You’ll learn how to follow your nose and sniff out the best vintages.

8. Coca bread

Looking for a typically traditional food in Barcelona and the Catalan region that you likely won’t find elsewhere? Try coca, a soft Catalan bread. Sometimes, it’s made like focaccia, with salt or vegetables baked into the surface. But more commonly, it’s served with just a dusting of sugar, the ideal breakfast if you have a sweet tooth.

Where to find the best coca bread in Barcelona?

The monastery of Montserrat is famous for making coca. Take a trip to the sacred mountain, spend some time hiking and exploring, then pick up a tasty souvenir as you go.

9. Patates amb allioli

Patates amb allioli are one of the most popular tapas in Catalonia and an absolute must-eat for visitors. Deep-fried chunks of potato are served with a spicy garlic sauce. Don’t expect the chef to go easy on the garlic, either. You might want to pack a breath mint.

How to eat the best patates amb allioli in Barcelona?

Try these flavorful tapas as part of a tipsy tapas walking tour of the city. You’ll have plenty of other tapas to try, and if the garlic’s too strong for you, just wash it down with some local beer or vermouth.

10. Panellets

Here’s something you won’t see outside Catalonia. Panellets are bite-sized sweet morsels made of almond and potato. They’re a lot tastier than they sound and are usually covered with pine nuts, coconut, or chocolate. Catalans eat them at the end of October to mark the changing season.

How to eat the best panellets in Barcelona?

Panellets (marzipan cookies) are only available in the fall, so make the most of it. Pastisseria Hofmann in the Born neighborhood offers a tempting selection of traditional and modern flavors.

11. Calçots

This is another seasonal treat. Calçots look like a spring onion’s chunkier cousin and are only available in the winter. Catalans like to barbecue them, dip them in an almond-based salsa romesco and eat them all in one piece.

Where to find the best calçots in Barcelona?

The best time to try calçots is at a calçotada party, the Catalan version of a barbecue.

12. Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana, the Catalan take on crème brûlée, is a rich, decadent way to end a special meal. This creamy dessert is on the menu all year round, which is good news for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Where to find the best crema catalana in Barcelona?

Head to a traditional Catalan restaurant, as they’re bound to have it on the menu.

FAQs

What are the best food tours in Barcelona?

You have two main options for popular food tours in Barcelona. Tapas tours will take you bar-hopping around town, letting you try the local tapas and have some drinks along the way. Market tours help you choose the freshest produce, with an emphasis on seasonality.

What are the top local food markets in Barcelona to visit?

By far the most famous food market in Barcelona is La Boqueria, located right on La Rambla. Every neighborhood has its own local market, too, with some of the most popular being Sant Antoni and El Born.

What is the best time of year to visit Barcelona for food lovers?

You’ll eat well in Barcelona at any time of year. The climate is great for growing produce all year round. For something truly original, visit in the winter and go to a calçotada, the most popular foodie event for locals.

How much should I budget for food in Barcelona?

You can eat a decent dinner in Barcelona for about €20 per person. At a more upmarket restaurant, that price can increase sharply, to around €40 or more per person for a three-course meal. At lunchtime, you can still often find the classic menú del día, with three courses and a drink for around €12 - €18.

What time do people eat lunch and dinner in Barcelona?

In Barcelona, people generally eat lunch between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, while most restaurants open for dinner after 8 PM. People usually have dinner around 9 PM and stay at restaurants for hours.