Best Barcelona bars and restaurants

Barcelona is one of the world’s great culinary destinations. In Barcelona you don’t have to blow the budget on Michelin-starred restaurants – though you can, with 18 establishments awarded at least one star – because just about everybody in Barcelona seems to be a foodie. There is something good to be had on just about every other corner, but unfortunately, there is also something set up to fleece tourists as well. You can eat incredibly well in Barcelona for not a lot of money, and you can blow a packet on garbage. Don’t do that! Here are some favorite Barcelona restaurants and bars where you can’t go wrong:

Worth a Trip

There are some good restaurants in Barcelona, and some that are worth going out of your way to visit. These are some of the best restaurants and bars in Barcelona that are really worth that detour.

Viblioteca

The entrance to Viblioteca restaurant in Barcelona

Viblioteca is a wine bar and more, turning out an array of sharing plates from behind the tiny bar. Bookings essential. Highly recommended. Read more

Fismuler

Staff at the bar in Fismuler restaurant in Barcelona

Okay, it’s an outpost of a Madrid restaurant, but Fismuler is seriously good. One of my current Barcelona favourites. 

Bar del Pla

It is worth the wait to ge into Bar del Pla, a great Barcelona restaurant and bar

Bar del Pla in busy El Born is a favorite and does almost everything right. Highly recommended, and bookings essential. Read more

Pez Vela

The terrace at Pez Vela is a great place for a long lunch on a sunny day

Paella with views over Barceloneta beach. What’s not to like? Read more

Bar Cañete

Seafood doesn't get much better than this at Bar Cañete

This old-school tapas bar is really worth the visit. Cañete does the classics very well, plus some daily specials, and a few more imaginative dishes. Popular with Barcelona locals, because it is one of the best  Read more

Louro

Glorious lobster rice at Louro restaurant in Barcelona

Apparently there isn’t a rule that restaurants in Las Ramblas must be horrid tourist traps. Who knew? The people behind Louro. Galician food done well, and one of Barcelona’s best.  Read more

Camping Mar

Squid-ink paella at Camping Mar restaurant in Barcelona

Good food, excellent service, and a lovely location. If you’re after waterside paella in Barcelona you could do a lot worse than Camping Mar.

1881 per Sagardi

Paella at 1881 per Sagardi. Makes you hungry just to look at it.

1881 Per Sagardi does superior seafood in busy Port Vell. Not cheap, but highly recommended. Read more

Quimet y Quimet

At Quimet y Quimet most of the food comes from cans. Don't be fooled: it is seriously good.

Tiny little hole-in-the-wall bar in El Poble Sec. Standing only. Good food, but popular with tourists. Read more

If you’re in the ‘hood

Every neighborhood has its gems. Here are just a neighborhood restaurants in Barcelona that we’ll be revisiting.

Arume

The street is hardly salubrious, but Arume is one of Barcelona's more popular bars and restaurants for a reason

Arume is a charming little El Raval restaurant that has (unfortunately) lately been overrun by TripAdvisor followers. Book late, rather than tourist hour, and all should be good. Read more

Bambarol Bar Restaurant

Catalan standards, like these fried red prawns, are the specialty of Bambarol restaurant

Bambarol is a bit off the main tourist track, on the other side of Diagonal in Sant Gervasi-Galvany, but worth the trek. Just don’t tell everyone. Read more

Cuines Santa Caterina

There may be a wait for a table at the bustling Cuines Santa Caterina, but usually the queue moves quickly.

Cuines Santa Caterina is a big, bustling restaurant at Santa Caterina market in Born. No reservations taken, but the tables turn over fairly fast. Read more

Torre d’Alta Mar Restaurant

The food at Torre d’Alta Mar Restaurant can be nearly as pretty as the view

Not the tourist trap you may expect given its outlook, Torre d’Alta Mar Restaurant delivers on its food promise too. Read more

Tragaluz

Tragaluz is the flagship of the group in Barcelona, and the food is seriously good

Fine dining in an impressive Eixample location (and for a cost). Still, we wonder why Tragaluz somehow manages to avoid much media attention. Read more

Kiosk Universal

Views over the busy kitchen at Kiosk Universal

One of the many casual restaurants in La Boqueria, Kiosk Universal is an excellent choice for fresh seafood, and an excellent El Raval option. Read more

Gats

Lovely interior setting at Gats restaurant in Barcelona

Stylish, smart, good food – either tapas or bigger plates – and a great location, just in El Raval near Las Ramblas. Gats is well worth putting on your list. Read more

Sucursal Aceitera

Fresh ideas from the kitchen at Sucursal Aceitera in Barcelona

Sucursal is another Love It There* recommendation on Parlament in Sant Antoni – a solid choice for tapas and some more imaginative plates. Read more

Enoiteca Zona d’Ombra

Behind Enoiteca Zona d’Ombra's relatively humble exterior is a bar that has an enormous range of Spanish wines available by the glass

Charming old-school wine bar in the centre of the old town, offering a massive choice of wines by the glass. A surprisingly good choice for Gotico. Read more

Eldiset

If you're looking for a Barcelona restaurant or bar that specializes in Catalan wine, Eldiset could be the place for you.

This buzzing bar in El Born specialises in Catalan wines. Read more

Federal Café

The Australian theme at Federal Café extends to good coffee.

This Australian-style brunch/lunch joint in Parlament in Sant Antoni is pretty darned good. And I’m not just saying that because I’m an Aussie! Read more

Palosanto

Tiny Palosanto restaurant in Barcelona packs in the customers

This tiny El Raval restaurant is popular for a reason. Palosanto does great burgers and some other interesting offerings. Bookings essential. Read more

Cometa

On-trend sandwich joint, with salads, decent coffee, and cakes too. Cometa may not be a must-see, but definitely worth the stop if you’re in Sant Antoni and looking for lunch. Read more

Bar Lobo

Bar Lobo is a solid choice for tapas in Barcelona

Solid tapas choice In El Raval close to Las Ramblas, Bar Lobo wins on many fronts. Read more

Komo en Kasa

Friendly service and great takeaway food are the order of the day at Komo en Casa

Hole-in-the-wall take-away coffee and snacks with the friendliest service in El Raval.  Read more

Bar Brutal/Can Cisa

Bar Brutal in El Born specialists in natural wines, which some may find challenging. For fans, the selection may look like heaven. The food’s pretty good too. Read more

Cera 23

In the back streets of El Raval, Cera 23 is a surprising find

Cera 23 is the slightly less popular sister restaurant to Arume around the corner. Still one of El Raval’s better offerings. Read more