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 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 possibly also something set up to fleece tourists. 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.
Fismuler
Okay, it’s an outpost of a Madrid restaurant, but Fismuler is seriously good. There’s some experimentation in the kitchen – so maybe not the destination if you’re after a traditional Catalan restaurant – but oh, my, it is good. One of my current Barcelona favourites.
Louro
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
Bar del Pla
Bar del Pla in busy El Born is a favorite and does almost everything right. It may claim to be a bar, but you’re here for some of Barcelona’s best food – and a good selection of wine to go with it. Highly recommended, and bookings essential. Read more
Viblioteca
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
Pez Vela
Paella with views over Barceloneta beach. What’s not to like? Read more
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
Camping Mar
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
1881 Per Sagardi does superior seafood in busy Port Vell. Not cheap, but it can be a lovely experience. Read more
Quimet y Quimet
Tiny little hole-in-the-wall bar in El Poble Sec, not one of Barcelona’s busier tourist destinations. Standing only. Surprisingly good food, given it’s mostly preserved or canned. It is in the tourist guides though. Read more
If you’re in the ‘hood
Every Barcelona neighborhood has its gems. Here are just some of Barcelona’s best neighborhood bars and restaurants where we continue to return.
Anardi
Behind its modest Parlament street frontage is one of the best Basque restaurants in Barcelona. Anardi is definitely on my return soon list.
Arume
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
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
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
Not the tourist trap you may expect given its outlook, Torre d’Alta Mar Restaurant delivers on its food promise too. Read more
Tragaluz
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
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
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 Barcelona dining list. Read more
Sucursal Aceitera
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
Charming old-school wine bar in the centre of Barcelona’s old town, offering a massive choice of wines by the glass. A surprisingly good choice for Gotico. Read more
Eldiset
This buzzing bar in El Born specialises in Catalan wines. Read more
Federal Café
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
This tiny El Raval restaurant is popular for a reason. Palosanto does great burgers and some other interesting offerings. Bookings essential. Read more
Bar Lobo
Solid tapas choice In El Raval close to Las Ramblas, Bar Lobo wins on many fronts. Read more
Komo en Kasa
Hole-in-the-wall take-away with coffee, snacks, and good-value meals 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
Cera 23 is the slightly less popular sister restaurant to Arume around the corner. Still one of El Raval’s better offerings. Read more