Barcelona in Spain equals a fantastic city trip in Europe. This vibrant city is not only a paradise for culture and beach lovers, but also a dream for foodies. From atmospheric tapas bars tucked away in hidden alleys to trendy restaurants with sea views, Barcelona has it all. With so many options, choosing where to eat can feel overwhelming, which is why we’re sharing our favorite restaurants and bars in Barcelona!
Breakfast & brunch in Barcelona
Spaniards are known for starting their day late and ending it late. The meals are therefore adapted to this. Luckily, Barcelona has plenty of brunch spots that open as early as 8:00 a.m. If you arrive before 10:00, you’ll usually find a seat without any trouble. After 10:00, it gets much busier as locals head out for brunch too. These are the best breakfast and brunch spots in Barcelona:
- Forn Mistral: This cozy bakery is perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat. You’ll find freshly baked breads and pastries for only a few euros. You can also order coffees and have a cozy outdoor seating.
- Brunch & Cake: This photogenic brunch bar is a true Instagram hotspot. But beyond a beautiful interior, you’ll also find delicious dishes. Think avocado toasts, healthy pancakes, shakshuka or eggs benedict and lattes in all colors and flavors! It’s a popular brunch bar so especially on weekends, chances are you’ll have to get in line, but it’s definitely worth it!
- Brunchit: This was our favorite brunch bar and within walking distance of our hostel (Primavera Hostel: highly recommended!). The outside is decorated with dozens of colorful flowers. But it is also cozy inside. On the menu you will find trendy açai bowls, hotcakes and richly spread sourdough toasts. We absolutely loved the salty and canadian hotcakes!
- La Cala Barceloneta: If you are not staying in the center of Barcelona but by the sea, then La Cala Barceloneta is the place to be. You have breakfast there with a view of the harbor. The dishes are local and freshly made and range from simple pastries to breakfast bowls and grilled toasties.
Lunch: where to eat in Barcelona
Since Spaniards eat breakfast so late, it is common to skip lunch. Go for a tasty bite on-the-go or a light, healthy meal. These are the best addresses for a tasty and healthy lunch in Barcelona:
- Mercat de la Boqueria: This gigantic indoor market is a must-see during a citytrip Barcelona. You’ll find countless stalls selling local delicacies, from rich Manchego cheeses and croquettes filled with Ibérico ham to refreshing fresh-made smoothies. Wander through the bustling market and sample a variety of tapas along the way.
- El Nacional: This trendy food hall houses several high-end restaurants. When you enter, your eye is immediately drawn to the giant crystal chandelier hanging above the oyster bar. You will find several restaurants where you can taste traditional recipes and quality products, and the beautiful interior is an added bonus!
- Flax & Kale: At Flax & Kale, you can put together your own salad bowl. Choose your base and then add your proteins and carbs of choice. That way you really create a lunch tailored to your needs. You’ll also find international dishes like Thai pad thai or Korean Bibimbap.
- Honest Greens: This healthy food bar has a location in the historic center as well as on the beach. The vision at Honest Greens is to work with ingredients as pure and “honest” as possible. This translates into healthy salad bowls and cold pressed juices.
Tapas bars in Barcelona
A city trip to Barcelona screams for tapas and sangria! In Barcelona you will find a lot of atmospheric tapas bars hidden in the many alleys. From local bars among the locals to hip restaurants that take tapas to another level. These are the best tapas bars in Barcelona that you should definitely try:
- El Set: Our personal favorite! This small tapas bar is tucked away in a narrow alley, so it’s easy to walk right past it. Inside, you’ll find a cozy, authentic interior with a beautiful stone arched vault. The menu is packed with classic, finger-licking tapas, all at very fair prices.
- Le Bistro Sensi: Looking for sophisticated tapas in a trendy setting? Then Le Bistro Sensi is the place to be. You’ll find a variety of traditional Spanish tapas, such as the famous patatas bravas and other classics. You’ll also find more contemporary dishes inspired by Mediterranean ingredients on the menu.
- El Xampanyet: This local tapas bar is a true icon in Barcelona. For three generations this tapas bar has been owned by the same family, and nothing has changed about the interior either. Be sure to stop by and taste their famous tapas with anchovies. Or taste their homemade, sparkling wine called Xampanyet.
- Bodega La Tinaja: The nice thing about Bodega La Tinaja is that it is not yet as popular as the bars above. It’s a true hidden gem, with delicious tapas and a charming interior. While the more popular tapas bars often require reservations or long waits, here you have a much better chance of finding a seat last minute.
Dinner: the best restaurants in Barcelona
The tapas bars mentioned above are perfect for an evening meal, but Barcelona has so much more to offer. The city is full of excellent paella restaurants and a wide range of international cuisines, from Italian to Japanese. If you’re looking for a change of pace during your city trip, we highly recommend the following restaurants in Barcelona.
- Carmina: Admittedly, we were drawn to Carmina mainly by the beautiful interior. The cozy bar surrounded by hanging plants is very Instagrammable. But now we can agree that this Italian restaurant is also highly recommended in terms of food. The pasta carbonara is prepared at your table in a big ball of cheese. Do we need to say more?
- Mana 75: This restaurant is known in Barcelona for serving the best paella in town. Mana 75 overlooks the sea, so the paellas are made with fresh fish and seafood. For us, it was for sure the best paella we ever ate!
- La Selva Barcelona: At this grill restaurant, you once again find yourself in a beautiful setting. But it is the meat on the menu that steals the show here. La Selva Barcelona serves a variety of top-quality meat dishes. Sourced from Friesian cattle, the meat rests for 30 to 100 days at a set temperature giving you an unseen tenderness.
- Ikoya Izakaya: Welcome to Tokyo? No, we are still in Barcelona! But this restaurant showcases the best of what Japanese cuisine has to offer. The chef, born in Japan, came to Barcelona 25 years ago and fell in love with the city. Now he tries to bring the best of both his worlds together in this fine dining restaurant.
Best bars in Barcelona
Who doesn’t love a unique bar that serves delicious cocktails and mocktails? You can find plenty of those in Barcelona as well. Yet there are some that really stand out. From rooftop bars with the best views of the city to hidden speakeasies.
- Casa Lolea: If there is one sangria you must drink, it is the one from Casa Lolea. This sangria bar makes its own sangrias of a high standard. But in addition to their classic white and red sangria, you’ll also find other drinks and delicious tapas. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended.
- Lamara Hotel: This five-star hotel is located right across from Barcelona’s cathedral. And their big asset is the spacious roof terrace with a view of the cathedral. You can just walk into the hotel and take the elevator to the top floor. Definitely try to come during sunset for the best photos! The drinks are pricier here, but we found this one of the best things to do in Barcelona.
- La Vinya del Soner: Are you a wine lover? Then you’ve come to the right place! You can taste as many as 20 different wines by the glass, and many more by the bottle. From local Catalan and Spanish wines to international recommendations. Those who want can do a tapas pairing for a full experience!
- Monk Barcelona: This speakeasy bar is tucked away in the Born neighborhood, in what at first glance appears to be a small supermarket. But if you find the right door, you will find yourself in a hip bar with stone vaults. You will find unique cocktails of high quality, a beautiful interior and a dance hall. Whoever is in the mood for a fun evening should definitely go here!
Food tour in Barcelona
Fancy tapas, sangria and culinary surprises? Another fun way to discover Barcelona’s many restaurants and bars is to join a food tour. The city also offers fun cooking workshops to learn how to make your own tapas.
Where to stay in Barcelona
The most popular neighborhoods such as the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), Eixample and El Born are ideally located and offer an abundance of restaurants, shops and sights within walking distance. We often found accommodations in Barcelona to be pricey, but after a long search we found the lovely Primavera Hostel in the Eixample neighborhood. A very well-kept hostel and for only €4 you get breakfast as well!
Other great addresses in Barcelona include:
- Casa Lit: near the Ramblas you will find this cozy boutique hotel.
- Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel: a great location and with beautiful pool on the rooftop terrace!
- Lamara Hotel: a different price range but then you have the best view in the city at this 5-star hotel.
Do you have any great suggestions on where to eat in Barcelona? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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