Barcelona is a dream city for many Architects, Beaches, and Football lovers. This city is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities and the largest city on the “Mediterranean Sea”. This city has become a Tourist attraction because of its beauty. Barcelona has so much to offer. If you are also dreaming of visiting Barcelona, then you must have wondered about What to eat in Barcelona.
Barcelona also offers you different kinds of food. You can enjoy these foods as street food or in the best Tapas bars and Michelin-starred restaurants. As Barcelona keeps holding festivals throughout the year. They also include many food festivals in it. You can eat so many foods in Barcelona, and it will never be enough. So, get ready for your Barcelona food tour.
1. Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the Capital of the “Autonomous Community of Catalonia”. It is home to many cultural Heritage sites and is also said to be found by the mythological “Hercules”.
It attracts a large number of tourists with its extraordinary landmarks and this city has so much to offer. Sports fans are crazy about FC Barcelona (Barca).
Barcelona is also home to many well-known writers, like Ernest Hemingway, Emma Goldman, and George Orwell. Barcelona also owns the title of “Gold Medal for Architecture” and is the only city to earn so. There are so many Art Galleries where the works of so many great Painters are preserved. It also has a lot of tasty cuisine to offer.
The city also has many beautiful Beaches and the nightlife in Barcelona is just amazing. This is going to be a perfect place for you and your friends, or family to spend your vacation.
Barcelona is a very ethereal Place that keeps attracting many Tourists. Even if you don’t have any particular thing to do in Barcelona. There will always be one thing to love when you visit once.
Tourists keep visiting Barcelona for many reasons. It is such a lively and full of light city, that no one can hate. From surreal Architecture to an excellent Football Club. From peaceful and Artificial beaches to jolly nightlife.
It even offers you its Traditional Food cuisine, and you are going to love it. It is also one of the best cities in terms of life. This lively city’s ranking is 3rd in Europe and 9th in the world. By this rank, we can come to know how lively and vibrant it is.
It has also an interesting History to offer. Even the founding of the city has its relation with mythology. There is also the “Barcelona Roman Wall” a ruin of the Roman Empire.
Barcelona is a home to Catalan and Spanish-speaking People. They co-exist in Barcelona and other parts of Spain. Even though they live together, their language is so different from each other. They even differ in food, festivals, dance, and music.
In Barcelona, both languages are official, and they consider themselves bilingual. Signs, Boards, and all are also bilingual. Despite having different cultures both Catalans and Spanish are living happily with each other.
1.03. Spanish and Catalan Cuisine
Barcelona is going to be a Paradise for foodies, as it offers you different types of tasty cuisines. Even though Catalan and Spanish foods are quite similar, the difference is still there.
Catalan dishes are highly influenced by Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood and Fresh vegetables like tomato, olive oil, and eggplants are very crucial in Catalan Cuisine. Catalan Foods are also believed to be the same traditional dish with no change in taste for a hundred years. They even have different snacks of their own. They also eat pork ham and sausage.
Spanish cuisine is also great on its own. Their main Staple food is Rice, Bread, and Potatoes. They love to eat Tapas and pinches – which are their famous Snacks. They use olive oil almost every time, they also use herbs and garlic.
Just like Catalans they also consume Seafood, and they usually eat meats like Veal, Lamb, Chicken, and Pork.
As we already gave you a brief idea about Barcelona’s cuisines, you must still be wondering about exactly what to eat in Barcelona. To be honest, Barcelona is like a full package for food lovers. When two different Traditional cuisines come together, then it’s for sure going to be exemplary.
If you are a foodie and thinking of visiting Barcelona, then a lot of Traditional and delicious meals are waiting for you. Even if you are going to Barcelona as a sports and Art lover, your fun is going to double with Barcelona’s foods.
Two different Cultures, Traditions, and food tastes are waiting for you in Barcelona. Try both Spanish and Catalan Foods. And don’t worry if you are still wondering about their names and all. We are here to provide you with a list of famous Barcelona dishes, both Spanish and Catalan cuisine.
Now, let’s start with some of the famous and Traditional Spanish dishes.
It’s impossible to talk about Spanish food and exclude Paella. Seafood Paella is a very famous meal in Spanish cuisine. Paella is hugely associated with Valencia (an autonomous community of Spain). But, as it is very dear to Spanish People, it has now become their dish.
Paella is a Rice dish with fresh Seafood, meats, and vegetables in it. If you are planning to go to Barcelona, then make sure to eat Paella. In fact, without Paella don’t begin your food hunt! Paella also owns the title of “National Dish of Spain”.
Spanish families gather together to enjoy this dish. So, for this reason, it is also considered a symbol of togetherness and Unity. Because not every dish has the magic to bring Family together right. If you are planning to visit Barcelona, then make sure to eat Seafood Paella with your family, friends, or whoever you are going to.
By the word “Patatas” you must have already thought of what it is. And, you are correct, it’s a dish made of Potatoes. Patatas Bravas are very popular in Barcelona and the whole of Spain.
Patatas Bravas is a type of Tapas and is crispy. These are spicy fried potatoes, which are eaten as an appetizer in Barcelonan Bars. The serving of this Tapas includes mixed sauces or Aioli (Traditional sauce made with olive oil and garlic).
As Tapas dishes are popular in Barcelona, make sure to have this flavorful snack dipping in sauces and enjoy your trip.
Fideua is similar to Paella and has also its origin in Valencia. It is also a dish consisting of fresh Seafood, but in place of rice, it consists of Noodles.
This dish is also extremely flavorful and vibrant. Many types of Shellfishes are present in this famous Spanish cuisine.
This delicious dish gets a serving of lemon slices or lemon juice usually squeezed over it in Barcelona restaurants. Even for this great dish, the key ingredient is olive oil.
Another popular Spanish delicacy to try in Barcelona is “Spanish Style Oxtail stew”. This dish’s main ingredient is Oxtail with other fresh ingredients like, soy sauce, Bay leaves, Tomato Paste, Spanish Paprika, Flour, Spanish Red wine, and garlic cloves.
When all the ingredients come together then you will get a full of flavor stew. Just like Tapas, Stews are also really popular in Spanish cuisine, and you must try Rabo De Toro. Because it is also a favorite of Barcelona’s locals.
Croquettes are another great option available in Tapas bars. Try this extremely yummy and crispy Tapas in Barcelona. This is also made of potato (mashed), but it also has many other flavours. The other flavour of Croquettes includes ham, ground meat, fish, etc.
The dish has the coating of breadcrumbs and is deeply fried. This Tapas serving is the tangy sauce or sour cream and sometimes also Bacon, Paprika, and Parsley. It is also seasoned with salt and pepper. These Croquettes are softer on the inside and crispy on the outside. So, this Tapas is also a must-try when you visit Barcelona Tapas bar.
If you are still thinking of what to eat in Barcelona, then Chorizo is at your rescue. Chorizo is a ground pork sausage popularly found in Mexican and Spanish cuisine.
Spanish Chorizo is just a slice of smoked pork. Finely chopped Pork meat, with fats and seasonings, after blending is put into edible casings. The Paprika used in Spanish Chorizo are spicy and reddish.
After the curing of Sausage and the smoke process, it holds a hard and firm texture. Then, the Chorizos are slit like Salami and then it becomes one of the Classic Tapas. Then it’s enjoyed with Spanish wine or put into Paellas and stews.
So, make sure to have spicy or non-spicy Chorizo when you are in Barcelona Tapas bars.
Tortilla De Patatas or Spanish Omelet is another common dish that locals love. If you visit any place in Spain then you must have this. This omelet is available in any city in Spain and Barcelona is no exception.
This Omelet is a Spanish Tortilla and is a mixture of mashed Potato, egg, onion, and sea salt and is cooked in oil.
You can eat this hot or mild or even cold. And you can eat this in the form of an appetizer or main course. This dish is so popular that you will find it in almost every restaurant and every night and day.
Another great delicacy of Spanish People is Jamón Iberico. It has the tag of being the best Iberian ham in the world and can melt in your mouth. It has that sweet, earthy, and nutty taste and the fats in it are like cheese which will melt inside your mouth.
This finest ham consists of acorn-fed pig’s leg and has to go through the curing process. Being the tastiest ham in the entire World, it is also expensive. But if you want to have something so heavenly then you should pay the price. Don’t worry, this is going to be the haute cuisine and most prestigious ham you ever had and will give you that Royal feel.
So, make sure to eat this delicious Iberian ham in Barcelona and also carry some for your family.
Another great Spanish dish to try in Barcelona is Gazpacho. This is a chilled, ice-cold soup you can enjoy during summertime.
Gazpacho is a summer soup with fresh summer vegetables. This cold soup’s ingredients are Tomatoes, Vinegar, Cucumber, Green Bell pepper, Onion, Garlic, Sea salt, black pepper, and Bread to build some texture.
If you are there in Barcelona during summer, then try this cold soup and enjoy your summer vacation with this healthy and delicious Spanish cuisine.
As Barcelona is a mixture of Catalans and Spanish, you get to try both of their Culture’s food. Not every place has the beauty of providing two different cultures food at the same time. The question of What to eat in Barcelona should not confuse you now as we have already made a list of many Spanish foods you can have.
Now, it’s time to dive into Traditional Catalan food and this is also not going to disappoint you. Once you find yourself in Barcelona make sure to try both cultures’ dishes and enjoy your trip.
You must consider trying this dessert when you are in Barcelona. This is a Catalan dessert and is the yummiest one and is there in every dessert menu of Barcelona Restaurants.
It is different from France’s dessert named creme brulee because it does not contain “bain marie”. Crema Catalana is a milk dessert and it has a smooth and soft texture. Egg yolks and Cinnamon are also included in it and is also caramelized with sugar toppings.
Even thinking about it can make anyone drool. Sometimes it will also have the flavour of Orange, lemon, and Vanilla. So, you must for sure include this in your food list even if you want to have only one dessert.
Another authentic Catalan dish is Escalivada and the good thing about this is, that it’s pure veg. This tasty dish is about roasted vegetables which is enjoyed as a side dish or Tapas.
Escalivada is a vegetable dish cooked or roasted in a small flame. Roasted red Peppers, Onions, Eggplants, and Tomatoes are the main in this dish. All these fresh vegetables get the covering of Olive Oil and have the topping of Parsley.
3.03. Catalan Canelons
Canelones are another Catalan-style dish available in Barcelona. The locals enjoy this dish after a day of Christmas and also on Boxing Day. The rectangular sheets of Pasta have a filling of ground meat, cheese, fish, and vegetables.
This Traditional Catalan dish is Barcelona’s favorite to eat on Christmas’s day and you must also try this if you are in Barcelona.
3.04. Fish Stew (Suquet de Peix)
This Catalan stew of fish is another food you must try in Barcelona. This Traditional fresh Fish soup is famous in Barcelona and is available in all the Catalan Restaurants.
As Catalans love Seafood and Olive oil, this dish also has these two in it. This stew has all kinds of fish in it.
Before, it was just a fisherman’s simple fish soup with Potato, but later on, it became a much more elegant dish in Barcelona. The hint of Saffron and Paprika results in a most tasty delicacy. Giving it room for tourists food list to eat in Barcelona.
The comfort winter soup of Catalans and Barcelonans. This dish is found during Christmas, and it gives warmth to People during winter.
The dish consists of a lot of ingredients including Meats, Sausage, vegetables like chickpeas, Cabbage, and Pasta. This dish is a hearty meal for Catalans, and it’s related to a sad story.
Before this was Poor People’s dish who could not afford anything fancy. And just had to make one pot meal with anything they got. They could just make one bowl of it, and everyone used to eat it from the same bowl.
The same dish is now an authentic Catalan delicacy and is eaten heartily during winter. The dish calms them and also gives them comfort and warmth.
If you are in Barcelona during cold winters, then don’t forget to have this dish and feel the comfort and love in it.
3.06. Pan con tomate/Pa Amb Tomaquet (Catalan Tomato Bread)
One of the famous dishes in Barcelona is Catalan Tomato toasted Bread also known as Pan con tomate. This is a kind of Catalan Tapas and is also the first choice of Catalans.
This Catalonian-style bread has no spreading of butter, rather they use a spreading made of fresh tomatoes, sea salt, and garlic. You can enjoy this toasted fresh bread with this ingredient, and you have the classic Catalan Tomato Bread.
You can even have this dish in your breakfast or just as Tapas. But make sure to try it in the Tapas bar.
3.07. Espinacs amb pansies I pinyons (Spinach with raisins and nuts)
This is another vegetarian food in Catalan Cuisine. If you can’t enjoy tapas because of meats, then you can go for this one.
This dish consists of fresh spinach, raisins, garlic, virgin olive oil, and Pine nuts.
You can have this amazing food as an appetizer or side dish and enjoy any other Catalan cuisine with it. This dish is going to be delicious and healthy for your health.
3.08. Esqueixada de Bacalla (Salted Cod Salad)
This is another Seafood Catalan cuisine and a Traditional dish for summer. It has Cod fish in it and is also a Tapas. This dish has fewer ingredients, and you can eat it on warm days.
This dish has just 5 ingredients and that is extra virgin olive oil, spring onions, Black pepper, Tomato, and Bacalao (dried salted codfish).
Spanish or Barcelonian People enjoy this seafood-filled dish in summer. You must also try this dish and enjoy the gift of nature and Catalan cuisine in Barcelona Tapas Bar.
The crispy and crunchy Neula biscuit is a must-buy in Barcelona. You can even take it as a souvenir in your home. This Catalan biscuit is found during Christmas, and you can eat it with white wine.
This Catalan Neula biscuit has a very thin layer and is a mixture of egg whites, flour, butter, and sugar. This biscuit is in a roll firm and has also the flavour of lemon. Sometimes, this biscuit is also covered with chocolate and is eaten with Crema Catalana.
4. Final Note
Barcelona is a great dream destination and is a paradise for food lovers. There are so many food options to choose from and every food has its unique taste and love in it. Traditional cuisines are worth craving for. The diverse culture offers a variety of great food options. Barcelona is rich in everything whether it be in Art form or food.
This Place has everything in it from surreal buildings to cultural heritages. When you travel to Barcelona, you will be travelling to the most vibrant and light city in Spain. This Spanish city is worth all the money and time, and you will not regret visiting here.
The Catalan foods and Spanish Foods are both delicious on their own and these delicacies make Barcelona one of the most tourist-attracting places. Come to enjoy the football matches but don’t forget to visit the museums, delicious food stalls, Tapas bars, and beaches of this beautiful place. Take everything that Barcelona is giving you.
We hope you got the idea of Barcelona’s delicious dishes and now your thoughts of what to eat in Barcelona must have dissolved. We have mentioned all types of Catalan and Spanish cuisine available in Barcelona. These Cuisines are authentic and Traditional, and you must try them all and have fine dining.
We hope we can help you with all the cuisines you can eat in Barcelona. Eat whatever type of food you prefer and enjoy the food tour in this amazing city of Spain. The great Barcelona.
