Eat well in Barcelona for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.

Cheap eats worth seeking out

La Cova Fumada (budget) ★ 4.5

Spanish tapasbarceloneta

La Cova Fumada in Barcelona's Barceloneta serves bombas and anchovies under 14 euros: cash-only, lunchtime weekday, the canonical pre-elBulli neighbourhood.

Try: Bombas (potato fritters)

Tip: Open weekday lunch only; cash only. Three bombas, anchovies and a beer for 12 euros.

Can Paixano (budget) ★ 4.4

Spanish tapasbarceloneta

Can Paixano in Barcelona's Barceloneta pours pink cava at 1.50 euros and serves a chorizo bocadillo at 1.50: three cavas and a bocadillo is 8 euros total.

Try: Cava and chorizo bocadillo

Tip: Open Mon-Sat lunchtime and evenings. Standing only; the bar closes by 22:00 on weekdays.

Can Vilaro (menu del dia) ★ 4.2

Spanishsant-antoni

Can Vilaro in Barcelona's Sant Antoni runs a 13 euro menu del dia Mon-Sat lunch: three courses with bread, water, glass of wine and dessert.

Try: Catalan three-course lunch

Tip: Closed Sunday. The 13 euro menu del dia runs 13:30-16:00. Cash easier than card here.

Casa Julia (budget lunch) ★ 4.0

Spanishborn

Casa Julia in Barcelona's Born runs a 13 euro three-course Catalan menu del dia Mon-Sat lunch: bread, water, glass of red, dessert, all part of the price.

Try: Catalan menu del dia

Tip: Closed Sunday. The Wednesday lunch is the cleanest catch; book for groups of four or more.

Honest Greens (budget) ★ 3.9

Mediterraneaneixample

Honest Greens in Barcelona's Eixample runs a 10 euro grain-and-protein bowl from a counter: order, sit anywhere, the daily salad-protein rotation runs weekly.

Try: Salad bowl

Tip: Open daily until 23:30. The protein bowl with the rotating daily salad is the value pick under 14 euros.

Fish and Chips Shop (budget) ★ 3.9

Seafoodeixample

The Fish and Chips Shop in Barcelona's Eixample runs a takeaway window: beer-battered cod, chunky chips and mushy peas at 9 euros for a single portion.

Try: Cod and chips takeaway

Tip: Open daily; the takeaway window is faster than dining-in. Cash and card both accepted.

Biocenter (menu del dia) ★ 4.1

Vegetarianraval

Biocenter in Barcelona's Raval has run a vegetarian menu del dia since 1980: 16 euros for self-service salad bar then a daily-changing main course.

Try: Vegetarian menu del dia

Tip: Open Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; the 16 euro lunch menu del dia runs 13:00-17:00. Vegan and celiac options noted daily.

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