7 editor picks in Barcelona.
7 catalan places in Barcelona we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Barcelona | Catalan across every city.
Catalan cooking in Barcelona lives at the tapas counter as much as the dining table, built on conserves, cava and plates called out by hand. The Born holds the oldest rooms: Cal Pep on Placa de les Olles and El Xampanyet on Carrer de Montcada both trace back generations of standing-counter service. In the Eixample, Tapas 24 and Cerveseria Catalana carry the same tradition into a busier, all-day format.
Cal Pep in Barcelona's Born has run the same standing counter since 1977: tortilla del bacallà, baby clams with ham, fried gambes, all called out by Pep.
OrderThe tortilla del bacallà and the clams with ham, with a glass of cava.
TipNo reservations. Be at the door at 13:00 or 19:30 if you want a counter seat in the first turn.
El Xampanyet in Barcelona's Born has poured house cava out of a marble bar since 1929. Anchovies, conserves and that is it; standing only at the counter.
OrderTwo glasses of the house cava and a plate of anchovies with bread.
TipOpen Tue-Sat lunch only. Pile into the bar at 13:00 or wait outside on Carrer de Montcada.
Tapas 24 in Barcelona's Eixample is Carles Abellan's basement counter where the bikini truffle sandwich and the McFoie burger redefined Catalan tapas in 2006.
OrderThe bikini truffle sandwich and the patatas bravas.
TipOpen 09:00-midnight daily; no reservations. Aim for 12:30 lunch or 19:30 dinner.
Cerveseria Catalana in Barcelona's Eixample is the all-day tapas counter where every plate sits on the bar in glass cases. Order by pointing at sight.
OrderThe patatas bravas, the pulpo, the seared foie montadito.
TipNo reservations; queue forms at 13:00. Get there at 12:30 for a counter seat or skip to 16:30 service.
Paco Meralgo in Barcelona's Eixample is the long-marble-bar tapas room locals send out-of-towners to. Cantabrian anchovies and Iberico are the headlines.
OrderCantabrian anchovies on bread, plus the Iberico ham flight.
TipOpen daily; book the bar for solo dining, the back room for groups.
Tapeo in Barcelona's Born is the smaller-room counter on Montcada with a sister to El Xampanyet's vibe and a chalkboard list of daily Catalan plates.
OrderWhatever is chalked as today, plus the sirloin tapa.
TipWalk-in for the bar.
Elsa y Fred in Barcelona's Born doubles as a weekday tapas counter and weekend brunch room with eggs benedict and a 22 euro Saturday brunch set.
OrderEggs benedict at brunch; the croquetes on weeknight tapas.
TipBrunch is Sat-Sun only; book the weekday 19:00 sitting for tapas seats.
Day trip · 6 hours
Escape the city and discover the Penedès region on a private Montserrat and winery tour from Barcelona. Visit a family-owned winery and cellar, enjoy a wine tasting an...
1h 30m
Taste the different wines of Catalonia and Spain at a wine tasting experience in the heart of Barcelona. Hear about the grapes, get tips on tasting techniques, and enj...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Food Lover Tour Explores Barcelona the local way, after dark, one bar at a time. This evening tapas crawl is all about great food and the stories behind the bars where...
