Els Pescadors ★ 4.5
Els Pescadors in Barcelona's Poblenou is the historic plaça-de-Prim seafood room: arroz a banda, suquet, fresh catch from Vilanova fishermen direct.
Paella mar i muntanya is Catalonia's sea-and-mountain paella: a Valencian-rooted rice cooked in a wide flat pan with both chicken and prawns, the canonical surf-and-turf.
Valencia invented the paella in the 18th century with rabbit, snails and green beans. Catalonia's coast brought the dish to Barcelona by the early 20th century with the sea-and-mountain twist: chicken from the hills, prawns from the harbour, the saffron-and-paprika sofrito a Catalan signature. 7 Portes in the Born has cooked the dish on the bone since 1836; Els Pescadors in Poblenou and Can Sole in the Barceloneta both run versions on the seafront. The technique is unchanged: short-grain bomba or calasparra rice, hot stock added in one shot, no stirring, 18 to 20 minutes uncovered, the bottom socarrat crust the goal.
3 editor picks for Paella mar i muntanya in Barcelona, ranked by editorial score. All Barcelona signature dishes · Paella mar i muntanya across every city.
Can Sole ★ 4.5
Can Sole in Barcelona's Barceloneta has run since 1903, now in the fourth generation: marinera cuisine, lobster paella with socarrat, suquet de peix.
OrderThe lobster paella for two and a starter of bacalla fritters.
TipClosed Sunday dinner and Monday. Book a week ahead for weekend lunches; the paella needs 30 minutes from the kitchen.
7 Portes ★ 4.3
7 Portes in Barcelona's Born has run since 1836: arched rooms, brass plaques on regulars' tables, a paella for each day of the week. Priced at €€€.
OrderThe Thursday paella Parellada and the crema catalana to finish.
TipLunch is easier than dinner; the noon paella is held on the menu every day of the week.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Paella mar i muntanya makes more sense with someone from Barcelona explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Taste Paella mar i muntanya with a local in Barcelona
This dish
Guided tour · 3 hours
Boqueria Market Tour, Paella Cooking Class, Sangria & Tapas
See, smell, and taste Barcelona.
from€100 Check dates
This dish
Guided tour · 3 hours
Barcelona: Old Town Tapas & Paella Food Tour with 8 Tastings
Taste 7 authentic Barcelona dishes, including tapas, paella, sangria & our Secret Dish while exploring El Born & Barceloneta with a local foodie guide!
from€99 Check dates
This dish
3 hours
Paella Cooking Class with Market Visit, Tapas and Sangria
Join an award-winning paella cooking class in Barcelona. Visit the La Boqueria market, craft sangria, savor seasonal tapas, and master authentic paella with this fun, ...
from€90 Check dates