Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Xato is a Catalan winter salad from the Sitges coast: salt cod, anchovies, tuna and olives on lettuce, dressed with a thick romesco-style xato sauce made from peppers and almonds.
Xato originated in the Sitges and Vilanova fishing villages southwest of Barcelona in the 17th century, when winter salt cod was the dock-worker staple and the local nyora peppers, almonds and hazelnuts made up a rust-coloured sauce called xato (or 'chato'). The sauce is a romesco cousin: nyora pepper pulp, toasted almonds and hazelnuts, garlic, bread, oil and vinegar, blitzed to a thick paste. The xatonada tradition is the post-Christmas weekend xato lunch served from January to March at Vilanova, Sitges, Vilafranca and El Vendrell. Barcelona's Casa Amalia and 7 Portes both run a version through winter.
2 editor picks for Xato in Barcelona, ranked by editorial score. All Barcelona signature dishes · Xato across every city.
Also in: Salou.
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.
Casa Amalia in Barcelona's Eixample is a 1950s neighbourhood dining room where bacallà a la llauna and esqueixada sit on the carte every weekday lunch.
OrderThe esqueixada starter and the bacallà a la llauna oven dish.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. The 19 euro menu del dia at lunch is the value pick.
Xato makes more sense with someone from Barcelona explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
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Private tour · 4 hours
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Day trip · 7 hours
Enjoy the stunning wine landscape of the Penedes region on a day trip from Barcelona. Guided by a local you can savor local wine and cava, and enjoy a traditional Span...
