15 editor picks across Spain.
15 catalan restaurants worth the trip across Spain, editor-ranked. All cuisines in Spain.
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.
Boquet mixes Catalan home cooking with fishermen's dishes on Carrer de Berenguer de Palou in Salou, best known for fish off the grill and rice dishes.
OrderXató de bacalao with romesco and anchovies, the Tarragona winter salad, from the set lunch.
TipThe €21.50 menú del día runs only at lunch, Tuesday to Friday outside public holidays, and it is not meant for sharing.
Bresca is Xavier and Alba's modern Catalan restaurant near the Cambrils marina, Michelin listed after more than two decades of service, close to Salou.
OrderCrispy pig's trotters with black botifarra, a dish the Michelin inspectors praised.
TipThe El del día set lunch runs midweek; an Arròs menu and the full Bresca menu sit alongside the carta.
Boquet mixes Catalan home cooking with fishermen's dishes on Carrer de Berenguer de Palou in Salou, best known for fish off the grill and rice dishes.
OrderXató de bacalao with romesco and anchovies, the Tarragona winter salad, from the set lunch.
TipThe €21.50 menú del día runs only at lunch, Tuesday to Friday outside public holidays, and it is not meant for sharing.
Bresca is Xavier and Alba's modern Catalan restaurant near the Cambrils marina, Michelin listed after more than two decades of service, close to Salou.
OrderCrispy pig's trotters with black botifarra, a dish the Michelin inspectors praised.
TipThe El del día set lunch runs midweek; an Arròs menu and the full Bresca menu sit alongside the carta.
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.
Garito Bistró cooks traditional neighbourhood dishes in Salou with fish from the local auctions and seasonal produce, paired with wines from the region.
OrderWhatever the auction brought in that day, with a glass of DO Terra Alta or Priorat.
TipTapas and wines by the glass suit a quick visit; on autumn 2026 Thursdays Garito also serves a Tasta Salou plate and a glass for €7.
Garito Bistró cooks traditional neighbourhood dishes in Salou with fish from the local auctions and seasonal produce, paired with wines from the region.
OrderWhatever the auction brought in that day, with a glass of DO Terra Alta or Priorat.
TipTapas and wines by the glass suit a quick visit; on autumn 2026 Thursdays Garito also serves a Tasta Salou plate and a glass for €7.
banDarra is a tavern, vermouth bar and cocktail bar on Via Augusta in Salou, cooking rice, auction fish and grilled meat from 08:00 until 01:00 daily.
OrderA rice dish or the day's auction fish off the grill, with a vermouth first.
TipThe cellar lists more than 200 wines, Priorat and Montsant among them; the 2026 rice days billed it as Malapecora by Bandarra.
banDarra is a tavern, vermouth bar and cocktail bar on Via Augusta in Salou, cooking rice, auction fish and grilled meat from 08:00 until 01:00 daily.
OrderA rice dish or the day's auction fish off the grill, with a vermouth first.
TipThe cellar lists more than 200 wines, Priorat and Montsant among them; the 2026 rice days billed it as Malapecora by Bandarra.
Day trip · 7 hours
Explore El Priorat with a historical visit to the Cartuja de Scala Dei, enjoy lunch at a Catalan farmhouse, and cap it all off at the Scala Dei winery, where you will ...
8 hours
Enjoy an unforgettable day in the best cove in Salou. We provide the transportation, beach gear, cooler with drinks, and lunch at a top restaurant. You just relax and ...
Day trip · 3 hours
Walk among the vineyards, breathe fresh air, taste our wines and enjoy a breakfast or snack in the middle of an exceptional landscape.
