I have wanted to share my experiences in Barcelona since I started this blog. I was lucky enough to go back in June of this year and had a chance to revisit some of my favorite spots.
Of course, Barcelona has a lot to offer. Make sure you visit the Gaudi masterpieces. Do not miss Parc Güell, my favorite Gaudi project located in a lush green park. If it is your first time going to Barcelona it may be convenient for you to do the Hop on Hop off bus. It takes you to all the tourist sites.
But this blog post is about food, so let’s get to it. Eating out in Barcelona is quite a treat. There are so many choices and even at the fancy restaurants the price is right. I can sincerely say that I did not have one bad meal in Barcelona. Like anywhere else you want to avoid chains and touristy places. You will find the city is very diverse. There are people from all over the world everywhere in Barcelona. I was surprised at how many people I met from so many different places. In that sense, Barcelona is very international. Don’t cage yourself into the idea that all you are gonna eat is tapas, pinchos and paella. There is so much more. But I do advise you to drink a lot of cava, it is delicious and inexpensive. So here is my food journey in pictures, and my favorite 17 places to eat at…
Tapas
Ginger
C/Palma de Sant Just,1 – C/Lledó,2 08002 Barcelona
If you like foie gras then you must visit Ginger for the apple tart with foie gras. I would fly to Barcelona to eat that sinful tart, drizzled with sherry reduction and sprinkled with flaky sea salt. Need I say more?
Diving into the apple & foie tart
Tapas 24
Diputacio, 269, 08007 Barcelona
This is the best place to go have lunch or dinner. Hell, become a regular and go everyday. Everything is delicious and they change their menu with the seasons. I heart the bikini: slices of white bread filled with buffalo mozzarella, jamon de jabugo, and truffle oil, and then grilled until the outside is golden brown and the inside is perfectly gooey. Don’t forget about dessert: pastis de fortmage, a deliciously smooth and creamy cheesecake with blackberry sauce.
The Best Looking Pan Con Tomate (Tapas 24)
At Tapas 24 our waiter said “as long as you keep taking pictures, I keep pouring.” Love it!
Bikini de Mozzarella, Jabugo, y Trufa
A taste of Patatas Bravas
Pastis de Fortmage
Mousse de Chocolate, Tostadas, y Aceite de Oliva
Inopia (INOPIA closed as of 7/31/2010 and is now Lolita Taperia)
c/ Tamarit, 104, 08015 Barcelona
If you watched Spain On the Road Again, then you have seen the amazing food at Inopia. Every single bite explodes with amazing flavors inside your mouth.
Tuna Station at Inopia
Gambas a la Plancha
Comerc 24
Carrer Comerc 24 08003 Barcelona
This is the place to go for a special occasion. I can not even think about words to describe it. Luxury tapas perhaps is the best way to put it.
La Boqueria
Pinotxo
La Rambla, 91
La Boqueria 466-467
Go to la Boqueria (Mercat St Joseph) and explore the market. Buy some jabugo and saffron and then go grab a meal at Pinotxo. Pinoxto probably seats only 14 people, and there are people waiting most of the time but the wait is well worth it. The menu changes daily. Go for breakfast or a very early lunch. They tend to run out of food pretty early. Juanito will tell you about the dishes of the day, it is impossible to resist his charm.
Juanito
If you have a kitchen, get some percebes at la Boqueria
Cigalas (Boqueria)
Assortment of Gummies (Boqueria)
Jamon (Boqueria)
Meet the Locals Over Cava
Champagneria CanPaixano
Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7 08003 Barcelona
Can Paixano is for the brave. First of all, it is hard to find. No sign, no street number on the door. Try to listen to the reverberating voices and clinks from the champagne glasses. Secondly, there are no seats, you have to stand up. Finally, the place is always packed. All the times I’ve been there I’ve become fast friends with other people grabbing their lunch. You can’t help but join into everyone’s conversations! It’s incredibly fun and inexpensive. They have a variety of sausages, sausage sandwiches, delicious fried morcilla, cheeses, and their own cava. You will leave CanPaixano tipsy, satisfied, and with plenty of money left in your wallet.
Paella
Mar de la Ribera
Sombreres, 7 Barcelona 08003
If paella is what you want, then go to Mar de la Ribera tucked away around the corner from Santa Maria del Mar.
Txipirones Fritos at Mar de la Ribera
Paella Negra
Burgers and Pizza
La Pizza del Born
Passeig Born, 22, 08003 Barcelona
This is a place to grab a quick bite to eat. They have several different pizzas by the slice. They also carry empanadas, and homemade and Argentinian alfajores.
Xirimiri
Princesa, 11
If you feel like having a burger this is the place for you. They have 10 specialty burgers. My favorite? A burger patty topped with foie gras and caramelized apple puree.
Mexican
Andele en L’Illa
Av. Diagonal 557, planta El Rebost
If you find yourself doing some shopping at L’Illa, go downstairs and grab a Mexican lunch here. Portions are generous and everything is deliciously seasoned.
Nachos at Andele
Cochinita Pibil at Andele
La Trajinera
Av. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 459
08015 BARCELONA
Another Mexican food establishment. The décor will make you forget that you are in Barcelona. They have refreshing margaritas in many flavors.
Italian
Da Greco
Passeig Gràcia, 116 08008 Barcelona
This is a gem of a restaurant. I thank Felix, who took us to this amazing place. So here is how it works: everyone at the table should order one of the pasta dishes or risotto. You will get a plate for you, and a plate to share with friends at your table. The risotto here is sinful. After it is cooked to perfection it is put in a carved out wheel of parmesan cheese and stirred to absorb the cheese. Once it is thick and creamy it is turned out on your plate.
Risotto
Gnocchi
Plates of Ravioli with Roquefort and Spaghetti with Lobster
Pinchos
Bilbao Berria
Plaza Nova, 3 08002 Barcelona
Visit Bilbao Berria, close to the Catedral de Barcelona, for a variety of traditional and bold pinchos (little 2 bite skewers)
Seafood
Fishop
Passeig De Gracia 53, Boulevard Ros
You can have fresh seafood in most places in Barcelona, but at Fishop you can pick it from their display case. Super fresh seafood prepared to order. They also have delicious desserts. I practically inhaled my bowl of crema catalana.
Gia enjoying some cava, salut!
Fresh Seafood at Fishop
Chocolate Cake and Cinnamon Ice Cream
Crema Catalana
Sweet Snacks
Granja Viader
Xucla, 4-6 08001 Barcelona
You can’t go to Spain and not have their hot chocolate. Order yours with an ensaimada to dip into that thick luscious dark chocolate.
Gelateria Italiana Roma Giovanni
Ciutat Vella Cucurulla, 2
There are a lot of places to have gofres (waffles) in Barcelona. This is by far the best. Get it with crema catalana and whipped cream. This is what I call comfort food.
Gofre con Crema Catalana y Chantilly
Bubo
C/ Caputxes, 10 08003 Barcelona
Amazing Desserts. Located around the Santa Maria del Mar area. Have dinner at Mar de la Ribera, and walk a couple of blocks to have dessert here.
Doble Chocolate
Postre de Fresas
Any places I missed? Please add your favorites in the comments!
One Vanilla Bean 
Some great food here, I’ve only been to Spain once briefly for a wedding and didn’t get to sample the tapas scene. I hope to go back one day!
La Clara (Gran Vía Corts Catalanes, 442 – http://www.laclararestaurant.com) is a great place to have Catalan food. You can’t miss the ESQUEIXADA DE BACALLÀ (ideal for summer: fresh cod towered over a tomato and olive base) and COCA TORRADA AMB TOMÀQUET (very traditional bread+tomato) – staples of Catalan cooking.
I am glad you enjoyed your time in that country.
I also love Barcelona and the food scene. I have never tried paella negra and I am taking notes for a future visit.
Well I can say to you, Fishop and The Bottiga were the best places, both places were cozy to eat and have a get together, the food was delicious and the attention was excellent, all was VIP. I visited Barcelona on March. mmmm no worlds to explain the experience…..
Sarah–Hope you get to go back, so much great food to try!
Gia–Thanks for adding to the list!
Lola–Thanks for stopping by!
Valentina–You must try paella negra. It is delicious. I want to try making it but I am a little afraid of cooking with squid ink. It also goes by Arròs negre.
Giovanna–I didn’t have a change to go to Bottiga. Yeah, loved Fishop, it was informal but the food was amazing and so was the service
Great post on Barca! I’m recommending places to a friend who’s visiting and I found your post by googling the Gelateria Italiana near the Cathedral. I agree with you on the gorgeous waffles! Seeing your pic of one and your shots of Boqueria market makes me want to go back right now..sigh
super coool! gracias!