Whilst I definitely do not profess to being the ultimate fountain of knowledge on all the taste sensations this stunning Catalan city has to offer, I’ve been really lucky to spend a lot of time in Barcelona over the last five or six years. Which means that I’ve managed to build up quite a list of my favourite eateries and drinkeries (Is drinkery a thing? Possibly not.). We all love a personal recommendation, don’t we? So here for your own food-loving pleasure, is a list of my favourite Barcelona restaurants, coffee shops and street food corners. Enjoy!
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From tiny tapas bars to cafes run by nuns, this list has something for everyone and a few wildcard options for an off-the-beaten-path look at Barcelona’s food and drink scene.
Bodega Biarritz 1881
Authentic Catalan tapas in a rustic setting in a quiet side street of Ciutat Vella.
In Spain, a bodega is actually a warehouse for storing wine- and although you can definitely get some great wine at Bodega Biarritz, what you’ll really want to come for is the tapas. The selection of tapas on offer at this tiny, cozily-lit restaurant is delicious, and the really great thing about it as that you never know what you’re going to get. Diners pay a set price (either €20 or €25 per person) for a certain number of tapas dishes, and although the restaurant will adjust the menu according to allergies, you then get what you’re given. (Which is genuinely one of my favourite ways to eat, mainly as I find choosing what to order so difficult.)
There is a very limited number of seats, and Bodega Biarritz doesn’t take bookings, so I’m told that there can be quite a queue to get in. Whenever I ate here it was at lunchtime, and we were among the first to arrive, so I guess it’s all in the timing.
Bodega Biarritz 1881, Carrer Nou de Sant Francesc, 7, Ciutat Vella
Trópico Brunch
Colourful brunch, lunch and dinner from around the world, near the University of Barcelona.
Trópico is a great spot in El Raval, and although it’s open for lunch and dinner, what it does particularly well is brunch. As well as classic brunch dishes like pancakes, açai bowls and eggs benedict, there are plenty of options on the menu from around the world. So whether you fancy sampling arepas, patacones or cachapas from South America, or curry and lassi from India, you can get a taste here before you hop on a plane. (And the smoothies are very much recommended.)
The decor is suitably tropical, with rattan furniture, green foliage, and colourful tropical prints everywhere, so even on a wintery day in Barcelona it’s possible to get a slice of sunshine vibes here.
Trópico, Carrer Marquès de Barberà 24, Raval
ARTiSA
Artisan coffee, cakes and ice cream near the Plaza Real.
ARTiSA is an adorable little coffee shop just off of La Rambla, and despite its location in such a touristic spot, this is a place that has retained its authenticity and ethos since it was opened. Run by sisters Sofia and Marisol, ARTiSA sells fantastic coffee, homemade ice cream and homemade baked treats, which are all made with gluten-free flour. The sisters place huge importance on being environmentally-friendly, and the company is part of the Barcelona Biosphere Project, which certifies companies for their commitment to sustainability; in a city like Barcelona, which is well-known for its problems with over-tourism, this is a brilliant initiative.
ARTiSA now has a second location in Poblenou, although I love sitting outside the cafe at the edge of the Gothic Quarter, with a view towards the palm trees of the Plaza Real. (It’s a great spot for people watching.)
ARTiSA, Carrer de Colom, 2
(Or Carrer de Llull, 82 for Poblenou.)
Little Viet
Fresh Vietnamese food near one of Barcelona’s architectural masterpieces.
This tiny Vietnamese restaurant is just around the corner from the Hospital Sant Pau Recinte (which FYI is definitely one of the city’s most stunning pieces of architecture), and I was so happy to stumble across it. Not only was I starving hungry, but I’d been craving good Vietnamese food ever since my trip there a year before. Little Viet did not disappoint- this is fresh, tasty, and as close to the real thing as I could’ve hoped for- the only real difference was in the price! (If you’ve travelled to Vietnam and become accustomed to paying no more than the equivalent of a few euros for any meal, European prices will definitely seem eye-watering in comparison.)
Little Viet, Carre de Cartagena, 328
Señor Piña
Tropical poke bowls and cocktails in a hidden courtyard in el Barrio Gótico.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a strong advocate for eating local food in any and every country that I find myself in. That’s one of the biggest draws of travel for me. But the beauty of the food scene in massive cities like Barcelona, New York, Stockholm or Hamburg is that there are so many multi-cultural options, which are done really really well. Hence the international eateries on my Barcelona restaurants list.
So- on to Señor Piña, a beautiful spot for poke bowls (not to be confused with pokemon), right in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Portions here are massive, and the tastes, textures and riot of colour are quite frankly splendiferous, transporting me right back to my time in Hawaii. For ultimate fun, go for the bowl served inside an actual pineapple.
The leafy courtyard right at the back of the restaurant is a hidden gem, and makes for a surprisingly tranquil lunch spot hidden away from the busy, chaotic lanes of el Barrio Gótico.
Señor Piña, Carrer de la Boqueria, 21
Brunch & Cake by the Sea
An instagrammers paradise, serving brunch and cocktails near Barceloneta Beach.
The clue’s in the name when it comes to Brunch and Cake. The food here is part taste-sensation, part work-of-art, the drinks on offer are creative and crazy, and the beautiful aesthetic of the Barceloneta eatery- yellow and white parasols, rattan chairs and a clean, airy interior with a shark mounted on the wall- make it a hit with the instagram-lovers.
The tagline of Barcelona & Cake is ‘In Grandmothers We Trust,’ and this is a suitable restaurant for the only the most glamorous of grandmothers, although the dishes use organic ingredients where possible and are all handmade in-house.
There are actually several Brunch & Cake restaurants around the city, but the Barceloneta branch is my favourite. (And although the franchise was founded here in Barcelona, there are now restaurants across the world as well- with locations in Dubai, Bahrain, Cairo, and Mumbai).
Brunch & Cake by the Sea, Pg. de Joan de Borbó, 5
Mercat de la Boqueria
Barcelona’s largest market, right on La Rambla.
This covered market may well be Tourist Central Station, but it’s still a must-visit on any trip to Barcelona. The beautiful Mercat de la Boqueria has been officially running since 1836, although there’s evidence that markets were held here as far back as at least 1217. The prices are much higher than in many of the other markets around the city, but that’s what you get for being located right on La Rambla.
Some go just for the atmosphere and skip the food, but it’s definitely worth getting a few different bites to wander with- I love trying different cones of chorizo and jamón, or maybe an empanada or two washed down with a fresh fruit smoothie. There are also several teeny tiny bars to sit at if you’re lucky enough to get a seat; grab a platter of seafood or a few tapas dishes with a glass of wine to accompany it. What a place.
Mercat de la Boqueria, Rambla, 91
Pinhan Cafe
Turkish and Mediterranean spot in the corner of a quiet city park.
Pinhan is a wild-card on this list of Barcelona restaurants, mainly as it’s well out of the way of the tourist hotspots of the city. To tell you the truth, I only stumbled across it thanks to an accidental dentist-come-doctors appointment nearby. (It’s a long story.) Tucked into a quiet corner of pretty Parc del Turó, what looks like a simple kiosk serves an amazing selection of Mediterranean and Turkish-inspired dishes; which are far superior to the usual park kiosk offerings.
(And the history of Parc del Turó is intriguing- between 1912-1929 it was home to an amusement park, and housed a rollercoaster, a skating rink and a hot air balloon, amongst other forms of glorious entertainment. Read all about it here.)
Pinhan Cafe, Parc del Turó
Trigo Coffee
Casual coffee shop near El Gato.
There are several branches of Trigo Coffee around Barcelona, but my coffee corner of choice is near to the chunky cat statue- El Gato de Botero- which sits on a square in El Raval. The shop is open and spacious, they serve great coffee, and this particular shop is in a really brilliant location for being out of the way of the main tourist crowds- but still within easy walking distance of the centre. (You’re literally just a few blocks over from La Rambla.) It’s my go-to spot if I want to get some laptop-business done whilst in the city.
Trigo Coffee, Carrer de Sant Pau, 77
Restaurante del Museo Marítim
Hidden gem museum restaurant serving good quality, good priced meals.
Another curveball for you on my list of Barcelona restaurant recommendations, pals. The Museo Marítim- that’s the Maritime Museum to you and me, showcasing Barcelona’s nautical heritage, and ships galore- is in a gigantic building right at the end of La Rambla, near the port.
To tell you the truth, I’m yet to nose around the museum, but the cafe and restaurant inside are brilliant. There’s cafe seating both inside the cavernous main hall, as well as outside in an internal courtyard (which is a great spot in summer). And for an amazing- and amazingly affordable- three course meal, head to the restaurant right next to it. In here you can order three courses from a traditional menu made with locally-sourced produce, for a mere €12. Including bread and wine. If that’s not good value for money, I don’t know what is.
You don’t need to buy a ticket to eat or drink at the museum; just enter through the main doors and walk straight through towards the courtyard directly opposite.
Restaurante del Museo Marítim, Avenida de les Drassanes
Brisa Palau de Mar
Trendy restaurant with beautiful outdoor area, in an old warehouse by the marina.
The Palau de Mar is a huge red brick building down by the marina which was originally built as a warehouse for goods arriving by sea. It’s since been converted into a museum, a microbrewery and a few beautiful restaurants- naturally, with a great view of the harbour and the sailing boats and yachts moored there.
Brisa is a trendy restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating available. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner- or just drinks if you’d rather- although I’ve only ever tried the breakfast and dessert options. (And been impressed every time.) See below for evidence of cheesecake glory.
There are tonnes of great Mediterranean tapas and seafood options on the menu, and although this is slightly pricier than some other restaurants on the list, the food has been consistently great and the setting overlooking the waterfront is relaxed and beautiful.
Brisa Palau de Mar, Plaça de Pau Vila, 1
Xurreria Banys Nous
Hole-in-the-wall churreria with free churros for dancers.
You can’t go wrong with a good churreria, can you? (In the case of Catalan churrerias, they’re spelled with an ‘x,’ because the language of choice is Catalan, not Spanish.)
This one in the heart of the Gothic Quarter doesn’t look like anything particularly special- it’s just a tiny hole in the wall on a tiny little alleyway- but I love it. The churros are freshly made throughout the day- and late into the evening- but what makes this little place stand apart from the rest is its offer of two free churros to anyone who dances when they order.
I have tried and tested the ‘dance and receive two free churros’ offer, and can say with certainty that it is a real live offer which really does work. I recommend the chocolate rather than the nutella for dipping in, mainly as chocolate sauce is far more dippable.
Xurreria Banys Nous, Carrer dels Banys Nous, 8
La Flauta
Renowned tapas restaurant in Eixample.
The name ‘flauta’ actually refers to a type of sandwich- in a flute-shaped crusty bread, similar to a baguette- which this restaurant apparently does very well. However, on our visit to La Flauta, we stuck to the tapas options (with a hefty jug of sangria to accompany it, naturally.)
The tapas selection is great quality, and the staff here were really, really wonderful and able to answer any questions we had. I hadn’t heard of La Flauta before we arrived, and we were seated very quickly, but by the time we left there was quite a queue building at the door- the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but it’s clearly very popular.
La Flauta, Calle D’aribau, 23
Caelum
Holy sweet treats baked exclusively by nuns in the Gothic Quarter.
And finally, for a selection of baked goods fit for a queen, head to Caelum- another Gothic Quarter favourite. ‘Caelum’ is the Latin word for ‘heaven,’ and for anybody with a sweet tooth, this definitely ticks the heavenly box.
The interior of Caelum has the vibe of a quaint olde worlde tearoom- we’re talking cake stands, sugar tongs and pretty tablecloths, you know the sort. But what really distinguishes it from other tearooms (and coffee shops), is that everything on sale here was baked or made by nuns and monks from monasteries around Spain.
Truly: these are the holiest of sweet treats.
Caelum, Calle de la Palla, 8
More from Barcelona:
Is the Casa Batlló worth a visit?
Here’s why Barcelona is better in winter
My favourite Barcelona building