Where to eat in Barcelona
Now you’re clued up on its impressive culinary credentials, let’s take a look at some of the best restaurants in Barcelona.
Every neighbourhood has its own distinct culinary character, whether eclectic, modern or traditional. In general, you’ll find more touristy areas like the Gothic Quarter have a wider range of eateries. Farther-flung locations like Poble Sec feature more classic Catalan venues.
Need a hand deciding where to go? Some of our favourite Barcelona restaurants are in these neighbourhoods:
- Born
- Gràcia
- Eixample
- Raval and Gòtic
- Barceloneta and Poble Nou
- Sant Antoni and Poble Sec
- Sants and Les Corts
- Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Born
This small yet action-packed part of the Old Town is tucked away between the Gothic Quarter and Parc de la Ciutadella. It’s best known for being home to the impressive Picasso Museum – a must-see for any visiting art lover.
It’s not just museums that attract the crowds to Born. The neighbourhood’s food reflects its old-meets-new mentality. No-frills cafés provide the perfect settings for quick lunches between sightseeing. At the same time, bodegas (wine bars) offer tapas and bottles of local Cava.
Alternatively, try Gravin for Italian classics with a Catalan twist, and colourful Restaurant Bananas, a staple for Asian fusion cuisine.
Keen to sample some regional specialities? Check out 7 Portes for a beautiful setting and wonderful, rustic dishes, including an ever-changing choice of paellas. Bodega La Punctual is another great pick for quality tapas. Similarly, Restaurant Petra attracts visitors with its vibrant tiled interiors and tasty, affordable dishes.
There are places to suit those on a plant-based diet, too. Vegetalia makes one of the best veggie paellas in the city, while Vegan Junk Food Bar does what it says on the tin.
Gràcia
Gràcia is the home of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, Parc Güell, and one of the most attractive suburbs. The bohemian neighbourhood was once a city in its own right, connected to Barcelona via the now bustling Passeig de Gràcia.
A patchwork of plazas connected by charming, cobbled lanes is the backdrop of Gràcia’s dining scene. The area has retained some of its independence, with a friendly village feel that stretches into its restaurant offering.
There are plenty of eateries where you can savour Catalan favourites, succulent seafood and various dishes from other Spanish regions. Some of the best include:
- La Pubilla
- Samsara
- La Pepita
- Gasterea
Got an ache for something a little different? The district is brimming with international restaurants. Try Somodo for Spanish-Japanese fusion food, Abisinnia for rich Ethiopian dishes you eat with your hands or Toma Ya Street Food for Peruvian delights.
Gràcia also boasts several Michelin restaurants, including Berbena, which holds a Bib Gourmand award for its exquisite seasonal dishes.
Parc Güell may be the top thing to do in Gràcia, but the area’s gastronomy is well worth the metro ride, too!
Eixample
Eixample is directly above the Gothic Quarter and the location of two major Gaudí works: Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Architecture aside, Eixample is an epic location to eat out. Thanks to its mishmash of traditional venues and more experimental eateries, it’s often described as the most creative place in the city for cuisine. Many of Barcelona’s Michelin-starred restaurants are in Eixample, including Lasarte and Osmosis.
This reputation for good food is alluring for many world-class chefs. In fact, you’ll discover some of Barcelona’s best international food in Eixample, too! Tuck into authentic Japanese delights at Bun Sichi or savour fragrant curries in the beautiful interiors of Little Andaman.
Passeig de Gràcia – which cuts straight through the district and is lined with picture-perfect Art Nouveau buildings – is a good starting point for foodies. There are a few chain restaurants on the main thoroughfare, but head down any one of its side streets, and you’re bound to stumble across some hidden gems.
Raval and Gòtic
Raval and the Gothic Quarter sit side by side in Barcelona’s medieval Old Town. Both have something different to offer food fans.
The Gothic Quarter
Keen to try authentic Catalan cuisine? The Gothic Quarter, or El Gòtic, won’t disappoint with its more traditional Mediterranean venues. Sensi Tapas is a tapas restaurant that cooks up both classic and creative, contemporary dishes. The charming L’Antic Bocoi del Gòtic also pairs a beautiful historic venue with seasonal Catalan delicacies.
A few international restaurants are tucked away down the Gothic Quarter’s medieval streets. Hotspots include Mexican taqueria, La Pachuca, and modern Restaurant Loto, great for tastebud-tingling Asian grub. Cross over into Raval, and you’ll have an even wider choice.
Raval
The neighbourhood is one of Barcelona’s most multi-cultural. Its food options range from Caribbean and Greek to Indian and Moroccan. Raval additionally hosts some spectacular Spanish restaurants. Arume serves modern Galician dishes, while En Ville’s Catalan tapas are predominately vegetarian and 100% gluten-free.
Barceloneta and Poble Nou
After sumptuous seafood? You’ve come to the right place! Barceloneta is teeming with restaurants serving up all sorts of fresh fish dishes. That’s down to the fact it’s located right on the city’s seafront and close to its main fish markets.
There’s an excellent selection of restaurants in Barceloneta specialising in tempting dishes from the sea. La Mar Salada is famed for its seafood paella, while Can Sardi creates Italian-style fish dishes typical to the island of Sardinia. Like your fish paired with chips? The Fish and Chips Shop lies right on Barcelona Beach and definitely won’t disappoint (make sure you try their signature mango sauce!).
Poble Nou
You could also stroll north along the seafront to Poble Nou. The industrial area is one of Barcelona’s most up-and-coming neighbourhoods. Vast warehouses have been transformed into cool office spaces, plus fantastic new restaurants are popping up all the time.
Rambla de Poblenou is a good starting point for newbies in this district. It cuts right through Poble Nou and is littered with vegan cafes, casual tapas bars and speciality coffee shops. A couple of streets over, El Menjador de la Beckett, a friendly tapas place inside a theatre that’s lauded as one of the best spots outside the city centre for Spanish cuisine.
Sant Antoni and Poble Sec
Sant Antoni is a triangle of streets wedged up close to the western edge of El Raval. When it comes to food, it’s a favourite brunch spot of the city’s cool crowd, plus a haven for those searching for the best in modern Catalan cuisine. Carrer del Parlament has the highest concentration of options, ranging from casual cafés like trendy Cohen to comfort food havens like Macchina Pasta Bar.
At the heart of Sant Antoni lies the Mercat de Sant Antoni – one of Barcelona’s best food markets where you’ll be able to pick up local produce from over 50 stalls. Prefer something a little less rustic? Alkimia is arguably the best restaurant in Sant Antoni. It has a unique Spanish menu influenced by the four primary elements.
Poble Sec
Let’s not forget about Poble Sec. The next-door neighbour of Sant Antoni sprawls out across Montjüic hill and is well worth a visit for its numerous historical monuments and stunning botanical gardens. Its food scene isn’t too shabby, either.
Most options sit at the foot of the hill, close to Avenue del Paral-lel.
Family-run Petit Montjüic has a lovely homely vibe and a delicious Mediterranean menu. At the same time, Palo Cortao’s north-south Spanish dishes are truly mouth-watering. Seafood is also a staple; try the ceviche at Lascar 74 or the paella at trendy Terraza Martinez, which overlooks the ocean.
Sants and Les Corts
If you’re travelling into the city by train and feeling peckish, Sants has its fair share of great dining venues. The district is home to one of Barcelona’s main train stations – Barcelona-Sants – making it a major transport hub for local and intercity travel.
There’s a handful of excellent places to dine within a few minutes of the station. These include Barcelona’s own branch of swish Japanese eatery Nobu, and Ocho Patas that serves up gorgeous Galician grub. A little further afield, you’ll find fantastic seafood restaurants like locally-loved La Paradeta Sants that’s set inside a fish market. Trendy tapas bars like La Mundana pair tasty dishes with classic Spanish vermouths.
Les Corts
Just north of Sants is the equally enticing neighbourhood of Les Corts. It’s a very traditional area of the city, yet its restaurant scene is incredibly eclectic. Old-school El Raconet de Les Corts is a favourite for local cuisine. At the same time, photogenic Brunch&Bakery serves up buttery pastries and full fry ups in a pretty, pastel-coloured venue.
Book a table at Cocina Hermanos Torres for something a little special. The stylish open-kitchen restaurant serves tasting menus, also offering a room where you can watch live cooking demos.
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
This vast district on the western outskirts of Barcelona is worth the metro ride to browse beautiful boutiques and tempting food options. Half of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is rural, including the area home to Tibidabo and its panoramic viewpoints.
You’re better off sticking to the neighbourhood’s centre for food and drink. A grid of tree-lined streets houses all sorts of eateries, from quirky venues like Les Truiets, serving only Spanish omelettes, to elegant El Trapio, inside a 19th-century villa.
If you can’t decide what kind of cuisine you’re craving, Santamasa could be the one. Next to the towering church, the fusion-style eatery is an excellent spot for a lazy lunch. Isabella’s Restaurant, just off Via Augusta, is ideal for any Italian food devotees. Its leafy interiors make it a magical place for romantic dinners.
You can’t talk about Sarrià-Sant Gervasi restaurants without mentioning La Balsa. It’s been a prominent fixture on Carrer de la Infanta Isabel for over 30 years, serving up a delicious blend of Catalan and Basque food. Request a table on the sun-soaked terrace if you’re heading there in the warmer months.
Getting around Barcelona's restaurants
Thanks to Barcelona’s excellent transport network, you don’t need to stick solely to the city centre for all your food and drink needs.
Much of the Old Town is walkable, including the Gothic Quarter, El Raval and El Born. You might want to save time by using Barcelona’s bus, metro and tram network, known collectively as TMB. The metro is especially useful, with stations scattered as far and wide as Gràcia and Poble Sec.
You can buy tickets for TMB services either at metro stations or online. There are a few options, from single fare tickets to travel cards valid for ten journeys.
When it comes to last trains, this will vary depending on the day of the week. Locals tend to eat dinner late, typically between 21:00 and midnight, so always double-check when the last service is back to your accommodation.
Barcelona is also dotted with several major train stations that provide a direct route across the city, to nearby towns or even cross-country. The two main stations are Barcelona-França and Barcelona-Sants. If you’re catching a train to or from the latter, why not check out one of the fantastic restaurants in the Sants neighbourhood?
Travelling to Barcelona by train?
If you’re planning to spend some time on the Catalonian coastline, you can take the train to Barcelona from some of Europe’s major cities thanks to the extensive rail network operated by Renfe. The most popular routes to Barcelona include Madrid to Barcelona (2h 30m), Paris to Barcelona (6h 40m) and Valencia to Barcelona (2h 40m).
Looking for more information about travelling to Barcelona by train? Check out our expert guide to trains to Barcelona.