31 Best Restaurants in Barcelona for Tapas, Paella & More

Finding the best restaurants in Barcelona can feel overwhelming, with the city offering thousands of places to eat, from small tapas bars and casual lunch spots to creative dining experiences led by well-known chefs. Add Catalan cuisine, Spanish classics, fresh seafood, and an endless choice of pinchos and snacks to the mix, and deciding where to have your next meal becomes harder.

Barcelona’s food scene is a great way to discover Catalan cuisine, with unique dishes and ingredients that differ from what you might expect of Spanish food. If you’re visiting for the first time, check out my Barcelona itinerary or budget travel guide to help plan your days around the city’s main sights. This guide, though, is all about where to eat in Barcelona.

I created this post with help from other travel bloggers who have explored Barcelona’s food scene, along with my own experiences at local restaurants. From budget-friendly spots and quick lunches to unforgettable dinners, here are our top picks for places to eat in Barcelona and the dishes you should try.

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What to know about eating out in Barcelona

Before you start looking for the best places to eat in Barcelona, it’s good to know a bit about local dining habits. In Spain, people usually eat later than in many other European countries. Lunch is often between 2 and 4 pm, and dinner usually starts around 9 pm.

Many restaurants in Barcelona close for a few hours between lunch and dinner service, so always check the opening hours before heading out. Some places on this list also offer a weekday lunch menu, often called menú del día, which typically includes several courses and is an affordable way to try local Spanish or Catalan food.

People usually share tapas and small plates, and wine is often enjoyed with meals. After eating, it’s common to stay at the table and chat for a while. This tradition, called sobremesa, is an important part of Spanish food culture.

Where to eat in Barcelona based on what you’re looking for

Short on time? Here’s a quick list to help you find where to eat in Barcelona, depending on the type of food, meal, or experience you want.

• Best for traditional tapas: El Xampanyet
• Best for pintxos: Bilbao Berria
• Best for modern tapas: La Pepita
• Best for paella: L’Arrosseria Xàtiva
• Best for vegan/vegetarian paella: Bubita Sangria Bar
• Best for breakfast and brunch: Citizen Café
• Best for plant-based food: Flax & Kale
• Best for menú del día: La Pubilla
• Best for an affordable meal near La Rambla: La Fonda
• Best for fine dining: Disfrutar

My favorite food tours in Barcelona

If you want to explore Barcelona’s food scene beyond choosing individual restaurants, joining a guided food tour or cooking experience is a fun way to try several dishes in one day. These are the three Barcelona food experiences I’d choose based on what you want to eat and learn.

El Born Food Walking Tour with Tapas and Drinks – My pick for a classic tapas experience. Walk through El Born and the Gothic Quarter while trying nine traditional and modern tapas at four restaurants, paired with four local drinks such as vermouth and Cava. Choose this tour if tapas are your main priority.

Paella Cooking Experience & Boqueria Market Tour – Follow a professional chef through La Boqueria Market before learning about the ingredients and process behind paella. The experience also includes tapas and sangria, making it my choice if you prefer a hands-on food activity rather than another walking tour.

Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Paella, Sangria & 8+ Local Tastings – Can’t decide what you want to try? Choose this small-group food tour for a broader introduction to the local food scene, featuring more than 8 tastings, including tapas and paella. This would be my pick for first-time visitors who want to sample a variety of Spanish dishes rather than focus on a single cuisine.

Best tapas restaurants in Barcelona

Tapas are an important part of Spanish food culture and can range from simple items like olives, cured ham, or cheese to hot dishes such as patatas bravas, croquettes, garlic shrimp, and meatballs. Portions and prices vary by restaurant, but the idea of ordering several small plates to share makes tapas a great way to try different dishes in one meal.

With tapas bars on almost every corner, choosing where to eat can quickly get overwhelming. The best tapas restaurants in Barcelona listed below have been personally tried by fellow travel bloggers or me, with options ranging from traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes to pintxos, market food, and more modern small plates.

El Mercat

• 📍 Neighborhood: Eixample
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Tapas and sharing plates, casual lunch or dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance, especially for dinner

Located in Eixample, El Mercat is one of my recommended tapas restaurants in Barcelona for sharing several plates rather than sticking to one main meal. The restaurant focuses on Mediterranean and traditional Spanish cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

When we visited El Mercat, we ordered a few dishes to share. The menu isn’t huge, but there is a good mix of tapas, small plates, and larger dishes, including vegetarian options.

Obviously, we couldn’t skip patatas bravas, one of those classic Spanish dishes I order almost every time I see it on a menu. El Mercat’s version was crispy on the outside and soft inside, served with the typical spicy sauce.

We also tried Iberian jamón with coca bread topped with tomato and an oxtail stew from the specials. The latter might not be the first dish you’d think of ordering, but it was so darn delicious and incredibly tender.

Pinotxo Bar

• 📍 Neighborhood: Sant Antoni
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Market food, Catalan dishes, breakfast or an early meal
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-in; arrive early

Pinotxo Bar was one of the most famous tapas bars in Barcelona’s La Boqueria Market, known for its tiny counter, simple Catalan dishes, and its charismatic owner, Juanito Bayén. However, if you’ve read older Barcelona restaurant guides, there’s an important update: Pinotxo Bar is no longer at La Boqueria Market.

The bar now operates at Mercat de Sant Antoni, continuing the Pinotxo name and its market-style cooking. Chickpeas, Spanish tortilla, stewed tripe, and freshly grilled meat are among the dishes worth trying here.

If you’re looking for a local market food experience in Barcelona, arrive early and see what’s available that day rather than going with a fixed order in mind.

Recommended by The Munching Traveller

El Quim de la Boqueria

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Raval
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Catalan market food, seafood, and a lively lunch experience
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-in only; arrive early and expect to wait

Tucked among the fruit, seafood, and cured ham stalls of La Boqueria Market, El Quim de la Boqueria is a classic counter-style restaurant and one of the great Barcelona restaurants if you want freshly cooked food right in the middle of the market atmosphere.

If you want to eat at El Quim, plan to arrive early and expect a wait. It’s very popular, so getting there 30 to 45 minutes before opening can help you get a seat. There are no reservations, and the limited counter seats let you watch the kitchen and enjoy the lively market atmosphere.

One of the house specialties is fried eggs with baby squid, olive oil, garlic, chili pepper, and Maldon salt. El Quim sources ingredients from La Boqueria, making it a good choice if you want to try freshly cooked food and seafood.

Recommended by Cruise Lifestyle

Cervecería Catalana

• 📍 Neighborhood: Eixample
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: A wide choice of tapas, casual lunch or dinner, and groups with different food preferences
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-in only; expect a wait during busy hours

Cervecería Catalana is one of the best restaurants in Barcelona for a lively, casual meal and a wide selection of tapas. This long-standing spot in Eixample has been serving tapas and montaditos for more than 25 years and remains incredibly popular, so don’t be surprised to find a queue outside.

There’s some outdoor seating, but you may have to take the first table that opens up. Service can be busy and fast-paced, especially during peak times, but that’s part of the fun—especially if you sit at the counter and watch the food being prepared.

The menu offers an extensive selection of tapas, making Cervecería Catalana a good option if you’re traveling with someone with different food preferences. Among the dishes, the cod fritters and Camembert with almonds and berries stood out. Just remember to leave some room for dessert.

Recommended by Map Trotting

La Pepita

• 📍 Neighborhood: Gràcia
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Modern tapas, seafood, and a casual lunch or dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Book ahead; walk-ins and counter seating are also available

If you want traditional tapas with a modern twist, La Pepita is a good tapas bar in Barcelona, especially if you’re visiting in winter.

Open since 2010, this small and lively spot serves familiar Spanish dishes with creative twists and seasonal ingredients.

The menu includes classics such as patatas bravas and garlic prawns, but don’t stop there. The croquettes wrapped in Jamón Serrano are worth trying, along with pulpo a la plancha (grilled octopus) and calamares a la Andaluza (Andalusian-style fried squid).

La Pepita changes parts of its menu with the seasons, using fresh ingredients and giving you a reason to see what’s new when you visit. The restaurant is small and popular, so reserving a table is a good idea, though walk-ins and counter seating are also available.

Recommended by Italian Trip Abroad

Txirimiri

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Pintxos, small plates, and a casual meal
• 📅 Reservations: Reservations are available; consider booking for dinner

Located on Carrer de la Princesa in El Born, Txirimiri is a casual spot, with a menu focused on traditional Mediterranean flavors.

A big reason to visit is the pintxos, small snacks from the Basque Country in northern Spain. Unlike tapas, pintxos are usually served on a slice of bread and held together with a small skewer. The word pintxo actually means spike or skewer.

There’s a great variety to choose from, with toppings such as chorizo, Manchego cheese, smoked salmon, and egg. Simply pick the pintxos that catch your eye and keep the skewers, which are used to calculate your bill at the end.

While traveling solo in Barcelona, you can visit Txirimiri as part of a tapas tour that stops here and at several other places around the city. Joining a food tour can be a fun way to sample several small plates, especially if you’re unsure what to order.

Beyond pintxos, Txirimiri also has a selection of other dishes and vegetarian options.

Recommended by Got My Backpack

Bilbao Berria

• 📍 Neighborhood: Gothic Quarter
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Pintxos, a quick meal, and trying several small bites
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-ins work well for pintxos; expect it to be busy due to its central location

If you’ve already tried traditional tapas, Bilbao Berria is one of the good restaurants in Barcelona to sample pintxos.

Here, you pick the pintxos that look good to you from the counter instead of ordering from a menu. Grab a plate and choose a few to try, but be careful—it’s easy to keep adding more when you see all the options in front of you.

The restaurant also serves other Basque and Mediterranean dishes, but pintxos are a fun choice for a quick meal or snack while exploring the Gothic Quarter. Pair them with a beer or glass of wine and enjoy the lively setting right by Barcelona Cathedral.

Recommended by ZipUp & Go

Bormuth

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €–€€
• 🍴 Best for: Affordable tapas, vermouth, and a casual meal in El Born
• 📅 Reservations: Reservations are available; book ahead for a group

Recommended by several born-and-raised Barcelona locals and featured in plenty of city guides, Bormuth is a popular place for cheap tapas in Barcelona and drinks in El Born that can’t be missed.

The name comes from Born, the neighborhood, and vermut, which is Catalan for vermouth. Vermouth is a popular drink and an important part of local culture.

Bormuth’s menu includes plenty of familiar Spanish tapas, such as patatas bravas, pan con tomate, and tortilla, as well as other small plates. If you want to try something different, go for the breaded eggplant with honey or chicken wings with garlic sauce.

The restaurant is usually bustling, and there may be a wait for a table. Arrive early if you can, particularly if you want to stop for dinner.

Recommended by Always Find Adventure

Bar Celta Pulperia

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €–€€
• 🍴 Best for: Galician-style octopus, seafood tapas, and a no-frills meal
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-in; arrive before peak dining hours

Bar Celta Pulperia is one of those no-frills tapas bars in Barcelona you could easily walk straight past. But step inside this busy bar on Carrer de la Princesa, and you’ll find simple Galician food and a long menu of traditional tapas.

You won’t find fancy tablecloths or elaborate presentations here. The focus is on the food and a relaxed tapas bar experience. Octopus is the specialty, and pulpo a feira is the dish to try—tender octopus slices served Galician-style with olive oil, sea salt, and paprika.

The menu also includes familiar tapas such as patatas bravas, Spanish tortilla, Padrón peppers, and plenty of seafood. Grilled prawns, razor clams, calamari, cuttlefish, and fried baby squid are among the choices.

Bar Celta gets busy, so arrive before the main dining rush if you want a better chance of finding a table. For authentic tapas in Barcelona with a strong Galician influence, this is a casual place worth considering.

Recommended by Why Visit Barcelona

El Xampanyet

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Traditional tapas, Catalan atmosphere, seafood, and sparkling wine
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-in only; arrive before opening if you want to reduce your wait

Just a few steps from the Picasso Museum in El Born, El Xampanyet is a historic, family-run bar that has been serving food and drinks since 1929.

With its tiled interior, lively counter, and classic atmosphere, it is as much about the experience as the food. It’s one of the most famous local tapas bars in Barcelona.

The menu focuses on classic Spanish and Catalan small plates, with plenty of seafood, cured meats, and simple dishes designed for sharing. Olives, anchovies, salted cod, tortilla, grilled octopus, sausage, and Padrón peppers are among the options worth looking for.

While you’re here, order a glass of the house sparkling wine or Cava to go with your food. El Xampanyet is small and extremely popular, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. It doesn’t accept reservations.

Recommended by A Charming Escape

Tipo Tapa

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Clot
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Catalan tapas, sharing plates, wine, and a casual dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance, particularly for dinner

Located on the lively Carrer de Rogent, Tipo Tapa is a casual tapas place in Barcelona for Catalan tapas, sharing plates, and wine. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a good option if you’re looking for a relaxed meal away from the city center’s busiest areas.

The menu offers a varied selection of tapas, sliders, seafood, and other small plates, with options for meat-eaters and vegans. Add a good choice of wine, and it’s an easy place to settle in for dinner and order several dishes to share.

Be sure to leave some room for dessert. The chocolate coulant was a favorite and a great way to end the meal. Even when the restaurant was busy, the service was friendly and fast.

Recommended by Robe Trotting

El SET

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Wine, sharing plates, cured meats, and an intimate dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Reservations are available; book ahead for dinner

With so many tapas places in Barcelona, finding a small restaurant off the beaten path can feel like a win. Tucked down Carrer de l’Esparteria in El Born, El SET is easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

Look for the small entrance and a couple of barrels outside used as makeshift tables. The restaurant has a relaxed, intimate atmosphere and serves Spanish and Mediterranean tapas, with a menu designed around small plates and dishes to share.

The wine is reasonably priced, and the food was the highlight. Order a glass of Rioja while you wait for a table, and try the pan con tomate or one of the cured-meat-and-cheese boards.

What stood out just as much as the food was the friendly service, very typical of Northern Spanish culture if you’re taking a road trip. The staff made the small restaurant feel welcoming and personal, adding to the relaxed dining experience.

Recommended by Road Trip EuroGuide

Ziryab Fusion

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Fusion tapas, Mediterranean flavors, wine, and a cozy dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Book ahead, particularly for dinner

If you want something different from the usual Barcelona tapas bar, Ziryab Fusion mixes Mediterranean flavors with traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes. This small, bodega-style spot is tucked away on Carrer de Grunyí in El Born and fits right into the narrow streets of the old city.

The tapas menu stands out from many other places on this list by combining local recipes and ingredients with wider Mediterranean influences. The result is a more creative selection of small plates that still keeps a connection to traditional Spanish and Catalan food.

Wine is also an important part of the experience, with a varied menu to pair with the food. The cozy interior and relaxed atmosphere make Ziryab a good choice for an evening of tapas, wine, and shared dishes.

Tip: Read this detailed guide in case you are wondering what the tipping culture is in Barcelona

Recommended by Holiday Story

Bastaix

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Wine, tapas to share, and a casual evening near Santa Maria del Mar
• 📞 Reservations: Call ahead to book

Bastaix is a small wine and tapas bar right next to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. It combines traditional flavors with modern dishes. The location is convenient if you’re exploring El Born, but the wine and ever-changing menu are what make people stay.

The menu changes regularly, so it’s worth asking the staff what they recommend when you visit. For instance, chorizo cooked in cider was a great snack to order while looking through the wine menu, alongside Iberian ham and Manchego cheese.

There is no outdoor seating, but if you visit during a quieter time, try to get a table by the window overlooking Santa Maria del Mar. Order a few plates to share, ask about the day’s specials, and take your time over a glass of wine.

Recommended by Everything French Alps

Els 4 Gats

• 📍 Neighborhood: Gothic Quarter
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Historic atmosphere, Catalan food, and a sit-down lunch or dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance

For a completely different experience from the typical tapas bars in Barcelona, head to Els 4 Gats, a historic restaurant closely connected to the city’s Modernist and artistic history. Opened in 1897, it became a meeting place for artists and intellectuals, including a young Pablo Picasso.

The restaurant still has a bohemian feel, making it one of the most atmospheric spots on this list. The menu now offers much more than tapas, including Catalan and Mediterranean dishes, rice, seafood, meat, and plates for sharing.

If you’re visiting for lunch, Els 4 Gats also offers a daily menu from Tuesday to Friday, excluding holidays. Otherwise, choose a few dishes to share and enjoy the historic surroundings that make the restaurant as much about the setting as it is about the food.

Tip: Consider coming on Saturdays, as they have more gourmet options on the menu and you can enjoy authentic Spanish snacks.

Recommended by Paulina on the Road

Best paella restaurants in Barcelona

Paella is one of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine, although it actually originated in Valencia rather than Barcelona. Traditionally cooked in a wide, shallow pan, this rice dish comes in several variations, from Valencian paella with meat and vegetables to paella de marisco prepared with seafood.

Finding the best authentic paella in Barcelona can be tricky, especially in heavily visited areas where almost every restaurant seems to advertise it. The restaurants below have been personally tried by fellow travel bloggers or me and include seafood, Valencian-style, vegetarian, and fully vegan options.

L’Arrosseria Xàtiva

• 📍 Neighborhood: Les Corts
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Paella, Valencian-style rice dishes, and a relaxed lunch or dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance, especially for weekend meals

If you’re looking for a memorable rice meal, L’Arrosseria Xàtiva is one of those great restaurants in Barcelona worth venturing beyond the city center for. This modern and cozy restaurant specializes in paella, rice dishes, and fideuà. The family behind the restaurant has roots in Xàtiva in Valencia, and rice remains at the heart of the menu.

The Valencian paella is a must-try. The rice is full of flavor and well balanced with its ingredients. At the end, use the traditional wooden spoons to scrape up the crispy, toasted rice from the bottom of the pan, which is often the best part.

With more than 25 types of rice and fideuà on the menu, including meat, vegetable, fish, and seafood options, L’Arrosseria Xàtiva is a good choice even if you can’t stand seafood but still want to try it.

Recommended by Chris & Ellen

La Mar Salada

• 📍 Neighborhood: Barceloneta
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Seafood rice dishes, a relaxed lunch, and dining near the port
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance

Located near the port in Barceloneta, La Mar Salada is a seafood-focused restaurant and a strong choice if you’re looking for some of the best seafood paella in Barcelona.

A classic seafood rice with mussels, prawns, and shrimp is a great choice to start with. If you want something different from the usual paella, try the black rice with cuttlefish.

Rice dishes are designed for sharing, so come with a friend or family and settle in for a long lunch near the port.

Recommended by Home to Havana

Firo Tast

• 📍 Neighborhood: Sagrada Família
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Rice dishes, weekday lunch, and a meal between sightseeing
• 📅 Reservations: Book ahead for lunch or dinner

Located on Avinguda de Gaudí between the Sagrada Família and Sant Pau, Firo Tast is a convenient, good paella restaurant in Barcelona to add to a day of sightseeing in this part of the city.

The restaurant serves different rice dishes, with seafood and other varieties appearing on the menu. Vegetarian options are also available, making it worth considering if not everyone in your group wants meat or seafood.

For a more affordable meal, check the weekday lunch menu. Depending on the day’s selection, rice may be offered as one of the main dishes alongside starters and dessert.

After visiting the Sagrada Família, you can walk along Avinguda de Gaudí toward Sant Pau and stop here for lunch or a Spanish coffee.

Recommended by Viki Viaja

Bubita Sangria Bar

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Vegan paella, plant-based Spanish food, and sangria
• 📅 Reservations: Book ahead

Formerly known as BarCeloneta Sangria Bar, Bubita Sangria Bar is fully plant-based and a great choice if you want to try paella without meat or seafood. If you’re searching for the best paella in El Born, this is the one to consider.

The restaurant puts a vegan spin on Spanish food, with plant-based paellas among its specialties. Current options include mushroom and creative vegan varieties inspired by traditional versions.

Even if you’re not vegan, Bubita gives you a new way to enjoy a dish. Try your paella with one of their homemade sangrias, made with local wine, fruit, and Mediterranean spices.

Recommended by World of Lina

Restaurante Salamanca

• 📍 Neighborhood: Barceloneta
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Seafood paella, a long lunch, and dining near Barceloneta Beach
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance

Serving diners in Barceloneta since 1969, Restaurante Salamanca is one of the long-standing places to try paella and fresh seafood near the beach.

The restaurant sits opposite Barceloneta Beach, with a large terrace, making it a popular choice for a relaxed lunch or dinner by the Mediterranean. Seafood is a major part of the menu, and the paella with fresh shrimp is the dish many recommend.

If you’re searching for the best paella in Barceloneta, Salamanca combines a beachside location with more than five decades of history in the neighborhood. It’s popular with both visitors and Barcelona residents, so booking ahead is a good idea.

Recommended by Explore Now Or Never

Best restaurants in Barcelona for breakfast and brunch

Citizen Café

• 📍 Neighborhood: Eixample
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Breakfast, brunch, coffee, and a late morning meal
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-ins; expect a wait during busy brunch hours

Citizen Café, on Plaça d’Urquinaona, is a lively and popular brunch spot in the city center, perfect for a late breakfast. Try to get there early, as it fills up fast and you might have to wait for a table.

The menu has plenty of light and more filling options, including breakfast and brunch bowls, salads, sharing plates, pancakes, and egg dishes. If you prefer a later start to the day, it serves brunch throughout its opening hours.

The chocolate bagel with cream cheese and jam was light but surprisingly filling, and it wasn’t overly sweet.

Citizen Café is open daily from morning until late afternoon, making it an easy addition to your Barcelona restaurant guide when you want breakfast or brunch without rushing out early.

FitBar

• 📍 Neighborhood: Barceloneta and Ciutat Vella
• 💰 Price range: €
• 🍴 Best for: Açaí bowls, smoothies, and a quick healthy breakfast
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-in and grab-and-go

If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast that won’t take a big chunk out of your travel budget, FitBar is one of the best affordable restaurants in Barcelona for a quick açaí bowl or smoothie.

This small juice bar also serves protein shakes and other healthy snacks, with vegan and gluten-free options. Try the classic açaí bowl with almond butter on top—you can’t go wrong with it.

FitBar is more of a grab-and-go place than a sit-down restaurant, so don’t expect a long breakfast or full table service. Pick up a bowl or smoothie and continue exploring Barcelona, or find a nearby spot to sit and people-watch.

Recommended by Volumes and Voyages

Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: All-day brunch, a relaxed breakfast, and cocktails
• 📅 Reservations: Reservations are available

Barcelona isn’t short of brunch cafés, but Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar is one of the recommended restaurants in Barcelona for a late breakfast or all-day brunch.

The menu offers a wide selection of brunch dishes, from eggs and pancakes to bowls and more filling options. Drinks are just as varied, with specialty coffee, juices, and cocktails if your breakfast has already turned into an afternoon meal.

The interior is cozy, but sit outside and watch the neighborhood go by if you can get a table on the terrace.

With its all-day kitchen, Alsur Café is also a good option if your travel schedule doesn’t fit neatly around traditional Spanish meal times.

Recommended by Kirstie Will Travel

Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona

Flax & Kale

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Raval
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Plant-based food, healthy meals, and dietary preferences
• 📅 Reservations: Book ahead during busy lunch and dinner hours

Flax & Kale is one of the best restaurants in Barcelona for plant-based food and healthy meals, especially if you’re traveling with people with different dietary preferences.

The restaurant follows a flexitarian concept, with around 80% of the menu being plant-based and the remaining dishes featuring oily fish. You won’t find meat on the menu, and vegan and other dietary options are clearly marked, making it easier to choose a suitable dish.

Chef Teresa Carles is behind the concept and has been closely connected to vegetarian cuisine in Barcelona for decades. Here, the focus is on combining nutritional value with creative dishes rather than treating healthy food as an afterthought.

Recommended by Anne Travel Foodie

Menú del día in Barcelona: Best restaurants for lunch

Le Cucine Mandarosso

• 📍 Neighborhood: El Born
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Homemade Italian food, pasta, and a relaxed lunch
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance

If you’re wandering around El Born or visiting the Palau de la Música Catalana and get hungry, Le Cucine Mandarosso is a good restaurant in Barcelona for hearty, homemade Italian food.

It uses fresh and seasonal ingredients to prepare comforting Italian dishes, with different types of pasta taking center stage on the menu. Start with a plate of mozzarella, ham, and vegetables before ordering different pasta dishes.

The portions are generous, and the pasta is excellent. If you have room after your meal, be sure to try one of the Italian desserts.

Le Cucine Mandarosso serves lunch and dinner but closes between the two services. The restaurant is small and often busy, so make a reservation rather than turning up and hoping for a table.

La Pubilla

• 📍 Neighborhood: Gràcia
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Menú del día, Catalan cuisine, and a local lunch experience
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance, especially for lunch

Tucked away in Gràcia, La Pubilla is one of the top places to eat in Barcelona for a traditional menú del día. The small restaurant sits opposite Mercat de la Llibertat and has a simple, casual interior with tables and a bar area at the front.

Lunch is one of the main reasons to come here. It serves a menú del día, or menu of the day, built around seasonal ingredients and Catalan cooking. The dishes are full of flavor and creative without losing their connection to local food traditions.

The restaurant is especially busy at lunchtime, and it’s easy to see why both locals and visitors come here for a substantial midday meal. Service is excellent and efficient, while the wine list includes a good selection of Spanish and international options.

If you want to experience one of Spain’s most practical dining traditions and try a multi-course lunch without ordering everything separately from the menu, La Pubilla is well worth booking in advance.

Recommended by Travel for Bliss

Other cool and must-try restaurants in Barcelona

Casa Rafols

• 📍 Neighborhood: Eixample
• 💰 Price range: €€–€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Sharing plates, dinner, and dining in a historic setting
• 📅 Reservations: Book in advance

Casa Rafols is one of my top picks for dinner in Barcelona, and I’d gladly go back. It’s a good idea to reserve a table in advance, since the restaurant is popular for both its food and its historic setting.

The building dates back to 1911 and was once a hardware store, with many original details still visible. There’s even a hidden bar in the basement, which adds to the unique atmosphere and makes Casa Rafols a cool spot for both food and setting.

The menu is extensive, with homemade dishes designed for sharing and a mix of traditional and international flavors. During our visit, we ordered truffled fried eggs with foie, steamed cockles, risotto with black truffle, and a homemade Spanish tortilla.

We paired our meal with Sangría Lolea, a lightly sparkling blend of wine and fruit that went perfectly with the food.

Disfrutar

• 📍 Neighborhood: Eixample
• 💰 Price range: €€€€
• 🍴 Best for: Michelin-starred fine dining, tasting menus, and a special meal
• 📅 Reservations: Book as far in advance as possible

If you want a truly special fine dining experience, Disfrutar is one of the top restaurants in Barcelona. The name means “enjoy” in English, and the restaurant has three Michelin stars. It was also named the World’s Best Restaurant in 2024.

Chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas make dinner at Disfrutar feel like both a meal and a show. The tasting menus feature a series of creative small plates, each using local ingredients in surprising and playful ways.

Presentation is a big part of the experience. Some dishes come on unique serving pieces, and others are finished at your table. The full menu is kept secret until you eat, so there’s always an element of surprise.

Reservations can be difficult to secure, so plan ahead as this isn’t a restaurant to leave until the last minute.

Recommended by Papers and Airplanes

La Fonda Restaurant

• 📍 Neighborhood: Gothic Quarter
• 💰 Price range: €–€€
• 🍴 Best for: An affordable lunch or early dinner near La Rambla
• 🚶 Reservations: Walk-ins are possible; expect it to be busy

Just a short walk from La Rambla, La Fonda Restaurant offers a lively atmosphere and affordable food. If you like to eat earlier, you don’t have to wait until 9 pm for dinner here.

Because it’s in a busy tourist area, you might think La Fonda is just for visitors. But if you look around, you’ll see both locals and tourists enjoying their meals.

The menu focuses on Spanish and Mediterranean dishes, including rice, seafood, and meat, as well as set-menu options. If you’re looking for one of the best affordable restaurants in Barcelona for a sit-down meal near La Rambla, La Fonda is a practical choice.

Recommended by Calculated Traveller

Lascar 74

• 📍 Neighborhood: Poble-sec
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Ceviche, seafood, Pisco sours, and trying different flavors
• 📅 Reservations: Reservations are available

Lascar 74, a cevichería-bar in Poble-sec, is one of the must-try restaurants in Barcelona if you want a break from traditional Spanish and Catalan cuisine.

The food combines different flavors and influences, with ceviche and seasonal seafood at the heart of the menu. The scallops and classic Ceviche Lascar are particular favorites, both full of flavor and well prepared.

For drinks, you can’t go wrong with a Pisco sour to complete the meal. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere, and the staff is knowledgeable about the menu and happy to recommend dishes if you’re unsure what to order.

Recommended by A Rai of Light

Mammamia

• 📍 Neighborhood: Poblenou
• 💰 Price range: €€
• 🍴 Best for: Artisan pizza, pasta, Italian food, and a casual dinner
• 📅 Reservations: Reservations are available

Poblenou is packed with restaurants and cafés, but Mammamia is a great choice when you want Italian food away from Barcelona’s traditional tapas and Catalan menus.

The menu features artisan pizzas, calzones, lasagna, pasta, and other Italian and Mediterranean dishes. The big oven is the centerpiece, baking pizzas for both dine-in and takeaway. All the pizzas are tasty, but the calzone is huge and often enough for two people.

Service has always been friendly and welcoming. And if you still have room after all that pizza or calzone, try the pistachio chocolate cake for dessert.

Recommended by Loving Life In Spain

What to know before eating at restaurants in Barcelona