Barcelona: A Food Paradise
Normally I’m a huge proponent of solo travel. You can go wherever you like, and eat whenever and whatever you want. But when it comes to Spain, it’s much more fun for your stomach if you go with a group of friends. There are numerous tapas dishes to try and you can’t eat them all if you’re by yourself!
Barcelona has the most incredible dishes that will amuse and delight your taste buds, from paella and the various grilled seafood dishes, to the undisputed champion of cured meats – Iberico jamon. Locals eat a really late dinner so that’s good news for travelers who are used to eating around 7 p.m. You will have no problems getting a table without reservations if you arrive at the restaurant around 7 to 8 p.m., even during the peak summer season.
These are the restaurants I absolutely loved when I visited Barcelona. If you are planning a trip there, do add these to your list!
This small family-owned tapas bar is situated along one of the narrow lanes of the charming neighborhood of El Borne. Since 1929, El Xampanyet has been serving locals and visitors traditional Catalan tapas and it’s one of the most popular and well-loved restaurants in the city. Be warned that it gets really packed so be sure to arrive right when it opens and you will get a table easily. The kitchen is tiny! There’s only one chef and if you sit close to the kitchen, he’ll personally deliver the food fresh from the grill. From that tiny kitchen comes the most delicious tapas from meat to seafood dishes.
If you’re not a fussy eater, you can ask the friendly server to bring out whatever they think is best. It was almost like a Spanish omakase meal and we were delightfully surprised by every single dish. My personal favorites were the ventresca (tuna belly fillets) on top of pickled asparagus, the beautifully soft tortilla with potato and chorizo bits, and the grilled calamari with a zesty cilantro sauce. I thought I was too full for desserts but the flaky pastry and accompanying muscato really rounded up our exciting meal!
The amazing tiny kitchen! 
Address: Carrer de Montcada, 22, 08003 Barcelona
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday, 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
I’ve been to multiple markets around the world but La Boqueria really captured my heart. From the moment I stepped into the market, all my senses were activated to the extreme degree. All the fruits and vegetables were placed beautifully on display, and I especially loved the mini grocers selling specialty spices and canned goods, and the jamon sellers who let us sample all the delicious ham.
The shopkeepers were extremely knowledgeable and patient with the crazy number of wonderstruck tourists. It’s best to get there before 10 a.m. before the huge hungry tourist crowds descend upon the market. There are several mini restaurants in the market such as Bar Boqueria. They only have bar counter seats surrounding the kitchen, and you can watch your food and drinks being prepared. I really enjoyed the Peruvian cerviche, grilled sardines, and that huge glass of sangria that made me tipsily text my friends that I’ve died and gone to heaven, and heaven is La Boqueria.
Address: Rambla, 91 08001 Barcelona
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Closed Sundays)
Established in 1786, Can Culleretes is the oldest restaurant in Catalonia and the second oldest in Spain. The name of the restaurant was inspired by its head waiter who would yell over the din to his dishwashers to polish the teaspoons, “noies, culleretes!” Soon, all the customers started calling it “Can Culleretes” and it became its official name. Stepping into the restaurant is like stepping back in time. They kept so much of the old-world charm from the décor to the plates, and even in the items in the menu. You won’t be able to find any of those modern fusion dishes in here! The roasted duck with prunes was particularly delightful. The meat was tender and infused with the juicy sweetness of the prunes.
Address: Carrer d’en Quintana, 5, 08002 Barcelona
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. – 10:45 p.m. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Sunday night and Mondays)
Guell Restaurant is close to the bustling neighborhood of Las Ramblas and serves tapas as well as various types of paella. It’s a fairly large restaurant with a lovely courtyard area but it does get pretty crowded around 10 p.m. It’s also one of the few restaurants that are open on Sundays so it’s definitely helpful for hungry travelers!
I ordered the meat paella and the lobster “arroz caldoso,” a soupy paella. The broth was so flavorful from the lobster and other seafood cooked in it. It would be wonderfully comforting to eat that in colder months. Arrive at the restaurant hungry because paella is really filling!
Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 20, 08001 Barcelona
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:15 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Comment below if you have other restaurant recommendations in Barcelona!
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