Must Try Restaurants in Barcelona (top food hot spots)

This to me was the hardest post to write, simply because we  know SO MANY must try restaurants in Barcelona to recommend.

Seriously, if you enjoy delicious food at great prices, Barcelona is the place for you! And if you feel lost over where to go, worry no more!!  

We got your back! 

Also, if there are any specific questions or places you want to know, leave us a comment 🙂 

 

Paella

Even though Paellas are not typical from Catalonia, I understand if you come to Barcelona and would like to try a good one. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that it is much easier to find BAD paellas than good ones here since most of the ones made in restaurants are for tourists.

But don’t worry, my friend. I told you that this is the official food guide of Barcelona, right? I would not disappoint you with a post that did not contain any paella recommendations.

1. Arume

Cris took me here one day because I was annoying him all summer saying that I wanted to eat a good paella. For some reason, I was craving it, but at the same time, I absolutely refuse to east a paella just anywhere, as I know the chances of being disappointed are higher than of liking it.

When we arrived at the restaurant and finally ordered our seafood paella, the waitress was kind enough to inform me that because we were in fact in a Galician restaurant, she would recommend me the duck paella, which was more traditional (even though they do offer seafood paella as well).

At first, Cris made a face, saying he was not a big duck fan, but I managed to convince him to try it out since the waitress was very convincing.

Turns out that the duck paella was SO GOOD that Cris went back the following week with his father and they had one duck paella each.

2. Barraca

If you wish to enjoy a great seafood paella with a view to the ocean, I’d recommend trying Barraca out. I was recommended the place once to take a friend that was visiting, and I was very positively impressed. Both price and food were outstanding!!

TAPAS 

1. Vinitus 

People will probably recommend you trying Cerveceria Catalana as a must try restaurant in Barcelona, but the ambiance looks  like  a fast-paced cafeteria.

Instead, go to  Vinitus, which I suspect is from the same owner  (the menu is exactly the same), plus the ambiance is much better.

I personally value having a nice ambiance where I eat.   It is not exactly tourist-free, but still, the tapas are great.

Pro  tip: If you arrive at 12h ish  you get a table directly, but usually after 13h there is a 30-45min wait… It is worth it, though. And unfortunately, there is no reservation. 

• Typical  favorite  tapas to eat:
  • Patatas Bravas – Fried potatoes with a kind of spicy sauce
  • Calamari a la Andaluzia.- Fried calamari
  • la Bomba – A fried pastry filled with delicious cheese
  • Pan con tomate – Bread with tomato spread, olive oil and salt
  • Croquetas de Jamon – Fried pastry with creamy ham filling
  • Tortilla de Patata – Like a potato omelete

2. Gourmet Tapas by  Sensi  

If  you want a different  tapas experience from the must try restaurants in Barcelona, don’t miss this one out. I love how they innovate the tapas, making a mix between tradition and epicurean.

Cris and I go every other month to this restaurant, we love it! (it was actually were we had our first date 🙂 )

• Our  favorites:
  • Baby chorizos chilindron sauce and anise (2n pic, down)
  • Ham and foie gras croquettes with a cep mayo*
  • Tuna tartar, light yuzu emulsion, lemongrass oil and katsuobushi gelatin (1st pic, down)
  • Oxtail Mini Burger with grilled Manchego cheese and truffled mayonnaise*
  • Low temperature cooked pork cheeks with Peruvian sauce and peas & vanilla puree* (2nd pic, up)

The ones with * are our top picks.

3. Mosquito 

Asian  tapas!!! We  LOVE this place and you have to trust us this is a big must try restaurant in Barcelona from this list! They have an amazing variation of dumplings, baos, soups, beers… It is super small and you usually need to wait a bit  and there are no reservations  (as anywhere in Barcelona), but it Is  sooo  worth it!

 

My mouth literally  started watering now thinking of it.

• Our favorites:
  • Pho Bo Ciudad  ( a soup that is  soooo good that we have it even during Barcelona’s infamous heated summer – that’s how amazing it is);
  • Fried  vedella dumplings (and basically all dumplings)
  • Porc Shuijiao
  • Cha Sha Bao

BRUNCH  

1. El Arbol 

I LOVE this place. In winter I go every weekend after the gym. I honestly think it is the best brunch place I’ve ever been to and I take all my visitors there, and they ALL went back a second time. You can find my TripAdvisor review here.

Our favorites:

• • Salmon Tostadpao – Big bread with salmon, mango strips, cream cheese and avocado – the mango is sublime with the salmon – ask to add a poached egg)* – This is my absolute favorite
  • Huevos Revueltos con Champiniones – Scrambled eggs with mushroom and feta cheese
  • Eggs Benedict with Salmon
  • Zumo Fresco –  A juice blend that consists of watermelon, coconut and ice.

But honestly, everything on the menu is GOLD! 

The Salmon Tostado – Fun fact: My mother doesn’t like mango, so I didn’t tell her there was mango included. She ate it and loved it ;) Don’t be shy because of the mango, trust me on this.  

2. Flax and Kale

A vegetarian with some dishes with fish. They have a very cool variety of fresh juice mixtures. Try to get the upper floor as there is an open-air garden to eat, very nice.

• Our favorites:
  • Tuna tacos
  • Salmon sushi sandwich (rice, marinated salmon, avocado, nori seaweed, seaweed caviar, miso-ginger sauce)
  • Kingfish mini burgers (turmeric buns, shiitake, umami sauce)

3. Brunch & Cake

A popular place for instagramers, probably because of it’s quirky food presentations. It is usually very busy, but now they have opened more venues around the city so there is no need to queue or wait in line for so long.

 SUSHI  

1. Miss Sushi 

I used to go so much to this restaurant to take away that I was even embarrassed at one point. They have an amazing selection and the ambiance is very different. Great price.

Our favorites:

• Dragon
• Tobiko Salmon
• Salmon Surf  
• Edamame with Truffle Salt

2. Robata 

The BEST sushi in Barcelona, in our opinion!! It is a bit more pricey, though.

Our favorites:

• Anticuchero
• Redondo Beach
• Nikkei
• Venice

Recommended:  Or if you want a very combo, I strongly recommend the combo ‘’6×4’’ as it  gives a great variety of their best selection.

OTHERS 

• La  Paradeta  (Seafood) 
  • The seafood is beautifully and freshly displayed on ice. I love their oysters, giant shrimps and fried squid. Informal ambiance, but absolutely delicious food. 

• Tlaxcal (Mexican) 
• • My roommate is Mexican and lives here for 6 years, and he said it is the best Mexican in BCN. I love their cheap margaritas and their ‘’queso  fundido’’ as an appetizer. Absolutely amazing tacos too. 

Bacoa (Burger) 

• • Possibly the most famous burger joint in Barcelona. I ALWAYS have their chicken burger (and I never ever eat chicken burgers anywhere else). I strongly recommend trying it. 

Goiko  (Burger) 

• • Since we discovered it, we go there every weekend and it has become our official hangover place to be. We are obsessed with a burger called ‘’Kevin Bacon’’.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poke

Poke Maoli – I really enjoy this Poke place. Not only the location is very nice (it is right at the beach), but the quality of the food is also really good.

The only bad part is that there are no tables to sit on. However, remember you are at Barcelona beach!! Walk a little bit further and choose one of the maaaany different options from where to sit on: a bench, the sand, the sidewalk next to the sand…. Pick your favorite!

For those who want a different experience 

Dans le Noir

This is a concept restaurant where you eat in the dark. I myself have been in three different occasions (once in Berlin, once in Bangkok and most recently in Barcelona, when  Cris and  I celebrated our anniversary).

The restaurant is served by blind or impaired waiters and you have 3  different se  menus to select, with price ranging from 40 to 70 euros per person.

We had the tasting menu, which included 1 cava (sparkling wine from Spain); 3 glasses; appetizer, first, main, and desert.

Not only is the experience authentic and interesting, but the food is very good (we are picky eaters).

Even having been there three times before, I always get surprised with how dark it is, to the point where you don’t see your entire hand in front of your face. 

Bars 

• El Nacional
  •  I am not even going to write anything, just trust me on this one (bars + restaurants). Very nice ambiance. 

• Paradiso 
  • A speakeasy. When you arrive it looks like an old kitchen, but then you discover a door and find the most amazing bar hidden. Try the Trojan horse drink. 

• Espit  Chupitos 
  • This is more for  youngsters, but still fun for every age. They only do shots and every drink has a special name (i.e. Harry Potter, Pulp Fiction, etc) and you don’t know what is in it until you drink it. They all taste quite nice (not strong as tequila) and have a fun way of drinking or presenting them. All shots are 2 eur  (in summer 3 eur).
    • I always take visitors to try the  Boy’s Scout –  You roast a tiny marshmallow on fire from your shot glass, before drinking it.
    • Try the  Monika  Lewinksy  if you are feeling brave. 

• Gatsby 
  • With their live stage performances and meticulous decoration, it is a blast back to the 20’s. 

BONUS – Views  

• Bunkers
  •  Best view of Barcelona, and a great walk on a sunny day (about 1h30 from city center). Great place for a picnic too. You can also take the bus if you just want to check the view. Careful in winter can be windy. Don’t forget to take some beers/wine and snacks. 

• Barceló Raval Hotel
  • Even if you are not a guest at this hotel, I recommend visiting their 360 rooftop for a view of Barcelona you will never forget. Good place for a nice beer or glass of wine (not expensive prices). Free entrance. 

I have so many tips for Barcelona that it was hard to filter them out. If you have specific questions, leave a comment and I will be sure to reply to you. 

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Are you in love with Barcelona yet? Don’t miss more from the Barcelona Series:

• 11 common mistakes visitors always make when coming to Barcelona
• 9 Terrible mistakes to avoid at the Sagrada Familia
• All of Barcelona’s must-see attractions
• My top recommendations of places to eat in Barcelona?
• 2 Days Self Walking Tour
• Barcelona Complete City Guide
• 30 photos to inspire you to visit Barcelona

Find me on Instagram @labellesociety

Have you ever heard or tried any of them? I would love to hear your thoughts. 

double click to find out more!

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