No visit to Barcelona is complete without trying tapas. These famous small dishes, which you can enjoy as a snack or a full meal, are available all over the city. Whether it’s at a local bar or a modern eatery, tapas are everywhere! To help guide you through the hundreds of bars and tapas spots in Barcelona, I’ve compiled some tips below. This way, you’ll know exactly where to go and what to order to experience the “art of small plates” at its best.
Eating Tapas in Barcelona
It is said that Spain has the most bars per capita in all of Europe. So, it’s no surprise that you can find a tapas bar on nearly every corner in Barcelona. But what exactly are tapas, and what can you expect when you’re in Barcelona?
As a born-and-raised Barcelonesa, I have plenty of experience eating tapas in the city, and I’m excited to share this knowledge with you, both here on my website and during my tapas tour in Barcelona!
🍽️ Join me for a delicious tapas tour!
Treat your taste buds and discover authentic Spanish cuisine on my tapas tour through Barcelona.
Book Now →What are Tapas?
A long time ago, it was a tradition in Spain to cover wine glasses in bodegas and taverns with a small plate (tapa) to keep the flies away from the drink. The plate soon gained a second function when it became common to place a snack (like nuts, olives, or anchovies) on top of it.
From this old custom, these small bites have evolved into true delicacies.
Eating tapas is also a very social experience.
Despite some tapas bars having no chairs, locals still flock to them, enjoying their tapa and drink while standing in the lively, bustling atmosphere. It doesn’t get more Spanish than that!
Where to Eat Tapas?
In Barcelona, tapas bars are in abundance, though they are often referred to as bars, bodegas, or bar-restaurants here. Many restaurants have also jumped on the tapas trend, offering ‘platillos’ on their menu – small plates of half portions of a dish that you can order and share together.
When Do You Eat Tapas?
Spaniards typically eat tapas as a snack or appetizer, although there are more and more places where you can enjoy tapas for lunch or dinner.
If you order several tapas, you can often make a meal out of them, and it’s often cheaper than eating at a full restaurant.
How to Order Tapas?
When ordering tapas, you should order several dishes. They will be served separately, often all at once or shortly after one another, so you’ll soon have a table full of dishes to share. It’s better not to order too many at once but spread them out over a few rounds.
When ordering tapas, I recommend checking the portion sizes or the exact number of servings per tapa. For example, how many croquettes come in one portion? You can do this by either checking the menu to see if they list the quantity next to the dish or indicate whether it’s a half portion. Alternatively, you can always ask the waiter directly to avoid any confusion.
Locals usually order a cold beer (caña), vermouth (vermut), or a glass of red wine (vi negre) with their tapas. For those who don’t wish to drink alcohol, there are always refreshing drinks and water available.
You pay for your tapas after everyone has finished eating. If you order pintxos, you’ll need to keep the toothpicks stuck in the snacks to later pay the bill, as the toothpicks are counted at the end.
What Types of Tapas Are There?
Each tapas bar has its own specialty, so the variety is vast: from cold to warm tapas, conservas (canned food, often fish), montaditos (slices of bread with salads and other toppings), or the famous pintxos from the Basque Country (a tapa on a slice of bread held together with a toothpick).
In some places, you can order a ración or media ración instead of a tapa: the same dish but in a larger portion for a slightly higher price.
Which Tapas Should You Definitely Try?
Classic tapas you must try include ‘patatas bravas’ (spicy potatoes), ‘xipirons’ (small fried squid), ‘calamars a la romana’ (fried squid rings), ‘truita de patates’ (Spanish potato omelet), ‘pernil ibèric’ (Iberian ham), ‘formatge manchego’ (Manchego cheese), ‘olives’ (olives), ‘seitons en vinagre’ (marinated anchovies), ‘pa amb tomàquet’ (bread with rubbed tomato), ‘gambas al ajillo’ (shrimp with garlic and parsley), and ‘croquetes’ (Spanish croquettes).
A visit to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without trying the ‘bomba’ – a type of croquette filled with potato and minced meat, topped with a spicy sauce. It’s a specialty of the fisherman’s district, La Barceloneta!
What Do Tapas Cost?
Eating tapas is generally a very affordable way to dine out (as long as you don’t order too many). A tapa typically costs between €4 and €6, depending on the dish and portion size.
Eating pintxos is often even cheaper: you’ll pay between €1 and €3 per pintxo.
Can You Still Get Free Tapas in Barcelona?
In a city like Barcelona, it’s rare to find, but yes, there are still a few spots where you can get a free tapa when you order a drink (usually a beer), just like in the past. For this, head to Cal Chusco (Carrer de l’Almirall Aixada, 5), La Xula Taperia (Carrer de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, 18), or Raspall (Carrer Samsó, 8).
👉 Read more about Spanish dining habits.
Where Can You Find the Best Tapas in Barcelona?
The best tapas bars are, of course, the ones the locals go to.
Barcelona residents love visiting the Sant Antoni and Gràcia neighborhoods for a refreshing vermouth, La Barceloneta for a bomba and some fried fish in a traditional tavern, Poblesec for affordable pintxos bars, and El Born and l’Eixample for the more trendy tapas bars. And for the best patatas bravas, they head to Bar Tomás in Sarrià.
The Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona
Now that you know what types of tapas there are and how to order them, you’re probably curious about the best places to try them. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of the best tapas bars in Barcelona, where locals love to eat tapas too. So grab your notebook and note down the spots you’d like to visit!
Authentic Tapas Bars
Among the hundreds of bars that fill the streets of Barcelona, there are a few that stand out for their authentic character. In these old-fashioned taverns, you’ll experience an exceptional tapas experience with traditional dishes, all surrounded by the warm atmosphere of Spanish hospitality.
Do keep in mind that many of these tapas bars have limited space, so you might often eat standing or perched on a stool. It can get noisy, but believe me: it doesn’t get more Spanish than this!
- Quimet & Quimet (Carrer Poeta Cabanyes, 25) Metro: Poble Sec (L3)
- Bar Tomás (Carrer Major de Sarrià, 49) Metro: Sarrià (L6)
- El Xampanyet (Carrer Montcada, 22) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Bar La Plata (Carrer Mercè, 28) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- La Bombeta (Carrer de la Maquinista, 3) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- Bar Jai-Ca (Carrer Ginebra, 13 & 9) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- La Cova Fumada (Carrer Baluard, 56) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- La Esquinica (Passeig de Fabra i Puig, 296) Metro: Virrei Amat (L5)
- Delicias (Carrer Mühlberg, 1) Metro: El Carmel (L5)
Tapas Restaurants
If you’d like to enjoy tapas in a nice and atmospheric setting, it’s a good idea to visit a tapas restaurant. These places offer a full menu of tapas dishes, perfect for discovering various flavors.
- El Velódromo (Carrer Muntaner, 213) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
- Tapas 24 (Carrer de la Diputació, 269) Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, and L4)
- La Flauta (Carrer Aribau, 23) Metro: Universitat (L1 and L2)
- Bar Cañete (Carrer de la Unió, 17) Metro: Liceu (L3)
- Bar del Pla (Carrer de Montcada, 2) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Tapeo del Born (Carrer de Montcada, 29) Metro: Jaume I (L4), Barceloneta (L4)
- Bodega La Puntual (Carrer de Montcada, 22) Metro: Jaume I (L4), Barceloneta (L4)
- Bodega Amposta (Carrer d’Amposta, 1) Metro: Espanya (L1 and L3)
- Paco Meralgo (Carrer Muntaner, 171) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
- La Bodegueta de Provença (Carrer Provença, 233) Metro: Diagonal (L3 and L5)
- Ultramarinos Marín (Carrer de Balmes, 187) Metro: Diagonal (L3 and L5)
- Cabo Bar (Carrer de la Marina, 124) Metro: Marina (L1)
Refined Tapas
If you enjoy refined flavors and excellent service, it’s a good idea to reserve a table at one of the following restaurants. Here, you’ll truly appreciate the art of small bites.
- Mont Bar (Carrer Diputació, 220) Metro: Universitat (L1 and L2)
- Compartir (Carrer de València, 225) Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)
- Teatro kitchen & bar (Av. del Paral·lel, 164) Metro: Poble Sec (L3)
Basque Pintxos
You can also enjoy authentic Basque pintxos in Barcelona. The tastiest (and cheapest) can be found on Carrer Blai, Barcelona’s pintxos street.
- Maitea Taberna (Carrer Casanova, 157) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
- Irati (Carrer Cardenal Cassanyes, 17) Metro: Liceu (L3)
- Baserri (Carrer Correu Vell, 4) Metro: Drassanes (L3)
- La Tasqueta de Blai (Carrer Blai, 17) Metro: Paral·lel (L2 and L3)
- Koska (Carrer Blai, 8) Metro: Paral·lel (L2 and L3)
- Blai Tonight (Carrer Blai, 23) Metro: Paral·lel (L2 and L3)
👉 Discover 8 pintxos bars you must try in Barcelona here.
Spanish Bodegas
Old-fashioned bodegas or wine bars, where wine is still tapped from large barrels, can still be found in Barcelona. A must if you want to truly experience local life.
- Bar Electricitat (Carrer Sant Carles, 15) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- Celler Can Marino (Carrer de Margarit, 52) Metro: Poble Sec (L3)
- Bar Bodega Quimet (Carrer de Vic, 23) Metro: Fontana (L3)
- Bodega d’en Rafel (Carrer de Manso, 52) Metro: Poble Sec (L3)
Catalan Vermouth
Strictly speaking, vermut (vermouth) is an alcoholic drink served alongside tapas before lunch. This drink has recently had a revival and is now offered at many bars. Traditionally, Barcelonans flock to Sant Antoni on Sundays for a vermouth.
- Bormuth (Carrer del Rec, 31) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Cala del Vermut (Carrer de Ripoll, 25) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Lo Pinyol (Carrer Torrent De L’Olla, 7) Metro: Diagonal (L3 and L5)
👉 Discover 8 vermut bars you must try in Barcelona here.
Wine Bar
For wine enthusiasts looking to enjoy a good glass of wine with a snack in a chic wine bar, a city like Barcelona offers plenty of options.
- Viblioteca (Carrer Vallfogona, 12) Metro: Fontana (L3)
- La Vinya del Senyor (Plaça Sta. Maria, 5) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Pepa Bar a Vins (Carrer d’Aribau, 41) Metro: Universitat (L1 and L2)
Gastrobar
The latest trend in the city is the gastrobar, where you can indulge in a variety of small gourmet dishes and delicacies.
- Elsa y Fred (Carrer Rec Comtal, 11) Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1)
- Betlem (Carrer Girona, 70) Metro: Girona (L4)
- La Pepita (Carrer Còrsega, 343) Metro: Diagonal (L3 and L5)
Tip: Did you know that you can also book a tapas tour with me? During this tour, I will take you to various cool tapas bars and introduce you to tapas and Spain’s food culture!
Tapas Bars in Barcelona on the Map
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