Whether you’re visiting Barcelona for a few days or staying longer, eating out in this city doesn’t have to be expensive! However, costs can quickly add up with all the delicious options, fun activities, and maybe some unexpected purchases you come across. That’s why I’m happy to share my personal tips for affordable and tasty places to eat in the city.
20 Affordable Eateries in Barcelona
Dining out in Barcelona doesn’t have to break the bank, but it’s always good to know exactly where to go for a great experience. As a born-and-raised Barcelonesa, I’ve eaten out often and know a number of fantastic spots where you can enjoy a delicious meal without emptying your wallet. The following tips are perfect for eating well without spending too much.
So, wondering where you can eat cheaply in Barcelona? Here are my 20 personal tips for tasty and affordable eats in the city!
1. 365
365 is a bakery chain with locations throughout the city, where you can grab breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack. They offer a wide selection of sandwiches, croissants, and coffee at very affordable prices, making it perfect for a quick bite. You can get a sandwich with coffee for around €3. They also offer sweet treats like croissants and other pastries at great prices.
2. El Fornet
Another affordable option for breakfast, lunch, and snacks is El Fornet. This bakery offers fresh sandwiches, pastries, and other snacks at reasonable prices, with multiple locations around the city.
During lunch, you can choose from various menus that provide great value for money. For example, a sandwich costs €4.95, a slice of quiche is €3.70, and a pasta dish is just €6.80.
3. Pans & Company
This fast food chain serves typical Spanish bocadillos (baguette sandwiches) with a variety of fillings, making it perfect for a quick and affordable meal. For less than €5, you can get a well-filled sandwich with a drink and fries. My favorite is the tuna sandwich, but you can also choose chicken or Iberico ham.
They also offer vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free dishes. For kids, there is a special kids’ menu with a bagel of choice, fries, and a Kinder chocolate egg.
You can find Pans & Company locations in the city center and other spots, such as in shopping malls.
Tip: Viena is another local fast food chain known for its quality sandwiches at affordable prices.
4. Conesa
Conesa is another well-known spot for a tasty and affordable sandwich. It is located very centrally, at Plaça de Sant Jaume, and is a popular place for both locals and tourists. On Conesa’s menu, you’ll find all kinds of sandwiches, from lomo y queso (pork fillet and cheese), tortilla de patatas (potato omelette), xistorra (a type of sausage) to Iberian ham and Frankfurt with mustard.
Prices range from €3 to €5, and they also offer special breakfast and lunch deals to help you save even more.
Due to the popularity of this sandwich shop, it is not uncommon to see long queues outside on the street. Inside, there are a few tables, but space is limited, so it’s recommended to order your sandwich to go and enjoy it at a nearby square.
5. Bocatini
Bar Bocatini is a personal favorite. This is not a chain but a simple bar near Plaça de Catalunya. Here, you’ll mostly find locals stopping by for a coffee or a beer.
The house specialty is the well-filled sandwiches, which are served both cold and hot. They’re made with fresh baguette, smeared with tomato, and filled with cheese, fuet, or ham. These tasty sandwiches start at €4.50, and you can even take them to go!
6. Bo de B
Bo de B is a popular sandwich shop in the old town, just a stone’s throw from the harbor. Here you can grab delicious sandwiches and salads for under €5. The long queues you see outside speak for themselves – this is a place definitely worth trying, not just for the price, but also for the taste!
7. Bocatas de Sultan
Here’s where you’ll find some of the best patatas fritas (fries) in the city. For just €1, you get a large cone of fries, perfect as a snack while you explore the city!
Fun fact: Many locals say the fries at Sultan are the best in the city.
8. Bismilla Kebabish
Bismilla Kebabish is known for its kebabs and other Middle Eastern dishes. These are affordable (around €4 to €6 each) and very filling, ideal for lunch or a quick dinner.
Tip: Another popular kebab place in Barcelona is Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap, with multiple locations around the city. Here you can get a delicious döner filled with juicy meat, fresh veggies, and flavorful sauces.
9. Honest Greens
If you’re looking for healthy and tasty food, Honest Greens is highly recommended. Their bowls are fresh and nutritious, and although a bit more expensive than fast food, you get great quality for your money. The prices for dishes at Honest Greens are around €9, and for drinks, they offer unlimited flavored water for €2.50.
I’m a big fan of Honest Greens and have been there several times, as they have several locations in Barcelona. You can read my review here.
10. Las Muns
For top-quality empanadas, Las Muns is the place to go. These empanadas are filled with tasty, fresh ingredients and have a delicious crispy shell. For just a few euros each, you get great value for your money, and Las Muns also offers special packages.
With flavors like chicken curry, tomato-basil-mozzarella, goat cheese with walnut and onion, sun-dried tomato with pesto and provolone, and spinach with emmental, there’s something delicious for everyone!
You can eat the empanadas on-site or take them to go for later.
Tip: Other popular places in Barcelona where you can enjoy delicious and affordable Argentine empanadas are La Fábrica and Rekons.
11. Buenas Migas
Buenas Migas is a lunch chain I visit often. They offer light and nutritious meals, ranging from salads and quiches to sandwiches and flat pizzas. But their star product is the Italian focaccia.
A well-filled focaccia sandwich here costs less than €6, and you can order delicious juices and drinks on the side. Their desserts are also tempting and definitely worth trying!
12. Sandwichez
Another popular café for lunch or breakfast is the trendy Sandwichez. Besides good sandwiches and salads at an affordable price (around €5 each), it’s also a great place to work, with comfortable seating for working on your laptop. With multiple locations throughout the city, there’s always one nearby.
13. Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria)
Can Paixano, also known as La Xampanyeria, is an iconic spot in Barcelona for cava and tapas. This bar, which still retains its authentic charm and is always buzzing with energy, offers a great variety of tapas and filled sandwiches. The low prices make it a beloved destination for both locals and tourists.
Don’t forget to try their house-made cava – a must for every visitor!
Tip: For more affordable tapas, head to Casa Pages in the Gràcia neighborhood, where you can enjoy a beer and a tapa for just €2.50 every day between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
14. El Mussol
For traditional Catalan dishes at a reasonable price, you should head to El Mussol restaurant. Here, you can enjoy grilled vegetables and butifarra (Catalan sausage). El Mussol has several locations in the city and is very family-friendly, making it an ideal spot to visit with the whole family.
15. König
König is a popular hamburger restaurant from Girona, known for its burgers and iconic patatas bravas. Thanks to its cozy, student-friendly atmosphere and affordable prices, this chain is very popular. It’s ideal if you’re with friends in Barcelona and looking for a lively, budget-friendly spot for burgers!
Tip: Other great options for burgers and fries in Barcelona include Bacoa, Vicio, Pim Pam Burger, and Goiko. Of course, the well-known chains like McDonald’s, Five Guys, and Burger King can also be found throughout the city.
16. La Tagliatella
La Tagliatella is an Italian restaurant known for its generous portions of pasta and pizza – perfect for sharing, making it an affordable choice! With locations throughout the city, La Tagliatella is a popular spot for families and groups, and you’ll often see local families enjoying a meal here.
Prices are reasonable, with pasta and pizza dishes ranging from €12-€15, so you can enjoy a great Italian meal in Barcelona for a fair price.
Tip: Another affordable option for Italian food is Vapiano, which has several locations in Barcelona, with the most central one located near Plaça de Catalunya.
17. Pizza Circus
Pizza Circus is a small pizzeria near the iconic Las Ramblas, where you can buy pizza by the slice. A slice costs around €3-€4, depending on the toppings, so for just a few euros, you can enjoy an authentic Italian snack in the heart of Barcelona. Perfect for a quick and affordable bite during a stroll through the old town!
18. Macchina Pasta Bar
Another Italian restaurant well worth visiting for pasta lovers is Macchina Pasta Bar. This trendy spot is ideal for a tasty, casual meal, offering fresh pasta at an affordable price, usually between €6 and €8.
You can customize your dish with simple, flavorful ingredients. Craving something different? You can also opt for a generous portion of lasagna or a slice of pinsa (a light Roman-style pizza).
Macchina Pasta Bar has several locations in Barcelona, including on Carrer Escudellers and Via Laietana.
Tip: Another great place for fresh – and affordable – pasta is Tucco Real Food.
19. Más que Sushi
For a unique sushi experience, head to Más que Sushi. This sushi restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, from sushi to noodles and gyozas. It’s an all-you-can-eat restaurant with very reasonable prices, making it perfect for a fun night out with friends or family. A fun bonus is the robot that delivers the food to your table, providing a funny and unique experience!
The price for this all-you-can-eat menu ranges from €15 for lunch to €20 in the evening and on weekends. There is also a lower rate for children.
20. Lady Dumpling
Lastly, for dumpling lovers, there’s Lady Dumpling. As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in dumplings, made fresh from scratch on-site. The prices are very reasonable: a mix of 12 dumplings starts at just €13, and they offer a lunch menu for only €12.50 on weekdays.
What makes this restaurant even more special is that you can watch the dumplings being prepared right in front of you, making it an unique and authentic experience.
Good to know
- Not all cheap restaurants in Barcelona are created equal. To avoid falling into a tourist trap, make sure to watch my video on YouTube first!
- Many restaurants offer an affordable lunch menu during the week, including a starter, main course, and dessert, for just €10 – €15.
- On Carrer Blai, Barcelona’s pintxos street, you can find many bars serving pintxos for around €2 each.
- Apps like Too Good to Go offer leftover food from bakeries, cafés, and restaurants at a low price, perfect for saving money and fighting food waste.
These were my tips for eating well and affordably in Barcelona. Do you have any tips for cheap restaurants in Barcelona, know of a hidden gem, or have you recently been to one of these places and want to share your experience? Leave a comment!
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