Barcelona is both a Mediterranean and a global gastronomic haven, offering plenty for the culinary-inclined traveler. From pop-up restaurants and food truck events with the tastiest street food to star chefs and family restaurants serving the best of Spanish cuisine. Long dining and enjoying the food are part of Spanish habits, so why not do this during your vacation? To ensure you don’t end up in a tourist trap during your visit, I have compiled a list below of the best restaurants in Barcelona: places where the Barcelonans themselves also like to eat!
Where Can You Eat Well in Barcelona?
The number of restaurants in Barcelona from which you can choose is so large and diverse that you would run out of days to try everything. In every neighborhood, you can find restaurants of all types, sizes, and prices, making the city a gastronomic paradise.
For food lovers, especially do not miss the streets of Carrer del Parlament, Passeig de Sant Joan, and Carrer d’Enric Granados, as here you will find some of the trendiest eateries in Barcelona. For gourmets, Passatge de la Concepció and Passatge de Marimón are also a must due to their chef-worthy culinary offerings.
👉 Read here all my Barcelona restaurant reviews.
Restaurants in Barcelona by Neighborhood
Locals have their own preferences when dining out; they know the differences between the neighborhoods in Barcelona and what they have to offer in terms of cuisine. The following overview can be used as a guide if you want to dine out but are not sure where:
- Gothic Quarter: locals rarely dine here due to the touristic image of the neighborhood. Nevertheless, there are some gems.
- El Born: for the most trendy restaurants in Barcelona.
- Eixample: for the largest range of restaurants of all types and prices, including a few very exclusive ones.
- La Barceloneta: for the tastiest paellas and seafood dishes.
- El Raval: for the widest variety of cuisines and affordable prices.
- Vila de Gràcia: for trendy and small-scale restaurants, both local and international.
- Poblesec: for affordable dining, for example, pintxos eating on Carrer Blai.
- Poblenou: for new and trendy restaurants outside the well-known circuit.
The Favorite Restaurants of Locals
With hundreds of thousands of different restaurants in Barcelona, it can be very difficult to choose just one. To help you, I have made the following list of the best restaurants in Barcelona according to locals. I have sorted these restaurants by type of cuisine or occasion, they are open for both lunch and dinner, and are generally very affordable (except for the culinary and romantic restaurants on the list).
My favorite restaurants in Barcelona? I have been lucky enough to dine at many restaurants in Barcelona. So far, Can Ramonet, La Cuina d’en Garriga, El Velódromo, El Nacional, and La Esquinica are among my absolute favorites.
Catalan
Looking for local gastronomy? Go to these Catalan restaurants to taste the Catalan cuisine and the typical dishes from the region!
- Can Culleretes (Carrer d’en Quintana, 5) Metro: Liceu (L3)
- La Pubilla (Plaça de la Llibertat, 23) Metro: Gràcia (L6 and L7)
- Semproniana (Carrer del Rosselló, 148) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
👉 Read here more about the local specialties you must try.
Spanish
These Spanish restaurants in Barcelona are very atmospheric and offer a beautiful selection of typical Spanish dishes. For everyone who loves Spanish food!
- Casa Alfonso (Carrer Roger de Llúria, 6) Metro: Urquinaona (L1 and L4)
- El Nacional (Passeig de Gràcia, 24) Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, and L4)
- 7 Portes (Passeig Isabel II, 14) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
Tapas
Tapas Enjoy delicious tapas among locals at one of these tapas bars. You can visit these places all day long for the tastiest tapas!
- El Xampanyet (Carrer Montcada, 22) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- La Flauta (Carrer Aribau, 23) Metro: Universitat (L1 and L2)
- El Velódromo (Carrer Muntaner, 213) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
Vegetarian
Looking for a healthy place to dine out in Barcelona, try one of the following restaurants!
- Teresa Carles (Carrer de Jovellanos, 2) Metro: Catalunya (L1 and L3)
- Rasoterra (Carrer del Palau, 5) Metro: Liceu (L3)
- Flax & Kale (Carrer Tallers, 74) Metro: Universitat (L1 and L2)
Italian
Enjoy delicious Italian cuisine in Barcelona, from pizza to pasta, at the following restaurants.
- Le Cucine Mandarosso (Carrer Verdaguer i Callis, 4) Metro: Urquinaona (L1 and L4)
- NAP (Av. Francesc Cambó, 30) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Xemei (Passeig de l’Exposició, 85) Metro: Paral·lel (L2 and L3)
French
Experience the joys of Barcelona as if you were in France at one of these French restaurants.
- Las Délices de France (Carrer de Muntaner, 443) Metro: Muntaner (L6 and L7), Pàdua (L7)
- En Aparté (Carrer Lluís el Piadós, 2) Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1)
- Chez Cocó (Avinguda Diagonal, 465) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
Asian
From Japanese sushi and ramen to Chinese or Thai cuisine. Barcelona is full of great restaurants where you can enjoy Asian cuisine.
- Ramen-Ya Hiro (Carrer Girona, 164) Metro: Verdaguer (L4 and L5)
- Kibuka (Carrer de Goya, 9) Metro: Diagonal (L3 and L5)
- Mosquito (Carrer Carders, 46) Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1)
Burgers
Extremely popular in Barcelona are burger joints with tasty artisanal burgers.
- Pim Pam Burger (Carrer Sabateret, 4) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Bacoa Burger Kiosko (Av. Marquès de l’Argentera, 1 bis) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- Oval (Carrer València, 199) Metro: Universitat (L1 and L2)
Latin American
Enjoy delicious Mexican, Peruvian, or Argentine cuisine? In Barcelona, you’ll find more and more restaurants specializing in South American cuisine.
- FOC (Passeig Joan de Borbó, 66) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- Rekons (Carrer del Comte d’Urgell, 32) Metro: Urgell (L1)
- Ceviche 103 (Carrer Londres, 103) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
Romantic
For a romantic date with your loved one in Barcelona, try one of the following restaurants for an unforgettable evening.
- Restaurant Pla B (Carrer de Bellafila, 5) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Torre d’Alta Mar (Passeig Joan de Borbó, 88) Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
- Restaurant Indochine Ly Leap (Carrer de Muntaner, 82) Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5), Universitat (L1 and L2)
Kid-Friendly
Dining out with the kids in Barcelona can be done in peace at one of these restaurants, fully equipped for the little ones.
- Restaurante Martínez (Ctra. de Miramar, 38) Metro: Paral·lel (L2 and L3)
- Billy Brunch (Carrer de Mallorca, 194) Metro: Provença (L6 and L7)
- Sopa (Carrer de Roc Boronat, 114) Metro: Llacuna (L4)
Culinary Restaurants
Top restaurants for an extraordinary culinary experience in Barcelona. Here, you often need to reserve a table months in advance. Recommended for a special occasion or to celebrate.
- Disfrutar (Carrer de Villarroel, 163) Metro: Hospital Clinic (L5)
- Hisop (Passatge de Marimon, 9) Metro: Hospital Clinic (L5), Provença (L6 and L7)
- ABaC (Av. Tibidabo, 1) Metro: Av. Tibidabo (L7)
Restaurants in Barcelona on the Map
Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurants in Barcelona
In Barcelona, you can enjoy a wide range of delicious dishes. Some typical Catalan dishes to try are escalivada (roasted vegetable salad), esqueixada (salt cod salad), xató (salad with salt fish, anchovies, and olives), canelons (stuffed cannelloni with bechamel sauce), fideuà (paella-like dish but with pasta), arròs negre (black rice), bacallà amb samfaina (cod with eggplant, peppers, onion, and tomato), pollastre rostit (roast chicken), escudella (stew of mixed meats, vegetables, and beans), crema catalana (Catalan crème brûlée), flam (Spanish caramel custard), and natilles (crème anglaise).
Eating habits and times in Barcelona differ slightly from other parts of Spain. Generally, breakfast is light, usually consisting of coffee and a pastry or toast. Lunch takes place between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM and is often the biggest meal of the day. Dinner is usually eaten after 8:30 PM. Remember, these are general guidelines, and some people may eat earlier or later.
Restaurants usually open for lunch between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain, and many restaurants offer a comprehensive menu at this time. Restaurants open again for dinner around 8:00 PM, but it’s common for people to dine later in the evening, often between 8:30 PM and 10:00 PM, especially in more local, non-touristic restaurants. These times can vary depending on the type of restaurant, location, and tourist nature of the area. Some restaurants in central Barcelona, however, keep their kitchens open all day; this is indicated with “cocina abierta 24h”. Some restaurants are closed on Sundays, others on Mondays.
It’s not always necessary to make a reservation in Barcelona, but it depends heavily on the type of restaurant, the time of day, and the season. In general, it’s a good idea to reserve if you have specific restaurants in mind or if you want to be sure of a table at a particular time. For more casual eateries and weekday lunches, you might be able to walk in without a reservation. However, it can be busier in the evenings and weekends, especially in popular restaurants, so booking is wise to avoid disappointment.
Dining out in Barcelona is a fantastic experience, especially for your wallet, as when you compare prices with those of other European countries, you’ll find it’s quite a bit cheaper to dine out in Barcelona. Expect to enjoy a culinary dinner for about €25 to €30 per person, and often you can fill your stomach for less than €20 per person. Of course, there are exceptions, and you’ll pay hundreds of euros at Michelin-starred restaurants. During the week, you can also enjoy a three-course lunch menu at most restaurants for about €10 or €15 per person.
Tipping is customary in Barcelona, but only if you are very satisfied with the quality and service. Then you give about 5% to 10% of the bill amount or round the amount upwards. The only exception regarding tips is when you order a lunch menu; then you pay the exact amount.
When you are looking for a suitable restaurant to dine out in Barcelona, make sure that the restaurant is not solely aimed at tourists and that there are also locals eating there. The unwritten rule is that the more Spanish the atmosphere in the restaurant, the tastier the food will be. But nowadays, most restaurants look very hip and well-cared-for, so to be sure that you are at a good address, consult online reviews from other customers, ask locals where they like to eat, or use my restaurant tips.
Generally, children are always welcome in a restaurant. However, not all restaurants have children’s menus, high chairs, or changing facilities in the restroom. If you are traveling with small children, it’s better to choose one of my child-friendly restaurants where you are assured of all the facilities for a successful dinner with your little one.
