When visiting Barcelona, trying paella is a must. This iconic rice dish, often regarded as Spain’s national dish, is extremely popular in Barcelona and is traditionally enjoyed at lunchtime. However, finding a truly good and authentic paella can be more challenging than you might think.
If you’d like to learn more about the origins of paella, the different varieties you’ll find in Barcelona, and where to enjoy some of the best paellas in the city, you’ve come to the right place. Over the years, I’ve sampled countless paellas across Barcelona, allowing me to put together this list of my favorite places to enjoy this classic Spanish dish.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional seaside restaurant, a local favorite away from the tourist crowds, or a memorable paella experience, you’ll find plenty of inspiration below.
What is paella?
Let’s start from the beginning: what exactly is paella? Paella is a rice dish that originated in the Valencia region, specifically in the Albufera lagoon, where rice has been grown for centuries. It was the workers in the rice fields who began using rice to prepare their midday meals. They threw in whatever they could find: vegetables, snails, rabbit, and chicken. This is how the Valencian paella came about.
However, the name “paella” comes from the pan in which this dish is cooked, called the paellera or paellapan. Other theories suggest that the dish is named so because it was traditionally made by men on Sundays for their wives, “pa’ ella,” meaning “for her.”
What types of paella are there?
Today, there are countless varieties of paella. However, some purists prefer to use the term “arroz con cosas” (“rice with things”) for modern variations and reserve the word paella exclusively for the authentic Valencian version, prepared with its traditional ingredients and cooked in a large paella pan over a wood fire.
That said, you’ll quickly discover that in Barcelona the world of paella extends far beyond the classic Valencian recipe. While seafood paella is by far the most popular option, you’ll also find versions made with meat, combinations of meat and seafood, as well as vegetarian rice dishes.
Barcelona even has its own famous rice specialty: arroz parellada. According to local legend, this dish was created in 1902 when a wealthy lawyer named Juli Maria Parellada asked for a rice dish “without bones or shells” at his favorite restaurant, Café Suís in Plaça Reial. The chefs prepared a rice dish with all the seafood already peeled and ready to eat. He enjoyed it so much that he ordered it regularly, and over time the dish became known as arroz parellada, eventually becoming one of Barcelona’s most beloved rice dishes.
And if rice isn’t your thing, there’s always fideuà, a delicious local specialty similar to paella but made with short noodles instead of rice, typically combined with seafood and served with aioli.
When visiting a restaurant in Barcelona that serves paella, you’ll most commonly find one or more of the following rice dishes on the menu:
- Paella valenciana: the original paella, with meats like chicken and rabbit and other vegetables like legumes.
- Paella de marisco or paella marinera: paella with fish and seafood.
- Paella de montaña or arroz de montaña: paella with ingredients from the countryside, such as mushrooms, rabbit, duck, butifarra sausage, meatballs, snails, and seasonal vegetables.
- Paella mixta or paella mar y montaña: paella with seafood (langoustines, mussels, squid) and meat (chicken, pork).
- Paella parellada or arroz parellada: paella with fish and meat, without bones, shells, or fins.
- Paella del señorito or arroz del señorito: paella with seafood that is already peeled.
- Paella de verduras or arroz con verduras: vegetarian version of the paella, made with only vegetables (bell peppers, artichokes, green beans, carrots, peas).
- Paella negra or arroz negro: black paella with pieces of squid, accompanied by aioli. The black color comes from the squid ink.
- Arroz a banda: a traditional rice dish from the Alicante region, where the rice is cooked in a rich fish and seafood broth and often served with aioli.
- Arroz meloso: a creamy rice dish with a texture that falls somewhere between a dry paella and a soup. The rice is cooked in a rich broth, resulting in a smooth and velvety consistency.
- Arroz caldoso: a brothy rice dish served with plenty of flavorful stock, making it more like a rice stew than a traditional paella. It is especially popular with seafood and shellfish.
- Fideuà: a variation of paella made with short noodles instead of rice. The most popular version is seafood fideuà, but you can also find meat versions, as well as fideuà negra, made with squid ink.
How much does paella cost?
In a Spanish restaurant, paella prices start at around €18 per person. If you opt for the luxury versions with seafood or lobster, the price can rise to €20 to €25 per person. Typically, paella is only served if you’re at least two people (or if you order two portions), and the price is per person.
How to eat paella?
Paella is typically ordered as a main dish for lunch. It is usually served directly in the pan in which it was made, the paella pan. Armed with a spoon, you eat the paella straight from the pan or scoop a portion onto your plate.
If lemon or aioli is served on the side, don’t forget to add it to your paella for extra flavor.
While eating, don’t miss the crispy layer at the bottom of the pan, the socarrat. For many paella lovers, this is the best part!
My 10 favorite and best paella restaurants in Barcelona
Paella is one of those dishes you simply have to try when visiting Spain. However, finding a restaurant that serves truly good, authentic paella can be more challenging than you might think, especially if you’re not familiar with the local food scene.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of my top 10 places to eat paella in Barcelona. These are restaurants that I’ve either personally tried and enjoyed or places that have built such a strong reputation for their paellas that they’re impossible to ignore.
1. Maná 75
For what is arguably the best paella experience in Barcelona right now, head to Maná 75. This stunning restaurant combines Mediterranean-inspired décor with a lively atmosphere and an impressive open kitchen featuring the largest rice bar in Europe. Watching the chefs prepare dozens of paellas right before your eyes is an experience in itself.
The restaurant offers excellent value through its fixed-price menu (the “Illusion Menu” for €42 per person), which includes a choice of starters, a paella as the main course, dessert, and a drink.
🎥 Don’t miss the video I filmed while trying the menu at Maná 75.
Address: Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 101
Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
2. Xiringuito Escribà
For many locals, the paellas at Xiringuito Escribà are the best in the city. The restaurant is also located in a prime spot along the promenade by the beach with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Here, you can enjoy paella marinera or paella valenciana. Pair it with a glass of cava sangria and a delicious dessert from Escribà’s pastry shop to complete your experience!
Address: Avinguda del Litoral, 62
Metro: Llacuna (L4)
3. 7 Portes
In this centuries-old restaurant, filled with history and where the waiters still serve dishes impeccably in white suits, you can try all the classics from Spanish and Catalan cuisine, including the authentic paella parellada: a paella with fish and meat without bones, shells, or fins.
Besides its famous paellas, another dish that has made 7 Portes well known is the creation of the pijama dessert. Very popular in the 1980s, this dessert combines crème caramel, fruit in syrup, ice cream, and whipped cream on a single plate.
A nice bonus is the piano concerts that take place every evening.
Address: Passeig Isabel II, 14
Metro: Barceloneta (L4) and Jaume I (L4)
4. Can Solé
Another classic in the Barceloneta neighborhood is Can Solé, renowned for its seafood and rice dishes. What began as a humble tavern serving local fishermen has evolved into one of Barcelona’s most respected restaurants for traditional Mediterranean cuisine.
At Can Solé, you’ll find both classic and more unusual rice dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in the city such as arroz con erizos y vieiras (paella with sea urchins and scallops) and arroz a banda con espardeñas (paella with sea cucumbers). For meat lovers, they also offer delicious options such as arroz con pollo, butifarra y costilla (paella with chicken, butifarra sausage, and pork ribs).
If you’re looking to go beyond the typical seafood paella and discover some of the most unique rice dishes Barcelona has to offer, Can Solé is definitely worth a visit.
Address: Carrer de Sant Carles, 4
Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
5. Platja Ca la Nuri
Platja Ca la Nuri is right on the beach at La Barceloneta and is a great spot for an informal lunch with a maritime atmosphere. You can sit both inside and outside. The view of the Mediterranean Sea—even from the bathroom!—is simply beautiful.
They are known for their rice dishes, though the fideuà and tapas I had there were also delicious!
Tip: Read my review here.
Address: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 55
Metro: Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (L4)
6. Barraca
Barraca is a pleasant restaurant to visit with your family. It belongs to the Tribu Woki hospitality group, which owns several restaurants in Barcelona.
The menu includes dishes like paella marinera, arroz a banda, and arroz negro, as well as various tapas dishes you can order for your kids (or yourself!). Inside, it’s very comfortable, away from the hustle of the promenade, with a beautiful sea view.
Address: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 1
Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
7. Can Ramonet
Another classic in La Barceloneta neighborhood for paella is the restaurant Can Ramonet. Located in an old tavern dating back to 1753, this restaurant offers high-quality Spanish dishes. For example, I found their tapas and fideuà to be very delicious.
You can sit both inside the restaurant and on the terrace. You can also reserve a group menu if you’re with more than 8 people.
Tip: Read my review here.
Address: Carrer de la Maquinista, 17
Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
8. Terraza Martínez
If you’re looking for delicious paella with some of the best views in Barcelona, I highly recommend Terraza Martínez. Located on the slopes of Montjuïc, this restaurant boasts a beautiful terrace overlooking the city, the port, and the Mediterranean Sea.
It’s the perfect place for a leisurely lunch on a sunny day, combining great food with an unforgettable setting.
Whether you’re visiting for the paella or simply to enjoy the views, it’s an experience that captures the essence of Barcelona.
Address: Carretera de Miramar, 38
Metro: Paral·lel (L2, L3)
9. Madre Taberna Moderna
If you’re looking for a great paella restaurant near the Sagrada Família, I highly recommend Madre Taberna Moderna. Located just a short walk from Barcelona’s most famous landmark, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner before or after your visit to the basilica.
The restaurant specializes in modern Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, offering a delicious selection of tapas and rice dishes designed for sharing. Their paellas are particularly popular and combine quality ingredients with contemporary flavors.
With its stylish interior, welcoming atmosphere, and convenient location, Madre Taberna Moderna is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to enjoy a memorable meal near the Sagrada Família.
Address: Avinguda de Gaudí, 11
Metro: Sagrada Família (L2, L5)
10. L’Arrosseria Xàtiva
Finally, an address that, although outside the city center, is said to be one of the best places in Barcelona for authentic Valencian paella. At L’Arrosseria Xàtiva, you’ll find an extensive paella menu with fish, meat, and mixed paellas. During weekdays, they even offer a three-course menu for just €20.
This is the type of restaurant where locals go, and you’ll definitely get good value for your money.
They originally started with a restaurant in Les Corts, but now they have other locations in the city, including in Gràcia and Sant Antoni.
Address: Carrer de Bordeus, 35
Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5) and Entença (L5)
Paella in Barcelona: Tips & Tricks
If you’re planning to eat paella in Barcelona and want to make sure you’re going to a good spot, I have a few tips for you to keep in mind.
- The best paella experience is at a restaurant specializing in seafood and rice dishes, called arrocerías. In Barcelona, these are mainly found along the maritime side, in the old fishing district, La Barceloneta.
- Remember that paella is actually considered a lunch dish by the locals. Many restaurants don’t even serve paella in the evening.
- Often, you cannot order individual portions of paella. Instead, you get an entire paella pan at your table when you order. This is why there usually needs to be at least two guests. If there’s leftover paella, you can always ask for a doggy bag.
- A good paella in Barcelona costs at least €20 per person, but you’re getting quality for that price.
- Never order paella at a touristy spot like Las Ramblas, and avoid the pre-made paellas from brands like El Paellador, which are just reheated.
- To ensure you get a seat at your favorite paella restaurant in Barcelona, it’s best to make a reservation in advance, especially on weekends.
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