Tapas in Barcelona are a way of life: small plates shared between friends, with a drink in the early evening. The city has a lot of mediocre tapas near the tourist sights, but also some brilliant ones if you know where to look.
What to order
- Patatas bravas: fried potato with a spicy sauce.
- Pan con tomate: bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil.
- Jamón ibérico: cured ham, sliced thin.
- Croquetas: crisp, creamy fritters.
- Pimientos de Padrón: blistered green peppers, some hot.
- Tortilla española: a thick potato omelette.
- Boquerones: marinated anchovies.
Where to eat
The Gothic Quarter and El Born are full of bars, but the best are away from the main squares. Poble-sec has a street of lively tapas bars, Gràcia has a village feel, and Sant Antoni has a good local scene. Look for places where locals are eating, and where the menu is mostly in Spanish or Catalan.
Timing and etiquette
- Spaniards eat late: lunch at 2–3 pm, dinner after 9 pm.
- Tapas bars may open earlier, but many places stay quiet until 8.
- Order a few dishes at a time, and share.
- Do not tip much: rounding up is enough.
- Beware of waiters who push menus on the street.
Watch out: Avoid tapas restaurants with photos on the menu and staff calling out to passers-by on La Rambla. Walk a few streets away.
Tapas tours
A guided tapas tour is a fun way to learn the local customs and taste several dishes in a few hours. Look for small groups, five or six stops and a mix of food and a drink at each.
Regional specialities you will see
Barcelona is in Catalonia, so you will find Catalan classics alongside Spanish ones. Try escalivada (roasted vegetables), fuet (a cured sausage), calçots (grilled spring onions, in season) and crema catalana, a custard dessert with a burnt-sugar top. Bombas, fried potato balls with meat, are a Barceloneta speciality.
Seafood is excellent: look for gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), calamares and fideuà, a noodle version of paella. Wash it all down with a vermut (vermouth) served over ice with an olive, a classic pre-lunch tradition, or a glass of cava.
A good tapas crawl
You do not need to follow a plan strictly. The best tapas evening is a slow one, with a few bites at each of three or four places. Ask for the house recommendation at each.
- 1Start in El Born with a vermut and a few small bites at a standing bar.
- 2Move to the Gothic Quarter for croquetas and jamón at a historic tavern.
- 3Walk to Barceloneta for seafood by the sea.
- 4End in Poble-sec on Carrer de Blai, with cheap pintxos and a lively crowd.
- 5Finish with a nightcap or a sweet treat from a pastry shop.
Markets and cooking classes
La Boqueria on La Rambla is the most famous market, with fruit juice, ham and seafood stalls. It is crowded with visitors, so go early or visit Mercat de Sant Antoni or Mercat de la Llibertat in Gràcia for a more local feel. A market tour followed by a paella cooking class is a fun half-day.
If you want to eat well on a budget, look for the menú del día, a fixed-price lunch with three courses and a drink, available on weekdays. See the Barcelona day trips guide, Madrid's day trips and the Barcelona guide.
Plan your trip
Read about Sagrada Família tickets, see day trips and the full Barcelona guide. For another food city, see Madrid's tapas.
Ready to go?
Join a Barcelona tapas tour
Barcelona: your questions answered
What time do people eat tapas?
From about 1 pm to 3 pm and from 8 pm.
How much does a tapas meal cost?
It depends; a few dishes and a drink is good value.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes, plenty, such as bravas, tortilla and tomato bread.
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