Eat like a local in Barcelona with our guide to its native delicacies and traditional Spanish restaurants…
Spanish specialities you should try on your visit to Barcelona:
Allioli – fine olive oil mayonnaise with garlic, served with fish and rice dishes or grilled meat
Amanida catalana – salad with smoked sausage
Arròs negre – rice with squid (including the ink)
Bacallà – cod (prepared following various recipes)
Canelones a la catalana – cannelloni Catalan-style, filled with mincemeat, chicken breast and liver, topped and baked with bechamel sauce
Cava – Catalan sparkling wine, traditionally matured in bottles
Crema catalana – sweet egg custard, covered with a layer of caramelised sugar
Escalivada – cold starter of grilled peppers and aubergines in olive oil
Espinacs a la catalana – starter of spinach (or chard) with raisins and pine kernels
Esqueixada – popular starter made from raw cod, fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers and black olives
Fideuà – pasta paella with monkfish, squid, prawns and mussels, baked in the oven
Llagosta i pollastre – chicken with langouste, in tomato-hazelnut sauce or with almonds, chocolate, saffron and garlic
Pa amb tomàquet – bread, rubbed with garlic and tomato and drizzled with olive oil. For the Catalans, this starter is a national dish, a philosophy and a passion
Suquet de peix – Catalan fish soup, usually a mix of monkfish, sea bream, squid and other seafood
Restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine:
Bar Mundial
This authentic tapas bar has been around since 1908. The establishment is situated on one of the prettiest squares in the Old Town and has a welcoming ambience. Its specialities are fish and other seafood. Closed Sunday evenings, Tuesday lunchtimes and Mondays | Plaça Sant Augustí, 1 | Metro: Jaume I (L4)
Tapas 24
Chef Carles Abellan is renowned as a master of experimental tapas and all of his food is first-class quality. Closed Sundays | Diputació, 269 | Tel. 9 34 88 09 77 | Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L3)
Drolma
An exquisite Michelin-starred restaurant at the Majestic hotel. Chef Fermi Puig spoils his guests with delectable and creative cuisine, serving Mediterranean dishes of the highest quality. The service is very professional and the staff are friendly and attentive. Menu from €95 | Closed Sundays | Passeig de Gràcia, 70 | Tel. 9 34 96 77 10 | Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)
Casa Leopoldo
This Old Town restaurant has been a legend since the 1929 World Exhibition. It has a cosy and rustic atmosphere and serves traditional Catalan food. Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays | Sant Rafael, 24 | Tel. 9 34 41 30 14 | Metro: Parallel (L3)
Allium
This restaurant is situated in the heart of the Gothic quarter and serves delicious Catalan cuisine. All of the produce is sourced from ecological and organic agriculture or sustainable fisheries. Open daily until 11:30pm | Call, 17 | Tel. 9 33 02 30 03 | Metro: Jaume I (L4)
La Avia
A bohemian style restaurant serving traditional Catalan dishes such as bean stew, paella, squid a la marinera and homemade empanadas. Open daily | La Cera, 33 | Tel. 9 34 42 00 97 | Metro: Sant Antoni (L2)
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