Barcelona is widely known for its culture and charm, but it also has great food, with pintxos being a prime example. These foods are nurturing, and they are similar to tapas in some respects, yet they have their own identity and incredible taste. While they vary when it comes to ingredients, the focus is on being something you can enjoy along with a drink.

What kind of pintxo can you find in Barcelona?

Pintxos come from the Basque region, but they have become extremely popular in Barcelona as well. Many bars in Poble Sec, El Raval, or the Gothic Quarter are full of pintxo bars. And when it comes to the types of pintxos you can buy, these can be anything from cod with aioli, octopus with paprika on potato, Manchego cheese and Iberico ham, or anchovies with roaster pepper. It’s the type of food that goes well with a drink; it’s refreshing, but also very tasty.

What are the best pintxo bars in Barcelona?

Blai 9

You can find Blai 9 in Carrer de Blai, which many consider to be the central point of pintxo in Barcelona. They have many different types of pintxo, ranging from pulled pork with onions, mini burgers featuring wasabi mayo. Unlike other pintxo places, this one offers incredible works of art in the form of appealing, great food. And that’s what makes it such an excellent solution to consider

Sagardi

If you’re looking for authentic pintxo, then Sagardi from El Born can be a solid option to think about. They have salt cod with sauce, txistorra sausage with pepper, grilled octopus, and many others. You get a more upscale experience, and there are also other meals to complement your pintxos as well.

Txapela 

Txapela is right at the Placa de Catalunya, and it’s very tourist-friendly. On top of that, they have multiple pintxo options, ranging from chicken curry mini skewers to cod with alioli and brie with caramelized onions. Sure, it’s a bit larger when compared to other pintxo places. But it’s totally worth considering, especially if you want some great, high-quality pintxo.

Irati Taverna Basca

You’ll love Irati mainly because they focus on authentic pintxo and they bring an extensive menu. In fact, they have over 50 pintxo options every day. Some of the best choices are grilled veggies with some Romesco sauce or king prawn and avocado salad. But the food is only one of the highlights here. You also have a dark wood bar, a welcoming allure, and a stunning visual style. There’s definitely great value to be had here, especially if you want to experiment with all kinds of pintxo.

La Tasqueta de Blai

It’s very close to Blai 9, but this one offers a more traditional pintxo experience. However, they still have a large array of pintxo options, depending on what you want. Interestingly, they have both hot and cold pintxos. Some of the things to consider here include shrimp with avocado, tortilla on toast, or even jamon with goat cheese, among others.

Quimet and Quimet

Despite the fact that it’s tucked in a corner, this is one of the top spots for trying out tapas and pintxos. They have been around for over a century, and it’s a family-owned business. You’ll enjoy things like vermouth, wines, smoked salmon with honey and yogurt, anchovies with olive tapenade and tomatoes, canned mussels and pickled onions, etc.

Tips to consider if you want to enjoy pintxos:

  • Most pintxo spots tend to be very busy between 8 and 10 PM. Going before or after that ensures you avoid any crowds, and that alone can be a game-changer.
  • Variety is key whenever you want to try pintxo. It’s very tasty, and you can also find seasonal options.
  • Generally, you get your pintxo from a bar, and then you go to the next one. Avoid overstaying, if possible.
  • Enjoy some of the local wines and drinks, and ask for recommendations where possible.

Conclusion

It’s always exciting to try out some pintxos, because they are one of the most interesting foods in Barcelona. Whenever you visit this marvelous city, it makes a lot of sense to hop into some of the bars, as you can enjoy some extraordinary pintxos. As you saw, all of them try to provide variety, so you can easily hop from one bar to the next and test out their pintxos!