Food in Barcelona: everything you need to know!
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, not only from a community and historical standpoint, but also when it comes to food. There are lots of amazing things to see in Barcelona, however its food is always a standout. You have great street food, lots of markets, along with amazing dishes and even food tours for you to enjoy. We’ll delve into these and narrow down what food you should try out while in Barcelona.
Markets in Barcelona
What’s great about Barcelona is that visiting it can be lots of fun since you can access all kinds of food markets. These are at the heart of Barcelona’s food culture, and you can find some amazing foods. Not only that, but here’s where you can access many regional specialties, such as escalivada, panellets or the botifarra. Plus, you have lots of budget-friendly options that you can access as well.
Some of the top food markets in Barcelona include:
- Mercat del Ninot offers traditional food values and a great blend with contemporary architecture. Here you can find lots of gourmet foods, and people that make these foods use fresh ingredients. All in all, it’s an excellent spot for anyone who is into great food in Barcelona.
- Mercat de la Concepcio is designed with a focus on authentic, local experiences. It’s also known as the flower market because it has a ton of floral stalls. But here you can also find veggies, pastries, olives and lots of foods that are specific to the Catalan region.
- Mercat de Sant Antoni has a cast iron structure, and you will have access to fresh meat, seasonal produce, but also books and clothes, among many others.
- La Boqueria is right near La Rambla, and it has a very rich history. With that in mind, you can enjoy anything from Iberian Ham to tropical foods, even various types of cheese. That being said, it’s a very popular market, it can be rather busy most of the time. Yet you will find lots of local specialties here, along with all kinds of food traditions.
Street food in Barcelona
Street food is common in a lot of cities these days and Barcelona is no exception. It’s an amazing spot for you to explore great food, and you will find all kinds of street food option. Barcelona has a lot of food trucks, and you can find many of them in regions like La Monumental, Fira de Bellcaire Els Encants or the Palo Alto Market. The fact that you can access anything from Catalan fusion tacos to vegan burgers or even Vietnamese pho shows that you can enjoy a huge array of foods, and that’s what makes it an excellent option to consider.
What kind of street food should you try in Barcelona? That depends, the bikini sandwich is very common and you can find it at cafes. Then, we have calcots with romesco sauce, another interesting option that’s very much worth trying.
Great foods to check out
Bocadillos
Bocadillos are Spanish sandwiches made in a baguette bread, and they have grilled veggies, cheese, omelet and jamon iberico. It’s a common street snack that’s very tasty and well worth trying.
Bombas
These are deep-fried balls that have mashed potatoes along with ground meat. They are also topped with some brava sauce and the local alioli sauce as well. It’s totally one of the top street foods to try out, and a lot of people appreciate the bombas for their taste.
Empanadas
While these originate from Latin America, they have quickly become a go-to for anyone who wants to enjoy some good Barcelonian food. They can have a variety of fillings, from cheese to spinach, chicken or beef. If you want some great street food on the go, empanadas are usually the best option, and they are totally worth trying, you should consider giving them a try right away!
Churros
Churros are a great treat because they are tasty, and just a lot of fun to check out. A lot of people love churros because you can easily dip them into hot chocolate for the extra flavor. You do want to check them out for yourself.
Famous food in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of those places where you can encounter food from all over the world. However, just like any other region, it definitely has some region-specific dishes and foods for you to try. In fact, a lot of these foods are very tasty and people love them. But it’s up to you to narrow down what’s the best food, and you are bound to enjoy it more than expected.
Coca
Coca is Catalan flatbread with savory and sweet versions. What’s interesting about coca is that it can have pine nuts, sugar, sardines or veggies as a topping. So there’s a lot of variety to be had here, and it’s certainly worth considering.
Crema Catalana
If you want a delicious treat in Barcelona, then this cream is the best option. It’s a wonderful dessert that has citrus, cinnamon, and caramelized sugar at the top. Yes, it’s the Barcelonian answer to crème brulee from France. But rest assured, it has many local ingredients and influences to stand on its own.
Botifarra amb mongetes
It’s grilled sausage with some white beans. What you will like here is the taste, but also its simplicity. If you really want simple food that will fill you up, then this is totally worth considering. And it’s totally something that you want to take into consideration the best way that you can.
Suquet de Peix
It’s one of the most popular fish stews in Catalonia. It can have all kinds of ingredients, from potatoes to clams, prawns and even monkfish. They even season it with some paprika, saffron, garlic and so on. In the end, you have an excellent taste and the results can be nothing short of staggering.
Fideua
As the name suggests, it’s more of a noodle-based seafood dish. Paella is very similar to this, but you can replace rice with vermicelli-style pasta, if you want.
Escalivada
Another interesting food in Barcelona is the escalivada. It’s a smoky delight that has onions, red peppers and some roasted eggplant. It’s very tasty, incredibly rewarding, and people will appreciate it because it helps deliver an exceptional result.
Pa amb Tomaequet
Despite the fact that it’s simple, this food is delicious and you will surely appreciate it. You rub some salt, olive oil and ripe tomato on toasted, rustic bread. You can serve it with cheese and cured meats, and you’ll have yourself an amazing food that everyone needs to try out.
Food tours in Barcelona
If you want to cherish and enjoy Barcelona’s culinary experiences, a great idea is to join a food tour. These tours are great, they provide amazing value and can give you an exceptional array of ways to try out local foods. Usually, there are different food tours, focused on specific parts of the culinary world in Barcelona.
- Tapas and wine tours are very common, because you can enjoy local wines and some of the great tapas that this region has to offer.
- Or if you want, you can enroll in a market tour. Having guided visits to Sant Antoni, Santa Caterina or La Boqueria is a great idea, and it can lead to some amazing results in the end.
- Cooking classes are also a part of food tours in Barcelona. You will learn how to prepare some of the most popular Catalan dishes, too.
- Sweet tooth tours are great for those that enjoy sweets, and you can try out artisanal pastries, crema catalana, churros and the like.
- Naturally, there are also specialty tours, with vegan tours being a prime example.
One thing to note when choosing a food tour in Barcelona is to check the historical content in the region as well. Plus, great tours will offer multiple tastings across various neighborhoods, among others. Ideally, you want the tours to have guides that bring a lot of knowledge and experience. Plus, if they can offer insights into the culinary evolution of the region, festivals or local customs, that’s even better.
Conclusion
Enjoying various food in Barcelona can be a lot of fun, and there’s certainly tons of stuff for you to explore and try out. Whether you want to go on a food tour, enjoy street food or enter a restaurant to try out some local dishes, rest assured there’s an amazing culinary experience just around the corner. That’s why we think it’s a great idea to try out Barcelona’s food and enjoy it, because there’s a lot to enjoy and uncover. It’s highly recommended, and you should totally check it out for yourself!
