The Best Restaurants in Barcelona: Get an Unforgettable Experience

Best Restaurants in Barcelona featured image
Published on April 19, 2023

Barcelona is Spain's culinary capital and home to some of the best restaurants in the country. It has various eating spots suitable for all tastes and budgets.

Whether you're looking for cheap eats to fine dining experience or traditional dishes to something more modern and innovative, the Catalan capital won't disappoint.

Our Top 9 Choices for the Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Only a few cities share the culinary diversity of Barcelona's food scene. From Michelin-starred establishments to family-run restaurants, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

If you want to explore the Barcelona dining scene, here are our top picks:

1. Can Solé

Can Solé Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Credit: can_sole / Instagram

Website: Can Solé

Address: C. Sant Carles, 4, Barcelona, Catalonia

Can Solé is one of those excellent food places where the focus is on the quality of the ingredients and letting them shine. It has been serving seafood lovers for over a hundred years.

The à la carte menu features a wide selection of rice and noodles, soups, shellfish, and meat items. Start your meal with baby squid—sauteed or with onions, however you like.

The seafood paella is, of course, the star of the show. The rice is cooked perfectly, and the seafood is fresh and delicious.

You can also combine meat or fish dishes with black squid ink rice. The ink gives the rice a beautiful black color and a slight seafood flavor.

For dessert, don't miss the bisque glacé with hot chocolate. It's some of the best you'll ever have. Thick, rich, and intensely chocolatey, it's the perfect way to end your meal.

2. Casa Luz

Website: Casa Luz

Address: Ronda Universitat 1, Ático, Barcelona

Casa Luz is one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona. The classic tapas options are some of the best in the city, and the young local crowd always flocks there to have fun.

The tapas options are top-notch, including steak tartare and tomato tartare with smoked butter. The wine pairings are heavy on Catalan options, which is excellent for those looking to explore the local scene.

Casa Luz Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Credit: casaluzrestaurante / Instagram

The rooftop deck is perfect for enjoying a sunset drink with friends. The tapas bar is the ideal spot whether you're starting your night out or just looking for a great meal.

3. Bar Brutal

Website: Bar Brutal

Address: C/Princesa, 14, Barcelona 08003

The minute you walk into Bar Brutal, located in the backside of a wine bar called Can Cisa, you know you're in for a treat.

The lovely shop in front, with its carefully curated selection of wine and cheese, is the perfect prelude to the feast that awaits you in the restaurant. And what a feast it is!

Bar Brutal Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Credit: barbrutalbarcelona / Instagram

The Colombo brothers have outdone themselves with their inventive and delicious small plates, and the menu highlights a mix of Italian and Catalan cuisine. You will enjoy smoked salmon, grilled octopus, tuna belly, and foie terrine.

But the real star of the show is the selection of natural wines. The knowledgeable waitstaff is happy to help you find the perfect wine pairing with your meal, whether you're a wine novice or a seasoned connoisseur.

4. Disfrutar

Website: Disfrutar

Address: Villaroel 163, Barcelona, Catalonia

If you're looking for a Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona, look no further than Disfrutar. Since its opening in 2014, it has earned two Michelin stars.

This modern Mediterranean spot, helmed by legendary El Bulli kitchen veterans, definitely lives up to the hype.

Disfrutar

Credit: disfrutarbcn / Instagram

The service is impeccable, and the wine pairing is spot-on, but the food really shines here. Seasonal produce is given a creative twist, resulting in both beautiful and delicious dishes.

If you're feeling indulgent, go for the tasting menu, which includes the best of what the restaurant offers. 

5. Bar Cañete

Website: Bar Cañete

Address: Carrer de la Unió, 17, 08001 Barcelona

The restaurant should be at the top of your list for authentic tapas in Barcelona. You can book a table service but "first come, first serve" is the standard when you are not in a group.

The open kitchen presents a lively and vibrant atmosphere, where you can watch the chefs at work and the servers running back and forth with bottles of cava and plates of delicious food.

Bar Cañete

Credit: bar_canete / Instagram

The menu changes with the seasons, but there are always some fantastic house specialties that you shouldn't miss. The gigantic red prawns are the must-try.

Be sure to taste fresh razor clams, anchovies in olive oil, scrambled eggs with chorizo, and green beans with parmesan salad with pine nuts.

6. Benzina

Website: Benzina

Address: Passatge de Pere Calders, 6, 08015 Barcelona

If you're looking for a romantic dinner spot with a cosmopolitan vibe, Benzina is your ideal restaurant.

A combination of traditional Italian dishes with unorthodox ingredients will tantalize your taste buds, and the eclectic 70s/80s playlist creates a unique atmosphere.

The eggplant parmigiana is a must-try, and the parmesan ice cream is an unexpected but delicious addition that takes the dish to the next level.

And if you're looking for something truly indulgent, the Sferamisu, a deconstructed tiramisu served in a sphere, is the perfect way to end your meal. Or try a delicious cheesecake if you are in the mood.

Benzina

Credit: benzinabcn / Instagram

The cocktails are also robust and well-made, so be sure to order one (or two!) to enjoy with your meal. And the wine selection is impressive, with plenty of options to pair perfectly with whatever you're eating.

7. Restaurant Estimar

Website: Restaurant Estimar

Address: Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, 3, Barcelona

If you're looking for a fantastic seafood dining experience in Barcelona, look no further than Restaurant Estimar. This hidden gem is worth seeking out, and you'll be blown away by the quality of the food on offer.

The restaurant's highlight is the stunning display of fresh seafood in the dining room.

From rare luxury items like gooseneck barnacles and baby eels to more familiar dishes like chickpeas with mussels and prawns, steamed clams, and whole roasted fish, there's something for everyone.

Restaurant Estimar

Credit: estimarzafra / Instagram

Yes, the prices at Restaurant Estimar are on the higher end, but this is a case of you getting what you pay for. In terms of quality, freshness, and variety, it's hard to beat this place.

8. Parking Pita

Website: Parking Pita

Address: Passeig de Sant Joan, 56, 08009 Barcelona

If you're in the mood for some truly excellent pita and falafel, you must check out Parking Pita. It shares the oven with its sister concern, Parking Pizza.

The spot sources local vegetables from nearby farms, so you know you're getting the freshest possible ingredients.

Parking Pita

Credit: parkingpita / Instagram

Start your meal with grilled leeks or harissa-topped French fries, and then move on to pita with a choice of falafel, meat items, or Sabih (eggplant with a poached egg). Finish the meal with an almonds pie or chocolate truffle for a satisfying experience.

9. Cova Fumada

Website: Cova Fumada

Address: Carrer del Baluard, 56, 08003 Barcelona

When you visit Barcelona for authentic Catalan dishes, you shouldn't miss a meal at Cova Fumada.

The family-run establishment is one of the oldest Barcelona restaurants, using recipes passed down through the generations.

One of the highlights on the menu is the bomba de la Barceloneta, a fried mashed potato croquette. Other must-try items include grilled squid and seasonal grilled sardines.

Cova Fumada

Credit: clubfoodfighters / Instagram

There is also the Cap I Pota, a flavorful stew including veal head meat, for those feeling adventurous. This dish is not for the faint-hearted but is worth trying if you want to experience something unique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it expensive to eat in Barcelona?

Eating in Barcelona offers a range of options for different budgets.

While you can find affordable sandwiches, drinks, and sides ranging between €5-€9, there are also takeaway meals for about €5-€7.

Traditional sit-down meals at local cafés and restaurants typically cost between €8-€14. For those seeking fast-food options, combo meals at establishments like McDonald's are priced at around €7-€9.

Is Barcelona a foodie city?

Absolutely! Barcelona shines as a gastronomic gem in Spain.

The city boasts a rich culinary heritage, embracing the distinct flavors of Catalan cuisine.

As visitors navigate its vibrant streets, they're treated to an array of traditional dishes, modern interpretations, and gourmet experiences, reinforcing Barcelona's status as a premier food destination.

Do you tip at dinner in Barcelona?

Tipping is not a customary practice in Barcelona, but it's always a gracious gesture.

If you're paying with a credit card and wish to leave a tip, make sure to inform the staff before the transaction is processed, as there's typically no dedicated space for tips on the receipt.

However, keep in mind that tipping is entirely discretionary and based on personal satisfaction with the service.

Hermillis H.
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