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:
Can Solé
Credit: can_sole / Instagram
Website: https://restaurantcansole.com/en/
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.
Casa Luz
Website: https://www.casaluzrestaurante.com/en/
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.
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.
Bar Brutal
Website: https://barbrutal.com/
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!
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.
Disfrutar
Website: https://www.disfrutarbarcelona.com/
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.
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.
Bar Cañete
Website: https://barcanete.com/en/
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.
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.
Benzina
Website: https://www.benzina.es/?lang=en
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.
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.
Restaurant Estimar
Website: https://www.restaurante-estimar.com/en-gb/home
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.
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.
Parking Pita
Website: http://www.parkingpizza.com/home-eng/
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.
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.
Cova Fumada
Website: https://www.lacovafumada.com/
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.
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.
You might also be interested in these restaurants and bars in Barcelona:
- Barcelona in October - April 19, 2023
- Barcelona In September - April 19, 2023
- Barcelona in August - April 19, 2023