You will never go hungry in Barcelona because there are restaurants and cafés around every corner and in every alleyway. However, everyone wants a good meal and it’s risky to go to a restaurant without knowing how the food is. Here is short list of a food lover’s recommendations to local specialties and fancy restaurants. Food is so good in Barcelona, you’ll end up spending more than half your trip trying to eat everything.
Arume
A lot of people online are iffy about heading into a “sketchier” side of town for this restaurant but I can tell you that Barcelona is on the less “sketchier” side of cities I’ve been to. The restaurant is only a few minutes away from La Rambla and a must try. Prices are really good for the proportion and quality of food you get and the atmosphere is amazing.
Tips: Go early if you are having dinner here (right when it opens) or you’ll find yourself waiting a really long time because it’s a busy and popular place. If possible, email the restaurant to make a reservation beforehand.
Recommendation: Get their paella. It’s what they’re famous for.
Website: ☆
Address: Calle Botella, 11-13, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Cera 23
Definitely one of the best restaurants in town. Cera 23 is the sister restaurant to Arume and also specializes in local food. The filet steak and rib-eye we tried there was AH-MA-ZING. The prices aren’t high either and service is excellent. Food will never be the same again.
Tips: As with Arume, try to book beforehand or come early to grab a table.
Website: ☆
Address: Carrer de la Cera, 23, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Tostaderos Bon Mercat
This coffee shop is located within the Gothic Quarter and an excellent place to grab a drink on a hot day (or cold since they have hot drinks as well). Their vanilla latte and chai tea latte were so, so good. You really must give this place a visit when in Barcelona. There’s such a wide variety of coffee and the taste is so rich (no watered down drinks here!).
Address: Carrer Baixada de la Llibreteria 1-3, 08002 Barcelona
La Boqueria Mercat
The go to place for loads of tapas, breakfast, or just fresh ingredients for cooking. No traveler can leave Barcelona without coming here at least once. Its a busy place so if you want to grab something, try to come before 10AM when the tour groups start to arrive in droves. We tried El Quim de la Boqueria which is located in the center of the marketplace and the food was excellent. They’re always super busy so if you want to grab a seat, once again, come early.
Address: La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
