11 Best Foods to Try in Barcelona Inspired By Locals

What comes to mind when you hear Barcelona? Is the rich culture? Bullfighting? Images of palm tree-lined streets?

For me, it was all of the above, plus- the food!

The city boasts some of the best and freshest seafood in all of Europe; countless tapas bars for sampling delicious bites with friends, and an array of international restaurants to please any palate.

So what are the best foods to try in Barcelona?

Whether you’re looking for the famous paella or a sandwich on the go, this stunning city offers it all without breaking the bank.

What food is Barcelona known for?

Location and favorable weather play a huge role in cultivating the best food in Barcelona. A majority of the year is coated in sunshine, so as you can imagine, the cruise reaps the rewards. 

Barcelona is known for having some of the best olive oil, fruits, and seafood on the Mediterranean.

Tapas Culture in Spain

Barcelona is the perfect place to go for a culinary vacation. One of my favorite parts about traveling is trying new foods and tasting tapas in Spain is no exception.

Tapas are little plates consisting of one or two-bite items that you order as an appetizer before your entree. You’ll find a variety of options from bar to bar, which allows for a fun way to explore the city of Barcelona. 

At each stop, you’ll be met with a sea of hot and cold tapas ready to be enjoyed with a cold beer or glass of wine. 

Is food expensive in Barcelona?

While wandering the laid-back streets of Barcelona, there is no shortage of incredible food to choose from. 

In this magical place where the Mediterranean Sea meets high-rise buildings in an eclectic sea of colors, restaurants are available for all budgets. In Barcelona, there are cheap eats like Churros con Chocolate or Paella to top tier dining options at Michelin star restaurants. 

And while there are fancy dining options to be enjoyed, a majority of the food options in Barcelona are very affordable. 

The average cost for a meal is 7-20 euros or $8-$23 USD depending on the meal. 

Without further adieu, here are the 11 best foods to try in Barcelona. 

Jamon Iberico

Jamon Iberico is known in the food world as the best of the best when it comes to ham. This is certainly a food not to be missed on your next trip to Spain. 

So what makes Jamon Iberico so special? The Iberico pigs graze on a diet of grass and wild mushrooms. And for a better flavor, some pigs are fed Jamon- acorns. 

The meat is cured anywhere from 2-4 years, allowing the fat to break down. Best served up paper-thin, you’re left with a piece of ham bursting with flavor. 

This delicious meat can be readily found in tapas bars throughout Barcelona. You can also find it in stands inside some of the popular markets like La Boqueria- located just off La Rambla. 

Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana is a custard-like dessert originating from Catalonia, Spain.

Similar to a Creme Brulee, It has milk and egg as the main ingredients, which are cooked together in sweetened cream before being chilled, and then poured into cups or ramekins to set up overnight. 

After a flavor-packed tapas experience at O’Toxo Tres Hermanos in Barcelona’s El Raval neighborhood, this dessert was the perfect way to end our meal. It’s less sweet than a creme brulee but much richer in flavor. 

Seafood paella 

If you love seafood and savory spices, you need to try Paella. Hailing from Valencia, which is located along the coastal region of Andalusia Spain, this dish is a true culinary masterpiece. 

So what’s so great about this meal? Well for one thing you’ve got your choice of seafood- shrimp, lobster, and crab, just to name a few.

Spanish style rice saffron is combined with shrimp, mussels, clams, or other shellfish for this impressive spread. Paella is a Valencian word that is delivered from the French word for pan, paelle. 

When the paelle comes to your table sizzling with the aroma of saffron and seafood, you have officially arrived in Spain. 

Bombas

Bombas consist of meat, onion, and breadcrumbs fried up to golden perfection. Yes, these are as good as they sound, and can be found at many markets and tapas stops throughout Barcelona. 

These delightful gems are served up with a traditional bravas (tomato) sauce and aioli that makes these even more delicious. The sauces vary slightly from place to place, which makes it even more fun to keep exploring all the amazing food that Barcelona has to offer. 

Manchego Cheese 

Spain may not immediately come to mind when you think about places where delicious cheeses are made. But over the years, Manchego from Spain has become world renowned because of its amazing quality

Manchego cheese is an aged sheep’s milk-based Spanish cheese that was first produced in the La Mancha region of Spain. 

It’s known for its nutty and slightly salty flavor with a firm texture. This flavor combination makes it perfect to be served alongside salads, or of course, as a tapas alongside delectable charcuterie. 

Croquettes

These are a very popular tapas item to be found on the streets of Barcelona- and there are flavors to satisfy any taste. 

Ham, potatoes, and cheese are among the most common flavor combinations you’ll find. Similar to Bombas, fresh ingredients are rolled up into a ball and fried. 

While in Spain, you cannot go wrong with hopping from one tapas bar to another simply trying all the delicious croquettes. 

Churros

One of the most iconic foods in all of Spain is churros. Churro stands can be found on almost every corner, and there are dozens more at amusement parks or carnivals around town.

Churros are typically served with a warm chocolate sauce that perfectly compliments their crispy exterior. Mix that together with a crunchy sugar crystal coating, and finish off with a dusting of powdered cinnamon- it’s hard to stop at just one. 

Patatas Bravas

Like many other dishes you’ll find in Barcelona, Patatas Bravas is a dish meant to be shared.

These little gems are fried up in olive oil to golden perfection and served with a flavorful sauce.

Some bars and restaurants will serve two sauces: a garlic aioli and a spicy tomato sauce, while others will combine these two sauces into one. Either way, when trying this popular dish you’ll find that it’s one of the best foods to try in Barcelona. 

Bocadillos

Bocadillos are a staple in Barcelona. 

The traditional Bocadillo is often filled with Serrano ham, sliced tomato or onion, and manchego cheese to create the perfect bite-size sandwich that tastes great at any time of day. 

This affordable sandwich makes for the ideal quick meal while you are out exploring since it’s easy to carry with little mess. 

Tomatoes and Bread (Pan con Tomate)

Bread is universally loved and often seen as a symbol of hospitality. Spain is no exception. In Barcelona, bread is rubbed with fresh tomatoes and served alongside meals at many restaurants throughout the city. 

The bread is toasted with butter and garlic before getting smothered with the juicy tomato. As you can imagine, this makes for a delicious accompaniment to any dining experience. 

Tortilla De Patatas (Spanish Omelette) 

Who knew the 5 simple ingredients could make up such a delicious dish? Spain’s most traditional dish comes together with a simple combination of eggs, potatoes, onion, lots of olive, and salt. 

Picture layers of potato and egg perfectly cooked. Slightly browned from the pan, this dish can be served up as a snack or made into a main dish served alongside fresh bread and greens. 

No matter how you serve it up, this dish is one of the best foods to try in Barcelona. 

Time seems slower in this breezy Mediterranean city and the food follows suit. Food in Barcelona is simply prepared, uses high quality ingredients, and bursts with flavor.

For any foodie ready to experience a culture packed city, with incredible food at every turn, you won’t regret putting Barcelona, Spain at the top of your list to visit. 

What is the best food you’ve ever tried on your travels? Share in the comment sections below.