I lived in Madrid my junior year in college and this is where my love of fish and all things seafood started. There's an unspoken rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona as to which city is "better" and I'm going be honest, as much as this pains me to say, the beach will always win. And we love food. So, after watching José Andrés & Family In Spain with my own family, it was one of the main reasons we visited Barcelona. The Catalonia capital is known for its vibrant food scene with a wide variety of restaurants offering both traditional and international flavors.
We were definitely on a foodie tour, and these are some of our favorite Barcelona restaurants:
Location:
C/ de Mallorca, 236, 08008 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
It's easy. Good tapas, lively atmosphere, and reasonably priced.
Menu Recommendations:
We loved the chicken with cured ham croquetes, patatas bravas, beef tenderloin montadito with foie, eggplant chips with honey, and the codfish with honey allioli.
Other Tips:
Reservations are not accepted. It can get super busy with tons of people queuing, but the turnover is high. We recommend going on the early side if you're going for dinner / late lunch.
Nearby Attractions:
This is a short walk to see both Casa Milà and Casa Batlló by Gaudí.
Location:
C/ d'Aragó, 236, 08007 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
They have tequila. Also, it's a small, family-owned Mexican street food for when you've had enough pan con tomate.
Menu Recommendations:
These tacos are outstanding. I'm not one to say chicken is my favorite anything, but the chicken taco (tinga de pollo) was insane, the barbacoa and the pork were delicious as well. You can't go wrong here. And do yourself a favor and start with some nachos originales.
Nearby Attractions:
Definitely hit Passeig de Gràcia for some of the best shopping in Barcelona.
Location:
C. de Sant Carles, 23, 08003 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
We stumbled in (literally) and sat next to a wonderful family on holiday from Ferrara, Italy. But the owner Xavier Maymo couldn't be lovelier. A former financial advisor, he now has this homey spot with his wife in Barceloneta turning out the freshest catch off the day. The vibe in the restaurant is warm and welcoming.
Menu Recommendations:
This was a gluttonous lunch to say the least. From the pan con tomate (my son ate four orders, no joke) to the scallops of the day to the small fried shrimps (pintxos), the food is fresh, made from the heart, and full of flavor. The muscles "al vapor" (steamed) were some of the best we've had.
Nearby Attractions:
A fun day would be to hit L'Aquàrium de Barcelona in the morning followed by lunch at El Xiringo and an afternoon at the beach Playa Barceloneta.
Location:
Pg. de Gràcia, 24 Bis, 08007 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
This food hall, for lack of a better analogy or to "Americanize" it, has a bit of everything. If you're with family and can't decide on one place, everyone can go to their own and meet at the gelateria in the middle for dessert. There are four restaurants with various bars so you can choose from steak and wine (La Braseria), deli-style snacks with beer (La Parada), tapas and wine (La Parada) or fish and cava (La Llotja). The olive oil and balsamic vinegar is a must buy.
Menu Recommendations:
We ate at La Llotja, the fish restaurant. Our 7-year-old son had steamed sea bass with veggies (lubina del mediterráneo al vapor), which was heaven in its simplicity. My wife and I split the seafood paella (paella de pescado y marisco), as did the two tables next to us. Delicious. But the star of the night was the green garden salad (ensalada verde). The lettuce was so crisp, and the tomatoes were so good, I didn't even get any.
Nearby Attractions:
This is a close walk to Cathedral of Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas.
RELATED:
Location:
C. d'Enric Granados, 55, 08008 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
Our son is part Japanese. Not by genetics but by taste in culture (see the Pokemon cards in the background) and food. He could eat sushi for every meal. Which is why we ended up at Robata on our Catalonian / Mediterranean vacation. Between the warm staff, the variety in food and the music playlist, needless to say, we ate here a few times.
Menu Recommendations:
You can't go wrong with any of the sushi - nigiri, rolls, sashimi - it's all very fresh. But it was the other dishes that were surprise hits. The gyoza, sticky chicken wings, and yakisoba were amongst our favorites. And let's not forget our new favorite sake, Sayuri Junmai Nigori, so creamy with a smooth finish.
Nearby Attractions:
Just west of the restaurant is L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample, an area known for Barcelona University. Cafes and pubs are student focused, including the restored Mercado del Ninot for seafood tapas and vermouth. There is also a big LGBTQ bar and club scene with friendly shops.
Location:
Rambla de Catalunya, 94, 08008 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
Super cute and easy dessert spot on a main road in the Eixample area of Barcelona. This was our go to after dinner spot which had outdoor and indoor seating as well as take away.
Menu Recommendations:
The gelato was SO creamy and delicious. We can safely say we've tried countless cookies and cream ice creams and gelatos, and this was so natural and flavorful. We also enjoyed the churros con chocolate (with chocolate sauce).
Nearby Attractions:
Vila de Gràcia is just up the street. This is a neighborhood of narrow streets (Carrer d’Astúries and Carrer de Verdi), art and indie shops. Gaudí landmarks include Casa Vicens and Park Gϋell (amazing city views).
Location:
C/ d'Aragó, 284, 08009 Barcelona
Why We Love it:
We were fortunate to be in Spain during their first FIFA Women's World Cup final against England, televised from Stadium Australia in Sydney. What an experience! As expected, the place was packed. The atmosphere was very intense and exciting watching the women battle to bring the trophy home.
Menu Recommendations:
Depending what's on tap, you will have no issue finding a beer that suits your liking. From stouts to blonds (my favorite is the Espiga) to IPAs, they have you covered. It's drinks only until they start serving food at 1pm, but when they do, it's wings all the way. They have wings by the wing, wings in every flavor imaginable, and your favorite dipping sauces.
Nearby Attractions:
And after you're sufficiently beered up and winged out, it's a perfect time to check out La Sagrada Família!
Location:
Carrer de Rafael Llopart, 49, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona
Why We Love it:
The main drag of Sant Sebastià beach in Sitges has a touristy feel during the summer. But just off the main street (Carrer de Port Alegre) at the south/west end of the beach, is this gem of a local restaurant. The women who work here are so amazing. When you walk in you smell the char of the grill.
Menu Recommendations:
The pan com tomate is ridiculous. The bread is perfectly crispy with center dough. The salad with figs and tomatoes is so delicate. We had the salmon tartar special which was equal parts sweet and salty with the soy and mango. The grilled shrimp, I didn't even have any of because my son ate them all. But the true super star is the grilled turbot (rodaballo a la plancha); they present the fish both before and after and you have your choice of post-preparation. It was honestly a not-to-miss restaurant in Sitges, 45-minutes south of Barcelona.
Nearby Attractions:
If in Sitges toward the north/east end of the coastal town, we would recommend walking around the Aiguadolç Sitges Port. There's an incredible promenade that follows from Sant Sebastià along the cliffs to the harbor. Our son had a particularly eye opening experience when looking down onto Playa de los Balmins, a "clothing-optional" beach. But the views of the town and the Mediterranean are stunning.
Location:
Passeig de la Ribera, 38, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona
Why We Love it:
We were driving from Tarragona, in the much needed rain, to Sitges and looked for a top-rated restaurant along the beach (Platja de la Ribera), close to parking and this is where we landed. And it couldn't have been better. This wife-husband team has it going on.
Menu Recommendations:
This is where we fell in love with eggplant chips (berenjenas con miel). Graded, fried and salted with a little honey, these are exceptional. For very simple yet elegant meal, opt for the chicken paillard with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula. Clearly, it's a pro tip as the the owner was eating this when we headed to the beach.
Nearby Attractions:
Speaking of beach, you have your pick, Platja de la Ribera and Platja de la Fragata are across the street. If it's not beach time of year, take a short walk over to Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla de Sitges, a Baroque-style church overlooking the Balearic Sea for some memorable sunset views. If churches give you the creeps, close by is Museu del Cau Ferrat which showcases Catalan modernist artist Santiago Rusiñol.
Conclusion:
Dinner in Spain (and Europe for that matter) takes place a lot later. So if you have kids and you get somewhere before 7pm, you're likely to get a table. No problem. After that, and you'll need a reservation (una reserva). On Sundays, many smaller boutiques are closed, but that' doesn't apply to restaurants. That is the day of the week locals don't cook and are serious about their dinners so be sure to have a reservation on Sunday. Additionally, in the summer months, many restaurateurs take time to vacation as well! Be sure to check Instagrams and websites for when they will be closed.
Disclosure: The Travel Trio is brand and ad supported. This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on any links, we can get a commission. This service doesn't cost you, the reader, anything but it affords us the ability to provide you with more travel content. Thank you.