Where to Eat the Best Tapas in Barcelona

Clock Icon 12 minutes read
Update Icon Apr 20, 2023

Tapas is more than a cuisine; it’s an entire culture. Now one of the most-loved types of food around the globe, these small plates are deeply ingrained in Spanish life and are an important part of any visit to the European country.

But what are tapas? And what/where should you eat during your visit to Catalonia? We’ve got you covered: here’s where to eat the best tapas in Barcelona.

La Plata

Photo Credit: Vittorio Caramazza

La Plata has frequently been chosen as the best tapas place in Barcelona and specializes in simple yet delicious seafood dishes. Check out their whole anchovies — they are as good as you’ll find in this area (or anywhere in the world, for that matter.

There are just six tables at La Plata, so expect to eat standing up. But the great atmosphere and traditional Spanish cuisine more than make up for the lack of seating!

Polleria Fontana 

Photo Credit: Cris Canton

This tapas bar/restaurant is located between the Fontana and Joanic metro stations. Owner-chef Nil Ros serves traditional Catalan cuisine and homemade dishes using his grandmother’s recipes. 

Everything is super fresh, and they do a mean paella. Around 95% of Pollería Fontana’s products are organically produced and sourced from local farms, ensuring the freshest meal imaginable.

The tortilla here is a favorite among locals, as is their Ensaladilla Rusa. But without a doubt, the best tapa is the roasted chicken croquetas, made with a touch of Iberian ham.

El Xampanyet 

Photo Credit: 67jcperez

El Xampanyet is located just around the corner from Picasso Museum in Barcelona’s El Borne neighborhood. Despite its touristy location, this place upholds all the traditions of an old-school bar, with blue-tiled walls, barrels and antique curios, and marble tables. 

The bar has some excellent “cavas,” which is a great accompaniment to a saucer of Cantabrian anchovies. There is a no-reservations policy, so arrive early to secure a table.

Can Cisa/Bar Brutal 

Photo Credit: Kiian Oksana

Can Cisa is one of Barcelona’s best wine bars and specializes in natural wines. The wine list is encyclopedic, with more than 700 selections, many of which are housed in the wall of industrial-steel wine cages.

Can Cisa is attached to Bar Brutal, a celebrated restaurant serving up some of the most eclectic food in the city. Young foodies flock here to try the fresh Mediterranean dishes, and you should, too.

Jai-Ca 

Photo Credit: sasazawa
  • Neighborhood: Barceloneta
  • Price point: $$
  • Location: Carrer de la Unió, 17, Barcelona 08001
  • Website: barjaica.com

If you want to gorge yourself on giant plates of fried seafood tapas, head straight to Jai-Ca; a no-nonsense, traditional place that’s a winner with locals and tourists alike.

The emphasis on seafood isn’t surprising, given the location is in a former fishing village. Jai Ca offers various dishes of fried squid, fried anchovies, whitebait, mussels, and much more. The chocos (fried cuttlefish) come highly recommended, the beer is cheap, and the local wine is delicious.

There are a few tables inside and on a covered terrace, but be prepared to queue for a while.

Bar Ramón 

Photo Credit: AS Foodstudio

Bar Ramón was opened by Ramón Estalella in 1939 and is now run by Ramon’s grandchildren, who serve classic tapas such as patatas bravas and croquettes. There are also a number of excellent house specials worth trying, including steak with foie gras, char-grilled octopus, and rabbit ribs.

The Sant Antoni neighborhood is known for its bodegas and low-key tapas bars, so Bar Ramón fits right in. The atmosphere is calm and unpretentious, with a young clientele. For consistently excellent and affordable tapas, look no further.

La Cova Fumada

Photo Credit: Javier Volcan

This classic place dates all the way back to 1944, and if you’re looking for culinary authenticity, it doesn’t get much more real than this. There is no signage, so check the location on a map beforehand. And there’s no menu either! Dishes change often and are all chalked up on a blackboard.

La Cova Fumada is most famous for its bomba, and plenty of classic seafood dishes are also available. Look out for the lunch specialties and seasonal offerings, too. Wash it all down with a jug of cold sangria for the perfect Barcelona dining experience.

Bodega La Puntual

Photo Credit: AS Foodstudio

Upbeat Bodega La Puntual is a classic, old-school Catalan neighborhood bar with rustic wooden furniture and exposed brickwork. Hidden in plain sight down one of Barcelona’s most tourist-trodden alleyways, this place serves up authentic, high-quality food at a reasonable price.

Grab a glass of Cava to go with the glistening Iberian ham. Their Padron peppers and trinxat (potato, cabbage, and pork with a fried egg on top) are excellent. If the bar is full when you arrive, see if you can grab a table in the dining room at the back.

Quimet y Quimet

Photo Credit: klublu

Quimet y Quimet has been open since 1914. Initially a wine bar, it has evolved into the packed-out place it is now, all under the careful supervision of four generations of the Quimet family. Seating here is limited, and it is always busy, so be prepared to eat standing up!

There is a stunning array of conservas (preserves in tins or jars) available for purchase here. And, of course, delicious tapas. We recommend the salmon tapa and montaditos (small, open-faced, canapé-style sandwiches).

Cal Pep

Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker
  • Neighborhood: Born
  • Price point: $$
  • Location: Plaça de les Olles 8, Barcelona 08003
  • Website: calpep.com

Cal Pep is one of the few places where you can actually book a table in the dining room. But for the full Cal Pep experience, it’s worth waiting in line for a seat at the bar, where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

There’s no written menu, but small dishes on offer include the tortilla with chorizo sausage, tuna tartare, and grilled monkfish. Their seafood is some of the best in the area, and this is reflected in the prices, but Cal Pep is undoubtedly a local institution and well worth a visit.

Bar Cañete

Photo Credit: Joaquin Traverso Traverso
  • Neighborhood: El Raval
  • Price point: $
  • Location: C/ de la Unió 17, Raval, Barcelona 08001
  • Website: barcanete.com

Bar Cañete has been featured in almost every guide to Barcelona tapas that has ever been written, so it’s no surprise that it features here too! This family-run restaurant is hugely popular, and you’ll need to book a table several days in advance to secure your spot.

Traditional Spanish dishes are the order of the day here, alongside the Arroz del Día (rice of the day), which is always deeply flavourful and succulent.

Casa de Tapes Cañota

Photo Credit: Fotografiasaez

This Galicia-inspired seafood tapas bar is the younger brother of Rías de Galicia, one of the most excellent Galician restaurants in Barcelona. It’s perfect for a post-theatre dinner if you see a show at the nearby Teatre Lliure, Mercat de les Flors or BTM.

El Cañota serves traditional dishes, including patatas bravas and Galician octopus, alongside draught beer and top-quality local wine.

El Quim de la Boqueria — La Boqueria

Photo Credit: bogonet

Located in the middle of Barcelona’s emblematic La Boqueria, the most beautiful and bustling market in Barcelona, El Quim is a popular central spot. This restaurant is a family business, and sources all produce from within La Boqueria itself. El Quim’s specialty fried eggs with baby calamari are delicious, so be sure to add them to your order.

Take a Tapas Tour

For a journey through the evolution of Barcelona’s cuisine, why not try one of the many tapas tours on offer? There are several different outfits offering a range of tours. Our favorites include:

Beer Lover’s Tapas Tour

It’s hard to beat classic tapas, but when it’s paired with a craft beer, it hits a whole new level. Tapas & Beer’s tour combines bar snacks with Catalonia’s finest artisan ales in the hip Sant Antoni and Poble Sec districts.

Evolution of Catalan Gastronomy Tour

This tour starts at the abbey gardens before heading to the Sant Antoni Food Market, then onto two of the district’s best eateries for classic and Adria-inspired tapas. The finale is a delicious sweet snack and glass of orxata in a charismatic cafe. 

A Brief History of Tapas

Back in the 13th century, the King of Spain, known as Alfonso the Wise, visited an inn and was served a small complimentary dish of food on top of his refreshing pint of ale. 

Alfonso thought this was such an excellent idea that he decreed all inns throughout Spain to serve food with any alcoholic drink, so tapas was born. The word ‘tapa’ in Spanish means ‘lid’ — a name derived from how the complimentary dish was served to the king.

Depending on the number of small plates you order, tapas can be eaten as a snack, a mini-meal, or a feast. These are some of the most common tapas menu dishes in Barcelona and the Andalusian region. 

Aceitunas (olives)

Catalans love olives, and they are often served alongside a beer or house wine. Some of the best Spanish olive varieties include manzanillas, arbequinas, and empeltres.

Albondigas (meatballs)

The tapas-style meatballs tend to be a little smaller than other kinds. They are deliciously spiced and served with a tomato-based sauce.

Bacalao (salted cod)

Cod is common in Catalan cuisine and is often found on tapas menus. It’s usually served well-salted on bread with tomatoes.

Bomba (there is no translation for this!)

A large, spicy ball of mashed potato stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables and then covered in bread crumbs. Goes great with a cold beer.

Boquerones en vinagre (anchovies in vinegar)

It’s hard to beat a freshly filleted anchovy in vinegar. Best served with a chilled glass of wine.

Calamares (squid)

These chewy circles of squid are battered, deep-fried, and served with a squeeze of lemon. A tapas classic.

Chorizo al vino (sausage in wine)

Spanish cured sausage is rich with paprika and is often cooked in red wine for tapas. Order bread on the side to soak up the rich juices.

Croquetas (croquettes)

Croquetas are similar to bombas and are another must-try tapas dish. They’re usually smaller and sometimes have fillings like calamari or mushrooms.

Ensaladilla Rusa (Russian salad)

A ‘Russian salad’ is made of potatoes, eggs, and mayonnaise, usually with other vegetable additions such as beans, carrots, and chopped gherkins.

Jamon Iberico (Iberian ham)

If you only order one tapas dish in Barcelona, make it Jamon Iberico. This specialty is dry, salty slivers of ham made from acorn-fed pigs that melt in the mouth. Delicious.

Mejillones (mussels)

Best served steamed, a la marinera (in the sailor’s style with onion, garlic, and tomato), or stuffed.

Morcilla (blood sausage)

The Spanish version of blood pudding, Morcilla, goes well with patatas bravas, eggs, or in stuffed peppers.

Pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato)

This rustic dish consists of bread rubbed with tomato flesh and sprinkled with salt, olive oil, and sometimes garlic. It’s fresh, flavorful, and goes well with Bacalao.

Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes)

Another must-try is patatas bravas: fried potatoes served with spicy sauce. This classic small plate is available in virtually every tapas restaurant.

Pimientos del Padron (peppers of Padron)

Small, bright green peppers from Padron. They are usually fried in oil, salted, and pair perfectly with a cold beer.

Pinchos (skewers)

A pincho is a snack on a small skewer, served with a slice of bread. The rule seems to be that if you can spike it, it can be used to make a pinch, so look out for some creative combinations.

Pulpo Gallego (boiled octopus)

This tends to be more expensive than other tapas options, but few people regret the extra euros. Seasoned with olive oil, salt, and paprika, this is a real treat.

Tortilla (omelet)

Spanish tortilla is a slice of chunky omelet made with egg, potato, and onion. It’s a filling plate that pairs well with lighter tapas such as pimientos del Padron.

As you may expect, Barcelona’s tapas, bars, and restaurants are some of the best in the world. Now you know what to eat, let’s explore where to eat the best tapas in Barcelona.

Discover the Best Tapas in Barcelona

Eating tapas is undoubtedly one of the best things you will do during your trip to Barcelona. Admittedly, it sometimes feels a little chaotic, crammed into a bar and sometimes standing while trying to eat small dishes, but that’s all part of the charm. 

There is no better way to sample Barcelona’s local food and culture. Buen provecho (good appetite)!

Featured Image Credit: VTT Studio