Top 14 culinary specialities in Barcelona

Barcelona’s gastronomy is (almost) on a par with its rich cultural heritage. Catalonia is renowned as a land of gourmets. So what better way to get a delicious taste of it than in its capital?

In Barcelona, you can sample the very essence of Catalan gastronomy and the very best of Spanish culinary specialities!

Typical Barcelona dishes breathe Mediterranean cuisine: panellets with pine nuts, Calçots and their romesco sauce. Olive oil, garlic, seafood, meat and fish are just some of the basic ingredients you’ll find at the centre of your plate. Not forgetting cold meats, cheeses, desserts and sun-drenched fruit and vegetables. To guide you on your Catalan culinary itinerary in Barcelona, here are our suggestions for Barcelona’s culinary highlights.

Thanks to its wonderful cultural mix, all types of cuisine can be found, rubbing shoulders and influencing local menus. Even so, the culinary stars of your stay are likely to be 100% Catalan, even though you’re in Spain. Barcelona’s culinary specialities feature centuries-old traditions and local produce. An art, an absolute success, given that Catalonia boasts 60 Michelin stars.

What to eat in Barcelona Our selection of 14 Barcelona specialities

Catalonia’s flavoursome cuisine reflects the region’s idyllic landscapes and sites. Your menu will reflect the richness of the mountains, the ocean, the forests and the abundance of vegetable gardens! When it comes to seasonal dishes, you’ll have to be patient. The warm, hearty dishes of winter are well deserved, while the refreshing bites will lighten the summer heatwave. Either way, Catalan cuisine offers an incredible gastronomic experience. Barcelona’s culinary specialities will not disappoint.

1.patatas bravas

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Let’s start with this delicious everyday dish to share. Patatas bravas are crispy potato cubes served with a special sauce. It’s a particularly popular dish in Barcelona, as in the rest of Spain. Special mention must go to the tomato sauce on these delicious potatoes – it’s finger-licking good!

2. Tapas

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Tapas are one of Spain’s most famous culinary delights, and they’re all the rage in Barcelona! There is no “standard” recipe for these savoury morsels. The only requirement is that they are served in small portions and in dishes that can be shared. The moment of tasting resembles our very French aperitif. The only difference is that it’s customary to taste different varieties at the same time, to vary the pleasures. In Barcelona, you can try typical Catalan tapas, made with local produce. Visit a tapas bar and you’ll be spoilt for choice. And if you happen to hear “vamos de tapas!” during your stay, you know it’s time to eat.

3. Tortillas de patatas

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Here’s a typical dish that’s as easy as pie and absolutely delicious. Prepared in the purest Spanish tradition for centuries, the tortilla is a favourite with the people of Barcelona. It’s a mixture of potatoes and eggs, accompanied by onions and olive oil. The whole thing is arranged in the shape of a pancake. Another surprising fact is that there is no specific time to eat a tortilla. You can enjoy them at breakfast, dinner or as a snack.

4. Seafood paella

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There’s no need to wait for World Paella Day – no, it’s not a joke! – to sample Spain’s most emblematic dish. In Barcelona, this dish of a thousand flavours puts seafood at the centre of the plate. In a Catalan paella, you’ll find mussels, prawns, squid and crayfish. These wriggle in the saffron rice alongside fresh vegetables. Once you’ve tasted an authentic Spanish paella, you won’t want to be without it.

5. Esqueixada

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Here’s an excellent alternative to hearty dishes when the sun is beating down on your head. Esqueixada is a fresh, light salad that can be enjoyed during the long – and exhausting – summer months. On your plate, peppers, tomatoes, onions and olives surround the star of the dish: salted cod.

6. Escalivada

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A delicious vegetarian alternative to be enjoyed in fine weather, escalivada is a typically Catalan recipe. The vegetables are grilled and peeled, then seasoned with herbs. You’ll find this culinary speciality in the middle of your tapas table. Some will serve their escalivada with a little meat and/or fish.

7. Escudella i Carn d’Olla

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This local speciality has Barcelonians languishing all summer long before its big comeback. It consists of a large oblong meatball (pilota) and a white sausage (botifarra), accompanied by vegetables, pasta or sometimes rice. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that rounds out the harsh winter days. And it’s not unusual to find it on Christmas tables. Try it before a busy day out, and you’re sure to be able to handle it.

8. Pa amb Tomàquet

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Discover without delay the Catalan version of “bruschetta”. These tomato breads are tapas more commonly known as “Pan con tomate”. To make them, nothing could be simpler: the slices of bread are covered with tomatoes and rubbed with garlic. A drizzle of olive oil is then applied to the bread, on top of which are a few pieces of anchovy or cured ham.

9. Arroz negra

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Dive a little deeper into Catalan tradition. Black rice” is prepared in the same way as paella, the only difference being that squid ink is added to the rice to give it a pronounced seafood flavour and that abysmal colour. The ink, rice and seafood are simmered with garlic, peppers, olive oil and paprika in a large, flat pan.

11. Fideua

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Another delicious variation on the traditional paella valenciana. This other fisherman’s dish simply swaps the rice for pasta flavoured with fish. The large vermicelli is the perfect accompaniment to a cocktail of mussels, cuttlefish, squid or langoustines.

12. Bomba

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Open your mouth wide, this ball of potato can be eaten in a single bite. Bomba is a deep-fried croquette filled with minced meat and tomato sauce. Adored by locals who like to share them with friends, this hot speciality is a common sight in Barcelona’s tapas bars.

13. Crema Catalana

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Here’s the Proust’s madeleine for all Barcelonians: crema catalana. This gourmet speciality, with its slightly lemony, caramelised flavour, is pure delight. (Too) often compared to our crème brûlée, crème catalane is almost two centuries older. Although lemon is its most traditional flavour, it is not uncommon to taste creams catalanes topped with a hint of cinnamon.

14. Orxata

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Say “Horchata” and try the most popular non-alcoholic drink in Barcelona during the summer months. Orxata, which means “orgeat”, is so refreshing that you won’t be able to get enough of it. It is made from root juices. In other words, a mixture of Tiger Nuts, water and sugar.