Walter Ponce
Barcelona has an extensive gastronomic offer of local and international food suitable for all tastes and pockets. This is why choosing where to eat can be a bit difficult when faced with so many alternatives. To make the task easier, I bring you a list of my favourite restaurants in Barcelona, bon profit!
**1. Restaurant L’Olivé **
★★★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 80-90 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona
L’Olivé restaurant is a classic of Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine on Balmes street and in the center of Barcelona. My favourite restaurant in Barcelona. A must go!
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-l-olive-barcelona
Address: Carrer de Balmes, 47, 08007 Barcelona
2. Paco Meralgo
★★★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 80-90 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona│Michelin-star
Paco Meralgo: Barcelona’s benchmark for quality tapas in a lively tavern atmosphere. Creative dishes served instantly. Casual, warm, and fun.
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-paco-meralgo-barcelona
Address: C/ Muntaner, 171 08036 Barcelona
3. Tierra Brava
★★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 50-60 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona
Tierra Brava: A Catalan market-inspired restaurant in Barcelona’s Mercat del Ninot. Fresh food, signature cocktails, live music. Great value lunch menu.**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-tierra-brava-barcelona
Address: C/ de Casanova, 133, 08036 Barcelona, España
**4. Bar Omar **
★★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 50-60 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona
Bar Omar: A charismatic chef, inviting ambiance, and delicious surprises. Quality dishes, changing menu, and great wine selection.
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-bar-omar-barcelona
Address: Dirección: Carrer d’Amigó, 34, 08021 Barcelona
**5. Feroz **
★★★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 60-80 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona
Discover Restaurant Feroz: Spectacular decor, exquisite dishes, and lively nightlife in Barcelona. A culinary masterpiece.
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurante-feroz-barcelona
Address: Carrer de Tuset, 27, 08006 Barcelona
6. Albé
★★★★★ │Mediterranean - Lebanese│Avg. 50 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona
Experience the captivating blend of Catalan & Lebanese flavors at Albé in Barcelona. Exceptional cuisine, stunning ambiance & heartfelt hospitality.
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-albe-barcelona-review
Address: C/ de Mallorca, 196, 08036 Barcelona
7. Casa Petra
★★★ │Mediterranean│Avg. 50-60 Euros pp│Les Corts, Barcelona
Casa Petra: A cozy restaurant at Calle Manila 51, Barcelona. Delight in their traditional, flavorful dishes & top-notch flan.
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-casa-petra-barcelona
Address: C. de Manila, 51, 08034 Barcelona
8. Julieta’s
★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 40-50 Euros pp│Barceloneta, Barcelona
Julieta’s restaurant: A Mediterranean oasis in Barcelona, with stunning views, delicious paella, and refreshing cocktails. A must-visit spot!
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-julieta-s-barcelona
Address: Passeig del Mare Nostrum, 19, 08039 Barcelona
9. Petit Comité
★★★★ │Spanish-Catalan│Avg. 100-120 Euros pp│Eixample, Barcelona│Michelin-star
Discover the pleasure of traditional Catalan cuisine at Petit Comitè, Barcelona. Michelin-starred restaurant offering a modern twist.
**My Review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/restaurant-petit-comite-barcelona
Address: Dirección: Carrer d’Amigó, 34, 08021 Barcelona
10. Camping Mar
★★★ │Mediterranean│Avg. 50 EUR Euros pp│Barceloneta, Barcelona
Discover culinary wonders at Camping Mar Restaurant in Marina Vela, Barcelona. A hidden gem with a stunning terrace and delightful menu.
**My review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/camping-mar-restaurant-barcelona
Address: Marina Vela, Pg. de Joan de Borbó, 103, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
**11. Koh Restaurant **
Charming and attractive oriental restaurant, specialized in fusion of Asian tastes. They opened in February 2018 and have become one of the most celebrated venues in Gracia.
**My review: **https://waltermitas.com/post/koh-restaurant-barcelona
Address: C. de Pujades, 133, 08005 Barcelona
I hope that this list with the best restaurants in Barcelona for all tastes and pockets has served you well. If you have more recommendations, do not hesitate to leave me a comment.
How to eat like a local in Barcelona
Knowing a few local habits makes it much easier to enjoy any of the restaurants above.
Meal times
Barcelona eats later than most of Europe:
- Breakfast is usually light: a coffee and a croissant or a small sandwich.
- Lunch runs from around 13:30 to 15:30, and is often the main meal of the day.
- Dinner usually starts from 20:30 or 21:00, and many restaurants are busiest after 21:30.
If you arrive at a restaurant at 19:00, it may still be closed or nearly empty.
The weekday lunch menu
Many restaurants offer a “menú del día” from Monday to Friday. It typically includes a starter, a main course, dessert or coffee, and bread, at a fixed price. It is one of the best value ways to eat well in the city.
Booking
For popular restaurants, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, booking ahead is strongly recommended. Many places take reservations online or by phone. Some tapas bars do not take bookings at all, so arriving early is the best strategy.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory in Spain. Service is not usually added to the bill, and many locals simply round up or leave a small amount for good service.
Catalan dishes to try
Whichever restaurants you choose, look out for these classics:
- Pa amb tomàquet: bread rubbed with tomato, olive oil and salt
- Escalivada: roasted peppers, aubergine and onion
- Esqueixada: a salad of shredded salt cod with tomato, onion and olives
- Fideuà: a seafood dish similar to paella but made with short noodles
- Arròs negre: rice cooked with squid ink
- Botifarra amb mongetes: Catalan sausage with white beans
- Calçots: grilled spring onions with romesco sauce, a winter and early spring tradition
- Crema catalana: a custard with a caramelised sugar top
And at the weekend, try a “vermut”: a glass of vermouth with olives, crisps and canned seafood before lunch, a much-loved local tradition.
Where to eat by neighbourhood
- Eixample: the area with the highest concentration of restaurants on this list, from classic Catalan cooking to modern tapas
- Gràcia: a village-like neighbourhood with small squares, independent restaurants and lots of terraces
- El Born and the Gothic Quarter: historic streets with tapas bars and cocktail bars, but also many tourist traps, so choose carefully
- Barceloneta and the Port: seafood and paella by the water
- Poblenou: a former industrial area with a growing, more local food scene
- Sant Antoni: one of the trendiest areas for brunch, vermouth and casual dining
Tips to avoid tourist traps
- Be cautious with picture menus and people inviting you in from the street.
- Avoid paella on La Rambla. Good paella is usually cooked to order and takes time.
- Look for places full of locals, especially at lunch.
- Check recent reviews before you go.
Before you go
Restaurants change their chefs, menus and prices over time, and some may close. Check each restaurant’s current hours, menu and status before you go.
FAQ
What is the best area to eat in Barcelona? Eixample and Gràcia are excellent for quality and variety, while Barceloneta is best for seafood by the sea.
What time do people eat dinner in Barcelona? Usually from 20:30 or 21:00 onwards.
Do I need to book restaurants in Barcelona? For popular places, especially at weekends, yes.
Is tipping expected in Barcelona? No, but rounding up or leaving a small tip for good service is appreciated.
What is a typical Catalan dish? Pa amb tomàquet is the simplest and most typical. Fideuà, escalivada and crema catalana are also classics.
When is calçot season? Calçots are traditionally eaten in winter and early spring, roughly from January to March or April.
