10 great places to try out of hundreds to sample from
Barcelona is a city that loves food—from experimental gastronomy to smoky old taverns that haven’t changed their menu in decades. Whether you’re here for a splurge or just want a solid plate of something delicious without ceremony, here’s a list of 10 spots that cover the range. Eat well, drink slow, and leave room for dessert. We could have included 100 more in the list, and still not have exhausted it. So get eating!
1. Disfrutar (Experimental, Michelin 3-Star)
📍C/ Villarroel 163, Eixample
This is the big one. A tasting menu that plays with texture, temperature, and your idea of what food even is. Run by three El Bulli alums, it’s art on a plate. You’ll need to book well ahead (months), and bring your wallet. But if you love surprise and precision, this is the spot.
2. Enigma (Avant-Garde Gastronomy)
📍C/ Sepúlveda 38, Eixample
This is Albert Adrià’s latest iteration of culinary wizardry. It’s a mysterious, multi-sensory dining journey through 20+ courses served in a futuristic space. Fog machines. Seaweed cocktails. Dishes that dissolve or explode. It’s strange and beautiful and definitely not for picky eaters.
3. Can Cisa / Bar Brutal (Natural Wine & Wild Tapas)
📍C/ Princesa 14, El Born
Half wine shop, half restaurant, all attitude. The food is bold and seasonal, and the wine list is full of wild fermentations and small producers. It’s upscale but informal—expect tattooed servers who know their cheeses. Great for a cool date night that feels like you’re in on something.
4. Aürt (Michelin-Starred, Intimate Dining)
📍Hilton Diagonal Mar, Passeig del Taulat 262, Poblenou
Tiny, open-kitchen dining with just 15 seats. It’s almost like a chef’s table where you’re part of the performance. The tasting menu is rooted in Catalan tradition but modern and sharp. Definitely under the radar compared to other Michelin places—quiet, elegant, and special.
5. La Cova Fumada (Old School, No Frills, Legendary)
📍C/ Baluard 56, Barceloneta
No website. Just go.
This place invented the bomba (spicy potato-meat croquette) and still serves the best one. It’s a smoky room, handwritten menu, and loud locals. Order sardines, chickpeas, and a cold beer. Expect a line, no frills, and food cooked by someone’s grandparent. Cash only.
6. El Pachuco (Casual Mexican with Attitude)
📍C/ Sant Pau 110, Raval
A tiny, rowdy Mexican joint that packs a punch. Massive nachos, killer tacos, spicy micheladas. It’s cramped and often has a wait, but the food comes fast and hits the spot. A perfect “I just want something good without thinking about it” place.
7. Cal Pep (Tapas Bar with a Cult Following)
📍Plaça de les Olles 8, El Born
Sit at the bar and let them feed you whatever’s fresh. There’s usually a line out front, but it moves quickly. Expect seafood, fried things, and a lot of “trust us” from the waiters. Loud, friendly, and full of regulars. Not cheap, but not fancy either.
8. El Xampanyet (Classic Tapas & House Cava)
📍C/ Montcada 22, El Born
Touristy? A bit. But still worth it. This 1920s cava bar is always full of people and good energy. The anchovies, tortilla, and house cava are exactly what you want after a museum visit or a long day wandering the Gothic Quarter. Go early or get comfortable being cozy.
9. Besta (Modern Fusion of Galician & Catalan)
📍C/ Aragó 287, Eixample
A newer spot that’s getting a lot of buzz. They do smart, creative dishes rooted in Spanish ingredients—think sea urchin cannelloni, grilled octopus, and a killer rice with mushrooms. It’s contemporary without being cold. About €60–70 for a full dinner with wine.
10. Can Recasens (Charcuterie & Cheese Heaven)
📍Rambla del Poblenou 102, Poblenou
Warm lighting, wooden tables, and the smell of melted cheese in the air. Come here for raclette, cured meats, and overflowing charcuterie boards. Not fancy, but rich and comforting and romantic in a rustic kind of way. Great for a laid-back evening where wine and cheese do the talking.
Barcelona is a city of contrasts—futuristic food labs and crumbling tapas bars coexist side-by-side. Mix it up. Eat fancy one night, grab a greasy bomba the next. Skip the tourist traps and follow your nose (or this list).
Three rules to follow implicitly:
• Trust the vermouth
• Respect the anchovy
• Always say yes to dessert.
Bon profit!
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