Best Tapas in Barcelona: Authentic Local Venues We Love
- Guillermo
- Feb 13, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 3
There are thousands of tapas restaurants in Barcelona, but not all offer a traditional experience or even quality food! We have created this list of the best tapas in Barcelona with our favourite local restaurants to help you explore the beautiful dishes the city has to offer.
Want us to guide you through Catalan cuisine and tapas in Barcelona? Join our private Barcelona food tour and visit the most authentic, quality tapas bars and restaurants with a local food expert guide.
The Best Tapas in Barcelona - Our Slow Travel Favorites
Bar del Pla
Want to dine like a local? Head to Bar del Pla, a tapas bar that prides itself on being a casual, cosy place, ideal for meeting up with friends. The majority of their ingredients are sourced locally, and their daily specials are created depending on what is available at the market that day.
Bar del Pla also has an amazing selection of wines. Let them recommend the best pairing with your tapas. It's a popular place, so booking is recommended, or expect to wait for a table.
Location: Carrer de Montcada, 2,08003
Rasoterra
Do yourself a favor and check out this restaurant’s manifesto before tucking into the most flavorful vegetarian tapas in Barcelona. Located in the Gothic Quarter, this restaurant is the perfect hideaway from the twisty streets and the Spanish heat.
Part of KM0 Slow Food Barcelona, they source their produce from local suppliers and sometimes from their very own vegetable garden. Trust us, as meat eaters, once you try the patatas bravas, you won’t be thinking of chorizo for a while!
Location: Carrer del Palau, 5, 08002
Santa Gula
Santa Gula is a beautifully decorated restaurant hidden amongst the many plazas in Gracia. The Chef prides himself on using local, seasonal ingredients to create authentic Mediterranean recipes, with hints of international influences.
Santa Gula also offers uninterrupted service all day; we love coming here for lunch, dinner or whenever we can; it's one of our favorite local things to do in Barcelona and a great spot for a refreshing drink and a delicious Spanish meal.
Location: Plaça de Narcís Oller, 3, 08006
La Cova Fumada
If it’s authenticity you are after, you can’t get any better than this family-run tapas bar in Barceloneta. Opened in 1944, the restaurant’s decoration makes it feel like you've stepped back in time!
Legend has it that the bomba (a round meat croquette) was invented by the current owner’s grandmother, who can still sometimes be seen in the kitchen. Complement the deep-fried, potato bomb with a variety of seriously fresh seafood, and you’ll definitely be back for seconds.
There is always a line of people outside for lunch, so go early and have a Catalan esmorzar de forquilla instead - literally a "fork breakfast" where you eat hearty dishes like the bomba, cap i pota (stew from the head and feet of pork) and morcilla blood sausage.
La Cova Fumada is the epitome of the relaxed Spanish lifestyle and is very, very casual. No reservations.
Location: Carrer del Baluard, 56, 08003
La Mundana
If you have had your fair share of traditional Spanish food, La Mundana is the place to go for a very different tapas experience. The menu is made up of creative dishes with influences from all over the world, from France to Korea.
The Iberian pork Katsu Sando and the patatas bravas are firm favorites. Why not pair your modern tapas with one of the 14 traditional Vermuts on offer?
Reservations are recommended - not only is it a cosy place, but in previous years it has also been voted as the best restaurant in Barcelona by the readers of El Periodico.
Location: Carrer del Vallespir, 93, 08014
Santagustina
This is the perfect Barcelona tapas restaurant to drop into while exploring the picturesque Born neighborhood. The decoration is an incredible balance between historic Spanish architecture and modern design, and we love it.
Their tapas continue this theme, with a menu of traditional recipes with unique, modern twists. Offering outstanding service, Santagustina is a beautifully tranquil restaurant in the middle of the city where you will find some of the best tapas in Barcelona.
Location: Plaça de Sant Agustí Vell, 9, 08003
There are many more tapas bars and restaurants in Barcelona, but these are our all-time favorites. What do you think of our selection? Do you know of a place that should be included in this list? Let us know in the comments!
Want to Try More Local Food in Barcelona?
If you are left feeling inspired after trying the best tapas in Barcelona, why not learn to make traditional dishes at our private Catalan cooking class? Join us for a unique farm-to-table experience as you meet local producers, pick your own ingredients and learn to cook delicious dishes with a passionate local chef.
At Barcelona Slow Travel, we have created authentic, local experiences for travelers who want to go beyond the typical tourist attractions in Barcelona. Let us show you how to enjoy the best traditional food in Barcelona on one of our private tours in Barcelona. Whether you're looking for Catalan wine, locally grown olive oil or incredible tapas, we've got the perfect option for you.
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