Find out the best Spanish restaurants in Barcelona that are most faithful to Mediterranean food traditions and which you cannot miss in 2023.
Almost every visitor to Barcelona is ready to go to the beach and enjoy Traditional Spanish paella as soon as the aircraft touches the Catalan land. That is how we all started here! We want to help you to make this moment truly remarkable and find the best paella in Barceloneta, the most crowded and touristy beach area of the city.
Almost every visitor to Barcelona is ready to go to the beach and enjoy Traditional Spanish paella as soon as the aircraft touches the Catalan land. That is how we all started here! We want to help you to make this moment truly remarkable and find the best paella in Barceloneta, the most crowded and touristy beach area of the city.
In this article, we are going to figure it out!
Rice with things is not Paella! The Traditional Spanish Paella is a rich, smoky rice dish, that is denser than a pilaf, drier than a risotto, and arguably more satisfying than either. The Genuine Authentic Spanish Paella is a meal cooked on an open fire, traditionally by males. To ensure a paella is authentic, the ingredients must be fresh and the paella must be made to order. It’s important that the rice is just cooked, not underdone, and not over. It must still have a slight chew, as the Italians say, ‘al dente’. It’s also essential that the rice is loose and hasn’t stuck together, thus maintaining its texture and shine.”
But the true key to this dish is the crusty caramelized layer of rice, called «Socarrat«, that forms on the bottom of the pan. The Socarrat is the crusty crispy bottom of the paella that becomes caramelized and toasted on the bottom of the pan when it is cooking. It remains only to add, that real Paella has nothing in common with microwave oven pre-cooked foods. Paella is a supreme Art of Spanish gastronomic history, that Spaniard conserve, protect, and endlessly love! Make sure to remember this choosing a restaurant with the best paella in Barcelona.
Paella Marinera, Paella Negra, Paella Mixta, Paella de Bogavante, Paella Vegetariana, Paella de Carne. Everything sounds too good to be true and too Spanish to figure out what all those names mean? Especially if you just have arrived at the beach, doubting about visit touristy restaurants but can’t wait any longer to taste the best paella in Barceloneta. Let’s dive right in!
The original «Paella Senyoret» is very similar to a Seafood paella, but with a twist. “Paella del Senyoret” means gentleman’s style, which means all the Seafood is peeled and de-shelled, so you can enjoy this dish and not worry about having the seafood liquid coming into your sleeve. But the paella remains crusty on the bottom what adds it unforgettable taste. Yuuuuuuuum! This is a very flavored juicy rice meal, most popular in the province of Alicante, but it’s enjoyed all over Spain! The Senyoret could easily win the gran Prix among the best paellas in Barceloneta as the most popular choice of visitors to the restaurants.
Paella Marinera or Seafood Paella contains 5 or more seafood ingredients and doesn’t contain meat. You will find inside all the assortment of Fresh Seafood available in a particular region of Spain. Prawns, Mussels, Squids, Clams, and other seafood. This type of paella is sometimes more ‘soupy’ and often goes by the name ‘Arroz Caldoso’ in Spanish restaurants. ‘Arroz Caldoso’ literally means ‘brothy rice’ and consists of broth (bouillon) and rice with diverse flavorings and extra ingredients. The juices of the seafood add liquid to the Paella. The connoisseurs say that it adds more intensity and flavor. Not best, but THE best paella in Barceloneta.
Black Paella or Paella Negra is a delicious rice dish cooked with cuttlefish and its ink, therefore it has this deep black in color. This sort of Paella usually contains squid and mussels, tomatoes, onion, garlic, oil, and salt. This rice dish comes with Alioli extra, garlic and oil sauce. Basically, this is a variation of Seafood paella, but It has a peculiar taste that natives love. If you’re feeling adventurous or looking for the best Instagram pictures, go for it!
Lobster Paella is undoubtedly one of the most delicious rice meals among all the Paellas. This impressive and subtly smoky paella—studded with lobster—cooks on the grill in one big pan. Lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, and deliciously seasoned rice! Definitely a «special occasion,» dish. Yes, it’s fancy and a little expensive. But, you deserve it! Lobster Paella is an obligatory meal for every foodie visiting Barcelona!
Paella de Carne or Meat Paella, a truly great choice for the meat lovers. The smoky rice dish loaded with meat with or without seafood with plump grains of rice that are firm to the bite, yet coated in a layer of flavor thanks to all the ingredients it is cooked with. The rice in this dish has a velvety texture and a deep golden hue imbued by the saffron and soffrito. All accompanied by a layer of mahogany brown Soccarat at the bottom of the pan from the rice and sauce caramelizing to the pan. Definitely worth giving it a try!
Paella Restaurant Mana 75 is one of these places, the hidden gem, popular among locals. Restaurantes with the best paella in Barceloneta are oftentimes hidden from the eyes of visitors and filled with the local crowd. Mana75 is located in La Barceloneta and surrounded by the Sea from 3 sides. You’ll find here a beautiful interior, with comfortable sofas and big round tables. An open show kitchen where our cooks prepare paellas in front of guests. Spacious terrace with its own Green Garden and comfortable outdoor sofas. And the mindblowing selection of the best paellas in Barceloneta!
Mana 75 serves 7 types of paella cooked both traditionally and according to our chef’s own recipes. But it doesn’t matter what type of Paella you’ll choose, it will be crusty on the bottom and stuffed with the freshest ingredients by local suppliers. We can guarantee you a fantastic, local experience and look forward to seeing you in Mana 75.
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