The best paellas in Barcelona in 2026 can be found at MANĀ 75, 7 Portes, Can Solé, El Racó de l’Agüir, Arume, Can Ros, La Mar Salada, Can Ramonet, El Racó del Mariner and El Xiringo — a selection built on over a decade of experience serving authentic Mediterranean rice dishes in Barcelona.
Finding a truly good paella in this city is not as straightforward as it seems. Barcelona has more than 10,000 restaurants, and paella appears on hundreds of menus — but only a small number of them make it the right way: with fresh local ingredients, homemade fish stock, Delta del Ebro bomba rice and enough time to cook it properly from scratch.
How I selected these restaurants: this list reflects three years of eating rice dishes across Barcelona — and many conversations with the Catalan families and neighbours who have been doing the same for generations. These are the places they return to, the names that come up every time someone asks where to eat a proper paella.
Among the best paella restaurants in Barcelona, MANĀ 75 will conquer your heart — and your palate. A paella prepared by true experts is not something you come across every day,
Authentic paellas are cooked on an open fire right in front of the guests, in what is considered the longest paella kitchen in Europe. Beautiful cozy interior inspired by Feng Shui, round tables perfect for sharing, and a lush garden terrace with a Mediterranean breeze
Our recommendations? MANĀ 75 offers 15 types of paellas for every taste! From the classic lobster paella, made with fresh produce and a traditional recipe, to the mountain rice with black sausage and pork rib confit — a heartfelt tribute to the Catalan land.
× Starter
× Main dish
× Dessert
× Coffee
Perfect to try the specialty of the house: PAELLA!
A good paella is one you remember long after the last bite — the one you return to for special occasions. El Xiringo has exactly that kind of paella, and more.
This intimate wine-bar-turned-restaurant in the heart of La Barceloneta started out as a cava and wine shop, and that spirit of authentic, no-fuss hospitality still runs through everything they do. Their seafood paella stands out for the care put into every step of its preparation, earning it a well-deserved spot on this list of the best paellas in Barcelona.
Note: We recommend calling ahead to confirm opening hours before your visit, as schedules can vary.
When looking for the best paella in Barcelona, the classics never disappoint. At 7 Portes, open since 1836, they have had nearly two centuries to perfect their recipes — and it shows with every forkful.
Their most celebrated dish is the famous “Paella Parellada”, a Catalan specialty also known as arròs a la mandra or arròs de cec.
In 2024, the restaurant was awarded the National Gastronomy Prize for Traditional Cuisine, a recognition that only confirms what Barcelona locals have known for generations: few places do it better.
This emblematic fisherman’s restaurant — originally from La Barceloneta and now located at Port del Fòrum — has kept its soul intact through the move: the same fresh catch, the same traditional recipes, the same tables full of fishermen and people from the sector.
Their seafood paella and soupy rice dishes leave no one indifferent. Flavorful, honest, and excellent value for money — a well-deserved place on this list.
Can Solé is one of those rare restaurants that has earned its reputation meal by meal, over more than a century. Since 1903, this Barceloneta institution has built its name on exceptional rice dishes and the freshest seafood — and remains as relevant today as ever.
Their arroz a banda is one of the most requested dishes on the menu, year-round and for all kinds of celebrations. As true specialists in seafood, they source only top-quality produce, staying faithful to a traditional Catalan and Mediterranean marinera cuisine that has won over generations of locals and visitors alike — including, over the years, Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies.
Enjoy the good weather on the GREEN terrace of Maná75. Sea breeze, smell of rosemary and the flavor of paellas…
Discover the paradise of La Barceloneta!
If you want to eat the best paella in Barcelona with a creative twist, Arume is your place. Located in the heart of El Raval — inside the very building where writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán was born — this restaurant brings together Mediterranean cuisine and the rich culinary tradition of Galicia in an intimate, cozy atmosphere.
The “Paella Arume de los mares gallegos” is the star of the show: exquisite Galician seafood meets Barcelona rice in a dish that brightens up any day. And the neighborhood agrees — the restaurant is always buzzing, so booking in advance is a must.
In 2025, Arume was recognized in the Time Out Barcelona Top 50 and won the prestigious Tapa de l’Any award, confirming its place among the city’s most exciting kitchens.
A true jewel of Mediterranean cuisine, El Racó de l’Agüir has been serving its loyal clientele since 1990, when the Agüir family — with roots in Alicante — brought their love of rice dishes to the Sant Antoni neighborhood. Today, the second generation runs the kitchen and the dining room with the same dedication and warmth that made this place a classic.
Their rice dishes are Alicante-style: bold, fragrant, and made with Delta de l’Ebre rice that Ferran — the chef — has mastered to perfection. Meat, vegetable or seafood — the variety is wide and every version is a delight. Our advice? Let the staff guide you to the paella that best suits your taste that day. You will not be disappointed.
La Mar Salada is proof that a restaurant in a tourist-heavy area can still be driven by genuine quality. Situated right on the Passeig de Joan de Borbó in La Barceloneta, this restaurant has been offering impeccable seafood and rice dishes since 1993 — born from the same family behind the legendary Can Ros.
With no fewer than 7 different types of paellas, there is something for every rice lover. Among them, the “paella de cigalas y gambitas de la Barceloneta” remains a firm favorite.
Can Ros has been a cornerstone of Barcelona’s seafood culture since 1908 — over a century of tradition, now proudly carried by the fifth generation of the Cid family. In the fishermen’s quarter of La Barceloneta, this tavern retains all the warmth and authenticity of its origins.
Their “arroz negro con alcachofas y escupiñas” is nothing short of legendary. What sets Can Ros apart is their commitment to sourcing directly from the Lonja — the daily fishermen’s auction — selecting each ingredient with care.
What makes Can Ramonet stand out is its unwavering commitment to local, fresh, and seasonal produce — true km.0 cuisine from the sea to the table. Their rice is always perfectly cooked, and the menu ranges from classic paellas to spectacular rice dishes like the creamy rice with cod and shrimp tail.
A lunchtime set menu is available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), currently priced at €23.95, including starter, main course, dessert, and a choice of bread, dessert or coffee — with the creamy cod rice available for a small supplement of €3.95.
Foie Gras and Iberian Pork Paella: bomba rice with sautéed Iberian pork, mushrooms, and seared foie medallions that melt slightly over the rice.
Only from April 1 to 30.
Three reliable signs. First, waiting time: a real paella takes 30 to 40 minutes to cook from scratch — if it arrives in under 20, it was reheated. Second, the rice grain: each grain should be whole and never broken or overcooked, with a slightly whiter center — that is what gives authentic paella its perfect al dente texture. Third, no photos outside: good restaurants are already known by locals and never need to display paella pictures in the window to attract customers.
Paella is traditionally a lunchtime dish in Barcelona. It is a substantial, slow-digesting meal that locals prefer to eat at lunch. That said, if you prefer a lighter evening meal, meat paellas — such as mountain rice with ribs or chicken — are a great dinner option: equally flavorful but easier on digestion than a heavy seafood version.
A quality paella in Barcelona costs between €20 and €35 per person. Prices vary depending on the ingredients — a lobster or seafood paella will always cost more than a meat or vegetable version. The most important rule: if a restaurant near Las Ramblas or a major tourist landmark offers paella for under €15 per person, it is almost certainly made with pre-cooked rice and commercial stock.
Both are cooked in the same wide pan and follow the same technique, but fideuà uses short vermicelli noodles instead of rice. It is considered a more authentically Catalan dish and many locals in Barcelona actually prefer it to paella — the noodles absorb the seafood broth even more intensely than rice does.
A real paella takes 30 to 40 minutes to cook from scratch — and that waiting time is actually a good sign. If it arrives faster, it was pre-cooked. Use that time to enjoy some starters: a classic pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), homemade croquettes or fresh mussels are the most popular choices in Barcelona’s rice restaurants.
It depends on the type. For seafood paella, a cold dry white wine works best — Albariño, Verdejo or a white from the nearby Penedès region are the most popular local choices. Cava brut, Catalonia’s own sparkling wine, is also an excellent match. For meat paella — mountain rice, chicken or ribs — a light to medium red wine pairs much better, enhancing the smoky, earthy flavors of the dish. When in doubt, ask the waiter: at a good rice restaurant, they will always guide you to the right pairing.
In general, yes. The core ingredients of an authentic paella — bomba rice, homemade stock, saffron, fresh seafood or meat, and seasonal vegetables — contain no gluten naturally. However, always inform the restaurant of any allergy or intolerance, as some establishments may use commercial stocks or shared fryers.
When you search for “the best paella in Barcelona reviews” on Google, everyone agrees on the same thing: the traditional flavor, the process of cooking, the time the rice is being prepared along with the fresh and seasonal ingredients are the key to achieving paella that customers fall in love with.
That’s why there aren’t as many who know how to do it well! We hope this article made this choice a little easier and you’ve found the perfect option for yourself.
If you want to eat the best paella in Barcelona, go to true masters of the stove and paella pans. We are waiting for you at MANĀ 75!
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