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When you step onto Spanish soil there is no way you miss the most addictive tradition: “el tapeo” (hanging out and eating small portions). Everyone, doesn’t matter where they are from want to bring this national sport home, because who wouldn’t like to hang around with friends in best tapas bars in Barcelona having great conversations, beers and delicious tapas that eventually become the protagonists of the evening. If you still not sure what is Tapas, make sure to read our article “The 10 Traditional Foods You Must Try In Barcelona“.
Nevertheless, finding authentic, good quality tapas isn’t an easy task even in a city like Barcelona, where there is a bar or restaurant on every corner. That’s why we bring you this list of 30 best tapas bars and restaurants in Barcelona that offer exquisite traditional tapas with the best value for money. We assure you that visiting them would be an extraordinary experience and that they will leave you wanting more.
The first in the list, it is adored by locals and all the lovers of traditional Spanish cuisine. In Mana75 you will have the opportunity to try traditional high quality tapas at the best price. From the classic “patatas bravas” (fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce and aioli) to steamed mussels, each dish is carefully designed to achieve perfect texture and a mix of unique flavors. Just like that they cook naturally gummy calamari transforming them into deliciously crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside goodness.
Here you would experience the traditional “tapeo” in a spacious tastefully decorated hall, with a spectacular green patio that takes you away from the bustle of the city. Fresh produce from the area, original recipes and excellent service will make any evening unforgettable, especially if you top it off with one of their paellas, by the way the best ones in whole Barcelona.
× Starter
× Main dish
× Dessert
× Coffee
Perfect to try the specialty of the house:
PAELLA!
The tapas bar Cañete is a must visit place for those who are looking for best tapas in Barcelona. Visiting this place will guarantee you a gastronomical adventure moreover if you like making friends and exploring other cultures. Because it is a luxurious place it could result heavy on the pocket, but it is definitely worth it.
If you find yourself in Cañete i highly recommend having the “bocadillo de calamares” (fried calamari sandwich), steak tartare that is a 10/10, “el canelón de pularda” (cylindrical type of lasagna), the delicious “croquetas de bogavante” and definitely finishing up with the city’s best “crema catalana” (creme-brulee with a layer of burnt sugar on top). And of course i can’t forget to mention their tradition to work with the small local catalan fishermen and farmers. Their fish and vegetables are the freshest.
From the moment I entered tapas bar La Bombeta, I knew that it would be a unique experience. It has a relaxed, warm and cozy atmosphere and the staff is friendly and courteous. The first thing I asked for was its famous specialty “bomba” ,which is a deep fried ball of potato pure with minced meat in its core. I also tried “las gambas al ajillo” (shrimp fried with garlic), and octopus salad. Everything was exquisite and fresh, you could literally taste the quality of the ingredients.
But what really surprised me was sangria: a typical summer beverage that mixes wine, juices and fruits. La Bombeta has an outstanding sangria that is ideal for accompanying tapas thanks to its sweet and fruity flavor. It is usually quite packed but you can’t expect anything less from one of the jewels of La Barceloneta.
This traditional tapas restaurant in Barcelona Eixample filled with nostalgia is famous for its small dishes, flautas (small elongated sandwiches) and showcase of fresh fish and all kinds of seafood. This is the place where generations of local families came for reunions and celebrations. The atmosphere in La Flauta is homey, with tenue lighting and open kitchen that lets you in on the action. The interior is big and spacious which makes it great for big groups.
The most impressive feature of this place is its massive selection of seafood that is cooked in the moment to guarantee the maximum freshness. The homie touch is evident in every dish and each bite tastes divine. I personally recommend “los montaditos” (sandwiches) with prawns and calamari, with beef tenderloin, the one with iberian jam and of course the one with burrata.
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!
The Raspall Bar could be missed because of its modest and simple exterior. Nevertheless it isn’t any bar but THE tapas bar in Gracia, a trendy area of Barcelona among the younger generation. For every drink you order you can choose a tapa and in case you ask for a bottle of wine you could even ask for up to 5 different tapas.
This is THE place where to hang out with friends and taste homie, simple but incredibly delicious tapas. It is a small place in the centre of Gracia neighbourhood which even when it gets packed garanties you an intimate uninterrupted dinner. Here you have to try “pinchos” (small sandwiches), “patatas bravas” (fried potatoes with a spicy sauce) and handmade croquetas.
Cal Robert is one of the most famous tapas restaurants in Raval. It got recommended by a couple of my friends and had to go to check it out. It ended up being a great discovery. Apart from a permanent menu they have daily recommendations and if your stay is long you can try a lot of traditional tapas and main dishes.
“El pulpo encebollado” (octopus with onions) is a dish I would come back to anytime. Also I recommend homemade meatballs, “canelones de calcots” (cylindrical type of lasagna), the typical “pa amb tomaquet” (bread with tomato spread over it) and all their desserts. Most probably you will be created by Robert, the owner of the establishment that ensures a personalized and unbeatable attention.
This spot is very popular between the locals and for a good reason. They offer a delicious selection of authentic tapas including their famous “bomba” (deep fried ball of potato pure with spicy minced meat), grilled calamari and mouth watering artichokes. Besides, the quality of their produce is exceptional and almost everything is prepared in the moment.
The restaurant is small and cozy plus they have tables outside on a charming square. The staff is friendly and always happy to help. Although you can’t reserve a table in advance, the service is quick and agile. Note that if you choose to eat out on the terrace as in many places in Spain you will be charged 10% more. La Cova Fumada is an ideal place to enjoy an informal dinner with friends or your significant other while tasting over an extensive variety of authentic catalan tapas in Barcelona.
Bodega La Peninsular is a classic tapas bar located in La Barceloneta. Its decoration features a marble bar with colorful stools and a jukebox, creating a very retro and cozy atmosphere. In addition to tapas and seafood snacks, they also offer “Menu del Día” (the one where you choose each course from various options). Their good old homemade tapas are authentic and delicious. In their menu you will find a variety of sangrias, squid fritters, the “bombas” (deep fried ball of potato with spicy minced meat) and the cured sausages. But without a doubt, the highlights are the braised octopus and the “patatas bravas“.
The open kitchen and the attentive and cheerful staff make diners fully enjoy this unique experience. Among the little details that caught my attention was how the menu is updated according to the availability of fresh products of the day. This is no doubt yet another reason why the locals love this winery. It is definitely a mandatory stop for tapas in Barcelona.
Bodega Quimet is an iconic tavern in the Gracia neighborhood, frequented by locals and known for its charming and traditional “tapeo” vibe. This winery has been open for almost 70 years and is currently run by the third generation of the owning family. It is unquestionably one of a kind.
This tapas bar is most famous for serving authentic Catalan wines and homemade vermouth, as well as a good selection of local craft tap beers. Star dishes include their “patatas al mojo” (boiled potatoes with chili garlic sauce), “ensaladilla” (potato salad with tuna and mayonnaise), and grilled mushrooms. Despite being a small place, the atmosphere is lively and welcoming, and it’s common for there to be a queue at times, but it’s worth it for a guaranteed authentic Catalan tapas experience.
Bodega Sepúlveda, located in the historic Raval neighborhood of Barcelona, is a culinary treasure that has been serving tapas and Catalan dishes since 1952. This classic and simple place where you can choose from an extensive menu of more than 100 wines with denomination of origin to accompany your “tapeo”, dinner or lunch.
Despite its small and cramped size, tapas bar Bodega Sepúlveda exudes charm and character. During my visit I tasted a number of exquisite dishes and tapas, from the tomato and tuna salad, some chorizos fried in red wine to the scrambled eggs with squids and mushrooms. Everything was delicious and the quantities were abundant. However the desserts, we had lemon pie and truffle cake, were not too exciting so it’s best to focus on the tapas and wine.
Maitea es un excelente lugar para probar la comida vasco-catalana y disfrutar del trato amable y simpático por parte del personal. La calidad de los ingredientes es la clave del éxito de Maitea. Cada semana, se reciben productos frescos y auténticos directamente de diferentes regiones de España, incluyendo txistorras de Arbizu, quesos de Uitzi, guindillas de Ibarra, verduras de Navarra, pimientos de Lodosa, morcillas de Beasain etc.
Además de los exquisitos pinchos como el de chorizo picante de León y el de jamón ibérico de bellota, Maitea cuenta con otros platos creativos y bien presentados que son toda una innovación, la paletilla de conejo, la tortilla de bacalao y las croquetas, especialmente la de espinaca y la de rustido. Los postres también están deliciosos, con el milhojas y la pantxineta como favoritos.
With 25 years of experience in preparing high-quality Basque cuisine, this tapas bar in Barcelona offers traditional dishes from the land prepared by professionals. The place is a bit small for the demand it usually has, yet the atmosphere here is cozy and the service is excellent.
Although the portions may be a bit too small for a full dinner, they are perfect for enjoying “tapeo” in the evening. Everything in Taktika Berri is delicious, from the meat to the tortillas, through the piece of hake, and till the exquisite desserts. This restaurant is a hidden gem in Barcelona that you cannot miss if you are a lover of Basque cuisine.
Txapela is one of the best-known Basque restaurants in Barcelona for two main reasons: the great customer service and its location. Being situated right in the Plaza Catalunya, this place receives hundreds of tourists and locals every day to offer them an exquisite Basque tapas. The waiters become old friends during the evening and hours can fly by without a notice.
Presentation, quality, flavor and price are fit for the prime location. My favorite “pinchos” are without a doubt the Txiki (anchovies on puff pastry with tomato and kalamata olive), the Arantxa (skewer of prawns and mushrooms with bacon) and the San Fermín (chicken in breadcrumbs with piquillo peppers and goat cheese). Between beers, glasses of wine and skewers, the dinner time caught up on us and since we were several friends we decided to try the T-bone steak. Without a shadow of a doubt it was a culinary hit.
Txapeldun Egarri is a typical Basque place for tapas, lunch or dinner. The quantities are very good so sometimes just having a few tapas may be enough for a full meal. The creativity and flavors of the montaditos are one of a kind in the city. Here you can enjoy everything from “txuletones a la piedra” (T-bone steak) and the typical roasted txistorra to grilled fish, potatoes with fried eggs and the assortment of pintxos that is undoubtedly my favorite, all washed down with with beers from the north and the typical “txakoli” (dry white wine).
The place is spacious with several rooms so going in large groups is not a problem, and if you wish you can choose to sit on the terrace. The service is spectacular, which together with the Basque and rural decoration make for a cozy and pleasant atmosphere. At rush hours it can get quite crowded so I recommend booking in advance.
Thus is a modest tapas bar with a small terrace where you can have tasty tapas accompanied by beer or very cold vermouth. Small bites of the typical Basque cuisine fused with typical products of the Spanish national gastronomy. The attention is 10 out of 10 only that at peak times the food may take a little longer. Even so, the wait is worth it, believe me.
Blai street is full of bars that serve these little wonders but “La Tasqueta de Blai” stands out among all of them. Note that in the same street there is a bar with a similar name so it is better to look closely. Not only do they have a wide variety of bite-size tapas, but also each one is exquisite, believe me because I had the chance to try them all ;). Every so often they even offer authentic and unique tapas that I have not seen anywhere else like this.
If you hear someone say that this is a bar with the “wildest potatoes in Barcelona” I assure you that they are not lying. The fame that these potatoes have among the locals attracts a lot of tourists every year. The potatoes are cut with the irregularity of the handmade cut and fried with olive oil at the perfect temperature which creates a perfect golden color. You can choose between the spicy house sauce or the aioli sauce that has the unique touch of oil with pepper. Both are delicious!
For a place that is in high demand and usually has a line, the service is fast and friendly. This local tapas bar in Barcelona has a simple and chill decoration, “muy del barrio” as they say here. There is also an option to sit on the terrace or grab a take away if you are just passing through.
Sants es Crema bar exploded in popularity after appearing in a catalan TV show “Joc de cartes”. But that is not why it still gets filled up. They get people to come again because of “patatas bravas” that are a gastronomical revelation and that come with “papada“(similar to bacon) and a special aioli. On the other hand they also offer sweet potato bravas that are delicious as well and you can ask for their specialty sauce on the side.
The chef’s tapas are unique in Barcelona, delicious and they come in good portions. The sandwiches with grilled beef tongues, tandoori chicken and mature beef burgers are all great options for lunch or dinner. If you are planning to go to Sants note that they only accept cash and for a weekend dinner make sure to reserve in advance.
Ciutat Comtal is a spacious and one of the most popular and best tapas bars in Barcelona with elegant and original furniture and a terrace. It is less than one street away from Paseo de Gracia, so it is always quite crowded, both by locals and tourists. It is a rare find for the lovers of patatas bravas, sandwiches and tapas. It has a very efficient service and staff is prepared to adapt and deal with any type of unforeseen issue.
The food is fresh and prepared at the moment, and as if that wasn’t enough, you can choose between their permanent menu or the french menu that each day features different products. On the other hand, their tapas have an ideal size to share with friends along with some beers or sangria. In my case, I stayed for dinner and I must say that I was even more surprised, the honey cod is even more delicious than what is rumored, and I can’t stop talking about the “crema catalana” (creme brulee with burnt sugar on top). Quite an experience.
Fàbrica Moritz has the 3 Gs of the gastronomical experience: Good beer, Good patatas bravas and Good vibes. What else do you need? It is a classic of this city that has been serving beers since it sold its first Moritz bottle 160 years ago. Here you will find all in one: a beer factory, bakery, avant-garde architecture project and a bar good enough to be a local museum.
The service is excellent and on Thursdays you have an opportunity to enjoy some live music. I recommend calamari sandwiches, patatas bravas and artisan bread that has a premium quality.
Senyor Vermut’s patatas bravas reached the top positions in the charts for best bravas in Barcelona. Spicy but tasty, crunchy and tasty, all in one dish that is definitely worth trying. Their sauce is a secret formula with multi-spiced oil and a bit of paprika. I cannot fail to mention the excellent service, despite the place being full the staff was attentive and very friendly.
It is a cozy, informal, brick clad bar. In addition to the patatas bravas, they serve other dishes to share such as the fricandó, “tortilla” (potato omelet) on bread, “croquetas” and mushrooms with foie gras and mussels. Everything was delicious enough to come back for.
In Mediamanga you will find traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine, seasonal ingredients and local wines that satisfy even the most demanding palates. The open kitchen is sort of a live show, they prepare each dish with excellence and detail and the spectators can smell the aromas coming from the pots and choose to share a dish that they most caught their attention.
Its menu is short but innovative and with high-quality signature cuisine. They add avant-garde touches to the most carefully conserved traditional cuisine. There is no doubt that everything is worth trying: the stewed “croquetas” that melt in your mouth, the “salmorejo” with sardines for dipping bread, a fresh touch with the scallop carpaccio, some impressive razor clams and to finish off a superb ribeye. Despite being a small place, this tapas restaurant in Eixample is cozy and very pleasant.
Leaving home to feel at home may sound crazy, but this is the experience offered by Boro Bar, a tapas bar in the heart of Barcelona with rustic, homey and welcoming vibes. The dishes have a haute cuisine presentation and unbelievable taste. Variety, originality and quality, 3 words to describe this restaurant’s menu.
My favorite dishes were the steak tartare, the candied artichokes, the Iberian ham croquetas and of course the patatas bravas. They also have hamburgers, sandwiches and a wide variety of poached eggs on their menu for those who prefer to live the full experience.
Although three main attractions of the Babula Bar 1937, belonging to the group “There is no tomorrow”, are the cocktails, without a doubt the gastronomic proposal, especially the tapas, has been a true discovery. Menu based on a fusion between cultures: Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine together and always respecting the traditions of their ancestors.
It is advisable to order two to three dishes per person since they are not too big. The good thing is that they have a very extensive menu and you can try multiple of their creations. The burrata is delicious but also the tartare, the chicken cannelloni, the gyozas and the carpaccio. In addition to the cocktails, their star dishes are the prawn tartare, the scallops and the “egg” dessert. All unbelievably incredible, from the presentation to the taste.
Signature cuisine approach is the final touch to the traditional Mediterranean dishes of Dos Pebrots. Behind each dish you can see the gastronomic study to create a unique and different proposal from a common and familiar recipe. The restaurant represents an oasis in the middle of the El Raval, a contemporary and rustic style that accompanies the evenings and the tapas of the locals and tourists who frequent the city.
To enjoy the show of flavours you can choose the tasting menu or order à la carte. The almond cream with peas is an explosion of flavors, the squid has an unbeatable flavor and the truffle gnocchis are always an unmistakable choice. Last but not least, here you will enjoy a very pleasant and informal service that will make you feel at home.
In this “top” best tortilla restaurants list, we can’t forget about “La Ceba” – a tapas bar that focuses on traditional catalan and spanish food, homemade and reminiscent of our grandmother’s touch. The client service is great, the location homey, simple and with a relaxed and informal interior.
In addition to the daily manu, the burgers, pasta and salads, the tortiallas ar the star dish that attracts plenty of clients daily. If you want to try them, I recommend you reserving your table because of the high demand. Without a doubt, a great place to go out to eat or just have some tapas with friends or family in a chill setting and tasting some of Barcelona’s best tortillas.
If what you are looking for is to try different variations of a classic Spanish tortilla in slightly smaller portions and in an elegant environment, “Les truites” is your ideal option. This place is slightly formal but the dishes and the atmosphere are worthy of any occasion. There is a variety of prepared tortillas in view, so you can choose directly with your eyes. Of course if you need it the waiters can always help you with the choice.
The customers’ favorite tortillas, and those which you will not find anywhere else, are: the croissant with ham, cabbages, octopus and chicken curry. I cannot ignore the treatment of the staff, despite being a small place they made me feel very comfortable and well received.
El Pollo is a common local tapas bar of Barcelona that attracts hundreds of people who are far from being residents of the neighborhood. They are even the favorites of a famous singer Rosalía. And it is all because of their special tortilla: juicy and creamy on the inside making it incredibly addictive.
If you want to try one of these it is best to reserve it in advance as they are in a very high demand. You can also order some tapas bites, Russian salad, spicy clams, gildas, mini squids cooks in their ink, seafood salad, tomato salad, etc. Desserts here are a must, especially cheesecake. A relaxed atmosphere, excellent attention and exquisite tortillas, it is all worth going there for.
I’d need a whole new life just to have time to be able to sum up the best tapas restaurants in Barcelona. Without a doubt this list gathers the best place to taste exquisite tapas, hidden restaurants that are a real discovery, and others not as hidden.
As you can see in Barcelona there are tapas bars and restaurants for all tastes: basque cuisine, traditional spanish and catalan cuisine, specialized in tortillas and others that shine for their typical bravas potatoes. Variety isn’t missing and quality is assured, so choose which one suits the occasion better and enjoy as if you were a real native.
However, if you are looking for a unique gastronomic experience, I recommend you visit Maná 75. This restaurant is the best in terms of adaptability to the demands of their clients, and their food is simply a 10 compared to the rest of tapas bars in Barcelona. Their ishes reflect the authentic Mediterranean flavor and I’m sure it won’t let you down.
Spanish gastronomy lover, "taster" of new flavors, places and experiences.
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