Barcelona’s best places to eat and drink

Barcelona, birthplace of world-famous chefs such as Ferran and Albert Adria, Carme Ruscalleda and Jordi Cruz Mas, has been a bona fide foodie destination for some time. But there’s a lot more besides superstar fine dining on offer here, including contemporary tapas spots, home-style Catalan restaurants plus an array of global and fusion cuisines.

Bar del Pla

Creative tapas dishes and natural wines
This upbeat and much-loved bar and restaurant opened when its predecessor Pla, a Gothic Quarter institution, closed in 2023. The decor is trad – informal wooden tables and bar stool seating, tiled floors and arched ceilings – but the vibe is young, hip and friendly, and the menu reassuringly creative: radish with miso, clams with beans, beef ribs with pepper sauce, mushrooms with wasabi … Start with the bar’s pet nat and let the sommeliers lead you through the extensive natural wine list.
Calle de Montcada 2, 08003 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See bardelpla.cat

Disfrutar

Fine dining that’s also fun dining
It should come as no surprise one of the best restaurants in Barcelona is run by three former El Bulli chefs: namely Mateu Casanas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch. Disfrutar translates as “enjoy”, and their three Michelin stars haven’t stopped the dynamic trio from creating an experience that combines avant-garde cuisine with friendly service and an approachable interior (with a pleasant outdoor terrace). The tasting menu changes with the season, but in general, prepare to be seriously wowed.
Calle de Villarroel 163, 08036 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See disfrutarbarcelona.com

Gringa All Day

All day brunch, California-style
This West Coast diner-style spot – complete with comfy seating booths – is city-famous for its delicious, contemporary fried chicken dishes, but the menu spans all kinds of all-day-brunch treats from fluffy pancakes and avocado toast, to waffles and breakfast burritos. Having morphed from a street food truck, it has perfected its recipes over time and is popular enough to now have another branch in the Raval.
Carrer de Trafalgar, 39, 2, Eixample, 08010 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See gringa.es

Alapar

Bodega-meets-Izakaya fusion
This intimate restaurant, located close to the Placa d’Espanya, is run by established chefs Jaume Marambio and Vicky Maccarone. They call the cuisine here Mediterranean Izakaya, which equates to small, tapas-style dishes with a Japanese twist. The small but considered menu changes frequently but offers delectable bite-sized dishes such as montaditos (crunchy breads with delicious toppings) and nigiris, plus larger sharing dishes (grilled fish, quail). A discreet spot for a tete a tete or romantic rendezvous.
Carrer de Lleida 5, 08004 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See alaparbcn.com

Granja M Viader

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Tradition and sweet treats
If you’re in El Raval and looking for a quick, cheap bite, this place has been doing business since 1870. Nestled down a narrow side street off La Rambla, it has sandwiches, churros, cakes and other drinks – their cacaolat (chocolate milkshake) and hot chocolate served with whipped cream are famous well beyond the city. Decorated with trad tables and vintage family photos on the walls, it’s an atmospheric place to refuel before plunging back into the Old Town.
Carrer d’en Xucla 4, 08001 Barcelona Spain. Phone: [phone]. See granjaviader.cat.mialias.net 

Batea

A sophisticated option for seafood aficionados
Hotel restaurants can often be stuffy or lacklustre affairs, but not Batea. Tucked away inside the El Avenida Palace on the bustling Gran Via, it’s an elegant, airy space whose contemporary design reflects its ambition to upgrade what a classic marisqueria (seafood bar) can be. The menu of starters and sharing plates spans spicy mussel croquettes, deep-fried monkfish tails, and sauteed baby cuttlefish. The associated wine and cocktail list is also excellent: a place to linger.
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 605, Pl. Baja, 08007 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See bateabarcelona.com

Casa Amalia

An established keeper in Eixample
Running since 1950, Casa Amalia can be found on a quiet side street next to the Concepcio Market, from whose stalls it procures much of its fresh produce. The menu is divided between traditional fare such as seafood paella, grilled monkfish stew and rib-eye steak, and more innovative dishes such as sea-bass ceviche with tiger milk, slow-cooked suckling lamb and baked eggplant with Iberian pork belly. Nab a terrace table if you can and leave room for the cheesecake.
Passatge mercat 14, 08009 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See casaamalia.com

Albe

Lebanese cuisine from the heart
From the people behind buzzy new French-Mediterranean spot âme, Albe – which means “my heart” in Arabic – has become a mainstay of the gastro-bar scene. The attractive wood-and-plant-filled interior generates a convivial vibe, and the cuisine merges Levantine and Mediterranean influences to create delicious dishes such as the smoked (in-house) labneh, roasted eggplant with pomegranate, and kebbeh lamb croquette with smoked yoghurt. Order the tasting menu to sample a bit of everything.
Calle de Mallorca 196, 08036 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See albebarcelona.com

Cocina Hermanos Torres

Triple Michelin-starred adventures
Torres twins Sergio and Javier made their reputations at Madrid’s Dos Cielos – but this Barcelona venture is even more adventurous. With three Michelin stars under their belt, the culinary focus here is updated classic Catalan dishes and family recipes. Set in a former tyre factory, with tables set around a pristine open kitchen, guests are treated to an ever-changing multi-course menu that features dishes such as … well, written descriptions fail to do the experience justice.
Calle del Taquigraf Serra 20, 08029 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See cocinahermanostorres.com/en

Can Culleretes

A timeless Catalonian classic
The second-oldest restaurant in Spain (it’s even mentioned in Guinness World Records), Can Culleretes has been running since 1786. The classic multi-room interior, decorated with tiled walls, oil paintings and photos of their many famous guests, is as welcoming and comforting as the menu, which has hearty, well-priced dishes such as seafood soup, duck stew with plums, and escalivada (Catalan roasted vegetables) with goat cheese. A perfect option for an occasion or family feast.
Quintana 5, 08002 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See culleretes.com

The Green Spot

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Vegetarian food for non-vegies
One of the more upscale vegetarian restaurants in the city, the Green Spot steps up the game with oak-and-walnut panelling, luscious foliage and soothing colour schemes. Showing that vegetarian food must be neither boring nor insubstantial, the menu has lighter fare (grilled salads, gyozas) as well as more decadent options such as mushroom quesadillas, four-cheese pizza, and sweet potato tagliatelle with truffle. There’s natural wine and craft beer alongside the cold-pressed juices, and the staff tend to be young and friendly.
Carrer de la Reina Cristina 12, 08003 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See grupotragaluz.com

Bar Canete

Upscale tapas in the Old Town
Another consistently great tapas joint, the upscale Bar Canete, offers traditional Spanish dishes that veer towards excellent seafood and meat options. Despite its classic, polished air, it can get loud and bustling here, though service remains friendly and efficient. Depending on the day (and the season), you might find seafood croquettes, tuna tartare, Galician scallops with jamon or poularde cannelloni. If you’re stuck, try the Arroz del Dia. The cocktails (and crema catalana) are very good too.
Carrer de la Unio 17, 08001 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See barcanete.com