Barcelona is well known for its delicious cuisine, so when visiting this Spanish city, it would be remiss not to try some of its signature dishes. Here are a few must-eat dishes: What do you need to consider about restaurants in Barcelona?
Explore Barcelona’s Mediterranean climate through seafood such as chipirones (lightly floured and fried tiny squid) served with runny fried eggs, or indulge in fideua, an irresistibly delectable traditional noodle dish similar to paella but with noodles.
Pa amb tomaquet
As Barcelona is famed for its love of Spain’s signature cured ham, jamon de bellota (serrano or Iberico varieties are most frequently served) on menus of restaurants and tapas bars throughout its city limits, it makes no visit complete. Jamon can be found almost everywhere you turn, from appetizers to main courses.
Pa amb tomaquet is one of the most beloved dishes served at bars and restaurants throughout Catalonia. It consists of stale bread mixed with local tomatoes, garlic, and high-grade Spanish olive oil for an easy yet delectable dish that echoes Italian bruschetta or Nicoise pan bagnat. It can even be found in some markets!
Fideua, similar to paella, is a traditional Spanish noodle dish composed of short, thin noodles combined with various seafood such as monkfish, squid, and shrimp. It is typically served topped with minced garlic, parsley, or alioli and is an absolute must when visiting Barcelona.
The city’s waterfront has had a profound influence on its cuisine, especially the seafood specialties available at local eateries such as El Cellar de Can Cortada or Casa Martima. Do try El Cellar’s razor clams or Casa Martima’s fresh seafood paella; both offer great experiences! Don’t forget about trying escalivada: this vegetarian treat includes red peppers and eggplant roasted over hot coals before being sliced and drizzled with olive oil – a genuinely mouth-watering experience!
Croquetas
Croquetas, a beloved street snack of Barcelona, are delicious fried dough balls filled with cheese or meat and coated in crunchy batter for an irresistibly tasty crunch and creamy center. A great way to start or end a meal or as an afternoon snack between meals; many restaurants also serve them with an exquisite romesco sauce!
Tomatoes are an integral component of Catalan cuisine, ranging from simple tomato juice drizzled on bread (an Iberian take on Italian bruschetta) to hearty stews featuring mushrooms or veal; you’ll even find them packed into snacks of both savory and sweet varieties!
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If you enjoy seafood, try chipirones and baby squid. Delicately fried and served with delicious romesco sauce, these treats make an exquisite appetizer or main course dish. Or try calcites—grilled green onions that have the consistency of apples but taste like garlicky goodness with notes of smokey paprika and sherry vinegar—they’re equally as delectable.
Catalan cuisine features several distinct sauces, such as cicada (a paste made with nuts and garlic), sofregit, which provides thick bases for soups and stews containing tomatoes, peppers, onion, and basil, and stamina, a vegetable sauce consisting of aubergines, courgettes, red and green peppers, and tomatoes. You may also notice the inclusion of sardines in certain dishes.
Potato bombs
Catalans love a filling dish like La Cova Fumada’s famous potato roll, filled with meat or seafood and covered in breadcrumbs, which boasts of being invented back in 1955. You’ll find this treat all over town, but for an authentic experience, visit La Cova Fumada, which claims they invented it themselves back then – this treat usually comes served up with spicy salsa brava (hot paprika-based sauce) and garlicky aioli for an unforgettable dining experience!
Salt cod (bacalao) has long been an integral part of Barcelona’s cuisine, thanks to its long shelf life and adaptable texture. It’s featured in many traditional dishes here, like esqueixada with onions, olives, and tomatoes in vinaigrette dressing. You can also try it as part of paella, which can be found at most good restaurants across Barcelona.
As in other parts of Spain, Catalans enjoy tapas as much as any other Spanish regionality and enjoy exploring quaint covered markets, neighborhood bakeries, and rural wineries in their city. Being small means, it is easy to avoid crowds and explore hidden gems such as La Boqueria’s lively seafood market or an iconic bakery serving delicious churros! Additionally, train and bus rides provide easy access beyond the city center to tucked-away hamlets, remote beaches, or rustic wineries where life continues uninterrupted by tourists!
Crema Catalana
Crema Catalana, like creme brulee, is an irresistibly creamy dessert to try in Barcelona. Like its counterpart, it combines egg and milk custard with caramelized sugar topping to make an irresistibly indulgent treat that serves as the perfect ending to any meal. It is also deliciously served alongside biscuits or carquinyolis (Catalan cookies).
Experienced vegetarians should try escalivada, the vegetarian equivalent of patatas bravas. It contains roasted eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes—perfect with beer! Additionally, another popular tapas dish in Catalonia is Calcots, which have delicate shells that only experienced chefs can open! Many restaurants even feature them on their menus!
For an authentic culinary experience, why not sample tapas at one of Barcelona’s local restaurants? Be sure to ask for recommendations from the chef and try an array of dishes. Additionally, signing up for a cooking class in Barcelona allows you to learn how to create these delicacies yourself – it is an enjoyable way to explore its culinary scene while simultaneously learning some of its signature recipes!
