25+ Famous Foods in Barcelona You Must Try

One of the best parts about visiting Barcelona is getting to try all the amazing food!

I live in Barcelona, and trying the local food has definitely been one of my favorite parts of living here.

Along with Spanish favorites, Barcelona is a great place to try traditional Catalan dishes and local specialties you might not find elsewhere in Spain.

In this guide, I’m sharing 25+ famous foods in Barcelona you’ll want to add to your must-try list!

Start with these traditional Catalan dishes and local specialties you’ll find throughout Barcelona:

Tip: The easiest way to taste these foods in Barcelona is by going on a food tour! I recommend checking out Devour Tours–they offer some of the best food tours in Barcelona!

1. Pa Amb Tomàquet

One of the most common foods you’ll see in nearly every local tapas bar is pa amb tomàquet (or “pan con tomate” in Spanish).

It’s made by rubbing ripe tomatoes onto toasted rustic bread, then topping it with olive oil and a pinch of salt.

It’s so simple yet incredibly satisfying! You’ll usually order it as a side dish to go along with your other tapas.

It’s hard to go wrong with this one but the best I’ve had is at Bar del Pla in the El Born neighborhood.

2. Bombas

Bombas are a traditional Barcelona tapa that originated in the Barceloneta neighborhood.

They’re fried potato balls filled with seasoned ground meat and typically served with spicy brava sauce and aioli.

You’ll find bombas at tapas bars throughout Barcelona, but La Cova Fumada is one of the most famous places to try them and is often credited with creating the dish.

I’ve also had them at L’Ostia, Bar Jai-Ca, and Bar Cañete.

3. Crema Catalana

Crema catalana is a traditional Catalan dessert made with a creamy custard flavored with lemon or orange zest and cinnamon.

It’s kind of like the Catalan version of creme brûlée and it’s topped with a thin layer of caramelized sugar that creates a crisp crust.

Traditionally eaten on St. Joseph’s Day on March 19, you can now find crema catalana on dessert menus throughout Barcelona year-round.

I’ve tried it at Bodega La Palma and it was delicious!

4. Botifarra

Botifarra is a traditional Catalan pork sausage that comes in several different varieties.

It’s often grilled and served with white beans (“botifarra amb mongetes”), but you’ll also find it used in stews and other traditional recipes.

You can try botifarra at traditional tapas bars around Barcelona including La Plata and El Xampanyet.

5. Fuet

Fuet is a dry-cured Catalan sausage made from pork and seasoned with black pepper and garlic.

It’s usually served thinly sliced on its own or with bread and cheese, and it’s mildly addicting!

You can find fuet at grocery stores and local markets in Barcelona, as well as many of the outdoor food markets and festivals around the city.

6. Calçots

Calçots are a type of green onion from Catalonia that are typically eaten during the winter calçot season.

They’re grilled over an open flame until charred, then peeled and dipped in romesco sauce.

Eating calçots is traditionally part of a “calçotada”, which is a big Catalan meal centered around grilled calçots, usually followed by grilled meats.

They’re also famously messy to eat, so don’t be surprised if you’re given a bib!

If you’re visiting Barcelona between December and March, it’s definitely worth trying this local tradition.

7. Romesco Sauce

Romesco is a traditional Catalan sauce made with roasted tomatoes and peppers, nuts, garlic, olive oil, and other seasonings.

As mentioned above, it’s most famously served with calçots, but you’ll also find it paired with grilled vegetables, fish, and meat.

It has a slightly smoky, nutty flavor and is definitely worth trying while you’re in Barcelona.

You can find jars of it at local supermarkets. I’ve also tried it at Tapeo paired with fried asparagus.

8. Canelons

Canelons are a traditional Catalan pasta dish made with tubes of pasta filled with meat, covered in béchamel sauce, and baked until golden.

They’re especially popular on Sant Esteve (St. Stephen’s Day) on December 26th, when they were traditionally made using leftover meat from Christmas.

You can find canelons at traditional Catalan restaurants throughout the city, even outside of the holiday season in Barcelona.

9. Esqueixada

Esqueixada is a traditional Catalan salad made with shredded salt cod, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and olive oil.

It’s typically served cold and may also be topped with olives or hard-boiled eggs.

It’s a popular starter, especially during the warmer months in Barcelona.

10. Escalivada

Escalivada is a traditional Catalan dish made with roasted eggplant, red peppers, and onions.

The vegetables are charred, peeled, and typically dressed simply with olive oil and salt.

It’s usually served cold or at room temperature as a tapa or side dish, sometimes topped with anchovies.

11. Panellets

Panellets are traditional Catalan sweets made with an almond-based dough and coated in pine nuts.

They’re especially popular around All Saints’ Day on November 1, when you’ll find them in bakeries throughout Barcelona.

You can try them at local bakeries like Mauri. Or any traditional bakery with “Forn” (Oven) in the name will likely have them.

And if you’re looking for one of the best gifts from Barcelona, they’re also a great local treat to take home.

12. Mel i Mató

Mel i mató is a traditional Catalan dessert made with “mató”, a soft, mild fresh cheese, topped with honey.

It’s a simple dessert that you’ll usually find at some of the outdoor food markets that pop up around Barcelona.

Another one of my favorite places to try it is at the local food market at Montserrat, where vendors sell mató and other Catalan specialties.

13. Paella

Paella may not be originally from Barcelona, but it’s still one of the most popular Spanish foods to try while you’re here.

The dish originated in Valencia and is traditionally made with rice cooked in a wide, shallow pan.

In Barcelona, you’ll find a lot of different varieties like chicken and rabbit, seafood paella, and “arroz negro”, a black rice dish made with squid ink.

One thing to know is that paella is traditionally eaten for lunch in Spain, not dinner.

It’s also typically made for at least two people and priced per person, which is something to keep in mind when ordering.

For a good paella by the beach, Xiringuito Escribà is one of my favorite spots in Barcelona.

14. Patatas Bravas

Patatas bravas are one of the most popular tapas in Barcelona and throughout Spain.

They’re made with fried potatoes and typically topped with slightly spicy brava sauce and aioli.

Depending on the restaurant, you might get crispy potato cubes, fried potato wedges, or larger russet-style potatoes.

You’ll find patatas bravas on the menu at pretty much every tapas bar in Barcelona.

15. Jamón Ibérico

Jamón ibérico is one of Spain’s most iconic foods, made from Iberian pigs and cured for several years.

The highest-quality variety (and most expensive) is “jamón ibérico de bellota”, which comes from 100% acorn-fed pigs.

You’ll probably notice whole cured ham legs hanging from the ceiling or displayed behind the counter at markets, tapas bars, and specialty shops.

The ham is carved directly from the leg into very thin slices and typically served on its own, with bread, or as part of a charcuterie board.

You can try jamón ibérico at La Boqueria Market, Santa Caterina Market, and tapas bars and restaurants throughout Barcelona.

16. Croquetas

Croquetas are a popular Spanish tapa made with a creamy béchamel filling that’s breaded and fried until crispy.

Jamón (ham) is one of the most common fillings, but you’ll also find versions made with chicken, mushrooms, cheese, fish, and other ingredients.

You usually order croquetas individually, so you can choose exactly how many you want and sometimes mix and match different flavors.

They’re crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and you’re probably going to want to order a second round!

You’ll find croquetas at most tapas bars in Barcelona.

17. Fideuà

Fideuà is similar to paella, but it’s made with short noodles instead of rice.

The dish originated in Gandia, a coastal town in the Valencia region, and is traditionally cooked with seafood and fish stock.

Like paella, it’s typically cooked in a wide, shallow pan and served for lunch.

You’ll find fideuà at many seafood and rice restaurants around Barcelona, especially near the beach, and it’s a great alternative if you want to try something different from paella.

18. Tortilla de Patatas

Tortilla de patatas is my personal favorite Spanish dish!

Also known as “tortilla española”, it’s a thick Spanish omelette made with eggs and potatoes, plus onions depending on who you ask.

Whether tortilla should have onions (con cebolla) or not (sin cebolla) is actually a pretty serious debate in Spain!

It’s typically served by the slice or an individual size and can be eaten hot, warm, or at room temperature as a tapa or light meal.

You’ll find tortilla de patatas at tapas bars throughout Barcelona, and it’s definitely one I recommend trying at least once.

19. Bacalao

Bacalao, or salted cod, is commonly used in both Spanish and Catalan cooking.

In Barcelona, one of the most traditional ways to try it is “bacallà a la llauna”, a Catalan dish typically prepared with garlic, paprika, and olive oil.

You’ll also find bacalao served in salads, croquetas, and other tapas throughout the city.

For a more traditional preparation, look for it on the menu at a Catalan restaurant.

20. Padrón Peppers

Padrón peppers are small green peppers fried in olive oil until blistered and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt.

They’re typically mild, but apparently you’ll come across a spicy one every so often.

I’ve eaten a lot of Padrón peppers in Spain and have yet to experience that myself!

You’ll find them on the menu at tapas bars throughout Barcelona, usually served as a plate to share.

21. Chorizo

Chorizo is a Spanish cured sausage made from pork and seasoned with paprika, garlic, and other spices.

There are many different varieties, ranging from mild to spicy, and you’ll find it served sliced, grilled, or incorporated into different dishes.

I personally love chorizo in a simple sandwich, but you can also order it as a tapa or pick some up at one of the local markets in Barcelona.

22. Churros Con Chocolate

Churros con chocolate are a classic Spanish treat made with fried dough served alongside thick hot chocolate for dipping.

Unlike the churros you might be used to in the US or Mexico, Spanish churros are typically served plain without cinnamon or sugar.

They’re traditionally eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack rather than as a dessert after a meal.

For a classic spot to try them, head to La Pallaresa Xocolateria Xurreria or Granja Dulcinea in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.

23. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a cold tomato-based soup that originated in Andalusia and is especially popular during the hot summer months.

It’s typically made with tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, all blended together and served chilled.

The first sip is kind of a mind trick because your brain expects soup to be hot!

But once you get used to it, it’s super refreshing, especially during the summer in Barcelona.

24. Spanish Cheese

Spain produces tons of different cheeses, and Barcelona’s markets and tapas bars are great places to try a few varieties.

Manchego is probably the most famous. It comes from La Mancha and is made with sheep’s milk.

You can order a cheese plate at many tapas bars or pick up a few varieties at markets like La Boqueria and Santa Caterina.

25. Chipirones

Chipirones are small squid that you’ll commonly find on tapas menus throughout Barcelona, especially at seafood restaurants.

They’re often lightly battered and fried, then served simply with lemon.

They’re similar to calamari, but much smaller, and are typically ordered as a plate to share.

26. Cava

Cava is Spain’s version of champagne and one of my personal favorites!

Most cava is produced in Catalonia, particularly in the Penedès region just outside Barcelona.

And unlike champagne, you definitely don’t need a special occasion to drink it! It’s completely normal to order a glass with lunch, at a tapas bar, or just because.

Cava is also surprisingly affordable, and you don’t have to spend a lot to get a really good bottle. You’ll find many great options at supermarkets, wine shops, bars, and restaurants throughout Barcelona.

If you want to learn more about how it’s made, take a day trip to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, the heart of cava country.

I visited Solà Raventós there and had the best time tasting cava straight from the source.

27. Vermut

Vermut, or vermouth, is a fortified wine flavored with herbs and spices and one of the most famous drinks in Spain.

In Barcelona, it’s traditionally enjoyed before lunch, often alongside olives, chips, or other small snacks.

It’s typically served over ice with an orange slice and an olive, and many traditional bars have their own house vermut.

I’ll admit, it’s a bit of an acquired taste, but after moving to Barcelona, it’s definitely grown on me!

Final Thoughts: Traditional Food in Barcelona

Trying the local food is one of the best ways to experience Barcelona, especially since the city has its own Catalan specialties alongside dishes you’ll find throughout Spain.

If it’s your first time in Barcelona, I’d start with some of the traditional Catalan foods on this list, especially pa amb tomàquet, bombas, and crema catalana.

Most restaurant and tapas menus will have a mix of Catalan dishes and Spanish favorites, so you’ll also have lots of opportunities to try patatas bravas, croquetas, tortilla de patatas, and jamón ibérico.

And don’t forget to order a glass of cava or vermut to go with it!

Bon profit!

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