Barcelona, the city of world famous architecture, lush parks, bustling beaches and some of the most delicious food in the world. Barcelona is a melting pot of cultures and styles and is the heart of Catalan cuisine, but if tapas is the thing you are looking for then we have the list of the best places to find it.
Tapas may not have originated in the city but Barcelona is still home to some of the finest tapas bars in the world. Whether you’re a cautious gourmet or an adventurous-foodie, with its fusion of Catalan and Spanish cuisine, Barcelona is the place to be for sampling the best of these tasty bite-sized snacks. Take a look below to see how you can even grab free tapas in Barcelona!
What You’ll Get Out Of This Article
- Looking for the best tours to take to explore tapas bars in Barcelona? We’ve done the research and found the ones that we’ve enjoyed. Yes, the research was a challenge, you are welcome!
- We give you the top tips to prepare for all the tapas indulging as well as what to pack and tapas etiquette.
- Discover where you can score free tapas with your drink, something not common in this region so these are real hidden gems!
- Find unusual tapas bars to taste fusion tapas and even Italian inspired small plates.
TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO BARCELONA
- Where to stay: For a place to sleep off all those tapas’ and caña’s we use Booking.com to find places to stay. Use the Genius discount to get great deals on your hotel bookings. Alternatively, you can always see if hotel corporate codes might work for you.
- Must pack item: Comfortable shoes are essential, Barcelona is very walkable so don’t let painful shoes ruin your explorations.
- Recommended tour: If you are looking for a good simple tour with great people the Tipsy tapas walking tour is a great choice.
- Car rentals – We don’t recommend that you rent a car if you are staying in Barcelona, the city is chaotic to drive in. But if you head out of the city for road trips make sure you know about ways to save money with car rental coupon codes and always start your search with Discover Cars and RentalCars so you know what the best deals are.
- Flights – If you are flying in from elsewhere use the Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature to find the best deals from your local airport. Check how much it would be for you to get to Barcelona!
- Insurance – Not always required but always recommended! Make sure you’re covered with the best travel insurance. Our go to is always HeyMondo.
- Hottest deals – Never be without our frequently updated travel deals page.
So now you are ready to explore the best tapas bars in Barcelona, where to start? Be prepared that some of these have a long line to get in, so you need to arrive early and expect a wait. But once you are inside you will see what the hype is all about and you will have built up a healthy appetite!
Tapas Etiquette
- In the old style tapas bars with the tall tables you order at the bar, when its quiet someone might come to your table but best bet is to assume you order at the bar. They’ll tell you if they prefer otherwise!
- Don’t be afraid to ask about portion sizes, some places have larger portions than others so it helps to know so you can order just the right amount of food.
- These aren’t the places to languish away an afternoon, the idea is to be in and out. If you want to spend an afternoon on a terrace savouring drinks and a little food you’ll be better off finding somewhere more restaurant-like. These old bars aren’t it!
- With pintxos it is priced on an honesty basis. You collect your pintxos from the fridge counters on the bar, each one has a cocktail stick stuck in the top. They are priced based on the length of the stick. When you come to pay your bill they will count your sticks. So be honest!
- Get local with the wines, instead of ordering what you know, ask the bartender for suggestions, Spain has incredible local wines and cava is made in the Penedes region surrounding Barcelona.
Where To Find The Best Tapas In Barcelona
1. Quimet & Quimet
In the bustling Poble Sec neighborhood of Barcelona is this historic tapas spot with service operating the old way, no seats, don’t hang around for too long, and you must have food with your drinks. Stand at small tables and place your order at the bar for freshly made small plates.
The bar has over a hundred years of family run history with the founder’s great-grandson now the current owner. It has not lost any of its family vibe and you will find a long line outside most days. It is absolutely worth the wait!
Try their delicious montaditos – bite-sized, baguette-style snacks filled with the tastiest ingredients from Spain! The salmon, honey and truffle oil one is worth sampling, or grab a plate of fresh anchovies, razor clams and boquerones. If you’re not sure what to order, the chef can even choose for you based on your drink order, which includes over 500 wine selections! If you have time to wait in line Quimet y Quimet is a great place to grab a drink, some great tapas and catch up with friends.
2. El Xampanyet
Another historic locally run tapas bar, El Xampanyet is tucked away near the Picasso Museum in the heart of the El Born area. Expect a wait, especially in peak summer season but this is well managed by a friendly door manager.
The bar has its own incredible house cava and is known for its delicious seafood dishes. Try the calamari con sanfaina (squid with a local ratatouille), and the pork with padron peppers. Service is quick considering the busy crowds and you will immediately feel welcome.
If you are spending the day exploring the history of the old town of Barcelona El Xampanyet is a must visit, just be sure to get there just before opening time to guarantee a spot!
3. Ziryab
For something a little different and where you can guarantee a table (especially if you reserve ahead of time!). This gem of a restaurant serves up tapas fusion, blending traditional Spanish cuisine with Arabic flavors. Expect unexpected spices, rich combinations and colorful platters you won’t find anywhere else in Barcelona.
Also located in El Born near the Picasso Museum this restaurant is worth stopping by if you fancy something a little different. Try the Borek a Mallorca, which are rolls of pastry stuffed with sobrasada, feta and spinach topped with Greek/Turkish grape syrup called “pekmez”. Other must-eat dishes include the Cauliflower Power, roasted cauliflower in a creamy romesco sauce with toasted almonds and raisins. Or the delicious house special, Devils on Horseback, juicy Medjoul dates wrapped in perfectly cooked bacon.
Ziryab is an unexpected way to enjoy tapas and is ideal if you want more of a restaurant feeling than the traditional standing tapas bars. They also have an excellent selection of fine wines to wash down the plates of tapas, and if you want to feel more into the Arabic vibe finish your meal with a shisha pipe and enjoy their live acoustic music to set the mood.
4. El Quim De La Boqueria
Strolling around the infamous La Boqueria on La Rambla is a must-do activity while in Barcelona. The stalls packed with brightly colored fresh fruit, sliced jamon, and seafood is a foodie paradise. Markets are also a traditional place for locals to stop for a bite to eat while shopping and La Boqueria is no exception.
Pull up a stool at El Quim for the perfect pit stop, you can soak up the market’s unique atmosphere from your bar stool while the chef, Quim, whips-up some authentic, Catalan tapas as he has been doing at this spot since 1987.
Try the shrimps in garlic sauce and the grilled eggplant, as well as classic croquetas, then wash it all down with a caña or a smooth local red wine.
5. Bar Alegria
After walking the long avenues of Eixample you’ll be ready for refreshments, and the newly refreshed Bar Alegria. The location has a long standing history and was recently taken over by a new team and made even better. Sit out on the terrace to watch the bustling streets, many of which have now been pedestrianized, perfect for a sunny afternoon.
Sample steak tartare with avocado or the albacore tuna, sourced from the local Rooftop Smokehouse. This is also a place to leave room for dessert with an incredible rich chocolate served with crisp breads, salt and olive oil.
If natural wines are your thing this is an excellent place to sample the best in the region with a knowledgeable sommelier to help you pair with your dishes.
6. El Maravillas
This tapas bar is in a really cute location in the friendly Les Corts neighborhood, close to the home of the Barça team, Camp Nou. The bar overlooks a lovely plaza and is the perfect place to catch up with friends while indulging in excellent tapas.
Try the burrata with roasted peppers and olive paste for some of the most delicious burrata you’ll ever have. If you are a seafood lover the sea bass and mango ceviche with prawns is incredible, they also have a cava and oysters deal which is very reasonably priced.
7. Sagardi Argenteria
Sagardi are renowned for their world-class pintxos (tapas on bread, pierced with a cocktail stick) originating from the Basque region of Spain. Pintxos are traditionally eaten as a small snack whilst socializing in a bar with friends, however they can also be enjoyed as part of a breakfast, lunch or even an informal diner.
Grupo Sagardi has several locations with the Argenteria location in El Born being a personal favorite. The laid back atmosphere, local vibe mixed with enthusiastic tourists is a great place to pass a few hours eating and drinking at leisure. Sit inside at one of the tall tables or at the bar, or sit outside at tables for a more formal dining experience.
The windows are lined with huge pieces of aged beef, which we absolutely recommend you try drizzled with garlic butter and coarse sea salt. For pintxos sample bread slices topped with crab and a padron pepper, or the small spiced sausages dripping with red oils. For tapas straight from the Basque-county, Sagardi is the place to be!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Carrer de l’Argenteria, 62, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
- Hours: Bar open Monday to Sunday 12pm – 12:30am.
- Kitchen open Monday to Friday 1pm – 4pm, 7-11pm.
- Saturday and Sunday 1pm – 11pm.
- Top Tip: You can enjoy pintxos from the counter anytime it is open but if there is anything you want to order off the tapas menu you will need to visit during the kitchen hours.
FREE TAPAS IN BARCELONA? YES PLEASE!
It is an old tradition for bars to serve free tapas with every drink purchased, but this tends not to be very common in Catalonia. However, there are a few that offer great free bits with your drink and to save you from searching the whole city just to find some tasty treats on the house, here are three of our favorites:
8. Ca’l Chusco
Located in the beach-front neighborhood of Barceloneta, Ca’l Chusco serves free tapas with every drink, perfect for a refresh after a day on the city’s beaches. Drinks are also very reasonably priced which can be hard to find in the Barceloneta area, grab a beer for a couple of euros or a decent wine for around €3.50 a glass.
If you are hungry and want to order more than the freebies, Ca’l Chusco is renowned for their bombas, delicious potato balls stuffed with cheese or meat, not quite the same as a croquette but just as delicious. The bar is also known for excellent black rice paella perfectly washed down with a jug of sangria.
9. La Xula Taperia
To the north of Barcelona is the old Gracia neighborhood which actually used to be a separate town, before it merged with the main city to become a barrio within Barcelona. The area is a great place to wander around the small streets and the many plazas where locals hang out with their families each day.
Tucked away near Plaça de la Revolució is the local favorite La Xula Taperia, the tapas is excellent and many dishes have flavorings not typical with Catalan cuisine. Try the marinated salmon with soy, sake, avocado and citronella mayo for an Asian inspired tapas dish. Or if you prefer something more traditional have the eggplant with honey and lemon foam, or the classic sausage and mushroom cannelloni.
If it is the free tapas you are coming for visit from 5pm until 9pm, for a treat with your drink.
10. Pappa E Citti
If you fancy tapas with an Italian twist, this restaurant in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi neighborhood is a great place to stop for a tapas and a drink. Stop by between 6pm and 9pm to pick up a snack with a glass of good wine. With drinks ranging from 1,80-5,00€, this is a guaranteed tapas bargain in Barcelona you won’t want to miss out on.
The main dishes are not touted as the best Italian food in Barcelona but they are fairly decent if you decide to stop for more than tapas.
Map Of Top 10 Tapas Bars In Barcelona
Below is an interactive map of the top 10 tapas bars in Barcelona, at least that’s what we think!
PRO TIP: If you want to customize it expand the map and create a copy in your logged-in Google account. With this copy, you’ll be able to access it in your Google Maps mobile app under the “Saved” tab. Scroll to the bottom and look for the “Maps” button. Keep in mind that you need data to access this map.
For an offline solution, use the offline Google Maps feature and individually save location pins on your primary map.
The Best Tapas Tours In Barcelona
If you are looking to really get into tapas culture and visit a few bars with a local expert it is a really good idea to join a food tour, they are a great way to get a locals insight into cuisine and you’ll find some hidden gems along the way.
These are some highly recommended tours that get into the heart of tapas culture:
- Tipsy tapas walking tour: Join local Mariah for a stroll around the old El Born district, along the way she will tell you insights to the neighborhood, point out special features, and take you to several excellent bars for tapas, cava and vermouth.
- Gothic quarter tapas tour: Get ready to indulge in excellent wines and discover one of Barcelona’s oldest neighborhoods in this tour. The focus is on specialist quality ingredients, expect cheeses, Catalan sausage and the classic patatas bravas, all served with high quality regional wines. You are also given the option to book a flamenco show for after the tour to really round off your Spanish day.
- Wine and tapas tour for food lovers: If you have a large appetite and prefer small group tours this is the one for you. The tour covers more ground than the others and takes you away from the busier touristic areas to find hidden tapas bars. Make sure you don’t eat before because you will eat around 14 tapas served with at least 7 wines. Bring your appetite and leave stuffed and likely slightly buzzed!
- Food tour with Secret Food Tours: Sample more than just tapas with this food tour that includes a secret dish at the end. You will try paella, local cheeses, churros, and delicious slices of jamón. As well as food tasting you will pass by some of the old towns most iconic sights including the incredible Palau de la Música Catalana and parts of Barcelona’s waterfront.
- Tapas, Taverns and Gothic quarter tour: The highly rated Devour tours hosts this smaller scale food tour in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. You will visit 3 bars to sample several tapas dishes and local wines before ending at a classic Catatan restaurant for dinner or lunch – depending what time of day you book your tour. As part of the tour the local guide will show you some of the most iconic locations in the Gothic quarter and offer insights into the medieval history of the area.
- Local secrets tapas tour: Head to a part of the city you might not think to visit for a tapas tour in local favorite tapas bars. At each stop you are offered tapas and wine to sample with all dietary restrictions catered for, the menu is not set, it is catered to your individual tastes at each bar.
What To Wear For Tapas Tasting In Barcelona
Eating out in tapas bars in Barcelona has no dress code, so you won’t need to arrive in your best dinner outfit. These locations are local favorites to meet friends after work, so casual clothing is absolutely fine.
However, this is Barcelona and you will likely spend a lot of time walking or going up and down stairs in the metro, so there are a few things that are absolutely essential.
- Comfortable shoes: The Vessi Everyday Classic is a great all rounder shoe for cities. They can be dressed up or worn casual and are super comfortable. Also waterproof, should the rains arrive during your trip! The Altra Lone Peak 8 shoes are also a top choice as they are so comfortable!
- Secure bag: Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets so to make sure you are not relieved of your belongings while stuffing your face with tapas you will need a secure bag, maybe also with some way of securing it to your chair leg as many locals do. A money belt is a good idea, we have a love hate relationship with ours. We also like a few of the bags from the Travelon anti-theft series.
- Sunglasses: Even in the winter the sun can be strong in Barcelona so don’t forget your sunnies so you can read those menus easily. We are big fans of Maui Jim so always pack a pair in addition to Croakies to keep them around our neck.
If you are visiting in the summer we have a whole post on what to pack for summer in Europe which has all the details of our tried and tested packing essentials, carry on friendly!
Best Bites Of Tapas Bars In Barcelona
Exploring Barcelona and finding the best places to eat can be really overwhelming and it is easy to get sucked into those tourist restaurants with photos on the menu. But with this list we hope that you will get off the main streets and into the hidden gems and local classics that give you an insight into the food culture in Barcelona while mixing with locals and friendly bar owners.
Discovering the local cuisine and delving into the food culture of Barcelona is a great way to experience Barcelona life, just as the locals do. Food is a huge part of Spanish culture so by exploring tapas bars in Barcelona you can dip a toe into this incredible city.
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest and most snackable tapas is of course the classic tapas, patatas bravas covered with chilli sauce and alioli, it is perfect for sharing with friends while enjoying a glass of beer or wine. Another great choice is chipirones, which are pieces of squid battered and generally served with a slice of lemon and alioli.
Tapas is great any time of day! Enjoy it as a pre-lunch snack, a late afternoon/pre-dinner snack, or you can make a whole meal out of it for lunch or dinner. Catalan tradition is usually a larger meal for lunch and tapas later in the day in place of dinner but that isn’t fixed, enjoy tapas whenever you like!
In the case of tapas bars you can wear whatever you are comfortable in. People tend not to get super dressed up unless going to a specific event or high end cocktail bar, but even if you do want to wear your best outfit then nobody will question it! In the summer in particular you will find women in beautiful dresses and men in linen shirts, but mostly for the cooling aspects rather than style.
For lunch it tends to be between 1pm and 3pm, many bars will close around 4pm and reopen again for dinner around 7pm. Generally locals will head out for dinner from 8pm onwards, it is not unusual to be asked to join dinner at 9:30pm either, particularly in the summer months.
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Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
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