Guide to What to Eat and Drink in Barcelona

Barcelona is a major city in Spain, with the city being the capital of Catalonia. It's a place visited each year by many tourists and is considered to be a major cultural and economic hotspot within the continent of Europe. There are lots of food and drink experiences in Barcelona, as well as those that cater for the regular tourist. Read the guide below to find out where to stay, what to see and what to eat and drink when staying in Barcelona.

Where to stay in Barcelona

As with most big cities, there are a variety of different places that would-be travellers should consider when staying in Barcelona, with accommodation options including apartments, B&Bs, hotels and hostels. Listed below are several options tourists should consider.

The Serras

The Serras is quite a famous hotel in Barcelona, known as the place where Picasso began his art career in the city. It's located in the Gothic Quarter and is a five-star hotel containing only 28 rooms, so this may not be an option for those on a budget. However, if you can afford it, The Serras is well worth a look. The hotel has gorgeous décor and also has a restaurant run by Michelin starred chef Marc Gascons, specialising in Catalan food.

The Park Hotel

Those wanting something a little cheaper would be worth checking out The Park Hotel. This hotel is located in the El Born Quarter, within walking distance of the Picasso Museum and cathedral. As well as the cultural aspects in the area, The Park Hotel also has a fantastic restaurant on site, with lots more located in the local area.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

This hotel is located near the sea, for those wanting to be near the beach. It's quite a luxurious hotel, featuring five restaurants, a spa, a pool, and an art gallery, meaning that there is something for everyone here.

What to see in Barcelona

There are lots of things to see in Barcelona for tourists, whether you're looking for something more cultured, or simply wanting to try the local delicacies.

Food and wine tours

Barcelona has lots of different culinary tours available for visitors to try, depending on what sort of food/drink you are wanting to taste. With tabl. we explore the very best of what to eat and drink in Barcelona, often combined with local attractions and evening entertainment.

As an example, you'll find many dining experiences that take place at restaurants and venues hosting traditional flamenco shows. Likewise, if you're a wine connoisseur, tasting events will take place in some of the most famous vineyards within the Catalan region.

Wine Tasting

As well as the food and wine tours, wine tasting is also rather popular in Spain as a whole. The Barcelona Wine Tasting event is a private wine tasting class based in the city, where tourists can sample five Spanish vintages, with a local sommelier guiding you through the process. Wine Cuentista is another wine tasting class that people can take - intimate and private wine tasting classes can be booked, making them a personal experience for all. At the A Taste Of Spain wine tasting event, five wines can be tried, from a variety of different types.

What to eat and drink in Barcelona

Like any large city, Barcelona has a huge selection of food and drink options for tourists to try.

Paella

Paella is one of Spain's most famous dishes, with lots of different varieties of paella being found across the country. This is also true in Barcelona, with seafood paella being the most popular paella dish in the area. It's prepared with bomba rice in Barcelona and contains a mixture of shellfish and other seafood, combined with rice and a tomato base. If you're not into seafood, most restaurants will also do different types of paellas. Popular restaurants serving paella include The Paella Club & 7 Portes.

Patatas Bravas

Patatas Bravas is another well known Spanish dish that is often found outside the country. It's sometimes served in tapas restaurants (something else originating in Spain), consisting of potatoes cooked in a spicy sauce. Whilst it's a fairly simple dish to make, it will differ across different areas due to the sauce used, so it's recommended that visitors to Spain try patatas bravas in different areas. Some good restaurants serving the dish in Barcelona include Bar Tomás de Sarria & Elsa y Fred, which also serves lots of other types of fantastic tapas food.

Iberian ham

Spain is famed for its ham and cured meat production, with Iberian ham being a must try for any tourist to the city. It's often served in many cafés and tapas restaurants in Barcelona, with some good examples including Jamonarium & Reserva Iberica. It's also fairly common at markets and street food stands, meaning Iberian ham is something that can be tried on the go.

Markets

Like any big city, Barcelona has its fair share of markets, often containing other goods such as crafts or homeware, as well as food. La Boquería is known as one of the best food markets in Europe, let alone Spain, making it a must-see for any foodies visiting the country. The market was first mentioned back in 1217, giving it a historical aspect too.

As well as selling foodstuffs such as fruit, fish & meat, the market also has its own restaurant, titled El Quim de la Boquería. Mercat de la Concepcio is another market in the city, although it's more well known for selling flowers than anything else (although you can also purchase a range of fruits and vegetables here). Mercat De Sant Antoni is another must see for foodie tourists, with a huge range of food being sold here, as well as other products, such as books, crafts and clothes.

Food and Drink Experiences in Barcelona

If you're considering a trip to the Catalan capital in the near future, book your food and drink experiences in Barcelona with tabl. Where you can find food tours, wine tours, cooking classes and more.