The best restaurants in Barcelona

Iconic 1945 tapas bar, tiny charming space, vintage décor, standing room, local favorite

Specialty: Only 4 tapas since 1945: fried anchovies, tomato-onion salad, anchovy toast, butifarra toast. Barrel vermouth

Pro tip: Try pescaditos fritos with vermouth. Arrive early, no reservations. Ferran Adrià's favorite, "a magical place"

Classic small cozy restaurant

Specialty: Traditional mediterranean modern food

Pro tip: Try the gyozas and the meat. Favourite place in Barcelona. Early booking is needed

Cozy, family-friendly Italian pizzeria with warm service

Specialty: Neapolitan pizza, carbonara, tiramisu, wood-fired oven

Pro tip: Try pizza Stella or pistachio linguine. Complimentary limoncello shots. Reservations recommended

Cozy former delicatessen, exposed brick walls, Catalan vaulted ceilings, warm intimate atmosphere

Specialty: Mediterranean tapas, Greek buyurdi (baked feta), homemade croquetas de cocido, charcuterie boards, melted cheeses

Pro tip: Try buyurdi with tomato and croquetas. Book ahead, always full. Greek and Catalan products

Classic restaurant

Specialty: Traditional mediterranean food. Paellas and fideua

Pro tip: Try the paella, black rice or fideua. Recommended to book first

Cozy intimate restaurant, tiled entrance, warm family atmosphere. Barcelona's first seafood boil spot

Specialty: Cajun seafood boil meets Mediterranean. Lobster paella, premium mix, craft cocktails. Get messy dining

Pro tip: Reserve ahead. Open late (until 02:30). Try premium seafood boil with Cajun sauce. Come hungry

Classic small Italian restaurant

Specialty: Traditional Italian food. Pasta and pinsas

Pro tip: Try the pinsas, are great

Cozy authentic Italian, warm family atmosphere, terrace. Feels like nonna's kitchen

Specialty: Homemade Sardinian pasta, seafood spaghetti, tortellini, tiramisu. Fresh market ingredients daily

Pro tip: Free tapas 6pm-9pm with drinks. Try seafood pasta and tiramisu. Opened 2009. Book ahead

Small cozy restaurant, open kitchen, bright sophisticated atmosphere. At Casino Barcelona, near beach

Specialty: Nikkei fusion (Peruvian-Japanese). Ceviches, spicy scallops, bao shrimp, maki, pisco sour. Chef from Lima

Pro tip: Michelin Guide 2018-2025. Try ceviche clásico and pisco sour. €21 weekday lunch menu. Free 2h parking

Classic restaurant

Specialty: Korean cuisine

Pro tip: Taste menu is a good option. Any dish is great here, fully recommended

Cozy courtyard terrace with plants, trendy modern space. Vegan for non-vegans

Specialty: Gourmet plant-based burgers, crispy tofu wings, triple chocolate cake. Everything homemade including brioche buns

Pro tip: Try agave mustard burger and triple chocolate cake. Gluten-free options. Interior patio perfect

Classic small cozy restaurant

Specialty: Peruvian fusion food

Pro tip: Try the tiradito, the ceviche and keep space for the dessert tres leches

Lively bustling bar-bistro, open kitchen, counter seating, theatrical seafood atmosphere

Specialty: Fresh Catalan seafood tapas, signature paella Cañete, fritura de pescado, charred octopus, squid sandwich

Pro tip: Book ahead, always packed. Sit at counter for kitchen show. Paella needs 45-min wait

Authentic Venetian bacaro, rustic décor, former salted fish factory with high ceilings

Specialty: Venetian cicchetti tapas, baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor, fresh pasta, pizzette, Italian wines

Pro tip: Try traditional sardines in saor and cod mantecato with carasau bread. Book ahead, fills quickly

Classic small restaurant. There are more in Barcelona and Madrid

Specialty: Napoletan pizzas

Pro tip: If you are in Sagrada Familia is a good choice for a pizza

Modern restaurant

Specialty: Peruvian fusion food

Pro tip: The daily menu is super good choice for its price

Modern small restaurant

Specialty: Traditional spanish food

Pro tip: Good price for the daily menu

Neapolitan pizzeria, wood-fired oven, quiet terrace, bright interior

Specialty: Naples-style pizza, fresh salads, tiramisu, Italian beers

Pro tip: Open kitchen with visible wood oven. Try margherita or any specialty pizza. Small interior, outdoor terrace available

Traditional Catalan tavern, vintage décor with family antiques

Specialty: Russian salad, steak tartar, bravas, homemade croquetas, daily specials

Pro tip: Try jarrete de ternera or sepia burger. Daily off-menu specials. White marble bar entrance

Classic small cozy restaurant

Specialty: Traditional mediterranean modern food

Pro tip: Try the croquetas, tomato and the sushi

Cozy rustic Italian tavern, warm atmosphere, authentic Tuscan charm

Specialty: Tuscan focaccias, Italian charcuterie boards, authentic pizzas, all ingredients imported from Tuscany

Pro tip: Try focaccia with truffle honey and gorgonzola. Gluten-free cured meats available. Opens late night

Modern restaurant

Specialty: Traditional spanish modern tapas

Pro tip: Try the gyozas and also brunch options

Iconic 1944 family-run bodega, no sign outside, authentic local spot

Specialty: Birthplace of "La Bomba", fresh seafood, grilled sardines

Pro tip: Arrive before 11am to avoid long waits. No reservations. Try the bomba

Authentic Mexican cantina, punk-rock décor, high bar stools, vibrant atmosphere

Specialty: Tacos de carnitas, cochinita pibil, tostadas de atún, nachos, micheladas, mezcal

Pro tip: Cash only. Order on paper sheet. Try mango margarita with Tajín rim. Arrive early, fills up fast

Hidden Galician gem, homestyle atmosphere, no menu card

Specialty: Fresh seafood, vieiras with foie, octopus, lobster, centollo

Pro tip: Reservations essential. Staff reads menu verbally. Trust their recommendations for fresh daily catches

Cozy restaurant with a small terrace

Specialty: Italian cuisine pastas

Pro tip: Try to get place on the terrace and try the truffle pasta

Family-run, cozy Lebanese restaurant, 30+ years in Gracia

Specialty: Authentic shawarma, falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, arayes, tabbouleh

Pro tip: Try combo platter with shawarma or chicken tawuk. Generous portions. Vegetarian/vegan options available

Elegant neoclassical building, beautiful bright interior, open kitchen, wooden chic design, live music Tue-Thu

Specialty: Creative vegan/vegetarian Mediterranean, black carbon pizza, cauliflower tamarind, butternut squash tagliatelle, kale chips

Pro tip: Try black carbon pizza and cauliflower with tamarind. Book ahead. Historic Picasso family building

Minimalist white décor, cozy wine temple atmosphere

Specialty: 160+ wine references, 60+ artisan cheeses, rotating monthly selection

Pro tip: Try truffle bikini and cheese board. Small space, reservations essential. Opens 6PM daily

Classic restaurant

Specialty: Traditional mediterranean food. Every type of paellas

Pro tip: Try the seafood paella (bogavante, calamar or roja)

Beach-themed burger bar, colorful terrace, party atmosphere

Specialty: Creative burgers (Maradona, Hot Mama), garlic parmesan fries

Pro tip: Try garlic parmesan fries. Terrace one minute from beach. Busy spot

Fancy restaurant and quite touristy

Specialty: Modern tapas with cocktails

Pro tip: Live singer on weekends. Salmon tartar

Colorful authentic Mexican décor, lively music, warm atmosphere, gorgeous details

Specialty: Southern seafood-based Mexican, aguachiles, ceviches, enfrijoladas, tacos campechanos, mezcal cocktails

Pro tip: Try aguachile negro or lunch mediodía menu. Complimentary chips & salsa. Book ahead, gets busy