Where to eat and drink in Barcelona [2024]
One of the struggles in Barcelona is picking where to eat and when… there’s just so many great choices, and rarely enough time. With the help of a friend who lives in the city, we were able to cut out the tourist traps and head directly to some of the best food and drink spots in Barcelona – as recommended by locals.
The best places to eat in Barcelona
La Pepita
La Pepita near Diagonal station is a great spot for modern tapas with a choice of larger plates if that’s more your thing. Arty and rustic, the place has a great vibe, but it does get busy… so book in advance! And don’t miss the cocktail menu.
Cerveseria Vaso de Oro
If you’ve ever been to Basque Country, you’ll get the vibe at Cerveseria Vaso de Oro. Serving beer and tapas around a huge bar, it’s busy and buzzing… as it should be. The dishes come quickly, they’re affordable, and most importantly they’re delicious. This isn’t going to be the healthiest food you eat in Barcelona, but it might be the most traditional.
El Chigre 1769
It took a while to get a table at El Chigre 1769 – a Catalonian and Asturian restaurant right in the centre of town. But they let us drink basque style sidra (complete with personal dispensing tap) on the street outside until a table at the bar came available. And then we filled up on tapas, homemade bread, olives, and seafood in this cosy, traditional restaurant.
El Xampanyet
If you like to visit authentic spots when visiting new cities, then El Xampanyet – sitting on a cobbled alleyway in the town centre – should be high on your list of places to eat in Barcelona. Pintxos, tapas, and small plates are served at the busy bar and to packed tables on the sawdust-covered floor. It’s loud but cosy, and is worth queueing for.
Barra Perelló 1898
In the Mercat del Ninot in the Eixample district of Barcelona is Barra Perello 1898. A small fish restaurant that serves both large and small plates, it’s easy to miss as you wander the market – but it’s well worth keeping an eye out for. Order croquettes and tacos with a vermouth blanco or cava for the perfect late-morning snack. Together, this made it one of our favourite places to eat in Barcelona.
Cat Bar
Cat Bar is a vegan spot in the Gothic Quarter that serves one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. But you don’t need to be vegan to enjoy it here. A laid-back, bohemian bar serves great food. Although you could just as happily spend a night drinking here too.
Federal
Inspired by Australian coffee culture, Cafe Federal is a perfect spot to stop for hot drinks, brunch, or smoothies while you’re in the centre of Barcelona. We came before heading to Casa Batllo and the avocado on toast with sun dried tomatoes and feta might be the best breakfast I had in the city. And the good news is, there’s three branches so you won’t be too far away from a Federal.
Quimet & Quimet
This cosy tapas bar near Parallel serves sandwiches, pintxos, and drinks from a bar lined with over 500 bottles of wine. There’s only standing room at Quimet & Quimet, unless you’re lucky enough to grab one of the coveted bar stools. But that’s all part of the vibe – pop in, eat your pintxos, and get back to exploring the city.
The best places to drink in Barcelona
Paradiso
Rated one of the top 5 Best Bars in the World, underground cocktail bar Paradiso has a cool vibe curated through wavy wooden structured and dim-yet-neon lighting. Down the stairs and behind the curtain, you’ll find impressive and unique drinks all served with a signature twist.
We arrived at Paradiso at opening time and still had to queue for a little under an hour. So it’s not ideal if you want to pop in somewhere for a quick drink. But if you’ve got the time, it's worth checking out.
Las Cuevas de Los Rajahs
Though the cocktail menu at Las Cuevas de Los Rajahs doesn't need to be strayed from, we got lucky with our bartender Louis who was practising his own concoctions and letting us sample them. So while his apple pie cocktail might not be on their classics list, you can trust the bar team here to create pretty much anything you want, perfectly.
The vibe is just what you want from a relaxed Friday night cocktail bar, the prices were more affordable than Paradiso, and we got a seat at the bar with no booking.
La Mariposa Negra
We came back to La Mariposa Negra two nights in a row and I ordered the same drink twice… it was that tasty (their take on a pina colada, if you’re interested). This quirky bar is inspired by the Carlos Ruiz Zafón crime novel of the same name and is packed with eye-catching artwork, ceramics, and other features.
The wooden walls give the bar a cosy, old-time feel that’s in stark contrast with the bold black and white stripes and spots that cover almost everything else. Including the drinks which are served in 3D printed, hand-painted ceramic cups. All in all, this bar has a great and unique vibe with a drinks menu to match.
Nevermind Raval
If you love a rock bar and like to stick to what you know when exploring new cities, head to Nevermind Raval. Grunge and cave-like, this bar has a half pipe and a small, boxy TV playing old skate videos to a sound track of eclectic rock, metal, grunge, and emo music. We were enticed by the offer of free shots. But we stayed (way too late) for the vibe. There’s actually two branches of Nevermind in Barcelona, but Raval is the one (if you ask me).
Psycho
Continuing the rock vibe, Psycho Rock & Roll Club actually expands its niche into soul and funk nights, too. With live music, a buzzing bar, and a friendly atmosphere, it’s a great place to visit for a relaxed yet fun evening. Or for pre-drinks if you’re headed to a night at the Sala Apolo. But be aware: it’s closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Gran Bodega Saltó
Also in Parallel, Gran Bodega Salto is a small and cosy bar that feels truly and authentically Catalonian. A small space with stone flooring and a bar packed with bottles, it hosts shows and live music as well as serving one of the most extensive wine lists in the city.
At the time of my first trip, a carafe of red wine at Salto cost less than £5… I can’t promise that things have stayed the same, but I can guarantee it’s still worth a visit.
Want to explore the sights of Barcelona? Read my blog: the best things to do in Barcelona.