The Best Restaurants In Barcelona
From Michelin-starred restaurants to modern tapas bars. Here is our pick of the best restaurants in Barcelona right now.
Barcelona’s restaurant scene has been thrust into the spotlight of late as Disfrutar, the two Michelin star establishment from three ex El Bulli chefs was named the world’s best restaurant. Awards aside, the Catalan capital has always had an excellent food offering thanks to the abundance of fresh produce from daily caught fish and fruit and vegetable as well as locally grown wine.
Whether it’s Mediterranean fine dining, traditional tapas, beachfront paella or perhaps contemporary small plates, Asian flavours or standout pizza, Barcelona has it covered across the board. Here are some restaurants to bookmark (and reserve) for your next trip to Barcelona.
With wood panelling, a checkerboard floor and tiled tabletops, this Barceloneta institution hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1955. One of the best spots for an authentic old-school tapas experience, there’s always a lively atmosphere as plates
There’s a growing crop of natural wine and small plate spots in Barcelona but Vereda is one of the originals. With its charming olive green facade and small cornerside terrace, it’s a lovely location to enjoy the ever-changing menu which spotlights the best local and seasonal produce and wine.
On an unassuming street behind Arc de Triomf, this modern tapas restaurant has a menu that nicely balances the classic dishes with contemporary and creative takes. The cod fritters and Catalan meatballs are as excellent as the aubergine confit with red miso and the grilled cabbage with kimchi mayonnaise. Handily, one of the city’s best gelato shops, La gelateria di Michele, is right next door.
Right in the middle of the harbor and housed inside the Royal Maritime Club of Barcelona, the location of this design-led establishment can’t be beaten. A considered and calming spot with minimalist Scandinavian-inspired interiors, the elegant food spans fresh fish, rice dishes, pasta, and modern tapas.
For a different flavor experience, this light-filled and breezy restaurant on a corner in Eixample serves up the city's best Middle Eastern dishes. The Israeli chef gives a Mediterranean twist on food from this diaspora - don’t miss the challah bread with tahini.
This tiny open-kitchen restaurant has garnered quite a reputation, and rightly so. The simple meets sophisticated menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients, and there’s a choice of 300 wines to go with it. Only open on weekdays, booking in advance is essential
This legendary 1970s tortilleria was masterminded by architect Alfonso Mila and photographer Leopoldo Pomes who collaborated on the building and decoration. Serving up nearly thirty varieties of the much loved Spanish omelette - including sweet varieties - the non-tortilla dishes are also great.
If you can’t get a table at Disfrutar, their other offering is also well worth a visit. There’s none of their famous molecular gastronomy here but instead, food designed to be shared (where the name Compatir - to share - comes from). An elegant take on tapas, the menu offers Catalan flavours with contemporary touches.
There’s an abundance of good pizza in Barcelona and every local has their own favourite. Sartoria Panatieri, the brainchild of Rafa Panatieri, who used to be the head chef at Roca Moo is a clear contender. What makes the pizza special here is the 72-hour fermentation sourdough base created using organic stone-ground flour. Pizzas are then topped with creative combinations of organic and local produce and cooked in a wood fire oven.
Xemei - the Venetian word for twins - is the creation of Stefano and Max Colombo, twins from Venice. For elegant Italian food, this place is it. The daily-rotating menu focuses on fish, seafood and pasta and the street terrace tables are partially lovely for a summer lunch.
This restaurant celebrates the owner’s homeland in Northeast China and time spent in Japan with a menu showcasing the best of North-East Asian cuisine in a contemporary and elegant way. The setting is minimal yet warm and the dishes are paired with low intervention wines. At lunch they serve an excellent menu del dia while dinner is a sharing plates concept.
84 Rooms recommends: The 84 Rooms Guide To Formentera, and Where To Stay On The Costa Brava.