logo
hero-image

Insider's Guide: Our Favourite Barcelona Restaurants

Eat & Drink | Spain | By Christine Tucker

The combination of Mediterranean cool and Catalan spirit makes for Spain’s most exciting culinary scene. Below I’ve rounded up eight Barcelona restaurants that are not to be missed.


My Top 8 Barcelona Restaurants

Absolute Musts

Abac

With three Michelin stars, Abac is one of the best restaurants in town. The classic décor and impeccable service perfectly complement the elaborate nouvelle cuisine.

barcelona-restaurants-abac

Tickets

This Ferran Adria super-tapas experience is an absolute must – if you can get in.


Tapas

While other Spanish regions are better known for tapas (Madrid, San Sebastian and Andalucia all come to mind), below are a few of my favourite spots in Barcelona.

Bravo 24

Situated within the W hotel, this restaurant is among chef Carles Abellan’s portfolio of tapas bars and restaurants in town. Tapas 24, another of Abellan’s creations, is another spot worth trying and doesn’t require a reservation.

barcelona-restaurants-bravo

Barcelona Restaurants
Pep, pictured behind the bar, can often be found chatting with guests

Cal Pep

A fantastic small restaurant and tapas bar located on one of the smaller squares in the centre of the city.

Eat at the bar or if you are a group of four or more you can make a reservation for a table in the back. Pep, the owner, is often there.

This place often draws a crowd so make a reservation if you have a group, otherwise arrive at the beginning of meal times!

Classic

La Venta

A true classic for Barcelona locals, this relaxed spot offers a great view of the city from Tibidabo.

barcelona-restaurants-la-venta

Ca l’Isidre

Enjoy the best truffles in town at this true Barcelona classic.


Japanese Fusion

Paktabarcelona-restaurants-pakta

Pakta means “together” or “union” in Quechua, the language of native Peruvians, and this Nikkei restaurant blends together the best of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.

Dos Palillos

Dos Palillos describes itself not as a Japanese restaurant, but as a fusion of flavours from the far east, including Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam. This is a great spot for families to enjoy a light and local atmosphere.


Just Outside of Town

Barcelna restaurants
Carme Ruscalleda

Carme Ruscalleda

About a 40-minute drive north of the city in Sant Pau lies this three-Michelin starred gem that’s worth the trek.

El Celler de Can Roca

Located in Girona, about an hour outside of Barcelona proper, and considered one of the world’s best restaurants, this one could easily be included in the “musts” list above. You’ll usually need reservations about a year in advance in most cases, but trust me—it’s worth it!