You are here: barcelona.de > Going out > Restaurants

Restaurants in Barcelona

A selection of Barcelona's best restaurants in all areas of the city


In Barcelona, the Catalan-Spanish cuisine is naturally at home and widely spread. People from all walks of life have found their home in Barcelona and have left their culinary marks. Often, you'll find excellent fusion cuisine here, stemming from the mix of various cuisines from around the world.

For seafood, the former fishing district of Barceloneta near Barcelona's beach is the go-to destination. In the Gothic Quarter (Barrí Gotic) in Barcelona's center, traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine predominates, with many tapas restaurants. In the Eixample district, you'll discover a colorful array of restaurants from around the world: from simple eateries to gourmet temples. Haute cuisine is particularly prevalent in the Gràcia district.

Eating out in Restaurants in Barcelona

Restaurant opening hours

Restaurant opening hours are tailored to the habits of the locals, who dine much later than visitors from Central Europe: for lunch, restaurants are open from 13:00 to 16:00, and for dinner, from 21:00 to 24:00. However, many restaurants have adjusted to cater to foreign guests and now open their kitchens earlier.

If you look around, especially in the city center, you should find something warm to eat from 12:00 onwards, even if it's just a few snacks.

Bars and cafes have longer opening hours, where you can also order smaller snacks, tapas, pintxos, and drinks. Fast food restaurants also offer their menus continuously from morning to late evening.

If you plan to visit a specific restaurant, it's advisable to check if it's open at your desired time and if reservations are recommended.

Seating in restaurants

Please wait at the entrance until the waiters guide you to an available table. Often, there's a waiting area at the entrance. The staff will accommodate your preferences whenever possible.

In bars and pubs, you can sit at any available table. It's not customary to sit at a table where someone else is already seated.

If you're unsure, feel free to ask the nearest server.

Prices in restaurants and bars

The prices for a menu are generally significantly lower than in a British, French or Norway restaurant. But the same principle applies here: move a few steps away from the main attractions, and prices become more affordable. However, prices at Michelin-starred restaurants are comparable.

Many restaurants offer an affordable lunch menu (menú del día), including salad, main course, dessert, and a drink. The price ranges between €10 and €15. In the evening, you can expect slightly higher prices. Barcelona has restaurants of all price ranges, from fast-food joints to Michelin-starred gourmet establishments.

Prices on menus often exclude the 10% Value Added Tax (IVA). Whether it's included or not is indicated on the menu.

Payment

Spanish-Catalan recipes

Bring a little flair of the Catalonian home with our delicious recipes. From the classic paella to tapas.

Only one person pays per table. The division of the bill is settled among yourselves afterward. Usually, the waiter will bring you a folder or plate with the bill. You then either put cash or a credit card inside. Only after the waiter has brought you the change, you leave the tip and can simply leave. If paying by card, the server will bring a card reader.

Almost all restaurants accept credit card payments, but cash is common for smaller amounts in bars or cafes.

Tipping

Locals in Spain generally leave modest tips in restaurants, around 5 percent or rounding up the bill to an even amount.

Identifying good restaurants

If a restaurant is busy during Spanish meal times, it's a good sign. However, don't judge too quickly; the empty tapas bar next door may just have guests arriving later.

Smoking ban in establishments

There is a strict nationwide smoking ban: smoking is generally not allowed in bars, restaurants, or nightclubs. Exceptions, such as separate smoking areas in restaurants or choice in bars, no longer exist. However, smoking is still permitted on terraces.

Restaurants in Barcelona's districts

Restaurants in Barcelona's Old Town

Restaurants in Barcelona's Old Town

The Old Town, with its neighborhoods Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), Raval, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera and Barceloneta is the center of Barcelona city.
In Barri Gotic and in the southern part of La Ribera, also called El Borne, you will find especially traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine and tapas bars. In Raval, a classic immigrant neighborhood, many restaurants and bars offer African, Asian and Middle East cuisine.
In the Old Town district of Barceloneta, located Between Port Vell and the sea, you can particularly find fish and seafood restaurants. In most of these restaurants the food is cooked fresh from the market and the prices are comperatively low.

More information...

Restaurants in Barcelonas district Eixample

Restaurants in Eixample

In terms of gastronomy the Eixample district is the most creative part of Barcelona’s culinary landscape. You’ll discover a colorful mix of traditional, modern, or even experimental cuisine. In addition to the well represented Mediterranean cuisine, there are also cooks from all over the world creating magic in Eixample. They come from Asia, the Middle East, European countries or Spanish regions such as Andalusia and the Basque country.
In Eixample you’ll find predominantly moderate to fine dining, you can also visit a number of Michelin-starred restaurants here.

More information...

Restaurants in the artist’s district of Gràcia

Restaurants in the artist’s district of Gràcia

Up until 1898 Gràcia was an independent city, which was connected to Barcelona by the Passeig de Gràcia at the borders of today's Old Town.
In Gràcia you can find small, narrow streets, alleys and charming squares, which are seemingly chaotically arranged. Everything here is a little more relaxed than in the rest of the city, which is what helps give this artistic hot spot such charm.
Several star-rated restaurants and other establishments of high-class gastronomy have settled here. But there are also very many traditional restaurants with reasonable prices here.

More information...

Traditional cuisine in the Eixample

Restaurants in Sant Martí

Sant Martí is the city district that borders the east of the old city and Eixample. The former industrial area is now an area with many new homes, shopping centres and malls, as well as a lot of restaurants, bars and pubs. This is a good place to go out, especially in the districts Vila Olimpíca, Poblenou and Clot.
One special attraction is undoubtedly the town beach, a large extent of which is assigned to the district of Sant Martí. Behind the beach there is a wide green strip, covering long distances on the coast road.
In culinary terms, you will mainly find Mediterranean cuisine here, including a wide range of fish and seafood. However, international restaurants can also be found here.

More information...

Food at the foot of the Montjuïc

Food at the foot of the district Sants-Montjuïc

A picturesque mountain, at whose feet is the fair. There are many places of interest around and on the 250-metre-high "mountain", however there are only a few restaurants here.

More information...

Restaurants with Michelin Guide Star awards

Restaurants with Michelin Guide Star awards

Barcelona has transformed itself into a real gourmet destination. Its location between the Mediterranean and the mountains, its proximity to France, the influence of other Spanish regions and the world cuisine of the multicultural population inspire the most creative chefs. In Barcelona these chefs have created one of the most diverse and globally prestigious gastronomy scenes.
In Barcelona over 20 Restaurants have been awarded with one or more of the Stars. There are also numerous restaurants that the Michelin Guide has recommended.

More information...

Franchise restaurants and fast food

Franchise restaurants and fast food

Fast food is not just fast food. Here we introduce the Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona and fast food franchises well known especially in Spain.

More information...

Hard Rock Cafe und Icebarcelona

(Click on the product images to view prices and availability)