Where to Eat Like a Local in Barcelona

Gazing at lazy Mediterranean waves, not wanting to reveal myself as an amateur foodie, I boldly ordered paella for lunch. Once served, although I couldn’t ID each seafood morsel, I knew I had found where to eat like a local in Barcelona for a delicious Barcelona foodie adventure.

For the locals, food is best served with family and friends. Whether tucked in at home, at a neighborhood restaurant, at happy hour munching on tapas, or at a food market, frequent sharing of a meal or drinks with others is customary.

Arguably, one of the quickest and most immersive ways to live like a local and catch an authentic glimpse of the city’s lifestyle, is through the stomach. Barcelona shines as a good example of how food is integral to their culture, offering abundant opportunity to eat like a local – from bustling food markets and tasty tapas bars to sanded xiringuitos (beach bars) and atmospheric restaurants.

When exploring neighborhoods and top attractions in the Old City, visiting Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, or Barcelona’s beaches, an exciting foodie adventure awaits and you discover where to eat like a local in Barcelona – whether sharing paella at the beach, snacking on patatas bravas between museums, sipping sparkling cava on the Ramblas, or chowing down on tapas in Old Town…

Where to Eat Like a Local in Barcelona’s Foodie Markets

Wildly popular with locals, Barcelona’s vibrant food markets are not just about fantastic food – they’re also gathering places for friends and family where they shop and then meet up to grab a tidbit and some drinks at the market when done. Indeed, humming food markets are one of the best places to discover how to eat like a local in Barcelona because you are surrounded by a bevy of mouth-watering food temptations, immersed in a colorful atmosphere, and rubbing elbows with locals at a tapas bar or other embedded eatery. The market is also where you can learn about the types of food on display from proud vendors who, in many instances, are continuing a family tradition and legacy.

Mercat de la Boqueria

Sitting on the Ramblas, Barcelona’s pedestrian boulevard in the heart of the city, across from the El Gotic neighborhood, is the city’s famous Boqueria food market. Although the market has evolved into a top tourist destination, locals continue to head there for some of the freshest food (especially seafood) and bustling ambiance not only for shopping but also for lingering to have a light meal or drinks. And, you can conveniently drop into the Boqueria at any time to break from exploring the cobbled streets of the Old City and surrounding sights.

Mercat de Santa Caterina

When exploring the popular El Born neighborhood, it’s hard to miss the multi-colored wavy rooftop of the Mercat de Santa Caterina by the Placa Nova. Created by Catalan architect Enric Miralles, he selected vibrant colors representative of the abundant fruit, cheese, and vegetables found in rows of food stalls inside the market. Known for delicious traditional Catalan regional specialties, locals and tourists alike are drawn to the colorful market where you can tuck in at a counter or bar for food sampling and wine tasting.

Mercat de la Llibertat

Just beyond the touristed Old City neighborhoods, the Mercat de la Llibertat offers a more laidback environment than the jam-packed markets around the city’s major landmarks and sights. Built in 1888, situated in the Gracia neighborhood which is known for its village-like atmosphere, it is one of the most pleasing markets in Barcelona. Unlike other food markets huddled under one roof, you can find not only fresh stalls brimming with daily-catch fish, produce, meats, and cheeses but also a Bon Preu supermarket with packaged and canned food stuffs. Inside, there are eateries such as Joan Noi specializing in the freshest seafood and daily catch menu items from the fishmonger next door.

Mercat de Sants

Opened in 1913, the Mercat de Sants has become a social hub in the Sants-Montjuic neighborhood. The market’s charm stems, in part, from the modernista rectangular metal roof and façade, decorated with ceramics and exposed brick-work. An almost perfect example of early 20^th c. food market architecture, today it also offers a modern vibe with its vaulted ceilings and lots of light filtering through. Rows of food stalls overflow with fresh produce, meats and seafood as well as tasting counters offering ready-made meals, tapas, and small plates.

Mercat de Sant Andreu

In the charming Sant Andreu neighborhood, the medium-sized, family-friendly Market de Sant Andreu nestles in a colonnaded square, resembling a busy town market from the past. The delightful locals-frequented market offers standard fare like fresh meats, artisan cheeses, fruit, and exotic herbs but is also known for its florist stalls, bakeries, and chocolatiers selling quality chocolates and ice creams. For tasting and sipping, there are eateries and bars clustered along the market’s row of columns.

Personal Favorite – La Boqueria on the Ramblas – with an overwhelming variety of food stalls and tapas stands, a location central to major sights, a dazzling electric and eclectic vibe.

Where to Eat Like a Local in Barcelona’s Sunny Beach Bars

Hanging out at the xiringuitos (beach bars) quickly became a happy habit while living seaside in Barceloneta. After working mornings in my apartment, I frequently walked the coastal boardwalk, picked a spot to lazily lunch and gaze at the Mediterranean, until eventually I resumed work on my laptop.

Lining almost 3 miles of coastal boardwalk populated by walkers, skate boarders, and bicyclists, are xiringuitos which typically offer light meals, fruit drinks, and beer. The further you walk beyond the Barceloneta central beach, the calmer the experience on the promenade and at the xiringuito.

Xiringuito Escriba

Along the azure Mediterranean coastline of Barceloneta, sits the family-run Xiringuito Escriba – serving mouth-watering regional dishes, popular for its paella and seafood dishes. Tucked in on the boardwalk, you can while away at least half a day taking in sea views, cool breezes, and beach sports games. Since Escriba is a short seaside walk away from crowded Beach Bars nearer the city center, there are usually more locals than visitors dining at this pleasant, laid-back, stylish beachfront café.

Salt Beach Club Outside the ‘W’ Hotel

From just about anywhere in the city, but especially along the coast, Barcelona’s skyline is dominated by the massive iconic ‘W’ Hotel, perched slightly off the pedestrian boardwalk and Barceloneta beach. Just steps outside the hotel, the Salt Beach Club bar serves tasty tapas, savory small plates, and cocktails, offering extraordinary seascapes due to its slightly elevated position overlooking miles of coastline.

Pela Vela

On Barceloneta’s most central beach, you can easily have a xiringuito beach experience without traveling far. Pela Vela is known for retaining an authentic beach bar atmosphere despite crowds of tourists, and for serving typical cuisine like grilled fish, tapas and small plates. A favorite with locals, the seafront establishment is friendly and the food is delicious.

La Deliciosa

On the Barceloneta beach, La Deliciosa is the quintessential xiringuito – an open-air beach bar for fun in the sun and basic food like sandwiches, tapas, juices, hamburgers, pizza, and Mediterranean cuisine. Sit on the beach or in the shade at the bar, or at a table facing the sea while watching avid beach goers bronzing in front of you. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it’s a lively spot for happy hour, people-watching, or catching a good quick meal or drink in an entertaining environment.

Personal favorite – Beachfront Xiringuito Escriba – amazing sea views, popular with locals, serves authentic dishes like gazpacho, paella, and regional specialties.

Where to Eat Like a Local in Barcelona’s Tasty Tapas Bars

I’m a big fan of the tapas scene in Barcelona. They can serve as a main meal and it’s a fun and delicious way to sample creative tapas varieties, especially with friends, since you get to sample theirs as well. Like the rest of Spain, tapas have become a culinary trend. You can find the bite-size tidbits in establishments as casual as a beach bar (xiringuito) and as elegant as a 5-star gourmet restaurant. Some of the best tapas can be found in full-service restaurants as well as in smaller tapas bars. Here are five favorite picks, each unique in personality and cuisine, and near top attractions.

Sagardi

There are many reasons to visit the El Born neighborhood such as discovering iconic churches, the Picasso museum, artisan shops, chocolatiers, flamenco shows, and … mouth-watering tapas at Sagardi’s. About a 5 minute walk from the Santa Maria del Mar church (well-worth a visit), you will find Sagardi, a restaurant and tapas bar, at Placa Jacint Reventos. Specializing in Basque cuisine from North-Eastern Spain, the small plates and tapas are deliciously amazing and beautifully created – beyond any other restaurant or tapas bar I frequented in Barcelona. I always chose to sit outside people-watching as I sampled a variety of tapas with sparkling cava, thoroughly enjoying the charming ambiance, superior service, and (sometimes) a couple complimentary tidbits.

Tapas Bars Restaurants Things to Do

L’Ostia

When visiting the beach in Barceloneta, you can easily stop in for tapas at L’Ostia, a traditional tapas bar with authentic cuisine like calamares, oxtail, fried fish and other first-class tidbits and small dishes. Although a seaside spot, it’s not far from central attractions and well worth the coastal views and seaside ambiance for whiling away some laid-back time.

Tapas Bars Restaurants Things to Do

El Xampanyet

Strolling through narrow cobblestone streets in delightful El Born, you will find El Xampanyet – one of the most fun, energetic, and friendly tapas tavern’s in the city – located just around the corner from the Picasso Museum. Considered their neighborhood joint, locals frequent the bar and welcome visitors. Indeed, after a short time there, we were eventually rubbing shoulders with friendly neighbors, enjoying their tapas and sparkling cava. No reservations needed, just jump in and join in.

Tapas Bars Restaurants Things to Do

El Quim de la Boqueria

Sitting right on the Ramblas (the famous pedestrian boulevard) across from El Gotic neighborhood, El Quim de la Boqueria has the most privileged spot of any tapas bar. Tucked in at the center of the renowned Mercat de la Boqueria (food market), barstools at their large counter quickly fill up with market shoppers and ‘regulars’ who are simply coming to enjoy the freshest of tapas sourced from the market’s produce. Surrounded by the market’s high-energy buzz, colorful food stalls, aromatic scents, and exotic seafood displays, the dining ambiance is provided by the market itself. Another bonus for grabbing a barstool, especially if dining alone, you can easily end up chatting with a fellow tapas aficionados.

Tapas Bars Restaurants Things to Do

Bar Canete

This tapas bar gem is in the El Raval area, very popular with locals and visitors alike. Usually packed to the brim, Bar Canete is appreciated for its boisterous atmosphere and the freshest ingredients found anywhere. Their acclaimed traditional specialties include burrata with pesto and tomatoes, baby scallops and squid, Iberian pork loin, razor clams, and oysters.

Tapas Bars Restaurants Things to Do

Personal Favorite(s) – Sagardi – hands down best tapas anywhere in Barcelona. But, for comradery and fun, I’m for El Xampanyet.

Immersive Foodie Experiences

Another popular way to explore the tasty captivating culinary scene in Barcelona, is to experience a cooking class, food market tour, or wine tasting tour – digging deeper into the Barcelona food culture and lifestyle. For more information, see below.