The top 10 tapas restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona is undoubtedly one of the European cities with the most possibilities regarding tourism, so today we’ll provide you with information that you will surely appreciate about its gastronomy.

Spanish cuisine is a popular attraction in Barcelona, and particularly tapas. The city is full of tapas restaurants and bars, that offer a great variety of this Spanish specialty.

Today we’ve prepared a list of the best tapas restaurants in Barcelona. More traditional places, specialized sites in Vermouth, modern cuisine or places with their own beers go hand in hand so you can taste the best tapas in the city in places with different atmospheres but with the same purpose: delight your senses. Bon appetit!

Where to eat tapas in Barcelona?

1. Quimet y Quimet

Where is it? Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona
www.facebook.com/quimetyquimet

Quimet y Quimet is one of the most popular tapas bars in Barcelona, not only for its delicious variety of this great Spanish type of food but for its famous Vermouth. The multitude of tapas is accompanied also by an incredible variety of wines that you will see displayed on the wall and ceiling. It has been reviewed and recommended by the New York Times.

With a capacity for 350 people and about 25m2, this place is run by the fourth generation of Quimets, a family that has developed outstanding dishes such as “montaditos de mojama” (dry meat) with sweet tomato and spun egg, anchovies with dry tomato, pickle and olive, or squid with onion confit. Tradition, cuisine, and the kindness of a family that has been producing some of the best tapas in the city for four generations.

2. Ciudad Condal

Where is it? Rambla de Catalunya, 18, 08007 Barcelona
www.facebook.com/pages/Ciudad-Condal

Ciudad Condal is another great choice if you are looking for tapas restaurants in Barcelona with delicious Spanish cuisine and vegetarian and vegan options. Rice is one of the specialties, along with tapas. Although it is usually full of people, the wait is not so long, so if you have a little patience you can enjoy a great snack. Tapas and rations of fish, cheese or the famous bravas (potatoes with spicy sauce) are the most demanded, although if you also want to sit down to eat, you should not have any problem. It has a terrace and a friendly professional staff.

3. The 58

Where is it? Rambla del Poblenou, 58, 08005 Barcelona
www.facebook.com/el58poblenou

Located on the Rambla del Poblenou, it’s a family and quiet place, just like the neighborhood. It’s located in small and pleasant interior patio next to an outdoor terrace, the perfect place to enjoy the “sobremesa”. In their menu we find “bravas”, scallops, hummus, tuna belly or grilled octopus. The homemade croquettes are another good option to accompany with a house wine or a beer. Although, if you have more appetite, maybe the aubergines with honey or mussels are the best choice for you.

4. La Esquinica

Where is it? Passeig de Fabra i Puig, 296, 08031 Barcelona
laesquinica.com

La Esquinica name comes from the diminutive commonly used in Zaragoza (the small corner). Six people created this bar and restaurant more than 40 years ago at the corner of the street but had to change to a bigger place after having a great success. Even today the place stands out for its cuisine and decoration. With a family atmosphere, in La Esquinica you can taste dishes such as torreznos (fried pork grease), patatas bravas, squids, sausage, cuttlefish, homemade croquettes, octopus, baby squid, salads, pimientos de padrón and more. You will be amazed by the walls full of tiles and mosaics, the traditional style of the Spanish bars and the friendly staff. Also, as if that were not enough, it opens every day! This place doesn’t take reservations, and it’s always full with local people, so it depends what time you go, you will probably have to take a number and wait a little before you can try this unique tapas restaurant. It’s located a bit away from the centre but it’s worth it!

5. Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria)

Where is it? Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7, 08003 Barcelona
www.canpaixano.com

Founded in 1969, Can Paixano offers a glimpse of what were the old tapas bars of Barcelona. Its peculiarity is the possibility of taking or buying a bottle of Catalan Cava or its sparkling wines. With a notorious media exposure throughout the years, Can Paixano has become one for the most popular places to have some tapas in Barcelona, thanks to its vintage look and taste. But not only there are wines and cava, the kitchen offers a wide variety of tapas and sausages such as Iberian ham, loin, sausage and different Iberian products. Decorated in a traditional way is usually a busy place so we recommend that you go soon.

6. Viana

Where is it? Carrer del Vidre, 7, 08002 Barcelona
www.vianabcn.com
Highlighted by all visitors and residents of Barcelona, Viana offers an extensive menu of tapas and wines, and even though the place is small (only has 9 tables), the attention of the staff is excellent and very pleasant. Galician products stand out, like the cooked octopus, but within the menu you will find different dishes of Mediterranean cuisine such as vegetables, meat and fish. A perfect little place to take a tapa while you get to know the Gothic Quarter. In addition, the quality of their dishes and rations stands out.

7. Pollería Fontana

Where is it? Carrer de Sant Lluís, 9, 08012 Barcelona
www.facebook.com/PolleriaFontana

Don’t be fooled by its name, this is not a poultry shop, nor is it located near the Fontana metro stop. La Pollería Fontana is a great bar full of tapas and homemade recipes. The chef is the local manager and made a commitment to traditional Catalan cuisine that has given him a great result. Located in the popular Gracia neighborhood, you can enjoy a rice with shrimp, you can eat delicious homemade croquettes, enjoy the chicken of the house or some more modern recipe like the Steak Tartar.

8. The Cova Fumada

Where is it? Carrer del Baluart, 56, 08003 Barcelona
www.facebook.com/pages/La-Cova-Fumada

Another classic of the Catalan tapas. It is a familiar tapas restaurant in Barcelona decorated with marble tables and specialized in wines and “spicy potato bombs”. You also have traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Its classic decoration that has barely touched since its inception, its traditional cuisine and its service have made it one of the best options in the Barceloneta neighborhood. Bear in mind they don’t accept payment by card, so be sure to go with cash.

9. La Tasqueta de Blai

Where is it? Carrer de Blay, 17, 08004 Barcelona
grupotasqueta.com

La Tasqueta de Blai is one of those pure tapas restaurants in Barcelona since that’s all they work with. Built to eat on your feet, you can order a wide variety of tapas and “pintxos” from € 1.50. With a Basque-country vibe, they also offer “zuritos” which are small glasses of beer to drink with your pintxos. They also have a terrace where you can enjoy the sun, tapas and pintxos and even a great variety of mojitos.

10. Tapeo

Where is it? Carrer de Montcada, 29, 08003 Barcelona
www.tapeoborn.cat

This tapas bar is pure food joy. Among its specialties there is a great combination of elements, from vegetables to meat or fish. Enjoy your meatballs with cuttlefish and peas, the sprout salad with parmesan, the 100% veal burgers with foie and mayonnaise of mushrooms or the delicious cannelloni of roasted butifarra with ceps. Not forgetting sweetbreads and figs, eggs truffled with mushrooms, tomato with buffalo burrata, Iberian ham croquettes, or their “papas aliñás” (seasoned potatoes) with salmon and wasabi or cod fritters.