Indulge In A Culinary Journey Through Food in Barcelona

Everyone who loves traveling and exploring new places should book their trip to Spain, or to be more precise, Barcelona. Yes, Madrid, Ibiza, or Majorca are some of the first places that cross our mind when we talk about Spain, but Catalonia is definitely worth visiting. The food in Barcelona is one of the main reasons why this city should be on your must-visit list. Here you can taste some of the most delicious combinations of meat and seafood, or as they call it in Catalonia – mar i muntanya. Of course, the use of fresh vegetables and fruits is yet another thing that makes Traditional Catalan cuisine very unique, which is why this list of traditional foods of Barcelona that every visitor must try will come in pretty handy.

The Rich Culinary Traditions of Barcelona

For those who still wonder whether  Barcelona is worth visiting , we need to mention that Catalan cuisine is one of the most historic in the world. As a matter of fact, some cookbooks have been discovered that date back to the Middle Ages.

Thanks to Barcelona’s perfect location with  the sea on one side and mountains on the other, the traditional foods of Barcelona incorporates a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, meat, legumes, and vegetables.

At first glance some ingredient combinations may seem like they won’t play nicely with each other, but the Catalan people have learned how to use spices to tie flavours together. These flavour combinations in traditional Catalan dishes promises to awaken all of your senses.

This cuisine is considered a part of Western Mediterranean cuisine, but that description doesn’t really do it justice. There are influences from other cultures that enhance many of their dishes. It’s not uncommon to eat something with the same name at two restaurants and find them being totally different.

Food In Barcelona – Seafood Delights

Knowing where Barcelona is located , it’s not surprising that a big part of Catalonian cuisine embraces ingredients from the sea. Since Barcelona is a coastal city it’s pretty understandable why there are a number of recipes devoted to seafood.

The city has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and this is reflected in the food. Understanding the culture of the different regions is a must when learning about Spanish food.

This is just the beginning, as the ideal mix of vegetables,spices and seafood this region is known for gives all of these dishes that special something that has people craving for these traditional Catalonian dishes.

Arròs negre

Arros Negre

Traditional Catalonian cuisine is known to be very diverse, meaning that there’s something to satisfy almost every tastebud out there.

One dish that seems to please everyone is Arròs Negre, one of the most traditional food in Barcelona easily identified by it’s deep black colour due to the squid ink that’s used.



Apart from the ink, other ingredients include rice, squid(or cuttlefish) and sometimes prawns. It’s a dish that many fall in love with and always come back for more. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a foodie, you should try Arròs Negre as it can give you a good insight into what the traditional foods of Barcelona is all about.

Fideuà

Fideuà

This looks similar to paella and arròs a banda, but there’s one important difference – it’s made with pasta instead of rice. Even the literal translation of the name means “noodles“. One thing we have to mention is that although Fideuà is found in many restaurants in Barcelona it’s not a Catalan dish, its actually Valencian. That being said it still a very popular food in Barcelona and one you can’t skip.

Apart from the noodles, some common ingredients of this dish include various white-fleshed fish, such as monkfish, cuttlefish, squid, and shellfish loke crayfish and shrimp. The type of fish and shellfish may vary depending on the restaurant and the chef, but the one thing that all restaurants and chefs agree on is that Fideuà is always served with a good squeeze of lemon.

Mandonguilles Amb Sipia

Mandonguilles Amb Sípia

A lot of people say they prefer meat over seafood but the Catalonian people have created a dish that incorporates both meat and seafood in a delicious way.

Mandonguilles Amb Sípia (cuttlefish and pork meatballs) perfectly showcases Barcelona as it’s a beautiful blend of meat from the land and cuttlefish from the sea: mar i muntanya.

The cuttlefish and meatballs are simmered in a sauce made out of peas that gives it a unique taste. We’re pretty sure that this’ll satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Food In Barcelona – Meat Dishes

Spanish people eat the most meat in all of Europe so it’s no surprise that traditional Catalan cuisine includes a lot of meat dishes.

Ham is one of the most traditional foods of Spain so when in Barcelona don’t miss out on trying the many varieties available.



Besides pork, traditional Catalan cuisine uses other meats in their dishes and prepares them in different ways, from grilling to slow cooking.  All of these different cooking techniques adds to the diversity of the cuisine. It’s very common to see someone left speechless after the first bite of some of these meat based Catalan dishes.

Botifarra Amb Mongetes

Botifarra Amb Mongetes

Many Catalans consider Botifarra Amb Mongetes their national dish so this speaks volumes about the importance and role of this in their culture. The beauty lies in it’s simplicity, which could explain why it’s so popular.

It’s a simple, yet remarkable, dish of sausages and white beans. It’s said that the first recipe for this dish dates back a couple of centuries.

Sausage and white beans are popular in almost every country, but it’s revered here. Don’t be surprised to find it highlighted on the menu in many restaurants.

Fricandó

Fricandó

Beef stew is prepared all around the world, but many meat lovers agree that Fricandó truly is something special. The original recipe dates back to the 18th century and the main ingredients are beef, mushrooms, and picada.

The beef stew is slowly cooked with mushrooms, and, finished with picada, a sauce of nuts, herbs, garlic, and wine made in a pestle and mortar.

Portions in Barcelona can be pretty big but don’t worry if you have leftovers, Fricandó tastes better the next day.

Ànec amb Peres

Ànec amb Peres

Duck with pears, this dish might confuse some as this isn’t a popular flavour combination. Yet, it’s that unique flavour combination that makes this such a delicious dish.

Every ingredient is fresh from local gardens or markets. The freshness of the ingredients surely plays a big part in the amazing taste of Ànec amb Peres.

Food In Barcelona – Vegetarian Favorites

Vegetarian food in Spain is extremely popular, and considered an important part of their national cuisine. Because of this many vegetarians, or vegans, find Barcelona to be a food paradise.

Traditional Catalan cuisine uses a lot of vegetables, and many dishes are vegetable focused. Catalan vegetarian meals are so popular, and full of flavour, that many meat lovers often find themselves leaning towards them. Most of these recipes are simple, but that simplicity is the magic in these dishes.

Pa Amb Tomàquet

Pa Amb Tomàquet

Every cuisine has that one simple, yet flavourful, dish that leaves visitors in awe, and in Barcelona, it’s the pa amb tomàquet.

You don’t normally hear someone say “rub tomato on a piece of bread” but there’s a lot of history behind this Catalan staple.

You can find pa amb tomàquet on all menus from high end restaurants to local fast food restaurants. If you order a sandwich you’re more likely to find your bread smeared with tomato and olive oil than butter. Understandably, with such an iconic dish you can expect to find many variations of this dish.

Escalivada

Escalivada is often considered a side or tapas dish but it can also be very filling. Like lots of the traditional food in Barcelona, it’s simple to prepare as it requires only a few key ingredients. Peppers, eggplants, onions, and tomatoes are oven roasted, peeled, sliced, and then arranged on a plate. The vegetables are then drizzled with some good olive oil, tangy sherry vinegar, herbs, and salt. It’s usually served with some toasted homemade bread.



The traditional way of making this dish is to slowly roast the vegetables in ashes. The best escalivada is made with vegetables that are straight from the fields. Cooking them in ash brings out all the natural sweetness and infuses everything with a delicious smokiness.

Food In Barcelona – Sweet Endings

Every cuisine has some traditional desserts that are widely known and it’s no different in traditional Catalan cuisine. That’s great news if you have a sweet tooth as there are many desserts to choose from. That can also be an issue because just picking one can be challenging. But you’re on vacation, and that means there are no dietary rules. Go wild!

Everything from Crema Catalana (custard pudding sealed with a coating of burnt caramel) to Pastisset (little cake usually filled with almonds) should be on your must-try list of food in Barcelona. If you prefer a savory ending to your meal then keep an eye out for traditional dishes made with Tupi a unique Catalan cheese.

Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana

Crème brûlée and Crema catalana are very similar with their shape and burnt sugar topping, The main difference is that crème brûlée uses heavy cream, while crema catalana uses milk.

The original recipe for crema catalana dates back to the medieval age and is considered one of the oldest desserts in Europe. Apart from milk and sugar, other ingredients include egg yolks, cinnamon, and cornstarch. A lot of restaurants add extra layers of flavours by topping it with fresh fruit. It’s a very popular dessert and is definitely one a food in Barcelona that visitors must try.

Mel i Mató

Mel i Mato

Those who adore cheesecakes will often find themselves preferring Mel i Mato. It’s fresh, salt free Catalan cheese topped with honey and sometimes nuts. Also, the texture of the cheese is very light and pairs beautifully with the local honey. This cheese is found in many local markets and it’s so good people often eat it on the spot.

Conclusion

As you can see from this list of traditional Catalan dishes it’s a cuisine that’s rich and diverse and encourages exploration about its cultural and historical heritage. Food plays a big role in our lives and one of the best ways to learn about a place is to eat where locals eat and order traditional food. Thankfully Barcelona, and the rest of Catalonia, has a lot to offer, and its culinary traditions are vast.

And don’t forget, when in Barcelona do as the locals do and eat all the traditional foods you can find.

Huge thanks to Timon from TravelSpain24. A former resident of Barcelona with a love for Spanish culture and cuisine that shines through in every post on his site. Whether exploring hidden gems or popular spots, he offers readers an authentic glimpse of Spain. Dive into his stories and discover the magic of this beautiful country.