BARCELONA ON A PLATE 🍽️
BEST TAPAS IN BARCELONA
Tapas are small dishes that fill you up faster than you think. You can try 2-3 tapas and order more if still hungry.
🌶️ PIMIENTOS DEL PADRON
Small green peppers sprinkled with sea salt. Most are mild, but beware — some are very spicy! Small bites and a jug of water on the go are recommended to avoid a spicy surprise! You have been warned!
🍖 JAMON SERRANO
Spanish cured ham, served raw. Not recommended for pregnant women. Best enjoyed with pa amb tomàquet.
🥩 SOLOMILLO DE TERNERA
Beef sirloin cooked “al punto” (medium), served with lush crunchy bread*, padrón peppers, and sea salt. The pictures shows three portions
🍤 BROCHETA DE GAMBAS
A prawn skewer served on lush crispy bread* with butter and sea salt flakes. The picture shows 4 portions.
🍤 GAMBAS A LA PLANCHA
Grilled prawns, simply seasoned.
BERBERECHOS
Cockles served simply with lemon and sometimes pepper. A briny bite of the sea!
🥣 GAZPACHO
This refreshing cold tomato soup is a summer staple. Made with tomato, onion, peppers, olive oil, vinegar, stale 🥖 bread and salt, it’s often served as a starter on set menus.
🐟 ANCHOVIES
A vibrant tapa with anchovies, piquillo peppers, olives, and tomato — all layered on a base of pa amb tomàquet.
🧀 QUESO MANCHEGO
A mild, nutty cheese from La Mancha. It’s hard to find the same quality abroad — best enjoyed room temperature and if possible in Spain!
SEVERAL TAPAS
- Croquetas: Creamy bites made usually from jamón or chicken (not potato!) unless they offer a variation of them.
- Crab salad: Topped with a prawn, served chilled.
🦪 ALMEJAS
Clams cooked in classic Spanish styles: a la marinera (with white wine, garlic, and parsley) or a la marinera roja (with tomato-based sauce).
🧀 4 CHEESE
Exactly what it sounds like — a rich blend of four cheeses.
🇪🇸 SPANISH VS MEXICAN FOOD
An American friend who was fluent in Spanish, once ordered a “tortilla” in Barcelona expecting a fajita — but got an omelette! Then asked for a “taco” and received a slice of cheese. In Spain, “taco” means a chunk, not a wrap. Her friends, not fluent in Spanish at all, had much better luck. It still makes me giggle thinking of the disappointment she must have had in her face!
A TASTE UNIQUE TO CATALONIA
ALLIOLI
🧄 Garlic-Lovers’ Delight
Allioli is a creamy, garlicky sauce that’s a staple in Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine. The name comes from the Catalan words all (garlic) and oli (oil). A simple emulsion of garlic and olive oil.
It’s rich, bold, and packed with flavor. Perfect for dipping crispy patatas bravas, spreading on bread, or serving alongside grilled meats and seafood.
While purists insist on just garlic and oil, many modern versions include egg yolk or lemon juice to help with texture and balance. However it’s made, allioli is a must-try for garlic fans.
Pro tip: Chovi brand sells them in markets in Spain and also abroad, Look out for it! It’s intense, but unforgettable.
🥖&🍅 PA AMB TOMAQUET
WHAT IS IT
It means “bread with tomato”, but it’s far more delicious than it sounds! The core purpose of the dish was a practical, waste-conscious approach to food. Because bread was typically baked only once a week, it would quickly become hard. During an abundant tomato harvest, rural Catalans discovered that rubbing the juice and pulp of ripe tomatoes onto the dry bread made it moist and palatable again. This simple, humble practice of using available ingredients out of necessity evolved into a cornerstone of Catalan cuisine and identity.
PA
How it’s made: Rub half a ripe tomato directly onto fresh or toasted bread (never shredded!), drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt evenly. If the tomato isn’t juicy enough, use two!
RESULT
The result: Top it with Spanish ham, chorizo, any other cured meats (I tend to go for Mortadella), tuna, omelette — anything goes! Either as a 'tostada' as shown in picture or turned into a 🥖 bocadillo (baguette sandwich).
RESTAURANT MENUS
CANELONES (MEATY)
Similar to lasagna but richer in meat and topped with béchamel sauce. In Spain, they are almost always meat-filled — spinach versions are rare!
🥩 BISTEC OR FILETES
Thin-cut steaks, often called bistec or filetes, are popular in Barcelona. Ask for bistec de ternera (beef steak) and don’t forget the allioli sauce for your fries!
PLATO COMBINADO
Think of it as Spain’s version of a hearty English breakfast — but served for lunch or dinner. Expect meat, fries, egg, salad, and other tasty combinations.
BEST DESSERTS IN BARCELONA
🍓 TARTA DE FRESAS
A beloved dessert in Catalonia, this strawberry tart layers cream, custard, and fresh strawberries into a sweet masterpiece. Rarely found in restaurants, but when Macxipa bakeries offers a full tart version, it’s a treat worth chasing!
🍫 CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE
Golden, crispy churros paired with thick, velvety hot chocolate — a classic indulgence that warms the soul. Perfect for a cozy morning or late-night craving. See bottom of the page for a full on hot chocolate indoctrination.
🔥 CREMA CATALANA
Catalonia’s answer to crème brûlée. A silky custard base topped with caramelized sugar, offering a satisfying crunch with every spoonful.
🥃 TARTA AL WHISKY
For those with a daring sweet tooth! This rich dessert combines custard, cream, nuts, and a splash of whisky — a bold finale to any meal.
DRINKS
SANGRIA
🍷 Spain’s Fruity Drink
Sangria is the ultimate Spanish party drink, refreshing, vibrant, and full of flavour.
Traditionally made with red wine, chopped fruit, sugar, and sometimes a splash of brandy, sangria has roots that stretch back to ancient Rome, where wine was mixed with fruit and spices to purify drinking water. The name comes from the Spanish word sangre, meaning “blood,” a nod to its deep red color.
It became popular in Spain and Portugal in the 18th and 19th centuries, and today it’s a staple at summer gatherings, beach bars, and fiestas across the Iberian Peninsula.
Pro tip: Authentic sangria is all about balance. Some cheaper versions abroad might use lemonade or soda like Fanta. Fun, but not quite the real deal.
Best enjoyed chilled, under the sun, with friends. Salud!
Here is my simple Sangria recipe.
CACAOLAT
🍫 Catalonia’s Legendary Chocolate Drink
Cacaolat is more than just a chocolate milkshake, it's a local icon. Creamy, sweet, and irresistibly smooth, it’s made from a secret recipe that’s been loved for generations.
Born in Barcelona in the 1930s, Cacaolat was one of the first bottled chocolate drinks in Europe. Today, it’s still a favourite across Catalonia, and I’ve yet to find one that compares.
Whether chilled from a café fridge or sipped on a sunny terrace, it’s the kind of treat that brings back childhood memories for many locals. Try it once, and you’ll see why it’s hard to beat.
Bonus tip: If you're in the UK, keep an eye out during Spanish Week at Lidl supermarket. I ha've spotted Cacaolat there a few times!
HORCHATA
🥤 Spain’s Summer Classic
Horchata is a sweet, milky, and refreshing drink. Perfect for hot summer mornings or afternoons. It’s made from chufa, also known as tigernut.
Despite the name, chufa isn’t a nut at all. It’s a small root vegetable, the groundnut and it originated in Valencia.
You’ll find horchata served fresh from machines in local ice cream parlours, bakeries, bars, or bottled in supermarkets and cafés across Spain.
🍴 Ciutat Comtal Tapas Bar: My All-Time Favourite
Most of the dishes featured here come from my go-to tapas spot—Ciutat Comtal. It’s a little pricier than average (around €100 for three people), but absolutely worth it. Just depends how adventurous you get with the menu!
Since 1997, they are so popular, they don’t even need a website, nor booking systems, and yet it’s always buzzing.
Ciutat Comtal is part of a local chain with the same lively concept but different names, like La Flauta and La Mallorquina. All share the same spirit: fast-paced, flavour-packed, and full of locals.
Pro tip:
Skip the queue by heading straight inside and asking for a table. Everyone else outside is already waiting.
Go early around 12:00 PM for lunch or 7:00 PM for dinner—to beat the rush.
Enjoy every bite!
Group La Flauta.
🍫 CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE
Few things capture the warmth and indulgence of Barcelona like a plate of crispy churros dipped in thick, velvety hot chocolate. Whether you're visiting in winter or just craving a sweet treat, here’s your guide to the best spots and tips for enjoying this classic Spanish delight.
🏆 Top Places to Try Chocolate con Churros
- La Pallaresa – Located on Carrer Petritxol, this historic granja (traditional dairy café) is my favourite. Their chocolate is rich and thick, perfect for dipping freshly fried churros. Expect a cozy, old-world vibe and quick service. However don't leave it too late or you will be queuing up, we recommend anything no later than 4-5pm.
- Granja Dulcinea – Just steps away on the same charming street, Dulcinea offers a more rustic atmosphere with equally delicious churros and slightly less sweet chocolate. It has been serving locals and tourists since 1941. View Dulcinea's Instagram
- Xurreria Kiosks A few decades when I still partied, you could always trust a Churreria kiosk being open to have for breakfast before you went to bed in the early hours of the morning.
🛍️ Take Chocolate with You
If you want to bring a taste of Barcelona with you, look for drinking chocolate powder at any supermarket, just add milk and heat slowly. Although you cannot take churros with you, you can however find in some bakeries 'Melindros', (shown in the picture). Melindros are a popular Catalan sponge cake pastry, similar to a ladyfinger, with a fluffy texture and a mild, eggy flavor. They are typically elongated, rounded at the ends, and flat on the bottom, made from a light batter of flour, egg yolks, sugar, lemon peel, and salt. They are often served for breakfast or as a snack, especially when dipped in hot chocolate, milk, or coffee, and dusted with powdered sugar after baking.
👩🍳 How Churros Are Made
Churros are made from a simple dough of flour, water, and salt, sometimes with a touch of butter or sugar. The dough is piped through a star-shaped nozzle and deep-fried until golden. Once cooked, they’re dusted with sugar and served hot. No eggs, just crispy perfection.
Want to try making them at home? Here’s a basic recipe:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup water
- Pinch of salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Sugar for topping
Boil water and salt, stir in flour until smooth, pipe into hot oil, fry until golden, and roll in sugar. Serve with thick hot chocolate!
Whether you’re strolling down Carrer Petritxol or grabbing a late-night snack, chocolate con churros is a must-try in Barcelona. It’s sweet, satisfying, and steeped in tradition, just like the city itself. ☕
