Barcelona is a large city that has no shortage of fantastic dining options, especially when it comes to variety in cuisine, price, and style. While many tourists make the mistake of eating paella and sangria in the most touristy areas, there are a plethora of other restaurants and tapas bars in Barcelona that offer you much higher quality for your money. If you want to know where the locals themselves love to enjoy authentic cuisine, check out these great tapas bars!
Bar Ramón
It doesn’t get much more authentic than this! Bar Ramón has been serving up classic tapas since 1939, quickly establishing itself as a local favorite. You can find this tapas bar in the heart of Sant Antoni, a beautiful and historic neighborhood near Barcelona’s city center. The menu includes all of the classic dishes that you would expect from tapas bars in Barcelona, but Bar Ramón also offers customers some more modern choices. In addition, this tapas bar has an extensive wine list full of delicious Spanish wines that you will be sure to love.
La Esquinica
Venture outside of the city center and you will find one of the most famous tapas bars in Barcelona, La Esquinica. For more than 45 years this bar has been known as the “mecca of tapas” in Barcelona, specializing in dishes from Zaragoza. Try a variety of tapas that include fresh seafood, tender meats, and favorites like patatas bravas and grilled peppers. La Esquinica is a bit of a trek outside the center, but definitely worth it!
Quimet & Quimet
Quimet & Quimet is one of the top tapas bars in Barcelona at the moment, and is always filled with food lovers indulging in tasty tapas. Established in 1913 in Poble Sec, this tapas bar has a variety of classic and fresh dishes at unbeatable prices. This bar is quite small, so be prepared to squeeze your way in. While tapas are generally thought to feature Spanish cuisine, Quimet & Quimet’s menu wonderfully highlights Catalan cuisine as well. To eat where the locals eat, you need to try this tapas bar!
Casa de Tapes Cañota
Great tapas, fun atmosphere, and fabulous location? Casa de Tapes Cañota has it all! Steps away from Plaça Espanya, this tapas bar in Barcelona is known for its mouth-watering tapas and authentic Mediterranean cuisine. While there is a wide variety of tapas on the menu, their patatas bravas, octopus, and Spanish ham are the stars of the show. Cañota has a list of their top ten tapas, so choose any of those and you certainly can’t go wrong.
O’Retorno
For a taste of Galicia in Barcelona, head to O’Retorno. This tapas bar in Barcelona has several locations, so it’s easy to find one near you. Indulge in fresh seafood, delicious meats and cheeses, and various other tapas. Seafood drives the menu, so if you love all things fishy this is the place for you! Be sure to try the octopus, shrimp, and mussels for a true culinary experience. Seafood lovers, unite!
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