The richest, interesting and complex cuisine of Spain is Catalonian. What is Catalonian cuisine for you? Of course, it is something more than paella and sangria. It tastes like Mediterranean cuisine, boasting with no lack of seafood and meat dishes. There is no other better place than Barcelona to learn and explore Catalonian dishes with all due care. Looking for something special, you should not spend much time. The city is full of worthy authentic eating establishments. If you want to find true Catalonian restaurant, it is better to go down Las Ramblas street.
Of course, you can hire a car in Barcelona and go through the city here and there to find Catalonian-style restaurant. Read signs carefully. There are several restaurants where you can try Catalonian food as it is.
La Boqueria Market
Boqueria is popular market. This is the obligate point in your travelling route. This is the best place for gourmands and food-photographers. You can find high-class products of wide assortment here: aromatic smoked ham, canned olives, fresh fruits and vegetables. It makes you dizzy! There are also many bars and restaurants, offering to try national dishes. Try without a second thought!
Elisabets Restaurant
This cozy restaurant is decorated in old style with old antique furniture. It is very popular for tourists and natives. The reason of its popularity is complex dinner for attractive price. Thus, complex dinner costs about 10 EUR. Start with ragu de jabali (stewed meat) and mel i mato for dessert (dessert of honey and cheese). By the way, the restaurant works till midnight every Friday. So, you should come here for late dinner.
Casa Amalia Restaurant
This restaurant is considered to be one of the most popular places in Spain. It kindly offers to try national Catalonian dishes. The food is always fresh, made of fresh products, ingredients from the nearest market. The menu is not impressive, consisting of plain traditional dishes with no frills. You should try bacalla al allioli de poma (codfish with sauce) or four dished from menu del dia (complex dinner for 12 EUR). As a matter of fact, the food in this restaurant makes you long for more. The grilled beef melts in your mouth.
Can Culleretes
This place was founded in 1786. The restaurant is characterized with tasty dishes of local cuisine. It is rather old-fashioned, decorated with black-and-white pictures on the walls. Can Culleretes is mostly popular with its baked pig with dried prune and goose with apples. You should also try seafood or complex dinner for 13 EUR. You may choose what you like. You will never be disappointed. Never forget to try wines! They are also worth trying. Be careful, the restaurant works just few hours during the day. The working hours are 1 p.m.-6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.-11.30 p.m.
Cal Pep Cal Pep Restaurant
This is one of the most popular bars in Barcelona. There is only one negative feature: you have to stand a long line outside before getting inside and have a seat! As a matter of fact, this is the best recommendation that the restaurant can get. There is a way out: if you want to have dinner in this place, you may book a table beforehand. Meet Pep – friendly restaurant owner. He can kindly help you to choose right dish for right occasion. Of course, you should try cloisses amb pernil (mussels with ham) or trifasic (mix of fish, shrinks and calamaries).
Do not like fish and seafood? You can try tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelet) and tuna tartar. The working hours of this restaurant or bar are 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.-11.30 p.m.
Senyor Parellada Restaurant
What a nice restaurant! Senyor Parellada has a wide choice of classic dishes of Catalonian cuisine. This is the right place, especially, if you are looking for glamorous atmosphere for attractive prices. Speaking about cuisine, the dishes are various and unique: сroquetes de l’avia (meat balls), ragout of red beans and codfish, croquettes of lobster, calamari with fried vegetables and pees. Do you know that you can also buy a unique thing – Senyor Parellada’s cookery book. You cannot visit restaurant where you want or have free time. The working hours are limited. It works from 1 a.m. till 3 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. till midnight.
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Los Caracoles Restaurant
This is one of the oldest restaurants in Barcelona. The name of this place is translated as Snails. It was built in 1835! Seven generations of Bofarull family took care of that place, making it popular and favorite place for all who likes tasty eating. The interior is not impressive but interesting: village decorations of Middle Age period, snails for chef’s specialty. It is recommended to try paella of seafood (14 EUR for 1 portion). If you want something more interesting than rice, you should try traditional Catalonian dishes, for example, fried lamb and pig.
Everything is tasty and for attractive price. Pay attention to one interesting fact: there are many people here, so, it is better to book table beforehand. Do not think long! The restaurant working hours are short, from 1.15 p.m. till 3 p.m.
Els Quatre Gats Restaurant
This is the restaurant of Spanish bohemia. This is a place of long history, attracting more and more visitors every year. It is famous of not only its interesting interior thanks to Picasso ability. As a matter of fact, that was a glorious place for Salvador Dali. The restaurant interior is restored and renewed. The cuisine offers modern and good dinner, consisting of national dishes.
7 Portes Restaurant
This is the restaurant of open terrace. In short, this is a cult place as it was opened in 1836. So, the restaurant is 136 years old! The style is aristocratic, charming and attractive for visitors. The menu includes the best dishes and wines.
Catalonia is a real prize for gourmands. Of course, the list of traditional restaurants is not limited with the list of TOP 8. Never be afraid to make your own gastronomic discoveries. It is not interesting, but tasty!