In Barcelona, tapas is not just a culinary delight but a cherished local tradition and a must-try experience for visitors. These beloved small plates or snacks, originating in Spain, have become an integral part of the city’s vibrant dining scene. Indulging in a tapas crawl through Barcelona’s lively streets is a surefire way to savor a variety of delightful flavors, immerse in the local culture, and create lasting food memories. So, grab a seat at a bustling tapas bar and let the feast begin!

Introduction to Tapas in Barcelona

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Tapas are popular small plates or snacks in Spanish cuisine that originated in Spain. In Barcelona, going out for tapas is a favorite local pastime and a highlight for many visitors.

The tradition of tapas began centuries ago in Spain. Taverns would put slices of bread or cheese on top of glasses of wine or sherry to keep out fruit flies. Patrons would eat these snacks, called “tapas” from the Spanish word “tapar” meaning “to cover.” Over time, tapas evolved into a wide array of small dishes served in bars. It became a social custom in Spain to go from bar to bar sampling various tapas and drinks with friends.

Today in Barcelona, tapas range from classic simple dishes like pan con tomate (bread with tomato) and jamón ibérico (cured ham) to more elaborate plates like seafood paella, patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), and pinchos morunos (spicy pork skewers). Sharing plates of tapas is an integral part of the local lifestyle. For both tourists and locals, going on a tapas crawl from bar to bar is a fun way to experience Barcelona’s renowned food scene. Tapas are relatively inexpensive, allowing you to sample many flavors without breaking the bank. It’s an ideal way to get a taste of authentic Catalan and Spanish cuisine.

Best Areas for Tapas Bars

Tapas bars are ubiquitous throughout Barcelona, but some neighborhoods stand out for their exceptional concentration of excellent tapas. Here are some of the best areas to explore Barcelona’s tapas scene:

Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is the historic central neighborhood of Barcelona with medieval streets and buildings. It features many traditional tapas bars tucked into its narrow alleys and plazas. Some top picks are La Vinateria del Call, and Can Culleretes. This area is very lively and centrally located.

El Born

El Born emerged as one of Barcelona’s trendiest tapas neighborhoods in recent years. Located next to the Gothic Quarter, it features a mix of sleek modern and traditional tapas bars in a hip atmosphere. Must-visit tapas bars include Euskal Etxea and El Xampanyet. The famous El Born market is also here.

Gràcia

Just outside the city center, Gràcia has an artsy, village-like vibe with rows of tapas bars filled with locals. Top tapas bars include Toto Pintxos, Rabipelao, and Pepa Tomate. To experience the quintessential Gràcia tapas scene, head to the main plaza with its fruit carts and bustling outdoor cafes.

Poblenou

The former industrial neighborhood of Poblenou is now an up-and-coming trendy tapas area next to the beach. Tapas bars like Els Tres Porquets, La Bombeta, and La Pubilla stand out. The area has an urban-chic, relaxed vibe, and is home to several art galleries and shops.

Eixample

The Eixample is the stately 19th century expansion of Barcelona with the iconic grid layout and modernist architecture. Highlights for tapas here include Tapas 24, Cafè Cometa, and Cervecería Catalana. The elegant Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, lined with designer shops and cafes, is also popular for tapas dining and people watching.

Top Tapas Dishes to Try

Tapas in Barcelona offer a delicious sampling of classic Spanish flavors and ingredients. Here are some of the most iconic and popular tapas to look for on menus at tapas bars in the city:

Pa amb tomàquet

This classic Catalan tapa features crusty bread rubbed with ripe tomato, garlic, and olive oil. The combination creates a simple but flavorful base for topping with cured meats, cheeses, roasted vegetables, or other ingredients. Pa amb tomàquet brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes and is a staple at tapas bars.

Croquetas

Crispy on the outside and creamy inside, croquetas make for an irresistible tapa. Common varieties include ham, cod, spinach, and wild mushrooms. Croquetas are often served with alioli, a garlicky aioli, for dipping.

Patatas bravas

Crispy fried potato cubes doused in a spicy tomato sauce and alioli make patatas bravas an iconic Spanish tapa. The contrast of the crunchy potatoes and creamy, spicy sauces is hard to beat.

Pimientos de Padrón

These small green peppers from Padrón in Galicia are fried in olive oil and salted. Most are mild, but occasionally you’ll get a spicy one, making them fun to eat. Pimientos de Padrón are served by the plateful at tapas bars.

Pulpo a la gallega

Tender octopus tentacles drizzled in olive oil, paprika, and salt is a specialty of Galicia. The smoky paprika pairs beautifully with the mellow octopus.

Jamón ibérico

Savory, melt-in-your-mouth Iberian ham is a Spanish delicacy, especially when paired with bread. Look for jamón ibérico de bellota, acorn-fed Iberian ham, for the highest quality.

Tortilla española

This classic Spanish omelet with eggs, potato, and onion makes for simple but satisfying tapa. Tortillas can be served cold, room temperature, or warm. They’re often prepared thicker, like a cake, compared to French omelets.

Notable Tapas Bars

Barcelona is home to many excellent tapas bars that are popular with both locals and visitors. Here are some of the best tapas restaurants in Barcelona:

Bar Pinotxo

Located inside the famous La Boqueria market, Bar Pinotxo is widely considered one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona. The counter seating provides a fun atmosphere for watching the cooks prepare tasty tapas like padron peppers, ham croquettes, and fideos with cuttlefish.

El Xampanyet

This beloved gem in El Born specializes in cava and tapas. It has a casual, convivial vibe and delicious bites like anchovies, sausage, and manchego cheese. Get there early to grab a spot at the bar.

Quimet & Quimet

A small, standing-room-only spot, Quimet & Quimet serves some of the most inventive and delicious tapas in the city. Some standouts are the montaditos (mini toasts), cured meats, octopus salad, and artichoke hearts.

Cañete

This stylish tapas restaurant excels at both classics and innovative new tapas. Must-try bites include the ham croquettes, fried artichokes, and seared tuna with romesco sauce. Their great wine list pairs perfectly with the food.

Tapas Etiquette & Tips

Tapas are a relaxed affair in Barcelona, but there are some tips to get the most out of your experience.

How to Order

Unlike a sit-down restaurant, tapas bars encourage a help-yourself approach. Look over the selection at the bar counter and point to what you’d like to try. It’s perfectly normal to order one dish at a time to sample a variety. You can also feel free to stand and mingle between bites.

Some bars will have small plates already laid out on the bar. Don’t feel shy about digging right in. The key is being attentive so new plates get passed down the line.

Paying the Bill

Keep your receipts! Servers will keep a running tab of your order based on the plates and drinks you accumulate. Pay the total when you’re ready to leave. Leaving a few euros on the bar is also common if you only had one or two quick tapas.

Tip Amount

Tipping is appreciated but not required at tapas bars in Barcelona. Most locals simply round up the bill to the nearest euro or leave some spare change. Ten percent is more than enough for good service.

Peak Times

The best energy is from 9-11pm when tapas bars are lively with locals. Come early (7-8pm) if you want to snag a seat right at the bar counter. While tapas are served all day, late mornings and mid-afternoons tend to be less busy.

Cost of Tapas

Tapas prices vary across restaurants in Barcelona but typically range from €2-5 per tapa. While you can find some bars offering tapas for under €2, expect to pay around €4-6 for gourmet tapas at popular spots. At Michelin starred restaurants or trendy bars, tapas dishes can reach €10-15. Here’s a breakdown of average tapas prices by area:

• El Born: Upscale tapas bars charge €5-10 per tapa. But you can find options for €3-5.
• El Raval: Grungy, bohemian spots have tapas for under €5. Trendier bars charge €5-8.
• Gothic Quarter: A mix of touristy and local bars with tapas from €3-8.
• Gràcia: Youthful neighborhood with tapas around €4-7.
• Eixample: Sophisticated bars and restaurants have €6-12 tapas.

Tipping is not expected at tapas bars in Barcelona. Just round up the bill to the nearest euro. At fancier restaurants, you can leave 5-10% tip for great service. But it’s not mandatory.

The advantage of tapas is getting to sample small plates rather than one large entrée. So you can experience a variety of flavors and dishes affordably. Stick to a few tapas at each spot before moving on to try other bars. This tapas hopping will let you fully savor Barcelona’s incredible food scene.

Pairing Tapas with Drinks

Tapas are designed to be paired with drinks, and Barcelona offers a variety of excellent options. Here are some of the most popular drinks to accompany tapas:

Wine

Spanish wines pair beautifully with tapas. Two of the most common are Rioja, a dry red wine, and cava, a sparkling white wine similar to champagne. Both complement meat and seafood tapas wonderfully.

Beer

Beer is hugely popular in Spain, and a light lager like Estrella is perfect with lighter tapas like patatas bravas or croquetas. Craft beer is also gaining popularity in Barcelona, bringing interesting flavors to match bold tapas.

Vermouth

Vermouth, often served on ice with a slice of orange, is a staple of tapas culture. The herbaceous, slightly sweet flavor balances salty dishes like anchovies, olives, and Manchego cheese.

Sherry

Dry sherries like fino and manzanilla have a tangy, yeasty flavor that contrasts rich fried tapas like calamari. Sweet sherries pair with dessert tapas like churros.

Best Drink Pairings

• Rioja red wine with chorizo, meatballs, or mushrooms
• Cava with grilled shrimp, fried squid, or croquetas
• Lager beer with patatas bravas, Spanish tortilla, or ham croquettes
• Fino sherry with Manchego cheese, marinated olives, or boquerones (white anchovies)
• Sweet sherry with churros, crema catalana, or rice pudding

If you are interested in pairing tapas with sangria, check out this article: Is Sangria Still Popular in Spain?

Experiment with Spanish wines, beers, vermouths, and sherries to find your perfect tapas pairings in Barcelona! The variety of flavors makes it easy to find a match with any dish.

Tapas Tours

Tapas tours are a fun way to experience Barcelona’s famous small plates while learning about the city and its cuisine. Three of the top options for tapas tours in Barcelona include:

Walking Tapas Tours

Walking tapas tours allow you to discover Barcelona’s tapas scene on foot. Knowledgeable local guides lead groups on 2-4 hour adventures through the city’s tapas hotspots. Stops are made at 4-6 restaurants and bars to sample traditional tapas like pan con tomate, ham croquetas, gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) and patatas bravas. Guides share history and cultural insights between tastings. Walking tours are a casual way to get an overview of Barcelona’s top tapas dishes and notable tapas bars. Popular neighborhoods covered include the Barri Gòtic, El Born and Gràcia. Tours generally cost €60-100 per person. Book your tour here.

Food Tours

For a more expansive food and drink experience in Barcelona, multi-stop food tours are available. These 3-5 hour tours take you to about 8 different spots, including tapas bars, vermouth bars, churros cafes, Boqueria market, etc. You’ll get to try various classic Spanish foods and local specialties while learning about Catalan culture. Food tours may also include tastings of wines, cavas and artisanal beers produced in the regions around Barcelona. Prices are €80-120 per person. It’s a good way to indulge in Spanish culinary traditions beyond just tapas. Book your tour here.

Cooking Classes

Cooking classes offer hands-on instruction in preparing authentic Spanish tapas and paella. Half-day classes teach recipes like tortilla española, stuffed peppers, croquetas, empanadillas, pan con tomate and more. Instruction is offered in English. Most classes include a trip to Mercat de la Boqueria for ingredients. At the end, you’ll get to eat the delicious tapas you prepared. Cooking classes generally last 3-5 hours and cost €60-100 per person. It’s a fun way to take a piece of Barcelona’s culinary skills home with you. Book your cooking class here.

Tapas Festivals & Events

Tapas have become an integral part of Barcelona’s culture and identity. Throughout the year, the city hosts various food festivals and events celebrating these delicious small plates.

The key annual tapas festival is La Diada de Sant Jordi, held on April 23rd. It’s a Catalan tradition where men gift roses to women, and women gift books to men. Alongside this, various tapas contests and tastings take place around the city. Locals browse book and flower stands set up along the downtown promenades, while enjoying complimentary tapas and drinks at participating restaurants and bars.

In May, the popular neighborhood of Gràcia holds La Festa de Sant Medir, named after the parish’s patron saint. The festivities span several days and feature parades, live music, games, and abundant outdoor food stalls serving up all sorts of tapas.

During summer, The Barcelona Tapas Week provides a full calendar of tapas-related happenings across the city’s establishments. From tasting routes to cooking classes focused on tapas recipes, it culminates in the award ceremony for the year’s best tapa creation.

In fall, the annual Barcelona Restaurant Week takes place. Restaurants design special discounted tapas tasting menus for the event. It’s a great opportunity to sample tapas from some of Barcelona’s top dining spots.

History of Tapas

Tapas originated in Spain centuries ago, though their exact origins are disputed. Some believe tapas began as small snacks served on top of drinks to keep out dust and flies. The word “tapa” means lid or cover in Spanish, referring to the small plates or slices of bread that would cover drinks.

Over time, tapas evolved into a Spanish culinary tradition and social custom. As people gathered at bars and taverns to chat and drink, they would order a variety of small shareable dishes known as tapas. It became a way to socialize over food and drinks before dinnertime.

Tapas culture is especially prominent in Barcelona and the Catalonia region. It rose to popularity here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As Catalan vineyards grew, locals began visiting wine bars and vermouth bars to sample vintages paired with small plates.

The tapas tradition flourished under the influence of renowned Catalan chef Josep Mercader in the 1970s-80s. He elevated the quality and creativity of tapas, moving beyond basic cured meats and olives. Mercader helped shape Barcelona into a premier tapas destination.

Today Barcelona has a bustling tapas scene, with countless bars offering creative bites. Classic tapas like pan con tomate and gambas al ajillo are abundant, along with contemporary innovations. Going on a tapas crawl to sample small plates paired with local wines or vermouths remains a quintessential Barcelona experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tapas in Barcelona

Q: What tapas is Barcelona known for?

A: Barcelona is a culinary wonderland when it comes to tapas! One tapa that truly captures the essence of the city is the heavenly Patatas Bravas. These crispy potatoes, smothered in a spicy tomato sauce and creamy aioli, are a taste sensation that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. Another beloved tapa is the Garlicky Gambas al Ajillo—sizzling prawns cooked with a generous dose of garlic and chili, creating a flavorful explosion that is simply irresistible. And of course, we can’t forget about the iconic Pan con Tomate, a humble yet exquisite combination of crusty bread, ripe tomatoes, olive oil, and a touch of salt. Barcelona’s tapas scene is a treasure trove of flavors waiting to be discovered, so come with an empty stomach and an open heart!

Q: What is the best street in Barcelona for tapas?

A: When it comes to the best street in Barcelona for tapas, I simply can’t resist recommending Carrer Blai in the vibrant neighborhood of Poble-sec. This lively street is lined with charming tapas bars, each offering their own unique specialties. The best part? You can indulge in these bite-sized delights without breaking the bank! Carrer Blai is a local favorite, where you can hop from bar to bar, sampling an array of tasty treats and rubbing elbows with the friendly Catalans. Trust me, the ambiance, the flavors, and the joyful atmosphere on Carrer Blai will leave you with unforgettable memories and a satisfied belly.

Q: What time do people eat tapas in Barcelona?

A: Tapas in Barcelona are not just a meal—they are a way of life! The locals embrace the tapas culture throughout the day, savoring these delicious bites at different times. During the traditional Spanish “tapeo,” which is usually between 1 PM and 3 PM, you’ll find bustling tapas bars filled with hungry locals and curious travelers alike. This is the perfect time to join in the lively atmosphere and indulge in an afternoon feast of tapas delights. In the evening, the tapas scene comes alive once again, as people gather with friends and loved ones to enjoy a leisurely meal. So, whether you’re craving a midday indulgence or an evening adventure, be sure to follow your heart and your appetite, and you’ll discover the true joy of tapas in Barcelona.

Q: What are the 3 types of tapas?

A: The world of tapas is as diverse as it is delicious! While the possibilities are endless, let me share with you three classic types of tapas that will give you a wonderful introduction to Barcelona’s gastronomic wonders. Firstly, we have the Montaditos—small, open-faced sandwiches topped with an array of delectable ingredients like cured ham, cheeses, and marinated vegetables. They are a true delight for your palate. Next, we have the Pinchos, which are similar to tapas but served on a skewer. These bite-sized morsels come in a variety of flavors, from grilled meats to marinated seafood, and are perfect for a flavorful journey with every bite. And finally, we can’t forget about the Croquetas! These fried, breadcrumb-coated delights are filled with creamy and savory fillings like ham, cheese, or mushrooms, creating a satisfying burst of flavor you won’t be able to resist. With these three types of tapas, you’ll embark on a culinary adventure that will ignite your love for Barcelona’s food scene.

I hope these answers have left your taste buds tingling and your belly rumbling in anticipation of the tapas adventure that awaits you in Barcelona. So, my dear friend, prepare to immerse yourself in the rich flavors of this vibrant city and delight in the small bites that carry centuries of tradition and passion. Come with an appetite, an open mind, and a willingness to explore, and Barcelona’s tapas will embrace you with open arms. ¡Buen provecho!

Further Reading

If you are interested in more Barcelona travel information, make sure to check out these posts: 

• Barcelona Travel Guide 2024.
• Christmas in Barcelona
• Unlock Hidden Gems: A Guide to the Best Nightlife in Barcelona
• Bite-Size Barcelona: A Foodie’s Adventure into the World of Tapas
• The Ultimate Bucket List: Top Things to Do in Barcelona
• Girona and the Game of Thrones 
• Best Hotels in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter: Luxury to Budget
• Barcelona in February: A Guide to the City in Winter