The Foodie’s Guide to Barcelona

Spain is one of my favorite places in the world. The language, culture, people, and architecture are just the beginning. Hands down the best thing about Barcelona is the food scene! Around every corner there is a unique restaurant waiting to captivate your taste buds. The best thing is there are restaurants for EVERYONE. Whether you are boujee or on a budget, the Foodie’s Guide to Barcelona will steer you to some of the best restaurants in the city.

1. Teddy’s Saj Sandwiches

Carrer dels Escudellers, 12, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

If you were just passing through the city… say you only had 1 hour and needed a quick meal, PLEASE go to Teddy’s. We stumbled upon this gem because my initial plans for our lunch meal went haywire. I was reluctant at first to go because I wanted our first meal in Barcelona to be “authentic” Spanish food. From my husband’s description of the Google reviews, it seemed like a gyro to me, but I wanted paella or tapas. How cliche.

*As of 12/2019, Teddy’s has moved! New address is reflected above

FIRST: eating lunch there changed the course of our entire trip. We threw out plans for one meal each day so that we could go back and try a new wrap. The menu is versatile and everything sounds amazing. I kid you not, we ate at Teddy’s every day we were in Barcelona. One day we even showed up a second time for a late night snack (perfect bite when you’ve had a little too much Spanish wine). SECOND: Teddy himself is incredible. He is originally from Lebanon, but has lived in Spain for many years. He is so kind and personable, and I would travel to Barcelona in a heartbeat just to see Teddy (and get a wrap of course). THIRD: The wraps are homemade, right in front of your eyes! The process is super cool, but quick enough if you need to jet off to sight see. The wraps come in a piece of parchment paper and are great on the go. FOURTH: There are vegan and vegetarian options!

Not a single wrap was less than incredible. We tried the Za’atar and Hummus, El Famoso, Super Pollo, and the Grilled Hallumi. If you are in Barcelona, please go to Teddy’s and let me know what you think!

2. Roast Club Cafe

Carrer de València, 143, 08011 Barcelona, Spain

I was blown away by the meal we had at the Roast Club Cafe. Upon first entering the cafe, we were scared it would be too small to accommodate us. They were full and there wasn’t much seating. The one worker suggested that we could sit outside, where they have a cute little table and bench combo. We ordered at the front and then took our seats outside.

There are dozens of options to build your own sandwich, or you can choose from pre-selected ones. When the food was ready, the gentleman brought everything out to us. It looked so fresh and tasty… because it was! I ordered a green cold pressed juice that was one of the best drinks I have ever tasted (I couldn’t even wait long enough to take the picture)! My hummus and goat cheese on a fresh, flaky croissant was to die for. I would definitely make a pit stop at this quaint little coffee shop next time you are in Barcelona.

3. Champanillo

Plaça del Dr. Letamendi, 37, 08007 Barcelona, Spain

Looking for an inexpensive but delicious dive? Champanillo has it all! We showed up starving after walking for hours. Their menu was quite large with dozens of traditional tapas. We “splurged” and got about 7 different plates (because the serving sizes are small), and two large pitchers of beer for under $15 USD. It was the perfect amount for two people and we didn’t spend a ton. The place is huge so there is plenty of seating, and the food came very quickly. I would definitely consider this place for a local, late night hangout spot, or a quick, inexpensive dinner if you are saving money to splurge somewhere else.

4. El Rincon

Carrer del Carme, 28, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

This gem of a place was right down the street from our AirBnB and we had no idea. It was actually on my list of great restaurants to try, but we somehow skipped over it until the very last day. We were so glad that we found it because our experience was incredible! The waiter does only speak Spanish, but he is very helpful when you order. The main menu is in English, but “el menú del día ” is not. That is the list of specials, which comes with an appetizer and a dessert. I had the seafood paella and boy, was it a huge plate! I was also pleased with how tasty and not over-salted it was. My husband ordered a thin steak off of el menú del día, which he quite enjoyed. One of our favorite parts of the meal was the olives that we were given as an appetizer. They were marinated by the chef and they were to die for.

As an added bonus, the waiter was so generous to us. We could see that he needed our table for a handicapped patron and we mentioned to him that it was no problem for us to move. Because we were accommodating, he gave me a free desert as well and offered us both free coffee. The coffee and Crema Catalana he gave us were delicious. 10/10 would recommend El Rincon for an authentic paella and “non-touristy” restaurant experience!

These mussels were to die for. Make sure to dip the complementary bread in the sauce! And the Crema Catalana is similar to Crème brûlée, but it has a lemony flavor.

5. Caravelle

Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 31, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

Caravelle was the cutest, most delightful brunch spot that we stumbled upon. When we arrived, the front windows were open, allowing the sun and a nice breeze to come in as we were eating. We stopped her for breakfast prior to catching a cab to Park Güell. The staff was very friendly, and the food came in such a timely fashion. Their fresh squeezed orange juice was to die for (as is all of the OJ in Spain), and our meal was fantastic!

They were very accommodating when I mentioned that I did not like over easy eggs and would prefer to have mine scrambled. I had some sort of tofu/scrambled egg taco brunch bowl that was delicious. It was essentially a tostada covered in taco toppings, such as guac, salsa, and corn. Whatever the rest of the ingredients were meshed well together and tasted amazing. Definitely would recommend this place if you have time to sit down for a nice breakfast/brunch. They also serve lunch, beer, and coffee to please whatever your foodie heart desires.

6. Ølgod

Carrer de l’Hospital, 74, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

This is another gem that we found close to our place. Ølgod is a unique bar with a wide beer selection and tasty tapas. One dish that you have to try while you are in Spain is patatas bravas. They are potatoes with this uh-mazing sauce and I think Ølgod does a great job with them. While you are there drinking one of the dozens of beers they have on tap, you can enjoy some food and free Wifi (#firstworldprobs). They have plenty of tables and a long bar that has a rockin’ atmosphere. The restaurant is also right in the Gothic Quarter, which is a beautiful area to see. After (or before) your tapas and beers, take a stroll around the corner. You will find dozens of shops and buildings with legendary architecture.

7. La Boqueria

La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

As a traveler who appreciates culture and seeks out authentic (not touristy) restaurants, I tell people to avoid Las Ramblas like the plague. It is crawling with pick-pocketers and restaurants just waiting to rip you off. La Boqueria is no exception to that rule. However, this authentic Spanish market is something that you at least have to check out.

The market stalls are packed with hanging jamón ibérico and Spanish delicatessens you would not normally see in an American market. There are fresh food options for the locals, as well as smoothies and snacks that tourists can pick up on the go. There are handfuls of restaurants that look appealing, but I urge you to be careful when choosing one. Even though the food looks appealing, they may have heightened prices and sub par quality due to the touristic nature of the market. If you have an available data plan, check the rating on Google before giving them a try. A recommended place to eat in the market by a local Spaniard is Pinotxo Bar. I have not tried their food, but it was recommended by several people, and they have a high star rating on Google. All I’m saying is, La Boqueria is a must see, but approach your purchases with caution.

Looking for more?

With the limited time that we had, there were dozens of restaurants that we did not get to try, or evaluate in their entirety. Here is my list of well-researched restaurants to consider for your next trip to Barcelona. Some have been tried briefly by myself, as you can see from the pictures. Even though they didn’t make it in my top list, the restaurants listed below are ranked highly on Google. Also, many listed appear to be local favorites for those who call Barcelona their home.

Bilbao Berria – Great place for tapas if you like fish eggs and raw seafood. Somewhat of a tourist trap…

Entrepanes Díaz – Great outdoor seating and wine list, but not so great appetizers…

Cera 23 – They have a weird atmosphere, but great drinks. Definitely make a reservation, or you won’t get a table!

Fleca – Swung by for a quick pastry and OJ for breakfast… yum!

La Pepita –Too busy for us to get in. Make a reservation!

Xurreria Trebol – Churros recommended by locals… open 24 hours!

Brunch & Cake – The restaurant was too packed for us to get in, but the food looked amazing!

Can Mano – Recommended by Americans that we met at Ølgod.

Have you visited one of these restaurants? I’d love to hear about your experience! Also, do you have recommendations for another restaurant that I should try next time? Shoot me a message or mention it in the comments below!

This post may contain affiliate links, though all items are 100% recommended and used by myself personally. This means that at no extra cost to you, minimal compensation may be earned from any items purchased while visiting this site. This is to provide the ability for me to maintain the blog at no extra cost to you!

All images and text ©Alexis Stambaugh for Passport Flavor™

Want More of Passport Flavor?

Join the culinary and travel adventure! You'll get the latest posts sent right to your e-mail!