5 Must-Try Authentic Foods in Barcelona

Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by Emma Fajcz | Published: January 25, 2018

Barcelona is home to some of the best food in the world, from homemade to high-end! Here’s the 5 must-try foods in Barcelona that you need to experience when you visit. You won’t want to miss these essential Catalan dishes!

1. Pan con tomate (Bread with Tomato)

Pan con tomate, or pa amb tomàquet in Catalan, is one of the best foods in Barcelona, but is so simple that we almost didn’t include it on this list! But the point we’d like to make here is that with traditional Catalan food (and Spanish food in general) it is the simplicity that makes the food so perfect.

How is pan con tomate made? Start with the best quality bread, garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil for this Catalan snack. Rub raw garlic on the toasted bread. (You don’t need to peel the garlic first; most people don’t bother.) Then, cut your tomato in half (locals use the delicious tomato called Tomàtiga de Ramellet) and squeeze it as you run it over the bread. Next, drizzle your creation with the best quality extra virgin olive oil and top with a sprinkle of sea salt.

When you take the first bite, you will understand the base of Catalan cuisine and why we love it so much!

2. Escalivada (Grilled Vegetables)

Escalivada is a flavorful and colorful dish made up of grilled vegetables, usually eggplant and bell pepper. The veggies are grilled over a wood fire, which gives it a wonderful smoky flavor!

After cooking, the vegetables are peeled and served with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and garlic. This very traditional Catalan dish is absolutely delicious, especially when topped with locally cured anchovies!

3. Calçots (Green Onions) with Salsa Romesco

Another of the best foods in Barcelona is definitely calçots with Romesco sauce. Calçots are a special type of green onion native to Catalonia, and are in season at the end of winter.

People host barbecues in the countryside where the average consumption is 20 calçots per person (before the grilled meats!). The Catalans eat these creamy onions with a delicious sauce made of hazelnuts, almonds, and ñora peppers called Romesco sauce. This flavorful sauce goes perfectly with any vegetable, but is the best pairing for a hot calçot.

If you can’t make it out to the countryside while visiting Barcelona, many local restaurants will offer them in the season (January-March).

4. Esqueixada (Salt Cod Salad)

Craving something delicious, healthy and Catalan? Go for a portion (ración) of esqueixada, a typical salt cod salad!

Often called Catalan ceviche, it’s made with dried salted cod that has been reconstituted in cold water and shredded by hand. Then, other ingredients are added, including fresh tomato, red peppers, onions, olives, and (as we enjoy it) hard-boiled eggs.

Salt cod is popular in both Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, but is sourced from Norway and Newfoundland, not the Mediterranean! Learn more about the history of salt cod and its instrumental role in Spanish and Portuguese cuisine.

You may know crema catalana by the name creme brûlée, which, to be fair, is not quite the same thing. Regardless of what you call it, this after-meal indulgence is certainly one of the must-try foods in Barcelona! The custard should be creamy and the sugar should be crunchy and caramelized.

Check out our tips for where to find the best crema catalana in Barcelona, or learn how to make crema catalana if you can’t make it to Spain soon!

Explore Barcelona’s Food with a Guided Tour

Experience the best local cuisine of Barcelona with our Ultimate Barcelona Food Tour! One of our expert guides will take you where the locals enjoy hand-carved jamón ibérico, authentic seafood paella, and many other amazing dishes.

Along the way, you’ll walk the city’s most historic streets, meet the people keeping tradition alive, and taste the flavors that give Barcelona its soul. This is the food tour for travelers who want to go deeper and leave full!

Featured Review: Ultimate Barcelona Food Tour

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “the tour was phenomenal! our tour guide alex was so kind and knowledgeable and we felt like we learned so much! we loved trying all the things and having the insider knowledge to all the food and finding delightful little restaurants that make Barcelona the lovely city it is. we would recommend it anyone and everyone!”
– Abby on GetYourGuide

Want to watch us explore other traditional Catalan food? Watch the video below!

FAQs

What food is Barcelona famous for?

Barcelona is famous for its tapas and Catalan cuisine, including must-try dishes like pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), esqueixada (salt cod salad with anchovies), calçots with romesco sauce, and crema catalana. The local produce and Mediterranean seafood makes every meal unforgettable!

What is the famous drink of Barcelona?

Barcelona’s signature drink is cava, a sparkling, champagne-like wine from Catalonia that’s perfect for toasting any occasion. (If you want to tour a family-owned cava vineyard, explore our tips for the ultimate Montserrat wine tasting experience!) You’ll also find locals sipping vermut (vermouth) before lunch or with tapas.

What is the famous food street in Barcelona?

Barcelona’s most famous “food street” is in fact a food neighborhood called La Rambla, a vibrant pedestrian area packed with cafés, restaurants, and outdoor markets, including the iconic Mercat de la Boqueria. This world-class market, located just off La Rambla, features over 300 stalls offering everything from fresh produce and seafood to traditional Catalan dishes.