While most street food in Barcelona won’t come on wheels, each of these are worth a stop between sightseeing, whether you sit down or grab them on the go!
You aren’t likely to see refurbished mail trucks dishing out traditional food lining the ramblas of Barcelona. Eating on the go is a bit of a foreign concept to us here—we want to sit down with our snacks and enjoy the company across the table.
That being said, Barcelona is home to lots of delicious bites that you can grab quickly while in between sights. And we do even have some street food markets, which you can find at the end of this post.
Here are our favorite street food bites in Barcelona—whether you choose to sit down or enjoy them as you walk the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter is up to you!
1. Patatas Bravas
You’ll find these “bold potatoes” on almost every menu in Barcelona, but all bravas are not alike.
Be careful with impersonators that come with only mayonnaise and ketchup, and ask about the sauce beforehand. Don’t expect an overly spicy flavor, but rather a bold and savory mixture of paprika and garlic sauce.
Where to find them: Rekons, in the Sant Antoni neighborhood, are known for their artisanal empanadas, but their cazuela de bravas has a sauce that is unreplicable. Open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. every day and always bustling with locals at peak times, be sure to get there before the lunch and dinner rush if you don’t want to be left out.
2. Entrepà
In Catalan the word entrepà literally means, “between bread.” The bread these sandwiches come between can be anything from slices to a soft baguette, but it is the ingredients between the bread that really matters.
Where to find them: The classic Barcelona establishment, Bo de B. For years they’ve specialized in salads and sandwiches packed with flavor and ready to take to the beach just steps away. These sandwiches are literally bursting at the bun with ingredients ranging from smoked salmon to black beans and rice, and of course a range of sauces to add. The bottom line? This is not your average bocadillo.
Insider’s Tip: There is almost always a line at prime lunch time, so plan accordingly!
3. Bikini
No, we aren’t talking about what you wear to the beach! This ubiquitous sandwich owes its name to none other than a Barcelona nightclub called Sala Bikini.
In the 50s, aside from being a hot spot for music and dancing, they served a version of the French croque monsieur and it became known as simply “the bikini.” Its popularity gradually took over and the sandwich gained a name for itself outside the club. They are the perfect mid-morning pick-me-up to grab when your energy gets low as you explore the city!
Where to find them: Everyone seems to agree that you can’t leave Barcelona without trying a bikini at Tapas 24. A twist on the classic ham and cheese, this bar adds black truffle to the sandwich, taking it to a new level.
4. Croquetas
Croquetas make for the perfect quick pit stop with an ice-cold caña. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and filled with a creamy bechamel-based sauce on the inside, you’ll always have room for one more. Classic flavors you’ll find around Barcelona are jamón (ham), ceps (mushroom), and for the slightly more adventurous, sèpia (squid-ink).
Where to find them: The masters at Croq and Roll make their croquettes with the best fresh ingredients daily. Don’t miss out on the acclaimed “Fantastic Four,” which are their four most-sought out flavors: spicy chili with beans and ox meat, portobello mushroom with smoked scamorza cheese, shitake mushroom and shrimp, and cider crab.
5. Tortilla
Tortilla de patatas is one of the most famous foods in Spain, and Barcelona is no exception.
Usually made with no more than five ingredients including salt and oil, a pincho de tortilla is a simple yet flavorful snack perfect as a quick bite to grab on your tour of the city. There is an age-old debate on whether or not the original should include onion, but we’ll let you decide that!
Where to find them: While you can see tortilla on many-a-menu in Barcelona, we recommend a favorite of locals and visitors alike, El Xampanyet. They serve a range of small bites but they are known for their own brand of cava, or sparkling wine, and a mean tortilla.
Our advice? Let yourself enjoy the atmosphere and a couple glasses of cava before you head on your way. You’ll find that the ambience is half the experience!
Street Food Trucks in Barcelona
If you’ve tried these bites but you want to see what the food truck scene has to offer, don’t miss these markets which all have music, drinks, local artists and food trucks, serving everything from slow-roasted pork sandwiches to gourmet donuts.
- When: The first Saturday and Sunday of every month
- Where: Carrer dels Pellaires, 30
- Price: €3.50 online, €4.50 at the door
- When: The dates and places for this food fest will vary, keep an eye on their website and Facebook page!
- Price: Free
- When: As with Eat Street, this market doesn’t have a set date or place, so stay tuned in to their social media for the next time they appear!
- Price: €2
