Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by Emma Fajcz | Published: April 2, 2019
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! Barcelona is home to lots of delicious bites that you can grab quickly while in between sights. Here are our 5 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!
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. Even with that said, there are some great street foods to try from markets and food vendor stalls while you’re in the city!
Table of Contents
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: Empanadas Rekons, in the Sant Antoni neighborhood, are known for their artisanal empanadas, but their cazuela de bravas has a sauce that is inimitable. Open from 10 am to 12 am 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. Here’s more places to eat the best patatas bravas in Barcelona!
2. Entrepà
This delicious Catalan sandwich can be filled with almost anything! The name entrepà literally means, “between bread” in Catalan. The bread used can be anything from slices to a soft baguette, but it is the ingredients between the bread that really matters.
Where to Find Them: Go to 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 Bo de B during 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 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!
Read more about how the bikini sandwich became a Barcelona staple if you’re curious.
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 (small beer). 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.
Get our tips for ordering a drink in Spain if you want to try croquetas with a caña!
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 Truck Markets in Barcelona
Want to see what the food truck scene has to offer? Don’t miss these food truck markets, which all have music, drinks, local artists, and food trucks serving everything from slow-roasted pork sandwiches to gourmet donuts.
- Palo Alto: Held on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month at Carrer dels Pellaires, 30. Entry is €3.50 online, €4.50 at the door.
- Eat Street: The dates and places for this food fest will vary, so keep an eye on their website and Facebook page! Entry is free.
- All Those: 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! Entry is €2.
Experience Barcelona’s Food Like a Local
Join one of our top-rated Barcelona food tours! With the help of our expert local guides, you’ll get to see, hear, and taste your way through this city and learn about its fascinating history and culture.
Street Food in Barcelona FAQs
What is the famous food street in Barcelona?
Barcelona’s most famous “food street” is La Rambla, a lively pedestrian boulevard lined with cafés, tapas bars, and outdoor restaurants. Just off La Rambla, you’ll find La Boqueria Market, one of the world’s best food markets, where locals and visitors alike browse stalls overflowing with fresh produce, seafood, Iberian ham, and ready-to-eat snacks.
What is the most popular street food in Spain?
Across Spain, one of the most popular street foods is churros con chocolate: crispy, fried dough sticks served with thick, rich hot chocolate for dipping. You’ll also find bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches), tapas, and empanadas sold at markets and local food vendor stalls.
What is a must-eat in Barcelona?
A must-eat in Barcelona is pa amb tomàquet (bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil), a simple yet iconic Catalan staple found everywhere from markets to Michelin-starred restaurants. Don’t miss bombas from Barceloneta, fresh seafood paella, and crema catalana for dessert. These dishes capture the essence of Barcelona’s vibrant food culture.
