Barcelona’s oldest area, the Gothic Quarter, is filled with charm, enigma and, well, its fair share of tourist traps.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat well there! If you aren’t familiar with el gòtic, the area can be a bit difficult to navigate. However, there are plenty of wonderful restaurants in the Gothic Quarter if you know where to look. So get out your maps and get ready to explore, and let us help you find where to eat in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona (and don’t miss out on our full post on things to do besides eat in the Gothic Quarter!).

La Alcoba Azul

There are some pockets of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter that breathe magic and history. The old Jewish neighborhood, El Call, does just that. If you ever find it, head to La Alcoba Azul, a dusty little tapas bar specializing in tostas. These thick slices of countryside bread, slathered with anything from sobrassada to roasted vegetables, are what bring locals back for more. It’s one of the simplest, most authentic places to eat in the Gothic Quarter.

Address: Carrer de Sant Domenech del Call, 14 

Granja Dulcinea

Some of Barcelona’s most historical cafes can be found at the many granjas around town. The word granja, in this case, refers to a Catalan style deli, that specializes in cream, pastries and thick hot chocolate.

Granja Dulcinea is a time warp that transports you to a Barcelona of the early 20th century, when families would go out for their afternoon snack after a walk around town. And in any case, you should definitely add Spanish hot chocolate to your list of things to eat in Barcelona! Have a look at the video below to see some of our most delicious breakfast treats!

Address: Carrer del Petritxol, 2

La Plata

There’s a reason why the little corner bar La Plata calls itself the last standing authentic bar in the Gothic Quarter. Now, whether or not this is true is debatable, but most would agree that it’s one of the best. Rustic, authentic and with only four (yes, four) tapas on offer, we also had to include it in our list of top tapas bars in Barcelona.

Want to visit La Plata in good company? Join us on our Tapas, Taverns & History of Barcelona tour to visit this hidden gem and so much more in the Gothic Quarter!

Address: Carrer de la Merce, 28

Federal Cafe Gotic

Federal Cafe, originally opened in the trendy neighborhood of Sant Antoni, was such a smashing success that they opened a second location in arguably one of the most gorgeous alleyways of Barcelona. This local favorite does a lot of things well, from coffee to brunch, to cakes, to healthy but hearty organic meals. Airy, open and comfortable with a beautiful design, this place itself is worth seeing (or rather, finding), even if you aren’t starving!

Address: Passatge de la Pau, 11

Shunka

Tired of tapas? Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city with a lot on offer, not only Spanish and Catalan food! One of the best (and well-priced) Japanese restaurants is just a stone’s throw from Barcelona’s Gothic cathedral, yet you might walk by it ten times without ever realizing it. Shunka has it all—whether you just need a sushi fix or you’re in the mood for a three-course proper Japanese dinner.

Address: Carrer de Sagristans, 5

Satan’s Coffee Corner

Looking for stellar coffee in Barcelona on one of the quietest, coziest, sun-drenched corners of the city? Satan’s Coffee Corner is one of the trend-setters for good coffee in Barcelona, so if you love a high quality cuppa joe, be sure to make this a stop in your wanderings while finding where to eat in the Gothic Quarter. Don’t know how to order? Check out our guide for how to order coffee in Barcelona, though the coffee at Satan’s Coffee Corner does get a bit more gourmet!

Address: Carrer de l’Arc de Sant Ramon del Call, 11

Pla

Barcelona and Catalonia have long been on the map for creative cuisine, and Pla, a local favorite, is the perfect spot for special occasions or romantic dinners. Get ready to stimulate your senses with their inventive dishes and different tasting menus. All the while, you’ll be tucked into one of the most beautiful places to eat in the Gothic Quarter.

Address: Carrer de Bellafila, 5

This blog post was originally posted on November 26, 2015 and was updated on August 17, 2023.

Come explore the best bars of the Gothic Quarter with us on our Tapas, Taverns and History Tour!