This blog post was originally posted on February 1, 2017, and was updated on October 28, 2020. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Despite the fact that tapas aren’t native to Barcelona, the Catalan capital has seamlessly adapted them into the local gastronomic scene.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you come to Barcelona craving tapas, you’re not alone. Tapas are a way of life here in Spain, and have gained popularity abroad for good reason. Though often considered to be small plates, doing tapas in Span is less about the food itself and more about the social experience of sharing it with others. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But what exactly is worth trying? With so many options to choose from, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. We’ve done the hard work for you and put together this guide to the most popular tapas in Barcelona that locals love\u2014and so will you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Tapas in Barcelona: A brief history<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Historically, the concept of tapas in Barcelona was quite humble. The original tapas-style bars in the Catalan capital were the old-school wine bodegas, which often served small bites such as canned seafood, cheese, olives and cured meats. Bodegas don’t usually have kitchens, so cold tapas like these were the way to go.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But as migration within Spain became more widespread in the 20th century, thousands of Andalusians made their way north to Barcelona. With them, they brought the concept of tapas that is more commonly known today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That’s right\u2014we’ve been eating tapas in Barcelona (in their modern form, at least) for less than a century! But in that time, a few bites have made quite the name for themselves. These are the most popular tapas in Barcelona, and the bites that no trip to the ciudad condal<\/em> would be complete without.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The most popular tapas in Barcelona<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Patatas bravas<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Patatas bravas<\/em> are fried potatoes topped with a spicy “bravas” sauce and sometimes\u00a0alioli<\/em>, a garlic mayonnaise, as well. These are probably the one\u00a0tapa you will find on every single menu in the city of Barcelona. Therefore, you obviously have to try them\u2014but know that not all bravas<\/em> are created equal. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Read reviews (ideally from locals) of any place before heading out, and make sure to keep an eye out for places that use frozen potatoes, store-bought sauce and the like. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for this staple of Barcelona tapas bars to be butchered. But when they do it right? Heaven. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n