What is the very first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name “Barcelona?” Many people think of Barcelona and immediately picture its year-round sunlight, its carefree culture, and the magnificent buildings designed by Antoni Gaud. They’re not wrong, but we think the food is what really sets Barcelona apart.
In the early 2000s, a certain chef named Ferran Adrià put Catalonia on the map as one of the best places to eat in the world with his now-defunct restaurant El Bulli. A new generation of chefs has emerged in Barcelona, and they may be sampled at restaurants as diverse as tapas bars and natural wine establishments and as opulent as those with several Michelin stars.
To ensure you never waste another dining opportunity in Barcelona, we have compiled a list of our favorite restaurants over a wide range of price points and styles.
Top 10 restaurants in Barcelona, Spain
Here’s a rundown of Barcelona’s top restaurants for you to pick from.
- Informal, Serras Hotel
- Estimar
- Disfrutar
- Gresca
- Gala
- Batea
- Succulent
- Come Barcelona
- Cruix
- Fire
1. Informal, Serras Hotel
This restaurant is not only located in one of the best spots in the city, but it additionally serves the cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Marc Gascons (who also heads the restaurant Els Tinars in Girona). The great location and food make this place one of Barcelona’s best restaurants.
As the name suggests, the setting is relaxed, and the focus is on the food. Gnocchi made from honeyed potatoes and served with a butter and truffle sauce, baby squid and prawn carpaccio served over rice, and grilled turbot with roasted leeks are just a few examples of Gascon cuisine that will win you over.
If you’re staying the night at Serras, locals recommend starting your day with a ham and cheese sandwich. It’s up there with the finest of them.
2. Estimar
In cutting-edge, modern food, Chef Rafa Zafra investigates the ocean’s richness in all its incredible variety. Pilar Salas, a Spanish culinary critic, has appropriately dubbed this Madrid and Barcelona seafood heaven “the seafood restaurant of the 21st century.” It’s no wonder to say that this place is another top restaurant in Barcelona.
The foods are elegant in their uncomplicatedness. Zafra and his staff humbly claim they use the best seafood available and have no other special techniques. The eyes and the stomach will thank you for the sea urchins with caviar, the barnacles in salt, the triple-cooked langoustine, and the pan-fried razor clams with warm marinade.
3. Disfrutar
One of the best restaurants in the world is run by three elBulli alums who are at the top of their game. The name is aptly chosen because it is the Spanish word for “enjoy.”
Chefs Mateu Casaas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruch have dedicated themselves to making their customers happy since the restaurant opened in December 2014. They have been successful in this endeavor, and their efforts have been recognized on a global scale (Disfrutar is ranked third on The World’s Best Restaurants 2022 list).
Among the must-try items on the menu are the spaghetti carbonara, which is made with hake and almonds, and the Gildas, which are tapas made of anchovies, olives, and peppers. If you enjoy eating, you will find Disfrutar (Volume I) to be a timeless work of gourmet literature and one of Barcelona’s best eateries.
4. Gresca
Rafa Pea, one of the best chefs in Barcelona, opened a restaurant that has since become a perennial favorite among his professional peers. The dishes at Gresca are a reflection of his thoughts and talent, as well as his precision as a chef.
You can always count on having a fantastic lunch and a fun time at Gresca. While the Iberian loin bikini sandwich has gotten a lot of attention, the restaurant’s menu also includes marinated mackerel, nir rolls with ear and tongue, fish with tripe and mushrooms, and veal brains.
Due to Pea’s expertise in both tapas and offal, Gresca is often recommended as the best place to enjoy these dishes in Barcelona, so it’s safe to say that it is one of Barcelona’s top restaurants.
5. Gala
The Gala is now a more popular place on Barcelona’s party calendar. The restaurant presents itself as “a journey into Barcelona’s surrealist past at the beginning of the 20th century.”
Gala is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that combines the best of Mediterranean food with an artistic, irreverent, and dramatic environment. The design by Quintana Partners is in keeping with the characteristics of Grupo Isabella (a group of six restaurants and a hotel) and is ready for taking close-up shots or maybe a whole photo shoot.
A tarot card reader, neon signs, a merry-go-round, and a nose-shaped fountain are all available at this place, making it a whole lot more journey than just eating and one of Barcelona’s top restaurants.
Marco Gari is in charge of the kitchen, where he prepares meals like the prawn omelet, sirloin steak Rossini, asparagus, and parmesan.
6. Batea
If you’re in Barcelona, we will guess you would like to try seafood, preferably without paying an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for the best prices whit fresh material in Central Barcelona, look no further than Batea.
Like its sibling restaurant Besta, Batea adheres to its mission, so you can be assured that the food served there is always incredibly fresh and prepared with love and ingenuity to make it pop without being arrogant.
The Galician oysters and seafood platter, or crustacean tower, as we call it, are a great place to start. Start with the vinegar-marinated mackerel escabeche and the ultra-gooey Betanzos-style omelet, topped with shrimp or baby squid, depending on the season, and you’ll understand why the white prawn tartare roll is a must-order appetizer.
Marta Morales, the wife of Chef Manuel Nez, manages the front of the house, serves drinks, and recommends wine. Since she’s so good at it, just let her know what you prefer and leave the rest to her capable hands. Batea is a great place to wine and dine in the city as it is one of Barcelona’s greatest restaurants.
7. Succulent
From the outside, Succulent doesn’t look like a temple to fine food, but as you step inside, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hardwood tables and wicker chairs. Shelves around the walls are crammed with books, plants, and jars, making the space feel warm and personal.
Toni Romero is not a conventional chef. Leave your diet at the door and get ready to indulge in the unique, innovative, and completely delectable foods he prepares.
Some people’s sensibilities may be offended by the glazed cockerel’s cocksucker, while those with a more adventurous palate may be blown away by combinations like beef tartare served on bone marrow or beets with Butter blanc and smoked eel.
If you’re in Barcelona and looking for some excitement, we highly recommend this restaurant as it is one of the best restaurants in Barcelona.
8. Come, Barcelona
COME, one of the best Mexican restaurants in Barcelona, received a Michelin star just a year after opening and is often considered Barcelona’s best restaurant.
The walls and mosaic tables at this Mexican restaurant are splashed with bright colors. The remainder of the atmosphere is a reflection of the relaxed and friendly nature of Mexican hospitality.
You won’t have to make many choices. Two tasting menus are available, with the main course selection being the only distinction. You can’t go wrong with any of the 13 mouthwatering appetizer tastes that are out of this world because of the masterful blending of Mexican spices and techniques with Spanish vegetables.
9. Cruix
This hidden gastronomic treasure attracts food-loving locals unwilling to spend $100 or more on a Michelin-starred meal. Cruix is, without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in Barcelona.
It’s hard to believe that Cruix’s tasting menu is real. If you eat here eight times, you’ll make $40. That’s right; eight dinners will set you back $40. The price tag is the only thing cheap about this place because it is worth every penny. Miquel Pardo, the chef, is clearly on the fast track.
10. Fire
During the warmer months, guests of the W Barcelona can dine al fresco on the patio of Wet Deck at FIRE, the hotel’s restaurant—the hotel’s pool area, which overlooks the Mediterranean, beach party in the open air. Your dinner is complemented by a fire festival that includes dancing, music, and natural ocean views -You should plan to eat here in the summer as it surely is one of Barcelona’s best restaurants.
Conclusion
Barcelona is sometimes referred to be the “culinary capital of the world,” and its restaurants are a star-studded feast that you simply must experience at least once in your lifetime. We’ve done extensive research and put together a list of the best ten restaurants in Barcelona that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
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