Best Restaurants in Barcelona (2023 Edition)
Barcelona is a city you can always go back to and visit multiple times, discovering new culinary, artsy or shopping treasures at every corner. Having been to Barcelona and tried sooo many restaurants we decided it was time to make a list of our all time favourite ones.
On this list you’ll find everything from super fancy restaurants to chilled eateries - Barcelona is a place where tastes come together and you can really try a lot of new things you never tried before. Many restaurants on the list offer tasting menus where you can sit back, relax and just enjoy the dishes that come to your table.
Some typical Catalan dishes you should try when in Barcelona are:
Pan con Tomate - it sounds so basic but is so good (just toasted bread with garlic, olive oil and tomatoes)
Jamon Iberico - the best Jamon ever
Canelons - this dish will remind you of pasta basted dishes in italy. Stuffed pasta with chicken (feels like a Lasagna)
Escalivada - vegetables that are roasted whole, peeled, torn into long strips, drenched in olive oil, and served cold (sometimes on a “Coca de Escalivada” - a sort of Focaccia with these vegetables
Arroz Caldoso - A type of “soupy” rice, much more liquid than paella - usually served with lobster
Calçots amb romesco - Calçots are green onions that are grilled over embers and usually eaten outdoors and in groups. They are dipped in romesco sauce and you eat everything with your hands (a fun experience!)
Crema Catalana - typical catalan dessert made with creamy custard scented with lemon peels and cinnamon
Mel y Mato’ - another typical dessert made with honey, fresh cheese and nuts
Besta
The best thing about Besta is the constantly changing menu. It’s a wonderful restaurant especially if you like seafood - everyone is super friendly and you will definitely have a good time.
Favourite Thing Here: Loved the octopus but as the menu is constantly changing you might not find it
$$ - 4.8 (Google)
Carrer d'Aribau, 106, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Paco Meralgo
Paco Meralgo is my favourite restaurant in Barcelona. It’s cozy, you can sit at the bar, everyone is super nice and you feel at home right away. You can either spend a lot or leave having paid EUR 25 per person (the fish is quite pricey yet the veggie and meat dishes are not).
Favourite Thing Here: Rabo de Toro
$$$ - 4.4 (Google)
Carrer de Muntaner, 171, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Teòric Taverna Gastronòmica
Teòric Taverna Gastronòmica is another restaurant where you get a delicious tasting menu at only EUR 35 pp. The decor is simple and the staff is super friendly - you definitely come here for the delicious food.
Favourite Thing Here: Everything is delicious
$$ - 4.8 (Google)
C/ de Bailèn, 117, 08009 Barcelona, Spain
Cañete
Cañete has always been one of my favourite restaurants in Barcelona. It’s one of those places you just keep going back to as the food is incredible, the experience is extremely authentic and the staff is very friendly.
Favourite Thing Here: Rabo de Toro
$$$ - 4.6 (Google)
Carrer de la Unió, 17, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Mr. Porter
The food and ambiance at Mr. Porter are absolutely incredible. They focus on meat and are the best steakhouse in Barcelona at the moment but you will also find various other options.
Favourite Thing Here: The Meat
$$$ - 4.3 (Google)
Carrer del Rosselló, 265, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Cocina Hermanos Torres
Fine dining at its best, at Cocina Hermanos Torres you will find everything: a beautiful location, amazing dishes and attentive staff. They have an open kitchen in the middle of the dining room which creates a fun vibe as well.
Favourite Thing Here: Tasting Menu was incredible
$$$$ - 4.7 (Google)
Carrer del Taquígraf Serra, 20, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
Aürt
At Aürt you won’t only be eating delicious food, you’ll also have a good time doing so as many dishes are prepared in front of you. This is also one of the most affordable Michelin restaurants in Barcelona.
Favourite Thing Here: Tasting Menu
$$$ - 4.6 (Google)
Passeig del Taulat, 262, 264, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Disfrutar
Another great fine dining option, at Disfrutar the quality and taste of the food is as important as the presentation. The dishes are playful and you are bound to have an amazing time.
Favourite Thing Here: Festival Menu
$$$$ - 4.8 (Google)
C. de Villarroel, 163, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Berbena
Berbena is one of the cutest restaurants in Barcelona, it’s cozy and the staff are super attentive. Everything is cooked in front of you and everything is very flavourful. Their wine selection is also very good.
Favourite Thing Here: Beetroot dish, Tapioca and Cheddar Cube
$$ - 4.8 (Google)
Carrer de Minerva, 6, 08006 Barcelona, Spain
BENZiNA
BENZiNA is my favourite Italian restaurant in Barcelona. The food is tasty, the location is trendy (they also have a nice terrace) and the atmosphere is fun and easy going.
Favourite Thing Here: The Pasta
$$ - 4.5 (Google)
Passatge de Pere Calders, 6, 08015 Barcelona
Terraza Martínez
Terraza Martínez is the place to go if you want a good paella and a great view. The atmosphere is nice, the staff are friendly and in my opinion they have the best paella in Barcelona.
Favourite Thing Here: Paella
$$$ - 4.1 (Google)
Ctra. de Miramar, 38, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Restaurant El Passadís del Pep
Restaurant El Passadís del Pep is the place to go when it comes to seafood. There is no menu and dishes are sent to the table based on how many people you are and intolerances.
Favourite Thing Here: Everything - it’s a great place to try new things / things you would usually not pick
$$ - 4.5 (Google)
Pla de Palau, 2, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Fismuler
Fismuler is the place to go if you are looking for great food at really good prices. It’s semi-upscale and modern but at the same time comfy and cozy
Favourite Thing Here: Sea Bream Carpaccio with Grapes and the Cheesecake!
$$ - 4.2 (Google)
Carrer del Rec Comtal, 17, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
CruiX
CruiX is a super charming restaurant, they have a tasting menu (EUR 35 pp) with adventurous combinations of flavours made with simple ingredients. If you are looking for a delicious experience at a good price this is the place for you.
Favourite Thing Here: The rice dishes
$$ - 4.6 (Google)
C/ d'Entença, 57, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
La Gastronomica (Platillos)
La Gastronomica (Platillos) usually doesn’t take reservations. It’s a chilled restaurant which doesn’t have too many options on the menu but everything they have is delicious. It’s perfect for a spontaneous date night or evening with friends.
Favourite Thing Here: The Octopus
$$ - 4.6 (Google)
Carrer de Calàbria, 118, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Restaurante Informal
Restaurante Informal is located Located inside of The Serras Boutique Hotel and is a great option especially for lunch. The view is lovely and the food is very good.
Favourite Thing Here: The Ecological Chicken
$$$ - 4.4 (Google)
Passeig de Colom, 9, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Maleducat
Maleducat has very high quality dishes made with originality and an innovative mindset. A bit more expensive than other options on the list it makes for a good place for date night. The atmosphere is cozy and not pretentious at all.
Favourite Thing Here: Their Meats
$$$ - 4.7 (Google)
Carrer de Manso, 54, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Taberna Noroeste
Taberna Noroeste is a place you want to go back to time after time. It’s a fixed menu which is great for tasting new things - the atmosphere is chill and it feels like a restaurant that will get a Michelin Star.
Favourite Thing Here: Their Fish Dishes were incredible
$$$ - 4.8 (Google)
Carrer de Radas, 67, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
IAKNI
IAKNI is the best lebanese restaurant in town. A bit away from the more touristy attractions, it’s a good place to go if you want to be surrounded by people from Barcelona. The food is really good and the atmosphere is cozy.
Favourite Thing Here: Falafel and Hummus
$ - 4.7 (Google)
Carrer de Vilamarí, 3, 08015 Barcelona, Spain