Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of its four provinces, is known not only for its stunning architecture and sunny beaches, but also for its vibrant food scene. Local food in Barcelona is a feast for the senses, where authentic flavours mix with the rich history of this land.
Join Sazón The Folk Cook and immerse yourself in the delicious world of Catalan gastronomy. Let’s explore the dishes that make Barcelona an essential culinary destination.
Our selection of local food in Barcelona
Prepared by local cooks in their houses
Fancy some Tapas?
If there is something that is fashionable in Barcelona, it is going for tapas. As in other cities in Spain, the art of tapas has become an unparalleled plan to enjoy moments of leisure. Throughout the city, you will find beautiful places where you can taste the best of the sea and the mountains. A mix of flavours that characterises the local food of Barcelona.
One of the classic tapas is pantumaca or bread with tomato. Generally, slices of pan payés, a typical Catalan bread, are cut and tomato is rubbed on the slice with a splash of olive oil and salt. Although this dish in itself is the most famous starter in Barcelona, it can be eaten accompanied by sausages, such as Serrano ham, fuet or salchichón.
Aren’t you satisfied with just this tapa? No problem! Alfredo, our most avant-garde chef and expert on local food in Barcelona, opens the doors of his house next to the Boquería Market to surprise us with a generous starter of 10 tapas. There you will taste, among others, an assortment of Iberian sausages, Manchego cheese, mussels with sauce, and spicy potatoes (the classic patatas bravas). It is certainly a plan that no one should miss.
Typical Cannelloni Barcelona style
Another delicacy of these dates featuring local food in Barcelona is cannelloni. Although we all think that they are typical of Italian cuisine, actually they are also a very typical dish of Catalan cuisine, especially in the province of Barcelona.
Their preparation is very laborious. So it is reserved for holidays and celebrations, especially on Christmas day. To tell us the history of this typical dish and how cannelloni are made, Raquel opens her house to us. Welcome to her terrace in the Eixample neighbourhood of Barcelona. Savour this exquisiteness that our dinner hostess prepares for us with all her love even if it is not Christmas.
A delicious Rice with local sea products
The second courses are also the protagonists of local food in Barcelona. In the heart of the Gothic quarter lives Francisco, a Catalan with Andalusian blood. Francisco’s cultural fusion is felt in his kitchen. But also in his house, where he himself has been working on renovating it for 15 years. The result: a lovely place with lime stucco finishes, natural paints, and handmade furniture. There you can breathe that cultural mix so characteristic of our host.
Ask Francisco to delight your evening with his guitar music. While you taste his delicious sea and mountain rice, prepared with the best fresh products in the area… You will even dare to try sucking the shrimp heads!
Flavourful Catalan country food
To put the finishing touch to this culinary adventure through local food in Barcelona, there is nothing better than travelling to a beautiful Catalan farmhouse located a few kilometres from the capital. Our local cook, Trini, loves hosting parties at her house. And dazzling her guests with the best flavours of Catalan food.
Sweets are undoubtedly a hallmark of the area. And Trini has learned how to make Catalan Coca from her daughter-in-law, who was a master pastry chef. This typical sweet of Catalonia is a kind of brioche with candied fruit and pine nuts filled with cream. A sweet bite that does not disappoint to end a fabulous gastronomic day.
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In conclusion, local food in Barcelona is a culinary journey that reveals the richness of flavours, textures and traditions of the region. From tapas that encourage conviviality, to fish dishes that reflect the freshness of the Mediterranean, each bite tells a story of Catalonia’s rich gastronomic heritage. By exploring the local food of Barcelona, you will experience a feast that will delight your senses and leave a lasting impression on your palate.
