Barcelona Is For Foodies
International travel allows people to gain a new appreciation for other cultures of the world and a big part of any culture is the cuisine.
The food of a region is a reflection of its history and its geographical location and the resources that they have available to them. Barcelona is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain on the Balearic Sea.
Barcelona is Walkable and Welcoming
A big part of Barcelona’s charm is found wandering around. The city is very walkable and has a wide variety of smaller neighborhoods, each with its own style and vibe. Each of these distinct areas is connected by larger boulevards and congregating areas like Las Ramblas. You will find charming mom-and-pop cafes and bistros along the more populated areas as well as along the smaller connecting streets.
No matter where you go in Barcelona, you will be welcomed by friendly, hosts, bartenders, and restauranteurs eager to find you a seat and fill your table with yummy options and refreshing beverages.
Barcelona Is Known For Tapas
What exactly is tapas? It’s small plates of dishes that range from simple to more complex, meats to veggies, sautes and skewers to fried items. All tapas are traditional Catalonian foods made from local ingredients. Many of the most popular specialties are what Americans would call comfort foods and small bites.
The great thing about eating tapas is that they are shareable and very affordable, which allows you to try more and even if it’s not your favorite, you’re not wasting major dollars on it.
Tapas are ready and quick! You’ll be amazed how quickly your tapas order will be out to your table. Since tapas are the most popular way to dine in Barcelona, restaurants are ready with a steady flow of freshly made orders. Bar service is attentive, well priced in most locations, and the bartenders in Barcelona are talented and generous in their pours
Barcelona Dining Times
One of the biggest surprises I experienced in Barcelona was the local dining times. Being American, I am used to breakfast between 7 and 9 am, lunch from 11 am to 1 pm, and dinner anytime after 5. I was in for a shock when I arrived in Barcelona at 11 am. Lunch in Barcelona doesn’t start until 2 pm. It wasn’t a big adjustment for me, It just meant that my lunch for that day was the MOST AMAZING passionfruit cheesecake and a glass of local wine. I was not disappointed at all.
So what are the traditional dining times in Barcelona and the greater Catalonia region?
Breakfast 7-9 am
Mid-Morning Snack 10-11 am
Lunch 2-3:30 pm
Dinner 9-11 pm
When in Barcelona, it’s ok to have passion fruit cheesecake and wine for lunch!
Here are some of the great foods (and a couple of drinks) that all travelers (and foodies) definitely need to indulge in.
Beverages
Let’s kick this list off with a couple of great beverages that anyone who is traveling to Barcelona will need to try.
Sangria- Everyone knows that you have to try a great glass of Sangria. This is a great refreshment on a hot day.
Barcelona red sangria
The great thing about Sangria is that every restaurant and Sangria maker has a different take on it and some places will even offer up to 6 different varieties on their menu.
Cava- This is the sparkling wine of Spain. It is normally a drink that is on the sweeter type but there is a variation.
Brut Cava is a cava that is drier, and it tends to taste more like traditional champagne.
Traditional Meats
There are a couple of meats that are traditional to Spain and they should be any everyone’s list of foods to try.
Iberico Ham- Iberico ham is to Spain what prosciutto is to Italy.
This ham has become a famous ingredient known well to world-class chefs as one of the best hams in the world.
This ham can be served on its’ own or as an ingredient in a dish. It is cut thicker than prosciutto, so it is not as delicate and is a little meatier.
Chorizo- Chorizo is a spicy sausage that is eaten in many different ways including sliced up like salami or used as an ingredient in many dishes.
Barcelona: Patatas Bravas and Aperol Spritz
Cheese
Manchego- This sheep’s milk cheese pairs great with wonderful Iberico ham.
It has a salty, earthy flavor to it and it originated in the La Mancha region of Spain (hence the name).
It is eaten all throughout Spain with great popularity.
Dishes And Other Fare
Gazpacho- This is a chilled tomato soup that is really satisfying on a hot Spanish summer day.
It sometimes comes served with Pa amb tomaquet or with sides of croutons, red peppers, and onion. No matter how it is served, it’s delicious.
Bocadillos- This is the Spanish version of a sandwich.
They are made on baguettes that are soft and crusty all at the same time.
You can choose the meat that you want on it and then they are topped with multiple sauces and toppings that can include lentils, lettuce, corn, or cucumbers.
Seafood- Barcelona is located right on the Balearic Sea and just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean.
This makes Barcelona a central place for amazing seafood.
One of the great dishes to try is the calamari and squid, which you can get either fried or grilled.
Bombas- Bombas is a combination of mashed potatoes and meat that are rolled in bread crumbs in the shape of a ball and fried.
They usually come in two different sizes (like a snack and meal size) and they are usually served with one aioli on top and another on the bottom.
Spanish Omelet- This is not the breakfast omelet that is probably coming to your mind right now.
This is an omelet that is eaten all day and can come in an individual size or larger and served in slices.
It is filled with chunks of potatoes and onions and served with some type of aioli.
Pa Amb Tomaquet- This is a bread that is served with many dishes in Barcelona. It is so popular that if you don’t order it specifically, many servers with ask you if you want it.
It is a slice of bread topped with a rub of olive oil and tomato and a dash of salt.
Everyone puts their own twist on the dish some will toast the bread and others will serve it with more chunks of tomato.
Croquettas- This is a dish that is a lot like the Bombas. Croquettas are filled with meat (usually chicken or Iberico ham) and cheese. They are long and oval-shaped.
Spain can really be a food lover’s dream.
There are amazing restaurants and cafes that line the streets and all of the best Spanish fares is at a traveler’s fingertips.
They love to serve their food in the small-plate style, so the portions are great for eating all day long. One thing that you need to be aware of is that there are going to be different serving size options.
A pintxos serving is a portion that is like a two-bite snack and that is perfect for on-the-go.
A tapas menu is going to be a bigger serving size that is meant for sharing amongst a couple of people.
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