Foodie: Best restaurants in Barcelona (non-touristy)
Barcelona is a captivating and colourful city. The famous architecture and gorgeous array of earthy colours on the buildings is undoubtedly one of the draws to the famous capital. Although we would be lying if we said the food wasn’t high up on the list. It truly is a foodie heaven and we were in our element (and slightly overwhelmed at times) with the restaurant lined streets, smells of paella and churros tickling the senses. Although it’s hard not to get drawn into the tourist traps and the old town is full of them. Read on for tried and tested yummy recommendations outside of the gothic quarter (which I really recommend doing), with details about where they are and some of the delicious food they have on offer.
Best Tapas
La Flauta Barcelona
Tucked outside of the touristy gothic quarter in L'Eixample, is the tapas locals recommend and queue around the corner for. You heard right, the queue may be long but it goes down quickly due to the generous seating inside and outside if you’re lucky! We even managed to fit this restaurant in twice in our four day trip, which says it all.
La Flauta really captures the essence of a true tapas experience - fast paced, loud and most importantly, exquisite dishes. You must try the fresh seafood on offer, one of our favourites were the Carabineros (red prawns) that were grilled and seasoned with chilli, lemon and salt, they were truly some of the best prawns we had ever eaten. Another must-try was actually one of the cheapest items on the menu, the smoked sardines on tomato bread, it may sound and even look unassuming but it was one of the best tasting dishes we tried all trip! Another of our favourites was an authentic Spanish omelette, so simple but delicious. Some notable mentions were: patatas bravas, padron peppers and calamari skewers.
Honestly the whole experience was great fun and the food blew us away. A restaurant guaranteed to have fresh produce, quick service and something for everyone!
Best Paella
Season Tapas Restaurant
https://www.seasonrestaurante.es/en
The irony is not lost on me that the best tapas was not from here but the tastiest paella you could ever set your eyes on was!
This Paella had it all, fresh langoustine, king prawns, clams, muscles and probably more (I was too busy devouring it). Just look at that gorgeous rich saffron colour >
This was the Paella for two and it was a very generous portion. We also started with some jammon and tomato bread (its the best thing, you will get it everywhere) and paired white wine with the meal.
A superb dining experience and really nothing more to say!
apple custard pastry & chocolate croissant
This breakfast spot was spectacular and the best way to start the day before walking for miles around the city. The array of artisanal pastries was to die for and distinctly hard in the morning to make such an important decision. They had both sweet and savoury options, with plenty of outdoors and indoors seating.
The coffees were around the $2 mark and pastries were similar, which is a steal considering they are all baked freshly every morning. There is also freshly squeezed orange juice which we just had to get being British and not getting that luxury too often!
Wild card
Bronzo Italian
Okay hear me out, I know how it sounds! Why travel to Spain and have Italian cuisine. It wasn’t planned and we stumbled across it at a hangry crossroads. Serious action had to be taken for two flagging tourists. We were feeling pretty weary and a tad fed up as we had walked around the old town and beyond and no where that looked half decent could fit us in for food. It is worth noting in Barcelona it is essential to book before going out as everywhere is usually rammed.
Anyway, as someone that’s been to Sardina and Tuscany, I have to say this was one of the best Italian dishes I have ever eaten in my life. The small cosy eatery is owned by an Italian chef so it is authentic but they also had some very unique dishes on the menu. I was in a very indecisive mood so I asked the waitress to pick a dish for me and she choose Baccalà mantecato agnolotti, bottarga & black garlic which was a salt cod that had been poached in stock and milk, enveloped in ravioli with a sundried tomato and black garlic sauce. I trusted her judgement and I was in food heaven. I still dream about it to this day and I feel I must go back and have it again, it was a life changing dish (not being dramatic). Everything about it was perfectly balanced and so unique but also complex, making it a satisfying delight.
Go and see for yourself and I can highly recommend getting the waiter’s opinion as it can open your world to something new, daring and completely delicious.