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Where are you going?
Where are you going?
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Barcelona, Spain
5(1658)
15 Guests Max
2.5 hrs
24h Free CancellationYou can’t come to Spain and not try tapas, aka the tiny champions of culinary culture in Spain. The literal translation of tapa is cover because, before these small plates were sought-after snacks, they served as lids or covers for keeping dust and flies off of drinks in busy Spanish taverns. Over the years, they evolved as a savoury marketing tactic, designed to ignite a thirst in patrons to keep them drinking, until they eventually became the heart and soul of Spanish cuisine that we know and love today.
Believe it or not, Barcelona is widely regarded as one of the best places in Spain to try tapas, as it’s chock full of tapas bars and restaurants, but beware: not all of them are worth your time. Read our comprehensive guide to the best tapas bars in Barcelona and tips for immersing yourself in tapas culture, one bite at a time.
No matter which neighbourhood you’re staying in, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food; it just depends on the vibe you’re looking for. Some neighbourhoods are packed with old-school Spanish restaurants, while others are better suited for seafood or local, Catalan delights.
Skip scrolling through Yelp reviews and scouting out tapas bars on The Fork. It doesn’t matter where you’re staying in the city, whether you’re in El Born, Barceloneta, Poble Sec or Eixample. Here’s our handy list of 11 quick picks for the best tapas bars in Barcelona by area, so you can put the hangriness on pause.
Tapas Bar | Neighbourhood | Best For | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
El Xampanyet | El Born | Classic atmosphere | One of the most recognisable old-school tapas bars in Barcelona. |
Cal Pep | El Born | Famous Barcelona experience | A widely known stop with great seafood tapas. |
Bar del Pla | El Born | Modern-traditional tapas | Great for a more polished tapas meal. |
La Cova Fumada | Barceloneta | Authentic local tapas | Legendary for the "bomba" and traditional seafood dishes. |
Jai-Ca | Barceloneta | Seafood tapas | A strong neighbourhood pick with a casual local feel. |
Quimet & Quimet | Poble Sec | Tapas crawl | Tiny, iconic, and perfect for a crawl. |
La Plata | Gothic Quarter | Traditional tapas | Great for a simple, old-school Barcelona experience. |
Bar Cañete | El Raval / city centre | Upscale dinner | Excellent choice for a more refined tapas night. |
Bodega Solera | Eixample | Trendy local feel | A good choice for modern tapas and wine. |
Bar Canyí | Sant Antoni | Neighbourhood dining | Local-feeling, casual, and food-focused. |
Tangana | Gràcia | Lively neighbourhood vibe | Good for group dining and a more local atmosphere. |
Barcelona’s bohemian El Born neighbourhood is a treasure trove of tasty tapas restaurants lining every corner. It’s here where you’ll find some of the most famous tapas bars in Barcelona, like El Xampanyet, made recognisable by the long queue of people patiently waiting for a table. Having been around since 1929, it’s less “restaurant” and more of an institution. It’s small, busy, old school, and constantly buzzing with locals and visitors. They are known for high-quality “conservas”, aka food that has been preserved in tin cans or jars and the house champagne that has become its namesake.
Another essential tapas bar in El Born is Cal Pep, famous for its lively atmosphere and over-the-counter service. This quaint kitchen specialises in slow cooking, and the best way to enjoy it is to let the staff guide you in your selection.
Finally, no tapa hopping trip to El Born is complete without a stop at Bar del Pla, one of the best tapas-and-wine spots in the neighbourhood. It boasts a more polished and food-forward feel than a classic no-frills bar, and it’s known for all-day service, natural wine, and a menu that mixes Catalan tradition with modern touches. It’s also close to the Picasso Museum and other sought-after attractions, making it a top choice for tourists who want to pack in activities without sacrificing a sit-down meal.
If you’re sick of terrestrial tapas and you want something from the sea and traditional coastal dining, Barceloneta is the place to be. Whether you’re sipping and snacking at a chiringuito on the beach or enjoying a sit-down meal on the waterfront by the port, dinner with a view never looked (or tasted) so good.
You can’t go to Barceloneta without a visit to La Cova Fumada, one of the most iconic tapas bars in Barcelona and birthplace of the bomba, a fried mashed potato ball stuffed with minced meat. This emblematic bar has been serving hungry locals since 1944, and it shows; its walls bear the scars of time, transporting visitors back to the bygone era, and their time-honoured recipes have remained largely unchanged since their first opening.
A less legendary but equally tasty option is Bar Jai-Ca, a reliable spot for seafood tapas and vermouth. The food is accessible and unpretentious, promising a local feel rather than the picture-perfect ambience polished for tourists. They’re most known for fried, bone-in anchovies.
Poble Sec is one of the best neighbourhoods for a tapas crawl, and it has more of a local feel than the most tourist-heavy areas, making it a great place to experience authentic tapas in Barcelona.
For tapas with a Basque twist, stroll down Blai Street (Calle Blai) and stop at one of the many pintxos bars dotting the strip. Try everything from a classic “gilda” to pintxos topped with tortilla, sausage, and seafood, and when you’re done, pay by the stick just like in Bilbao.
Around the corner from Blai sits Quimet & Quimet, one of the most famous tapas bars in Barcelona, perfect for people who want a quick, memorable stop in the city with sensational small plates and drinks. This family-run restaurant has been in business since 1914 and is known for tinned preserves, stacked Spanish sandwiches or montaditos, and vermouth. It’s definitely atmospheric, with a tiny standing-room style space packed with wine bottles, but not for the claustrophobic!
You can’t come to Barcelona without exploring its historic centre. The Gothic Quarter is ideal if you want to eat somewhere central and well-connected, and discover some of the oldest tapas bars in Barcelona. One of our favourite tapas bars in the old town is La Plata, a quintessential Spanish bodega that practically screams authenticity. Since 1945, it’s been serving the same four tapas, showcasing the staples of Catalan cuisine; pescaditos fritos, pintxos de butifarra or anchovies, and tomato salad with olives and onion. You’ll know you’re near when you see groups of people standing on the street passing around fried fish out of a paper cone and a porrón, a Catalan communal wine jug dating back to medieval times.
El Raval might not be the first place you’d think to go for a fancy night out, but it’s home to some of Barcelona’s best tapas bars, including Bar Cañete. This modern and cosy tapas spot retains the essence of this hipster neighbourhood while packing a charming atmosphere and flavourful plates to please every palate. Whether you want a quick bite to eat by the bar in the restaurant’s “blue zone” or to snack at a leisurely pace at one of the “red zone” tables, you’ll get whatever kind of dining experience you’re looking for. For carnivores, the beef tartar with wasabi is to die for, and veg-heads will love the artichoke tortilla.
If you want to dine close to the city centre but avoid the hustle and bustle of more compact tourist areas, Sant Antoni is a great place to take your taste buds on a ride. One of our favourite tapas bars in the neighbourhood is Bar Canyí. This modern tapas spot is from the makers of the Michelin-starred restaurant Slow & Low and features a concise menu, perfect for foodies. Although it sports a casual atmosphere, it is food-focused, meaning that dishes are deliberate. Bite into a crunchy Bomba de la Barceloneta or go under the sea with berberechos salsa jerez, cockles in sherry sauce or grilled squid.
If you fancy dining in a more elevated setting than your classic neighbourhood bodega, the Eixample district is the place to go. Home to the high-end gastronomic hall El Nacional and elegant tapas restaurants sprinkled on every corner of this grid-like neighbourhood, you won’t have to hunt when it comes to gourmet cuisine, tapas included.
Unlike many of the tapas bars on this list, Bodega Solera is relatively new, but it has managed to make quite the impression in the few years since its opening in 2023. This Andalusian-style tavern serves high-quality tapas typical of a bodega, and they pair well with natural wine and sherry.
Everyone whose anyone will tell you to explore Gràcia, one of the best neighbourhoods in Barcelona for a more local atmosphere, and this certainly rings true in terms of tapas bars too. Filled to the brim with terrace-lined squares, you’ll come across your fair share of tapas bars by simply wandering around. It’s hard to narrow it down, but Tagana is without a doubt one of the best tapas bars in Gràcia for a social, dinner-friendly atmosphere characteristic of the neighbourhood. The food is locally sourced and puts the product-first, serving well-executed dishes typical of a gastromarket rather than a tapas dive. With shareable dishes like croquettes, oysters, and “huevos estrellados”, it’s a good option for families and small groups.
If you’re sick of the same old tapas and want to try something with a more elevated twist, try one of these spots for premium tapas in Barcelona. They’re the perfect picks to add a bit of luxury to your holiday.
For people travelling to Barcelona on a budget. Here’s a list of the best cheap tapas bars in the city that won’t break the bank and will have you feeling like a local.
Look, if you’re the type to walk into a tapas bar and only order a sad bowl of olives, we can’t help you. Eating tapas is not the time to be timid; it’s your chance to eat like you mean it.
We’d recommend starting with the classics: patatas bravas because you need the sauce, croquetas because they’re basically little crispy balls of joy, and pan con tomate because Catalans will quietly judge you if you skip it. It’s essential to add a bomba if you see it, because as the name states, it is “the bomb”, and it’s what the city is famous for.
If you’re feeling frisky, go for anchovies, jamón ibérico, or grilled seafood. The point is to try as much as you can in a slightly chaotic parade of small plates, kind of like “girl dinner” (we see you, TikTok).
Still not sure what to order or where to go? Join a Tapas Tour of Barcelona with Carpe Diem and let a local guide take you to their top spots in the city. With nine tapas tastings at four local spots, you’ll get a taste of what Barcelona is all about, and meet like-minded travellers along the way.
Barcelona is a hub for great food, but some of the highest concentrations of tapas bars can be found in El Born, Barceloneta, and Poble Sec. El Born is great for iconic, central tapas bars, Barceloneta is strongest for seafood and old-school local places, and Poble Sec is excellent if you want a tapas crawl with a more neighbourhood feel.
Reservations are never a bad idea, especially during the high tourist season or if you’re dining with a group; however, many tapas bars are walk-in only and can have long wait times.
The possibilities for tapas are endless, but it’s best to start with the basics: patatas bravas, pan con tomate, croquetas, bombas, and anchovies. These are some of the most recognisable and reliable dishes in Barcelona, and they give you a good sense of how strong a tapas bar is if done well. If you’re still not sure what to try or where to go for tapas, book a Barcelona Tapas Tour with Carpe Diem.
They can be, but prices vary a lot by neighbourhood and the style of place. Casual tapas bars can be very reasonable, while famous or touristy spots are more expensive; as a rough guide, basic tapas are often around a few euros each (3-6 euros), and seafood or premium plates cost more, usually around 7-10 euros per plate.
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