13 Must-Try Places To Eat Tapas In Barcelona

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Barcelona is one of the most exciting food cities in the world, offering everything from fine dining to local hole-in-the walls. But the best way to taste the city's best dishes and flavors is by trying lots and lots of tapas. Here are 13 tapas bars around Barcelona you don't want to miss.

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1. El Xampanyet

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Named after its homemade sparkling wine (called cava in Catalonia), El Xampanyet is one of the liveliest tapas bars in the Born neighborhood. Make a pit stop after visiting the Picasso museum for grilled squid over eggplant and peppers, sizzling padron peppers, roasted porcini mushrooms, and of course, lots of cava.

2. La Cova Fumada

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This no-frills bar near Barceloneta beach is packed with locals all day long. Order an Estrella Damm, the house beer, to wash down a few plates of seafood. Just don't forget to order "la bomba," a ham croquette topped with mayonnaise and spicy brava sauce.

3. Bar Cañete

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If you're looking for an upscale tapas meal, Bar Cañete is not to be missed. The mirrored walls, sleek red sofas, and mahogany wood details feel like a step into the past, and the food is both creative and memorable. Expect dishes like beef with seared foie gras in a truffle sauce, red prawns in sizzling garlic sauce, and the star of the show: A single fried meatball topped with aioli and spicy brava sauce.

4. El Quim de la Boqueria

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Turns out the Boqueria market is more than a place to shop around for anything from spices to olives. There are some great restaurant stalls within the giant market, and the very best is El Quim. Order a handful of the classics like spicy, crispy patatas bravas and shrimp in garlic sauce, but don't miss the runny scrambled eggs topped with sautéed baby squid. It'll take years to get this dish out of your head.

5. Bar Bodega Quimet

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Vermouth is all the rage in Barcelona, and this classic vermouth bar on a quiet street in the Gracia neighborhood is a great place to try it. Order a glass of smooth sweet homemade vermouth with a few tapas and you'll blend right in with the locals.

6. Cal Pep

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You won't mind a menu at this popular, upscale tapas spot. Rather, grab a seat at the bar and tell the server what you like best. He'll come back with anything from juicy tuna tartare and razor clams in garlic sauce to fluffy Spanish omelet and Butifarra sausage over beans.

7. Bar Jai-Ca

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This neighborhood haunt in the Barceloneta neighborhood is the perfect pit stop after a morning at the beach. The portions are generous and the prices are low, which means there's usually a crowd. The jamon ibérico melts in your mouth like butter, and it tastes like heaven on a slice of pan tomate, toasted bread smothered in garlic, tomato, and olive oil.

8. Tickets

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Consistently ranked among San Pellegrino's top 50 restaurants in the world and a notoriously tough reservation to snag, a meal at Tickets can be a religious experience for food-lovers. Order from the menu or let the server take control. All of the dishes — from the mind-blowing liquid olives to the wagyu beef — are worth every pretty penny they'll cost you.

9. Bar del Pla

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Nestled in a quiet corner in Born, this bar is known for creative twists on classic recipes. Squid ink croquettes, suckling pig tacos, and grilled octopus stuffed with mushrooms and chickpeas are just some of the options on the menu.

10. La Xampanyeria

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You'll experience some mixed emotions after a meal at La Xampanyeria. On the one hand, you'll want to keep this place a secret, but you'll also want to shout about it from the rooftops. Fight your way through this loud, lively, and constantly crowded establishment to get your hands on some fried chorizo, ham croquettes, delightfully greasy sandwiches, and rosé cava.

11. Dos Pallilos

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If you find yourself getting sick of the same tapas, make your way to the bar at Dos Pallilos. While it's a bit pricier than your average tapas spot, the Asian-Spanish fusion bites here are well worth the splurge. The menu is made up of dishes like crispy tempura cherry tomatoes, wagyu beef sliders, and silky tuna sashimi.

12. Quimet & Quimet

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If you're looking for a relaxed, slow-paced lunch experience, Quimet & Quimet is not the place. The walls of this hectic, closet-sized establishment are surrounded by wine bottles, and inside there's a bar and a few small tables. Order a few montaditos — bite sized, open-faced sandwiches — that are topped with anything from shrimp and caviar to smoked salmon, goat cheese, and honey.

13. Bar Mut

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Food and wine lovers will fall in love with this haute tapas spot in the trendy Eixample district. Consult the chalkboard menu for the rotating list of specials, which may be anything from tangy sea bass ceviche to rich shrimp carpaccio with potato and egg yolk.