Discover the Top 10 Barcelona Restaurants

When it comes to eating out in the city you really are spoilt for choice. With over 18 Michelin starred restaurants to choose from, Barcelona restaurants are of an extremely high standard.

However it doesn't necessarily mean that the most expensive are the best in this city, so with this in mind, let's take a look at the eating establishments that really do exceed expectations. They may not all have a star, but they are just as good in their own way.

Situated on Calle Elisabets 9, patron and chef Albert Raurich perfected his skills at the world famous El Bulli. At Dos Palilos traditional Spanish tapas gets an eastern twist. Distinct flavours and taste sensations of China, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan all influence more traditional tapas dishes and as a result the combinations are simply sublime.

Situated on the very upmarket Passeig de Gracia lies the one Michelin starred 'Moments'. Run by Chef Carme Ruscalleda and her son Raul Balam, they are revisiting Catalan cuisine, but in addition to this they have also invented Barcelona's first anti-ageing menu, utilising foods that are filled with anti aging properties. Foods include sea bass with fig chutney and hibiscus salt, or veal cheeks with vegetable ravioli and red fruits. When it comes to Barcelona restaurants, this eatery is certainly causing something of a buzz and is well worth a visit.

Located on the second floor of the luxury Hotel Arts on Marina 19-21 lies Arola. The chef and patron is Sergi Arola who is a disciple of the world famous Ferran Adria. He offers a great tasting tapas menu including dishes such as filet mignon infused with soy and ginger, patatas bravas de Arola and roasted sea bass with a red pepper and onion emulsion. Sit out on the funky terrace and listen to great live music with local DJ's whilst dining on sublime food.

Not a Michelin star in sight and no menu!You probably wouldn't place it as high as some of the other Barcelona restaurants. On the contrary this tiny backstreet establishment is an absolute gem of a find, and is nearly always crowded with diners who queue up to get in. It serves some of the most beautifully presented dishes of whatever is caught or delivered that morning. Clams, prawns, sea snails, fried anchovies or squid is all wheeled out to your table. Just get stuck in and enjoy.

Situated on Arago 95, restaurante Can Valles is where the people of Barcelona go to eat. It may not be one of the many Michelin starred Barcelona restaurants that are plentiful in this city but the food is exquisitely cooked nevertheless. Rustic, but extremely tasty this is authentic Catalan cuisine at its best. Chickpeas with lobster, cannelloni of pork feet and some of the freshest seafood around are cooked simply. You have to make this a place to head to if you want to experience some great Barcelona cuisine. If you have something of a sweet tooth then the chocolate cake with cinnamon ice cream goes down an absolute storm.

Situated on Major de Sarria 93, this restaurant is in a quiet part of the Sarria district. Housed in an old renovated building and spread over two floors the menu here is what you can call 'no frills' but at the same time the ingredients are lovingly prepared to make for some seriously mouthwatering food. Why not try some of the tapas for starters such as sepietas with grilled onions, or crayfish a la plancha. It may be a little of the beaten track, but when it comes to Barcelona restaurants El Vell Sarria is starting to make a name for itself.

If you are after somewhere that is traditionally Catalan, then you probably won't find anywhere more suited than the Fonda Gaig, run by chef and patron Carles Gaig. He like many other top chefs is going back to his Catalan roots of simple but extremely tasty food. Dishes such as sausage with white beans and an aptly called 'grandmother's cannelloni exemplify this. As a result he has become somewhat of a cult figure in Catalan gastronomy and continues to impress with his elegant take on rustic food.

Fermi Puig, the Michelin starred chef formerly of The Hotel Majestic's Drolma has been cooking up a storm of late at his bistro. Gone is the polished silver and starched linen tablecloths of the Drolma, in favour of a more relaxed feel. He to has gone back to simple ingredients and as a diner you can experience dishes such as cannelloni with a truffle bechamel, sautéed cabbage with bacon and potato, stuffed breaded onions and even poached egg. This is real comfort food, cooked to perfection. A chance to relax in a chilled out environment and experience some great food is the reason why this makes the list of one of the best Barcelona restaurants

One cannot mention Catalan cuisine without speaking about Ferran Adria. Tickets is a tapas bar but not in the style that we know it. Instead get ready to taste the ground breaking foods, that are associated with this great chef, but in the style of tapas. Sample the delights of dishes such as home cured tuna belly painted with cured ham fat, steamed razor clams with cayenne pepper and lemon air, liquid ravioli with payoyo cheese and roasted bonito with garlic sauce jelly.

El Quim de la Boqueria isn't really a restaurant at all, and is in fact a glorified stall with seating at the stunning and vibrant Boqueria market in the centre of Barcelona. This really is a family affair as dad, mum and son cook, serve, and wait tables around the bustling stall. However this place is extremely popular and even the locals aren't guaranteed a seat. It is said that they serve some of the freshest and indeed the best tasting tapas in the whole of Spain. It is no wonder then, that it gets very busy and as a result deserves a place in the top ten.

So there you have it, ten of the best Barcelona restaurants for you to try. Buen provecho and enjoy!

Return to the Home of Barcelona Travel Tips