When you visit Barcelona, the first thing to greet your senses is the warm aroma of olive oil, sizzling seafood, and fresh-from-the-oven bread. The city’s restaurants, pubs, and marketplaces are the true heartbeat of Barcelona, where contemporary culinary concepts mingle with traditional Catalan fare. Dining out here is a way to celebrate ordinary moments. It’s no surprise that visitors from all over the world flock to Barcelona for its authentic culinary paradise and sample the city’s delectable cuisine on guided excursions. So, the next time you are in this great city, don’t forget to try out some of these culinary masterpieces.
Ibérico Sandwich
Among the many delicious foods to sample in Barcelona, jamón ibérico sandwiches are the star of every bakery’s window display.
Like most of Barcelona’s cuisine, a jamón ibérico sandwich may not seem to be much, but its simplicity and high-quality ingredients are what make it special. This classic bocadillo is made with a crisp, thin baguette that is often topped with tomato, olive oil, and shining jamón ibérico. Take one bite, and you’ll understand why it’s worth booking cheap flights to Barcelona to experience the city’s culinary wonders.
Escalivada
When people in Catalonia order tapas, there is one thing that they agree on, and that is escalvada. Roasted peppers, eggplant, and onions, all finely sliced, are spread out on a big platter. Accompanying it is plenty of freshly squeezed olive oil and, sometimes, a hint of garlic for flavour.
This dish is perfect for vegetarians because it combines two of their favourite flavours—rich and smoky—from roasting the ingredients over coal. In any case, the peels are meticulously removed so that you won’t have to ingest any fragments of burnt vegetable skins.
Croquetas
Although the croquette is often believed to have originated in France, Spaniards would argue that they made it into a culinary masterpiece. Their rich and enticing taste is created by breading and frying a variety of ingredients bound together by a thick béchamel sauce to produce a crispy outside and a warm, gooey inside.
Various fillings can be used in croquetas, but jamón ibérico is the most common. Other options include garlicky shrimp, chicken, and even dessert croquetas like goat cheese with caramelised walnuts.
Patatas Bravas
While patatas bravas are popular across Spain, the best place to indulge in these fried potatoes doused in a spicy bravas sauce is in Barcelona.
Given the great deal of regional variation in this sauce’s preparation, it has become something of a hallmark dish for bars around the city. There are primarily two varieties, one being mayonnaise-based and rich in spices, and the other is tomato-based, which usually has a sharp taste from vinegar, served over fried potatoes.
Crema Catalana
A culinary journey through Barcelona would not be complete without a highlight of something sweet—crema Catalana. Similar to its distant cousin, the French crème brûlée, this treat begins with a soft cream filling made with eggs, milk, and sugar and ends with a hard, crunchy sugar covering.
However, when it comes to preparation, crema Catalana is cooked, unlike the French crème brûlée, which is baked. Other than that, the two are identical in taste and equally delicious. Crema Catalana, as its name implies, originates in Catalunya and is, therefore, an essential dish to sample when in Barcelona.
Final Thoughts on Barcelona’s Flavours
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the delicious Catalan cuisine and drinks that Barcelona has to offer. Discovering everything would need an eternity. Hopefully, after reading this list, you will make sure to allocate a significant amount of time during your Spain itinerary to indulge in the variety and delectable cuisine of Barcelona, either on your own or with a guided food tour. No matter your taste in meat or seafood, Barcelona has a cuisine that will satisfy your cravings and have you wanting to come back for more.
