12 Unique Restaurants in Barcelona for Foodies

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Are you planning a trip to Barcelona? Having visited this vibrant city multiple times and living here for 4 months, I can confidently say it’s a paradise for foodies. From trendy tapas bars in the Gothic Quarter to rooftop restaurants with stunning views of the city’s iconic architecture, Barcelona’s dining scene is both exciting and diverse.

With its rich Catalan heritage, you’ll find everything from classic paella to inventive fusion dishes that blend Mediterranean flavors with global influences. Whether you’re craving a lively tapas crawl or a chic rooftop dinner overlooking the Sagrada Família, these twelve restaurants highlight the best of Barcelona’s food scene. Let’s dive into the most fun and unique dining spots in this Mediterranean gem!

• 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this tapas walking tour in Barcelona. It brings you to the best spots in the city to try fresh tapas, local drinks, and learn about the rich foodie culture here. This tour is an absolute must-do on any Barcelona itinerary in my opinion.

Unique Restaurants in Barcelona: 12 Extraordinary Barcelona Eateries

Ready to discover Barcelona’s most unique and aesthetic restaurants? This city’s food scene has something for every craving, from authentic tapas in hidden alleyways to creative dishes that redefine Catalan cuisine. Whether you’re after a casual bite or a dining experience that pushes boundaries, here’s your guide to the must-try spots in Barcelona.

1. El Nacional Barcelona

• 📍 Location: Eixample (Passeig de Gràcia)
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $70+ per person (Varies by section)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Multi-Space Spanish Gastronomy (Tapas, Seafood, Meat, Oysters)
• 🔥 Standout Features: Stunning restored 1920s building, multiple distinct dining areas/bars, beautiful architecture, lively central hub.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Impressing visitors, groups with varied tastes, pre-dinner drinks, architectural eye-candy, and soaking up atmosphere.

Prepare to be amazed at El Nacional Barcelona. Housed in a breathtakingly restored 1920s building off Passeig de Gràcia, it’s four distinct restaurants and four specialized bars under one magnificent roof! Wander through dedicated spaces for meat, fish, tapas, or oysters.

The sheer scale and stunning Art Deco design are incredible. Grab fresh ostras (oysters) with a glass of cava at the oyster bar. Sample classic tapas like gambas al ajillo or patatas bravas in the bustling central area, or enjoy perfectly grilled Galician beef in the meat restaurant.

2. Mosquito

• 📍 Location: El Born, Barcelona
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Asian Tapas / Dumplings / Craft Beer
• 🔥 Standout Features: Asian dumplings (especially xiao long bao and potstickers), flavorful small plates, great craft beer selection.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Dumpling lovers, Asian fusion fans, craft beer enthusiasts, and casual group dinners.

Get ready for a flavor explosion at Mosquito in El Born. This buzzing spot is a haven for Asian tapas, particularly renowned for its incredible array of dumplings and a fantastic selection of craft beers. It’s always packed, so be prepared for a lively atmosphere!

You should definitely try their delicate xiao long bao (soup dumplings). The crispy pork and prawn potstickers or the spicy Sichuan wontons are also fantastic. Pair your plates with a unique craft beer for the full experience. Mosquito delivers big flavors.

3. Dos Palillos

• 📍 Location: Raval (Inside Hotel Camper)
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person (Tasting Menu)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Asian Tapas / Michelin Star
• 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin-starred, innovative Asian tapas inspired by street food, counter seating around open kitchen, former El Bulli chef.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous foodies, fine dining tapas, special occasions, and watching chefs in action.

Prepare for an extraordinary culinary journey at Dos Palillos. This Michelin-starred gem in the Raval, helmed by a former El Bulli chef, reinterprets Asian street food through a high-end tapas lens. Most seating is around a central open kitchen, offering a theatrical dining experience.

The tasting menu is a procession of inventive small plates. Expect dishes like delicate Cantonese-style razor clams, unique dumpling creations with surprising fillings, or perfectly executed skewers with bold Asian flavors. Dos Palillos offers a sophisticated and unforgettable taste of Asia.

4. Milk Bar & Bistro

• 📍 Location: Gothic Quarter
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Brunch / Comfort Food / International Cafe
• 🔥 Standout Features: Famous recovery brunch spot, cozy/eclectic decor, hearty brunch dishes, cocktails available early.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch fanatics, curing hangovers, comfort food seekers, cozy hangs, and fueling up before exploring.

Need a serious recovery session? Milk Bar & Bistro, in the Gothic Quarter, is legendary for its amazing “recovery brunch.” This cozy, eclectically decorated spot serves hearty, satisfying brunch dishes designed to bring you back to life – think big plates and creative Benedicts.

Their Triple-Pancakes with berries and maple syrup are a popular choice. The “Full English Breakfast” or their creative eggs Benedict variations, like with salmon or pulled pork, are also fantastic. Yes, cocktails are available to help ease you into the day!

5. Crepes al Born

• 📍 Location: El Born
• 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Crepes / Street Food
• 🔥 Standout Features: Sweet & savory crepes made fresh, quick takeaway window/small shop, located in trendy Born district.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Quick sweet/savory bites, crepe lovers, exploring El Born, budget treats, and late-night snacks.

Satisfy your crepe cravings at Crepes al Born. This popular little spot in the trendy Born neighborhood specializes in making delicious sweet and savory crepes right before your eyes. It’s typically a small shop or takeaway window, perfect for grabbing a quick treat.

A classic Nutella and banana crepe is a must-try. For savory, consider one filled with cheese and ham or spinach and goat cheese. Quick service and delicious results make Crepes al Born a must-stop for simple, satisfying goodness while wandering El Born.

6. El Bosc de Les Fades

• 📍 Location: Gothic Quarter (Off Las Ramblas, near Wax Museum)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person (Drinks focus)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bar / Cafe
• 🔥 Standout Features: Enchanted forest theme bar, whimsical decor (trees/fairies/streams), dim atmospheric lighting, unique escape.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Fantasy theme lovers, unique bar experiences, atmospheric drinks, escaping Las Ramblas crowds, and Instagrammable interiors.

Step through a doorway off Las Ramblas into a magical forest at El Bosc de Les Fades (“The Forest of the Fairies”). Located next to the Wax Museum, this unique bar is designed like an enchanted wood, with fake trees, trickling streams, and fairy lights.

Grab a coffee, beer, or a simple cocktail like a gin and tonic. It’s not about fancy drinks, but about soaking up the incredibly unique and atmospheric environment. El Bosc de Les Fades offers a weird and wonderful retreat from the bustling city.

7. Arcano Restaurant

• 📍 Location: El Born
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $80 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mediterranean / Argentinian Grill / Steaks
• 🔥 Standout Features: Cooking over charcoal embers, historic stone building, focus on grilled meats/steaks, romantic ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Meat/steak lovers, grilled food fans, romantic dinners, historic setting seekers, and quality Argentinian cuts.

Dine amidst ancient stone walls at Arcano Restaurant, where cooking over embers is an art. Housed in a beautiful historic building in El Born, this spot specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with a strong Argentinian influence, focusing on high-quality meats grilled over charcoal.

Expect delicious Argentinian steaks, like a flavorful ribeye or tenderloin. Grilled vegetables with romesco sauce, or flavorful empanadas to start, are also excellent. The rustic yet elegant setting creates a wonderfully romantic atmosphere.

8. Els 4Gats

• 📍 Location: Gothic Quarter
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Catalan / Spanish Bistro / Cafe
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic cafe (since 1897), Picasso hangout spot, beautiful Modernist decor, classic tapas/drinks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: History/art buffs, experiencing classic Barcelona, Modernist architecture fans, atmospheric coffee/drinks, and soaking up tradition.

Step into artistic history at Els 4Gats (“The Four Cats”), a legendary cafe in the Gothic Quarter that opened in 1896. This place was famously a hangout for Picasso and Gaudí. The stunning interior retains its gorgeous turn-of-the-century charm.

They serve traditional Catalan and Spanish bistro fare. Consider classic tapas like patatas bravas or pan con tomate. A simple bikini sandwich (ham and cheese toastie) or a glass of vermouth allows you to soak up the incredible history.

9. L’Alcoba Azul

• 📍 Location: Gothic Quarter
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tapas / Wine Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Cozy/intimate tapas bar, beautiful tiled/stone interior, good wine/vermouth selection, classic tapas focus.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Cozy tapas experiences, romantic casual bites, exploring Gothic Quarter gems, wine/vermouth lovers, and intimate hangs.

Discover a tiny, atmospheric gem at L’Alcoba Azul. This cozy Gothic Quarter tapas bar charms with its intimate setting, featuring beautiful old tilework or exposed stone walls, creating a warm, romantic vibe perfect for escaping the crowds. It feels like a secret.

Expect classic Spanish and Catalan tapas. Their pan con tomate is a must. Flavorful patatas bravas, selections of cured meats like jamón ibérico and cheeses like Manchego, pair perfectly with Spanish wines or vermouth.

10. Hidden Factory Barcelona

• 📍 Location: El Raval
• 💲 Price range: Varies
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Creative Gastronomy / Event Catering / Food Design
• 🔥 Standout Features: Food design studio in historic 19th-c. factory, creates unique gastronomic events/experiences/concepts.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Unique event seekers, creative food experiences, special occasion planners, and pop-up dinner fans.

Don’t expect a regular walk-in restaurant at Hidden Factory Barcelona. Located in a former 19th-century textile factory in El Raval, this is a Food Design Studio using gastronomy to create incredible experiences – bespoke events and private parties.

They specialize in one-of-a-kind gatherings where food becomes art. Checking for potential pop-up dinners or special culinary events open to the public could lead to tasting unique dishes like deconstructed gazpacho or avant-garde seafood preparations.

11. A Tu Bola

• 📍 Location: Raval
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Gourmet Meatballs / Street Food Fusion
• 🔥 Standout Features: Focus on creative gourmet meatballs, served in pita/bowls, diverse flavor options, casual/cool vibe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Meatball lovers, unique street food fans, casual Raval eats, budget-friendly flavor, and creative comfort food.

Who knew meatballs could be this cool? A Tu Bola in the edgy Raval neighborhood takes the humble meatball and turns it into gourmet street food. Here, you choose from creative meatballs – think spiced lamb, classic beef, or even veggie balls – served in fluffy pitas or bowls.

It’s a casual, counter-service spot. Trying the popular lamb meatball pita with yogurt sauce is a good plan. The classic beef meatballs in tomato sauce, or a chicken meatball bowl with couscous, are also excellent. A Tu Bola elevates comfort food.

12. Toma Ya Street Food

• 📍 Location: Gràcia
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Peruvian Street Food / Ceviche / Sandwiches
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Peruvian street food, excellent fresh ceviche, flavorful sandwiches, casual neighborhood spot.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Peruvian food fans, ceviche lovers, casual flavorful bites, exploring Gràcia, and authentic street eats.

Get a vibrant blast of Peruvian flavor at Toma Ya Street Food in the charming Gràcia neighborhood. This casual spot brings the exciting tastes of Peru’s streets to Barcelona, specializing in bright, zesty ceviche made with super fresh fish. It’s incredibly refreshing!

Beyond ceviche, expect other Peruvian favorites. Flavorful sandwiches, like a pan con chicharrón (crispy pork belly sandwich), are a must-try. Other satisfying street food classics include anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers). It’s a small, friendly place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Unique Restaurants in Barcelona

Searching for more information to help you decide where to eat in Barcelona? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Barcelona’s best restaurants.

What is the famous food to eat in Barcelona?

In Barcelona, the must-try dish is paella, especially the seafood variety. This iconic Spanish meal, rich in flavors and made with fresh, local ingredients, perfectly captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Other famous foods include tapas, like patatas bravas and bombas, and Catalan specialties like escalivada.

How much does an average dinner cost in Barcelona?

The cost of an average dinner in Barcelona can vary widely depending on the type of restaurant and the location. Here’s a general breakdown:

• Budget Dining: For budget-friendly options like tapas bars or small local eateries, you can expect to pay around €10-€20 per person. This would typically include a few tapas dishes or a main course with a drink.
• Mid-Range Restaurants: In a mid-range restaurant, a three-course meal might cost between €20-€40 per person. This would include a starter, main course, and dessert, possibly with a glass of wine or a beer.
• High-End Dining: For a more upscale dining experience, prices can start from €40 and go upwards, easily reaching €60-€100 or more per person. This is especially true if you’re dining at a restaurant with a renowned chef or one that has a Michelin star. This would typically include a multi-course meal with wine pairings.

Keep in mind that prices can be higher in tourist-heavy areas like Las Ramblas or the Gothic Quarter. Also, it’s common in Spain to charge for bread and sometimes for water, so be sure to check if these are included in the price of the meal.

Additionally, many restaurants offer a “menú del día” (menu of the day) for lunch. This is often a more affordable option for a full meal, including a starter, main course, dessert, and sometimes a drink, ranging from €10 to €15. This is a great way to enjoy a full meal at a more reasonable price. To save even more money, I recommend flying here in November, which is the cheapest month to visit BCN.

What do locals eat for breakfast in Barcelona?

Locals in Barcelona often start their day with a simple yet satisfying breakfast. This typically includes ‘pa amb tomàquet’ (bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled with olive oil), accompanied by a cup of coffee. Some might also enjoy a sweet pastry or a small sandwich known as ‘bocadillo’.

Is it rude not to tip in Barcelona?

Tipping in Barcelona is not mandatory, but it is appreciated. It’s common to leave small change at cafés and bars, and around 5-10% at restaurants, especially if the service was good. However, not tipping is not considered rude, as service charges are often included in the bill.

Is alcohol cheap in Barcelona?

Compared to many other European cities, alcohol in Barcelona is relatively affordable. You’ll find good deals on local wines and beers, particularly in supermarkets. Bars and restaurants might be pricier, but they often offer a wide selection of quality drinks at reasonable prices.

What should I eat in Barcelona besides tapas?

Barcelona offers a wide array of delicious foods beyond just tapas. Here are some must-try dishes in Barcelona:

1. Paella: While originally from Valencia, paella is a popular dish in Barcelona as well. It’s a rice dish usually made with seafood, meat, vegetables, and seasoned with saffron and other spices.
2. Fideuà: Similar to paella but made with short noodles instead of rice. It often includes seafood and is a local favorite.
3. Escudella i Carn d’Olla: A traditional Catalan stew made with meat, beans, potatoes, and cabbage. It’s especially popular in the colder months.
4. Botifarra amb Mongetes: A classic Catalan dish featuring botifarra (a type of sausage) served with white beans.
5. Calçots with Romesco Sauce: Calçots are a type of green onion grilled over an open flame and typically served with a nut and red pepper-based romesco sauce. This dish is particularly popular from November to April.
6. Crema Catalana: A dessert similar to crème brûlée, but with a uniquely Catalan twist. It’s a creamy custard topped with a layer of burnt caramel.
7. Pan con Tomate (Pa amb Tomàquet): A simple yet delicious Catalan staple, consisting of bread rubbed with tomato and topped with olive oil and salt.
8. Cava: The Catalan answer to champagne, cava is a sparkling wine that’s perfect for any celebration or as an aperitif.
9. Pescado Fresco (Fresh Fish): Being on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes.
10. Churros con Chocolate: While more associated with breakfast, these sweet treats are enjoyed throughout the day. They are long, fried dough pastries served with a thick hot chocolate for dipping.
11. Bombas: A Barcelona invention, these are potato balls stuffed with meat and served with spicy sauce.

Unique Restaurants in Barcelona: Recap

Barcelona’s dining scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors and experiences. From the historic charm of Els 4Gats to the innovative surprises at Hidden Factory Barcelona, each restaurant we’ve explored offers something truly special. The city is a playground for food lovers, where every corner hides a new gastronomic delight.

If I had to pick just one restaurant to recommend, it would be El Nacional Barcelona. This place is a celebration of Spanish culinary traditions in a stunningly beautiful setting, inviting you to fly to Barcelona through the diverse array of cuisines under one roof.. The variety of cuisines under one roof makes it a perfect snapshot of what Barcelona has to offer.

Remember, dining in Barcelona is more than just eating. It’s an experience that engages all your senses. These unique restaurants provide not only delicious meals but also a deeper understanding and appreciation of Barcelona’s rich culture and history.

So, on your next visit to this enchanting city, make sure to indulge in its diverse culinary offerings. Each restaurant we’ve listed is a gateway to discovering the heart and soul of Barcelona, even for those exploring Barcelona on a budget. Bon appétit, or as locals say, “Bon profit!”