What is the most fun (and tasty) parts of traveling?

Food! (Duh).

New food experiences are my cup of tea especially when traveling because there is nothing like a new, authentic cuisine. One thing to keep in mind while traveling is that not only will the food be different, but that other aspects of the culture will vary also.

For example in Spain, most families eat dinner around 10 pm. Doesn’t that just boggle your mind? If you want to study abroad and stay with a host family then keep that in mind. If you are traveling just for fun, it is also important to know these small details to better plan your trip.

Spain is filled with amazing dishes and there will never be a shortage of places to eat. On my walk to class in Barcelona, I would spend the time making mental notes of all the places I wanted to eat, and I didn’t even get to all of them!

Lets start with the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast in Barcelona

Bracafe

One of the first places I went in Spain was this little coffee shop. I tried to go nowhere twice, but this was right across from my apartment, so I ended up stopping here for breakfast at least 3 times (not even mad).

I soon found out from my study abroad director that Bracafe is indeed a chain, but it was still good! Around 9 am, the time I would be there before class, it was actually quite busy with people getting their coffee and breakfast sandwiches before going on with their day.

Fair warning, coffee is a little different in Spain than it is in America! If you are a coffee lover in general, then you won’t have a problem. You might think ‘cafe americano’ would be exactly what you drink back home, but it is not. Cafe Americano is black coffee with sugar on the side. (For reference I take my coffee with milk and one sweet and low). It took me about 2 cups to become addicted to cafe americano and I was soon drinking it every morning and I loved it!

Something else coffee-related you can order is cafe con leche or coffee with milk. ‘Leche’ isn’t your typical 2 percent, it is thick frothy milk. This will be an acquired taste for most of us but by the time I was scheduled to depart I was ordering it everywhere I could!

Brunch and Cake

If you are looking for a cute and unique dining experience, then Brunch and Cake is the spot! There are multiple locations around Barcelona to choose from. I wish I had more pictures to share because it is the most picture-perfect restaurant and they pride themselves on having a bright and colorful space. (Definitely a great insta spot!).

The menu features items that I can only describe as extravagant, you truly have to see it (and eat it) to believe it. When I went I got a caesar salad (looks different than what we are used to but was so good!!) with a pretzel, poached egg with ham and hollandaise sauce, and a mimosa.

To answer your questions, yes there is a pretzel in my breakfast, the sauce was interesting, and the mimosa was mediocre compared to back home. Overall, Brunch and Cake is verging on overrated but if you have the time it is a spot to consider.

Check out their insta here!

Brunchear

If you are looking for an authentic and charming breakfast spot, then I would recommend Brunchear. It’s hard to tell from this picture but all the tables and chairs were vintage and unique pieces that you wouldn’t normally see in a restaurant. It was very friendly and welcoming and may remind you of your grandmother’s house.

The tables were also set up in a way that multiple parties could sit together at a table. I and three other girls ended up sitting with two Barcelona locals! It was not at all awkward and we even tried to have some light conversation (light because they didn’t know much English, and we didn’t know much Spanish).

I don’t do this every time, but I ended up getting dessert first. (I didn’t have many desserts in Spain, so this was truly a treat). After the server described all the options to us, I picked out a Catalan cake. The frosting was unique to Catalan, which is honestly why I wanted to try it. (Pictured below).

Guys. It was amazing. I have never tasted anything like it and if you end up at Brunchear I definitely recommend it!! You will leave this place fully satisfied for sure (by fully satisfied, I mostly mean full in the tummy).

Of course, I also got a meal. I decided on the works of Catalan sausage, potatoes, eggs, and bread. This is a great meal if you have a long day ahead of you, fuel up!

Another insider tip; my friend ended up getting french toast at Brunchear. If you also love french toast be warned that it is very different than ‘normal’ french toast! (Still worth a try!)

Lunch in Barcelona

Restaurant la Estrella

The only reason I ended up here was that it was right across the street from EADA, the Spanish business school where I was taking my study abroad course. I was very pleased to have ended up here because it was the textbook version of a local Barcelona restaurant.

If you want to skip out on the touristy locations and hit the spots where the locals roam, then Restaurant la Estrella is perfect. It is located right on the corner of Carrer De Argo and even has outdoor seating (like most restaurants). Whom I assume was the owner was extremely nice and carried a smiling face.

This was the first place I tried tortilla. It’s not what you are thinking of! Tortilla in Spain is basically an omelet. A very thick, pie-shaped omelet. I’m all for trying new things and this was a local dish that I wouldn’t be able to find easily back home.

Tortilla put simply, is eggs and potatoes. It is plain on its own but as far as meals go, it will leave you content.

Cellar de Tapas

Finally! The mention of tapas. Most of us have heard of tapas, they are small dishes and are very common in Spain. Almost all restaurants serve them and may even only serve them.

The first place I had tapas was at Cellar de Tapas. This particular place is more of a chain as well but features well cooked and traditional tapas. In this picture you can see there is some Catalan flatbread, which is tomatoes on Catalan bread, some tortilla, and ham croquettes (mine!). Also, of course, some coffee.

This particular spot had very cool lighting and a comfortable atmosphere and it was a nice spot that is not too busy during lunchtime. (when I went it was around 2).

Tapas are perfect when you want to grab a bite with friends or you can get a few and make it a meal. At least once you are going to eat tapas while in Barcelona, but most likely more because you will fall in love!

Ramen Kitchen Takumi

Yes, this kitchen’s specialty is ramen. I don’t eat ramen at home at all but I can guarantee you, this is much better than the microwaveable ramen.

Here we switch out the small dishes for large bowls, and for cheap too! They do offer options besides noodles as well. I got a dumpling, salad, and rice platter for less than 15 euros. This is the perfect place to go when you want a change of scenery, or if it’s cold. Nothing warms you up more than hot noodles and dumplings!

The food takes slightly longer to cook than most places, but it is so worth it because the taste is muy muy bien!

Tento

You will probably end up at Tento in the same fashion that I did. Walking home from school (or wherever), wanting to try somewhere new with not a lot of time. I’m super picky about making choices (always gotta make the right one!) but Tento caught my eye one day and I decided to check it out.

The inside resembles a grocery store, in the sense that there are refrigerated choices (such as the ones featured below) that you can choose from. Their slogan is ‘dishes to take away’. The choices are prepackaged frozen meals. I got pulled pork and mashed potatoes but there was also chicken, mac and cheese, just to name a few.

You can either take it to go or eat it there. Remember when I said you chose a frozen meal? If you chose to eat it there then there are microwaves for you to heat it up. It sounds kind of funky at first, but I thought it was creative and the food was delicious! For under 10 euros you can get a drink, side of bread, your main course, and one other side. That is what I call a great deal.

The inside of Tento was also very modern and chic. There were some quotes and flower pots on the wall that gave it a very chill, city vibe. This quote, written in Catalan, says, “no one can be sensible on an empty stomach.” Can’t say I don’t agree!

There are multiple Tento locations throughout Barcelona and its a great spot to check out if you are by yourself and need a quick meal!

Veggie Garden

I am gonna be honest: I am not vegan or vegetarian, never thought about it, and don’t want to pursue those types of lifestyle choices. If anyone reading this is a vegan or vegetarian, you go. This one is specifically for you and I hope you will try this place!

I had a few friends in Barcelona that were either vegan or vegetarian, so naturally, we ended up at a vegan restaurant called Veggie Garden. I had never tried vegan food before, so this was all new to me but I was excited to try something new.

At Veggie Garden I ordered off of the menu del dia, or ‘menu of the day’. Most Spain restaurants will have a menu del dia around lunchtime and it is a smaller menu featuring three courses and there are three choices for each, usually around 10-15 euros.

I’m gonna be honest again, my meal at Veggie Garden was fantastic! First, I had hummus with carrots (something I’ve had before, but everything is better in a foreign country), then I had veggie meatballs, with what I believe is quinoa (someone please correct me if I am wrong) and vegetables.

My most favorite part of the whole meal was dessert. I got an apple crumble and it came in this cute little dish. It was absolutely the perfect size, the appearance was amazing, and it was delicious. All of this was on the menu del dia! It does change but expect nothing less than perfection.

This was my first experience with vegan food and I was impressed. I will not be converting but I am glad I tried something new. If you are vegan traveling to Barcelona, check it out! There are many places in Barcelona that offer vegan and vegetarian (seems to be growing very popular there??) so eat up!

Chilapa

When I was having a bad night…this where I went. My roommates had recommended it once and one night when I was hungry and sad this is where I ended up. It was located around the corner from my apartment and I wish I could have shrunk it down, put it in my suitcase, and taken it home with me.

Think Chipotle and Moes…but better.

I also loved it cause the drawings on the wall were so cute, like c’mon.

Chilapa is a fast food restaurant that offers burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos, and more. OH, yeah, the cherry on the cake is they also have frozen margaritas. If Chipotle had frozen margaritas, they would be making BANK.

The first time I went I got three tacos, one with chicken, one with beef, and one with another meat I cannot recall (it was good that’s all that matters). I also got chips with melted cheese on them. (This was the nighty ya girl was sad, let a girl live).

It was way better than I was expecting and it truly fueled my heart and soul. It wasn’t a fancy meal or anything like that, but there was something about it that made me love it so much!!

P.S. got the nachos once too and I think I finished the whole plate in under 10 min…they were that good. Do with that information what you will.

Dinner in Barcelona

Patron

Wherever you are staying in Barcelona there is probably going to be at least one restaurant you will see walking in and out that you will want to go to. For me, it was Patron. On one of the last days of my trip, I finally got to go here and it was magical.

Patron is a higher-end restaurant and has a lovely outdoor patio with a memorable blue and white striped awning. It seems small on the outside but it is actually quite large on the inside. The decor was modern yet traditional and had a sailor and ocean vibe.

One of my favorite aspects of this restaurant were the chairs. We sat in brown, leather armchairs and I felt it added a different touch that I enjoyed.

At Patron, I would also recommend getting the menu del dia! (If you go at lunch). The portions were small and the prices steep compared to the rest of Barcelona. With the menu del dia I received a starter of eggs, Catalan sausage, and vegetables. It was quite delicious and cooked well.

For my main meal I had steak with lettuce and the most scrumptious buttery sauce. Again, the menu del dia never fails! For under 20 euros, I was also able to get a glass of wine included in my meal.

La Come Dia

Before I write more about La Come Dia I would like to leave you with this image.

At La Come Dia, this was the meal I had. I ordered a calzone with salmon and cheese and I was presented with the largest calzone I have ever seen. It was thick.

My friends and I ended up at La Come Dia after adventuring to try and see the Barcelona Magic Fountain of Montjuic. (Turns out, it was not running that day). La come Dia was right around the corner, and we were in the mood for Italian.

The restaurant was small and dark, but warm. Every table had a candle with a melted wax design around it. There was a display with pizzas on it and low music was playing.

It is definitely a family-style restaurant and the customer service, from the owner himself, was impeccable. He even ended up giving us free shots at the end of our meal!

Oh ya, and the food was great too. We split a cheese board that had three types of cheeses, oil to dip in, and crackers. It was the perfect starter because the meals are huge! I was eating my leftovers for days after.

La Come Dia is a nice and quiet restaurant to go to after a long day of loudness and fun!

Rosa Negra

Tacos.

If you want tacos in a hip, fun place then go to Rosa Negra!

This restaurant offers fresh mex food in a colorful, vibrant place. The design of the food is well thought out and creative, and it is delicious!

Perfect for a fun night out with friends! Get some margs, laugh, and eat until you can’t eat anymore!

Snacks and Honorable Mentions

Churros

If there is one thing you have to get in Barcelona, it is churros. The reason the churros are so delicious here is because of the chocolate on the side! But, it isn’t just melted chocolate, it is deep, thick, rich chocolate. It usually comes in a mug, but don’t be fooled! It does not taste good if you try to drink it.

There are multiple places to get churros in Barcelona but you have to try them on La Rambla. La Rambla is a very popular, touristy street in Barcelona that is basically a strip mall. There are also souvenir shops and restaurants. (also pickpocketers!!) Cafe de l’Opera is a small cafe on La Rambla that has churros that you can get plain, with cinnamon and sugar, regular chocolate, or white chocolate.

Churros drained in chocolate is the perfect snack to end a day of shopping!

Pastries/Bakery

One aspect I loved about Barcelona was that it was very open. A lot of restaurants and stores had an open concept. There was this one pastry shop, Macxipa, right across the street from my apartment (I was located in a good spot, apparently) that had this open store concept.

You could say I went in there quite a lot.

When in Barcelona you won’t be able to help yourself, you will stop in one of these shops. This particular one is 24 hours….yeah. Great for some late-night snacks!

All the pastries were cheap, fresh, and the workers were so nice. This particular pastry was my favorite. It had powdered sugar with chocolate in the middle, simple but perfect.

They also have fresh bread and sandwiches and if you are in the mood for a homemade loaf of bread, this is where you should get it.

Whenever I had a little extra pocket change or needed a little pick me up I stopped in here and grabbed a snack, and my day would instantly be better.

Cereal Hunters

If you want somewhere fun to eat, and most importantly if you are a cereal lover, then you are going to love this place just as much as I did.

Cereal Hunters is a cereal paradise. A large bowl (it was more like regular size if you ask me) is two types of cereal and milk. You can also get colored milk!

How cute?? It is just whole milk with food coloring but it adds so much life to the experience. Also, the little placemats are a nice touch.

Cereal may be the most underrated breakfast food, but it can be so fun! This place was a dream come true for me (if you can’t tell I love cereal) and its a great place to go with kids or just for a cute change in scenery!

I hope I have provided you with enough ideas to get you started on where to eat! There so many options but I hope you will find one you love on this list.

Also, looking for places to explore? Check out my post on 10 places to go in Barcelona during the winter!

What food are you most excited to try while in Barcelona?

Where to Eat Every Meal in Barcelona