Barcelona tapas bars & restaurants
The tradition of tapas in Spain goes back centuries. Tapas are small portions of food that are usually served with a drink in bars and restaurants. The origin of the word "tapa" comes from the habit of covering a glass of wine or beer with a slice of bread or cheese to prevent insects from entering the drink ;-)
Tapas became popular in Spain from the 19th century onwards, when people started to have snacks to accompany their drinks. Since then, tapas have become an important part of Spanish culture and are served in many establishments throughout the country.
Quality products and service: Best Barcelona tapas bars & restaurants
Barcelona is no exception to the tapas craze. Here, as in the rest of Spain, tapas can consist of a variety of dishes, including seafood, cold cuts, grilled vegetables, croquettes, tortillas, olives, anchovies, fried potatoes, etc.
In Barcelona, it is common to go out for tapas with friends or family, known as "tapeo". This tradition is particularly popular at the end of the day, when people go out for a drink and some tapas before dinner.
Not all tapas bars offer the same quality of product. We have selected for you our best addresses so far.
The different styles of tapas in Barcelona
In Barcelona, tapas come in two main styles: traditional and modern.
> Traditional tapas: These include classics such as patatas bravas, croquettes and tortillas. These dishes are often simple, prepared with local ingredients and served in authentic, sometimes old-fashioned bars.
> Modern tapas: Here, chefs reinvent the classics with creative touches, elegant presentations and unexpected ingredients. These tapas are often found in more sophisticated restaurants, offering a contemporary dining experience.
Origin of the word Tapas
The word ‘tapas’ comes from the Spanish ‘tapa’, meaning ‘lid’ or ‘cork’. The most common origin is that, in Andalusian taverns, a piece of bread with cheese or ham was placed on top of wine glasses to protect them from insects or dust. Over time, these edible corks became more elaborate, giving rise to the tapas tradition we know today.
What is tapeo in Barcelona
Tapeo’ is a Spanish tradition in which people go from bar to bar to enjoy a variety of tapas and drinks. A perfect aperitif, and therefore a perfect tapeo, starts at a traditional bar to enjoy classics like patatas bravas, then explores a modern bar for innovative tapas. All this while strolling through lively neighbourhoods such as El Born or El Raval.
You can also find Best restaurants in Barcelona sorted by area, price, and top ten in our Barcelona Where to eat Guide.
The best tapas in Barcelona:
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RestaurantCasa Igor
A Taverna de tapes just the way we like them!
Another little neighbourhood bar just the way we like them. Casa Igor is a 7-minute walk from Gaudí's Casa Vicens. Casa Igor defines itself as a Taverna de tapes. You can share tapas with friends standing at the outside bar or indoors in a small room.
Gracia - Carrer del Topazi, 18 -
Restaurant
Señora Dolores
Fried or raw tapas and natural wines
In the fashionable Sant Antoni district, Señora Dolores is a friendly establishment distinguished by its retro-chic ambience and commitment to quality products, served with a bold twist. Here, everything goes through the fryer or is served raw, offering a gastronomic experience that's both authentic and innovative.
Paralelo / Pueblo Seco - C/ del Marquès de Campo Sagrado, 27 -
Cafe
Senyor Vermut
Tapas and Vermouths
As the name suggests, Senyor Vermut is a must for tapas and vermouth lovers. This family-run bar, run by the Miralles family, offers an impressive selection of over 40 different vermouths, enough to delight enthusiasts and novices alike eager to discover the famous tradition of drinking a vermut before lunch.
Eixample left - C/ de Provença, 85 -
Restaurant
Ten´s Barcelona
A Gourmet Journey through Ten's Tapas
Ten's Tapas, led by Michelin-starred Chef Jordi Cruz, offers a contemporary twist on traditional Spanish tapas. The restaurant is renowned for its innovative approach and elegant setting, providing a unique culinary experience.
Ciutat Vella - C/ del Rec, 79 -
Restaurant
Bodega Montferry
A meal at a low price!
If you're wandering around the Sants district between Sants station and Camp Nou, Bodega Montferry is a great tapas and sandwich bar on a budget.
Les Corts - Adresse: Passatge Serra i Arola 13 -
Restaurant
Bar del Pla
Unforgettable tapas and raciones!
Beware, this is one of our favourite tapas bars. Located just a stone's throw from the Picasso Museum in the picturesque Carrer de Montcada, Bar del Pla offers tapas, raciones...
El Born - C/ de Montcada, 2 -
Restaurant
Colmado Wilmot
The best of Catalan cuisine and great tapas!
Tucked away in the corner of an alleyway, not far from the wonderful Parc del Turó, Colmado Wilmot is a restaurant and tapas bar with an intriguing pedigree: its chef Eugeni de Diego is a former El Bulli chef..
Sarriá / San Gervasio - C/ de Calvet, 28 -
Restaurant
Can Framis
A beautiful place and very good tapas!
On the Ronda de Sant Pere, a 10-minute walk from the Picasso Museum, Can Framis by Casa Lolea is a gastronomic gem.
Eixample right - Ronda de Sant Pere, 70 -
Restaurant
El Japonés Escondido
Eating Japanese as you would eat tapas.
Discover a hidden treasure not far from the Barceloneta metro station: El Japonés Escondido, the Izakaya Bar of the Tragaluz group, where Japanese tapas are in the spotlight. The warm decoration and charming Japanese-style atmosphere make this place the ideal place to enjoy exceptional gastronomy.
Ciutat Vella - Carrer de Llauder, 1 (La Ribera) -
Cafe
El Jardí
Cocktails, tapas, terrace, calm... What else ?
Because Barcelona is a hectic city, the small terrace of El Jardí is perfect to relax in the calm if however, you manage to keep this address secret ;-).
El Raval - Carrer de l'Hospital, 56 -
Restaurant
Bar Alegría
Tapas in one of the oldest bars in the city
When Thomas Abellan took over the Bar Alegría, he had on his shoulders the weight of more than 120 years of tradition, quality, and good spirits...
Eixample left - Comte Borrell, 133 -
Restaurant
Bodega Vidrios y Cristales
Canned foods, wines and vermouths
In a magnificent building in El Born, the Casa Xifré, the Bodega Vidrios y Cristales returns to the origins of the local bodega, i.e. the bar or the local cellar...
El Born - Passeig d’Isabel II, 6 -
Restaurant
Bar Cañete
Classic and contemporary Catalan tapas
Bar Cañete: Like so many of Barcelona’s best establishments, this traditional yet trendy tapas bar and restaurant entered the world as a small family-run affair.
El Raval - Carrer de la Unió, 17 -
Restaurant
Bambarol
Chef’s tapas !
Imagine two chefs, with professional records as long as their arms, to open a restaurant of tapas where one would like to come every day: It’s Bambarol...
Sarriá / San Gervasio - C/ Santaló, 21 -
Restaurant
El Viti Taberna
Tapas, vermut and much more ..
In El Passeig Sant Joan, the trendy foodie neighborhood in Barcelona, El Viti Taberna describes itself as a vermutería contemporánea...
Eixample right - Passeig Sant Joan, 62 -
Restaurant
La Pepita / La Cava
A restaurant and now a bar!
For four years now Sofia and Sergio treated us with great tapas at La Pepita. Their fans will be glad to learn the opening, just next door, of La Cava..
Gracia - Carrer Còrsega, 343 & 339 -
Restaurant
Pollería Fontana
Grandmother's tapas
He carried out his dream, to take again the family butchery to do a tapas restaurant where are honored his grandmother's receipts. At Pollería Fontana they don't trifle with Tradition!
Gracia - Carrer de Sant Lluís, 9 -
Restaurant
Lata-berna
Creative tapas at sweet prices!
Impassioned by the world cuisine chef Juanjo Martinez does not miss audacity. Its Lata-berna restaurant is one of the new institutions of creative tapas in Barcelona...
Gracia - Torrent de les Flors, 53 -
Restaurant
Casa de Tapes Cañota
Galicia in Barcelona
Not far from the trade fair of Barcelona, Casa de Tapes Cañota is an excellent address for the connoisseurs of fish, meats and Galician’s tapas...
Paralelo / Pueblo Seco - Carrer de Lleida, 7 -
Restaurant
L'Òstia
Traditional tapas & tapas “nouvelle cuisine”!!
Jaume and Sebas have travelled the world to learn their trade and Spain to find the taste of best tapas and Spanish savours...
Barceloneta - Plaza de la Barceloneta, 1-3 -
Restaurant
Bar Tomás
Of course it’s quite far from city center.. But Bar Tomás is known all over the town for its Patatas Bravas...
Sarriá / San Gervasio - C/ Major de Sarrià, 49 -
Restaurant
La Xampanyeria
La Xampanyeria is very famous for either tourists and Barcelona citizens!
Barceloneta - Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7 -
Restaurant
Cervecería Catalana
Cervecería Catalana one of the best tapas restaurant of the city of Barcelona!!
Eixample right - Mallorca, 236 -
Restaurant
Els "Pollos" de Llull
Els "Pollos" de Llull, an economic restaurant in Barcelona to try delicious roast chicken...
Eixample right - Nàpols, 272 -
Restaurant
Casa Alfonso
Old bodega opened in 1934, Casa Alfonso is from now on a restaurant famous for its tapas...
Eixample right - Roger De Llúria, 6 -
Restaurant
Tapas,24
Opened every day from 8 to midnight Tapas,24, the new restaurant of the chef Carles Abellan (Comerç 24) aims to make it possible to the customers to taste breakfasts and tapas at all hours of the day...
Eixample right - Diputació, 269 -
Restaurant
Flash Flash
Owned by Leopoldo Pomés, a well known 70’s photographer, this well priced but chic “tortilleria” it’s a real social phenomenon in Barcelona....
Sarriá / San Gervasio - de la Granada del Penedès, 25 -
Restaurant
El Xampanyet
Our favourite tapas bar, unchanging top!
This bar has conserved the real feeling of Barcelona's old bars...
Ciutat Vella - Carrer de Montcada, 22 -
Restaurant
Pinotxo
Pinotxo, a very famous place in Barcelona, located in Boquería market...
Ciutat Vella - La Rambla, 91 -
Restaurant
Onofre
In the Barrio Gotico, Onofre is a creative tapas place at very little price in a nicely decorated bar.
Ciutat Vella - Carrer de les Magdalenes, 19 -
Restaurant
Quimet & Quimet
Quimet & Quimet is a great tapas bar, especially for cheese and mussels...
Poble Sec - Poeta Cabanyes, 25 -
Restaurant
El Quim
El Quim de la Boqueria is truly a family business...
Ciutat Vella - La Rambla, 91 -
Restaurant
Ciudad Condal
Ciudad Condal is the old name of our city. Tapas for every taste!
Eixample right - Rambla de Catalunya, 18 -
Restaurant
Bilbao-Berria
On the cathedral square, Bilbao-Berria is another terrace that is very appreciated by locals. Very colorful and delicious pintxos. Try also seafood...
Barrio Gótico - Plaça Nova, 3 -
Restaurant
Cal Pep
Cal Pep is one of the most known tapas restaurant in Barcelona...
Ciutat Vella - Pl. de les Olles, 8 -
Restaurant
Bar del Pi
Bar del Pi is a typical tapas bar famous in Barcelona for its terrace...
Barrio Gótico - Plaça Sant Josep Oriol, 1 -
Restaurant
Bar La Plata
Ciutat Vella - Carrer de la Mercè, 28 -
Restaurant
Bar Celta Pulpería
Bar Celta Pulpería is a tapas bar known for its delicious octopus.
Barrio Gótico - Mercé , 16
7 comments
El Xampanyet is the best one - likeit (21 Apr 2021 - 08:24)
El Xampanyet is one of the best for me.. love as well Bar Alegria in the same old style...
Can't wait to be back in Barcelona!!!
Tapa in BCN! - Mariepaz - Antonio Tan (18 Jul 2015 - 08:08)
The best tapa dishes are served at Cerveseria Catalana . Located corner C/ Mallorca and Rambla Catalunya.
Reserva - Luiz Antonio Silveira (12 May 2015 - 08:56)
Prezados.
Gostaria de fazer reservas nesse conceituado estabelecimento
para a noite do dia 10 de outubro de 2015.
Certo da atenção, desde já, agradeço.
L. Antônio Silveira.
tapas à volonté - mag et yann (5 Nov 2012 - 08:45)
Nous revenons d'un week end à BARCELONE. Nous avons cherché à manger des tapas, mais nous nous sommes heurtés à la qualité et au prix.
Au Bar le AITOR, c/ sardenya 324, nous avons trouvé notre bonheur. Un menu "buffet tapas à volonté" à 16€25 et en terrasse!! Vous nous direz que la qualité ne peut pas y être à ce prix là, et bien c'est faux! une quinzaine de sorte de tapas froides avec des saveurs...hum et on nous a même proposé deux sortes de tapas chaude, boudin noir et chorizo..
La cerise sur le gateau: vue sur la sagrada familia
Allez y ça vaut le détour
bar à tapas bodega , calle vidre 8 barcelone gotico - stéphanie (10 Sep 2012 - 11:15)
sans doute le meilleur bar à tapas de barcelone , on y est depuis 4 jour et on retourne tous les jours , c'est vraiment bon et pas excessif , surtout ambiance sympa et très chaleureux , surtout à ne pas manquer ce bar incontournable .
Bodega Biarritz 1881 , rue Vidre numéro 8 , à coté de plaça Reial
bar bodega biarritz 1881 - manu (8 Sep 2012 - 14:15)
sans doute les meilleurs tapas chaudes de Barcelone , à ne pas manquer à deux pas de plaça Reial ( 8 calle vidre) , ambiance et qualité garanties .un couple de professionel qui travaille tous les jours des 18h00 jusqu'à 00h00. vraiment très bon
Best tapas in Barcelona - Josh (8 Jul 2012 - 06:15)
My favourite out of this list is definitely Quimet Quimet. It is without doubt the most exciting place to eat in Barcelona.
I also had another great experience at a cooking class I took called ‘Papa Serra – Culinary Adventures in Barcelona’. While we did learn how to make some simple tapas – gazpacho, tortilla etc. But we did do one dish that was quite possibly the best tapa i tried in Barcelona. It was chicken poached in wine then mixed with saffron yogurt, black grapes and toasted almonds. Then it was wrapped in a radicchio and lightly fried. Then we dipped it in fennel seeds that had been crushed with lemon zest and raisins. It was stunning and I would have paid for the cooking class just to taste this dish! Nice work Papa Serra!