In Barcelona, food plays an important role in the culture. Meals are shared experiences. Having tapas in the middle of a table is a popular way to eat. There’s often sobremesa-style lingering after the plates have been wiped clean with the last chunk of bread. Lunch starts no earlier than 2pm, and 9pm is on the earlier side when it comes to dinner.
You will be spoiled for choice, with estimates of 7,000-10,000 places to eat in the city. There are bodegas tucked away on side streets, traditional tapas bars, trendy new restaurants, historic cafes, gourmet food trucks, beachside chiringuitos, and hidden bistros. As a global city, it’s easy to find international restaurants here, and there are also wonderful markets full of fresh food and quick bites to eat.
Don’t miss these top foods to try while you’re studying abroad in Barcelona:
1. BOMBAS. Bombas are Barcelona's answer to the classic croquette. They are ball-shaped and made with potato, often filled with meat and topped with a spicy brava sauce and garlic aioli. A local chef in the Barceloneta neighborhood created them, inspired by the history of the area. The best place to try them is where they are said to have originated: La Cova Fumada, which is still around today.
2. PA AMB TOMÀQUET. This is a local staple food, popular for breakfast or as a tapa. It’s simple yet delicious, made by rubbing ripe tomatoes on toasted bread, drizzling it with olive oil, and sprinkling it with salt. You’ll find it in just about every Catalan restaurant you visit, and it’s very easy to make yourself if you’re able to cook in your accommodation!
3. ESCALIVADA. This is a traditional Catalan side dish. It’s made with roasted vegetables—typically red peppers, eggplants, and onions. These are drizzled with olive oil and can be served either warm or cold. The name “escalivada” comes from the Catalan word for “to grill”, a nod to how it is prepared. It pairs perfectly with a fresh slice of pa amb tomàquet and you’ll find it on the menu of many tapas bars across the city.
4. BOTIFARRA. Botifarra is a classic pork sausage seasoned with salt and pepper, and sometimes with other spices or herbs. It can be grilled, fried, or cooked in stews, and will often be served with beans (botifarra amb mongetes). If you really want an authentic taste, the best way is to head to a local butcher or market like La Boqueria. You’ll find fresh botifarra to cook or you can just enjoy it at one of the food stalls there.
5. CREMA CATALANA. For dessert, don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in crema catalana! This is a rich custard that is flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon. It’s topped with a crisp layer of caramelized sugar, similar to France’s famous crème brûlée but with a Catalan twist. La Pastisseria Barcelona is a great place to have your first taste!
There are many other delicious, interesting, and unusual foods to try when you study abroad in Barcelona: Escudella i carn d'olla (hearty stew with meat and vegetables), calçots (grilled green onions served with romesco sauce), fideuà (seafood dish similar to paella, but with thin noodles), pimientos de padrón (small green peppers usually fried and sprinkled with sea salt), tortilla española (thick Spanish omelette made with potatoes and onions), crema catalana (custard topped with caramelized sugar, similar to crème brûlée), and churros con chocolate (fried dough dipped in rich chocolate sauce).
Have pics of something you’ve eaten abroad that you can’t easily find at home? Tag us on Instagram at @ASAStudyAbroad or #AwayWithASA. We’d love to see your best foodie finds!