What to Eat in Barcelona
Learn what to eat in Barcelona, the regional dishes that will have you asking for seconds! The kitchen in Catalonia is world famous for being on the avant garde, inventive and unique with Michelin stars "all over the place".
By Fabiola Chirinos
10/13/2016
For many, travel is something akin to a religious experience. Getting to know different places, surrounding oneself with other people, hearing other languages, learning other cultures and enjoying the diversity that a certain country or region offers are all very enriching. However, if you were to ask the inhabitants of any given city what specific characteristic sums up that city’s identity, most of them would respond without hesitation that the food is the magic key that opens the door to their culture, revealing its true identity.
One might claim that nothing will tell you as much about a place as its food will. And if that place is a multicultural city like Barcelona, the dishes you’ll find there will defy your expectations. The origins of this Catalonian city date back to the times of the Roman Empire, and the richness of its history and variety of cultures that have tread upon its soil have had a marked influence on its cuisine. In fact, it was here that Spain’s first cookbook was printed in the year 1477.
The blending of traditions and recipes from Italian, French, Greek, Provençal, Arab and Jewish cuisine has resulted in a gastronomic offering that, apart from its great complexity, is characterized by its exquisite flavours. It also exhibits the traditional characteristics of Mediterranean cuisine, with an abundance of vegetables, meats and fish cooked in the best-quality olive oil.
An optimal location between mountains and sea has blessed Barcelona with very fertile soil, which produces the best fruit in all of Spain. And we mustn’t forget about the ultimate variety of wines produced in the region, as well as the cellars that lend them the distinctive artisan touch that is one of their hallmarks.
Given this mixture of cultures and the unique way all of these traditions come together in a dish, in Barcelona, good eating is synonymous with health and prosperity and is—above all else—a reflection of the Barcelonan philosophy of life.
If you’re visiting Barcelona and wish to sample some of the typical dishes, you probably won’t have enough time to try them all. So here are a few recommendations.
If you prefer dishes whose featured ingredients are greens, legumes and vegetables, you can opt for:
Faves a la Catalana: This is a typical bean casserole with vegetables, mushrooms, beef, ham and black botifarra (a type of Catalonian blood sausage). It’s preferably served on a clay plate.
Escalivada: This is an appetizer made from eggplant and roasted red bell peppers. The secret lies in the way the ingredients are pre-seasoned with salt, olive oil and vinegar. It’s an ideal side-dish for a meal with friends or family
.
If you lean more towards meat and fish, you will definitely want to try:
Esqueixada de Bacallà: This salad is made with shredded salt cod, tomatoes, onions, olives, bell peppers and hard-boiled eggs. It’s notable for its exquisite flavour.
Fricandó: Known as ‘silverside’ in English, this cut of beef just above the leg is cooked with plums, pine nuts, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms.
Escudella i Carn d’olla:This traditional stew features a pilota, a large meatball spiced with garlic and parsley, and can also include other types of meat and sausage. It is accompanied by a delicious soup of garbanzo beans, greens, vegetables and spices.
If you plan on complementing your food with spectacular sauces, you can choose from:
All i oli: Spelt ‘aioli’ in English, this dressing consists of olive oil and garlic. It’s often eaten with bread or used to season a nice piece of meat or fish.
Romesco: This sauce combines tomatoes, onions, dried chili peppers, almonds and toasted oats. Its fresh taste makes it an especially popular condiment for seafood.
Most of these dishes are best enjoyed with a good glass of Catalonian wine, among which the following stand out: Cava Catalán, Alella, Terra Alta, Priorat, Costers del Segre, Tarragona, Penedés and Conca de Barberà, just to name a few.
And to top it all off, we highly recommend one of these desserts:
Crema Catalana: Similar to crème brûlée, this cream custard is made with eggs, milk, caramelized sugar, lemon zest and cornmeal.
Mel i mató: This smooth confection features a blend of soft, fresh cheese, similar to ricotta, that is drenched in honey.
Panallets: Also spelled ‘panellets’, these small cakes and cookies of various shapes are made of marzipan, potato, lemon, pine nuts, coconut and cocoa.
As you can see, the gastronomic options in Barcelona are practically infinite. If you’re interested not only in sampling but also in learning to prepare some of the typical dishes like those we’ve mentioned and more, our team can also arrange private cooking lessons with a chef, who will come to your apartment and show you the techniques used in preparing a typical Catalonian meal. Feel free to take this knowledge back with you so you can enjoy the essence of Barcelona at home.