Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a Spanish region with autonomy status. The fantastic, vibrant and festive city has been among the top five most popular tourist destinations for many years, welcoming travellers worldwide. Barcelona is the outrageous creation of Gaudi, luxurious parks, historical quarters, monuments, clubs, bars and clean beaches.
National cuisine is another reason many tourists choose Barcelona as their holiday destination. What is Barcelona famous for food? What do you need to try in Barcelona? Find out how much money you need to visit cafes or restaurants.
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Traditional Barcelona dishes you need to try
The traditional cuisine of Catalonia is rich, complex, colourful and unique. Vegetables, meat, seafood and Mediterranean spices are the main ingredients of the local cuisine. The dishes harmoniously combine unusual flavours: salty with sweet or sweet with sour. Don't be surprised by unusual food combinations: meat is often served with fruit or seafood.
Kidpassage has made a small list of what you should try in Barcelona from national dishes to experience this extraordinary city's fantastic flavour fully.
Catalan tomato bread (Pa amb tomàquet) is a famous snack. It is toasted bread with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and spices. Simple and delicious.
Escudella i carn d’olla – a traditional Catalan soup filled with pasta, meat, prosciutto pieces, ground pork, and botiffara sausage, with the addition of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and Swiss chard. The recipe for this soup is considered the oldest documented in Europe.
Paella is the hallmark of Spanish cuisine. Rice with vegetables and seafood is stewed in a giant frying pan. By the way, paella is translated as “frying pan”.
Arròs negre is made with white rice, squid or cuttlefish, and squid ink, which gives the dish its characteristical black color. As a rule, the dish is served with homemade garlic mayonnaise.
Fideuà – a dish containing such ingredients as pasta with noodles, fish and shellfish. As a rule, fideua is seasoned with lemon. The recipe is somewhat similar to traditional paella.
Esqueixada de bacallà – a summer salad of shredded salt codfish, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers and olives with olive oil or romesco sauce made from butter, almonds, garlic, hot peppers and tomatoes.
Catalan-style cannelloni – hearty and straightforward meat dish, which the Catalans borrowed from Italian cuisine. Puff pastry tubes are stuffed with minced meat, poured with sauce and baked in the oven.
Tapas – it is not a separate dish but a generic name for all beer or wine snacks. Tapas are served on one large plate. This snack can be anything from a bowl of peanuts to a complex multi-ingredient sandwich. You may also see snack names like raciones and pinchos on the menu. Compared to tapas, pinchos are more refined in both preparation and presentation. Pinchos usually include seafood. Raciones are a large portion of tapas for those who are very hungry. This is why you often see two prices in cafés — one for the standard tapas portion and one for the larger portion, raciónes.
Crema catalana – the Catalans' favourite dessert. It is somewhat like crème brûlée, but it is made not with cream but with milk. The main ingredients are milk, egg and sugar. Sometimes spices are added to the dessert.
Prices in cafes and restaurants
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Compared with other European cities, Barcelona's food cost is very reasonable. Spain is not one of the most expensive countries; the main thing is to follow the golden rule of a traveller: go deep into residential areas and don't be lazy to look for local restaurants or cafes.
Food prices largely depend on the district of the city where the cafe is located and the proximity to attractions. How much does it cost to eat out in Barcelona? If you are going out for a bite to eat, go for these prices:
Coffee with a croissant or sandwich — min. €5.
Coffee with churros — min. €5.
Continental breakfast — min. €7.
Set lunch — €8.
A snack in a popular café near the sights — min. €12 per person.
Dinner in an inexpensive café — min. €15.
Prices in cafes and restaurants of Barcelona 2023
Let's look at the cost of dishes in mid-range cafes and restaurants in more detail. In this table, you can see approximate prices in a cafe in Barcelona.
| Name | Price, EUR |
|---|---|
| Brakfast set: hot drink, toast, omelette | 6 |
| Coffee with croissant | min. 5 |
| Сhocolate croissant | 2 |
| Toast with olive oil and tomatoes | 2 |
| Scrambled eggs | 4,5 |
| Business lunch: starter, main course, dessert, drink | 11,25 |
| Tapas | min. 6,5 |
| Coffee | min. 2 |
| Cappuccino | 3 |
| Tea | 1,7 |
| Fresh juice | 3 |
| Dessert Crema Catalana | 3,95 |
| Carpaccio | 9,5 |
| Pasta | 10-12 |
| Gazpacho | 2–4 |
| Catalan sausages | 9 |
| Grilled vegetables | 7 |
| Salad with dried tomatoes | 7,5 |
| Fried camembert cheese with fruits | 8 |
| Ciabatta | 2,5–4,5 |
| Sangria (1 l) | 11–12 |
Restaurants in Barcelona cater for all tastes and budgets: from small, family-run establishments to high-end and costly ones. So, how much does having lunch or dinner in a restaurant cost? The table below shows the prices of dishes in some of them.
Relatively inexpensive, you can eat in restaurants working on the buffet system. For 13-20 euros you will be offered a good choice of appetisers, first and second courses, salads, desserts and drinks. The most popular buffet chain restaurants are FrescCo and Wok Dao.
| Name | Price, EUR |
|---|---|
| Cheese plate | 13-14 |
| Fried octopus | 14,5 |
| Tartar with veal | 11,5 |
| Risotto with mushrooms | 13,5 |
| Black rice | 15 |
| Cheesecake | 5 |
| Toast with tomatoes | 2,9 |
| Tempura tuna with mango | 14,5 |
| Escudella with seafood | 19 |
| Tapas with mussels | 6,9 |
| Paella | 17-22 |
| Stuffed squid | 10 |
| Veal chop with sauce | 19,5 |
| Beef steak | 13 |
| Langoustines | 16,5 |
| Oysters | 15 |
| Catalan sausages | 9 |
| Salad with vegetables and dried fruits | 8 |
| Salad with tuna and tomatoes | 9,5 |
| Americano | 2–3 |
| Cappuccino | 3 |
| Glass of wine | 3-5 |
Menu del dia is a way to save money on lunch. These are business lunches, which include the first course, second, drink and dessert/coffee. They are offered approximately from 12:00 to 16:00 (depending on location, times may vary). Usually, at the entrance, the menu price is already written; sometimes, you need to ask. Drinks are not always included in the price.
Street food and fast food
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Street food has conquered the world with its simplicity, flavour and affordability. Undoubtedly, it could be healthier, but it is quick and convenient. It is incredible but true that street food in Barcelona was limited to ice cream or waffles not so long ago. After all, the implementation of street food in the capital of Catalonia is restricted by law. It was customary to eat only in cafes or restaurants for a long time.
In 2014, local laws have been changed; for the first time, the municipal authorities permitted to hold street food and fast food festivals. Today in Barcelona there is a wide selection of fast food, which is indescribably happy for tourists and locals.
Inexpensive tapas bars are an alternative to various kiosks and stalls, while numerous pizzerias, coffee houses, Asian cafes and Turkish kebabs offer a takeaway.
A large selection of authentic street cuisine can only be seen at festivals, where food from all over the world is presented. Such festivals are top-rated among residents and visitors to the city.
What to try from the local fast food? We advise you to pay attention to the pastries sold in pastry shops:
- Cheese and spinach pie — 6 euros/pcs.
- Bunyols (Catalan doughnuts) — 40 euros/kg
- Choux pastry with various fillings — 2.8 euros/pcs.
- Eclairs — 3 euros/pcs.
- Croissants — 3-4 euros/pcs.
Some pizzerias sell pizza in portions; a slice costs 2-3 euros, and a whole pizza costs 10-11 euros.
The 100 Montaditos snack bars serves a variety of sandwiches and drinks. There are often promotions here. A sandwich with chicken and salad costs 2 euros. The famous Spanish chain Rodilla specialises in pastries. A menu for two of 6 toasts, 6 croquettes and 2 drinks will cost around 10 euros.
Turkish kebab houses make delicious shawarma and kebabs. Here you can buy a shawarma for 3,5-5 euros or a lunch set for 8-10 euros. As a rule, lunch consists of a kebab, rice, salad and a drink.
Pans and Company is a chain fast food restaurants, the Spanish analogue of McDonald's — a sandwich with meat, fries and a drink costs here about 8 euros.
Food prices in Barcelona
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The most practical meal option is to cook your food from products purchased in local supermarkets. It is especially relevant for those tourists who rent apartments with a kitchen and plan to spend a long time in Spain. What are the prices for food in Barcelona — one of the most frequently asked questions.
In general, the cost of food is average for Europe. Experienced tourists note that you can significantly reduce costs if you take advantage of shop promotions and discounts.
Food prices in Barcelona 2023
And now we will tell you in detail how much groceries cost in Barcelona. Let's take the cost of products from the Mercadona* supermarket website.
| Name | Quantity | Price,EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken fillet | 1 kg | 7 |
| Chicken legs | 1 kg | 3,3 |
| Chicken legs | 1 kg | 4,1 |
| Turkey fillet | 0,6 kg | 5 |
| Rabbit carcass | 1 kg | 7,6 |
| Chicken wings | 0,65 kg | 2,2 |
| Chicken carcass | 1,6 kg | 8,8 |
| Farm chicken (bio) | 1,8 kg | 19 |
| Mincemeat | 1 kg | 6,7 |
| Lard | 0,5 kg | 4 |
| Veal (fillet) | 0,5 kg | 4,9 |
| Veal (steak) | 0,6 kg | 6,3 |
| Pork (fillet) | 0,3 kg | 2,3 |
| Salmon (steak) | 0,35 kg | 6,7 |
| Jamon | 0,1 kg | min. 3,6 |
| Tuna | 0,16 kg | 3,69 |
| Canned tuna | 0,48 kg | 4,65 |
| Mussels | 1 kg | 3,2 |
| Shrimps |
1 kg |
10,5 |
| Codfish | 1 kg | 9 |
| Flounder | 1 kg | 12,5 |
| Oysters | 1 kg | 11,5 |
| Squid | 1 kg | 11,95 |
| Trout | 1 kg | 7,75 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | 1 |
| Lemons | 1 kg | 2,2 |
| Pomelo | 1 pcs. | 0,89 |
| Apples | 1 kg | min. 1,5 |
| Bananas | 1 kg | 1,05 |
| Plums | 1 kg | 3,19 |
| Tangerines | 1 kg | 2,39 |
| Nectarine | 1 kg | 1,99 |
| Avocado | 0,5 kg | 1,65 |
| Kiwi | 1 kg | 2,95 |
| Mango | 1 pcs. | 1,3 |
| Zucchini | 1 kg | 1,09 |
| Carrot | 1 kg | 0,79 |
| Cauliflower | 1 kg | 1,2 |
| Pumpkin | 1 kg | 3,5 |
| Cabbage | 1 kg | 1,59 |
| Tomatoes | 1 kg | min. 1,4 |
| Cucumbers | 1 kg | min. 0,9 |
| Milk | 1 l | min. 0,9 |
| Coca Cola | 1,5 l | 1,49 |
| Greek yogurt | 6 pcs. | 1,6 |
| Eggs | 12 pcs. | 2,4 |
| Quail eggs | 18 pcs. | 1,54 |
| Gouda cheese | 1 kg | 7,25 |
| Emmental cheese | 1 kg | 8,2 |
| Croissant | 1 pcs. | 0,35 |
| Cupcakes | 1 kg | 7 |
| Baguette | 1 psc. | 0,5 |
| Rye bread | 1 psc. | 1,5 |
| Chocolate | 1 psc. | min. 1 |
*Prices are taken from online supermarkets and are indicative. Prices for fruit and vegetables may vary depending on the season.
Supermarkets, shops, markets
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When you first arrive in Barcelona, you may be confused by the wide variety of shops, stalls, bakeries, supermarkets and markets. The lowest cost of food is in the shops where the city's residents prefer to shop. We have prepared a brief overview of the most popular supermarkets and markets.
Mercadona is an extensive chain of Spanish stores. Supermarkets offer various products: vegetables, fruit, groceries, baby food, fresh meat and seafood. Orders can be placed online, and delivery service is available. Mercadona is famous for its affordable prices.
Día — stores with low prices but a relatively small assortment. Here you will find only the essential goods: groceries, dairy products, sweets, frozen meat and fish. The name translates as "day". It means that every day in the supermarkets of this chain they offer some discount.
Caprabo are mid-priced supermarkets with a large selection of dairy and other products. In addition to discounts on promotional products, they offer coupons for visiting a movie or an amusement park.
Lidl, Bon Preu Group — supermarkets of these retail chains will please with a variety of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and dairy products. These supermarkets have the lowest food prices in Barcelona.
Carrefour — French retail chain stores. In addition to food, there is a culinary area, a stand with fresh juices, delicious pastries and a pharmacy. Prices may be higher than in similar supermarkets, but various promotions are often held.
While in Barcelona, plan a trip to the local market. Here, you will see the real Spain — colourful and bright. Let's name the most famous markets in the city.
La Boqueria is Europe's largest food market. People come here not only for shopping but also for excursions because Boqueria is an integral part of the city's history. Numerous stalls with fruit, vegetables, cheeses, sausages, and goods from all over the country will help you learn about the unique Catalonia.
Santa Caterina is a covered market. The choice of goods here is as huge as in Boqueria, but the prices are slightly lower.
Fira Artesana (Honey Market) — the name speaks for itself. The market is famous among healthy eaters because high-quality organic products are sold here in addition to bee products.
Barceloneta is a market that offers a wide range of meat, fruits, vegetables, bakery products and the freshest seafood in Barcelona.
Food at the hotels
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The tourism industry in Spain is well developed: you will be warmly welcomed and fed deliciously. Every tourist will find something he will like: the measured life of Catalonia, outstanding works of architecture, endless beaches with velvet sand and fresh sea breeze. Hotels, hostels, apartments, villas — Barcelona has accommodations for every taste and budget.
When choosing the type of food, calculate how much time you will spend at the hotel. If you are planning long excursions and walks, then it is advisable to choose only breakfast or half board.
Breakfast only or halfboard are often included. If desired, dinner can be changed to lunch.
As a rule, breakfast in hotels is organised on a buffet system, and meals for lunch or dinner are offered to choose from a menu. Almost all hotels include drinks at lunch or dinner at a separate price. At the same time, the price of drinks is much higher than in the grocery stores.
Family-type hotels are popular in Barcelona, where you can use the kitchenette to cook food or order meals at the hotel restaurant.
Usually, the food in Barcelona hotels is delicious and varied, but before choosing a hotel, studying the newest reviews of tourists is worthwhile. If you want to know the Catalan flavour and culinary delights, leave the hotel and visit local cafes and restaurants.
Baby food in Barcelona
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Walking around Barcelona for adults is a lot of fun and discovery. You can even forget about lunch because of the fascinating excursions. But things are different for young travellers: walks are good, but meals are on a schedule.
What can you do, your baby needs a lot of energy for health and growth. The younger the traveller, the more often you'll have to break for snacks. You'll have to plan your walks with the youngest ones in mind.
What to feed the kids outside the hotel? In the menu of cafes and restaurants, there will always be dishes that will please even the picky ones. Focusing on the dishes offered in the children's menu is unnecessary.
As a rule, under children's food are not the most healthy dishes: fries, nuggets, hamburgers. Children usually like a kind of Mediterranean cuisine. Try offering paella with rabbit or chicken meat. A tortilla with vegetables will be a great breakfast.
From meat dishes, many children like albondigas — small meatballs. You should also pay attention to empanadas pies with various fillings.
For babies, jarred purees and porridge can be bought in any supermarket or pharmacy. The assortment of baby food is quite broad; we can mention Hipp, Nestle and Nutricia among the producers. In pharmacies, soya-based milk formulae are sold.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the composition of tinned meat includes vegetables, fruit or pasta. In this table the approximate current prices for baby food are shown.
| Name | Q-ty | Price, EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Baby milk | 1 l | 1,75 |
| Milk formula Nestle Nativa | 800 g | 11 |
| Milk formula Hero Pedialac | 1 kg | 18 |
| Milk formula Hipp | 600 g | 14,35 |
| Puree Hero (fish with vegetables) | 235 g | 1,6 |
| Puree Hero (veal with vegetables) | 235 g | 1,6 |
| Puree Hero (fruit) | 350 g | 3 |
| Nestle puree (potatoes with chicken) | 200 g | 2,05 |
| Puree Nestle (fruit) | 120 g | 1,11 |
| Hero porridge (8 cereals) | 410 g | 4,5 |
| Hipp porridge (multi-grain) | 400 g | 4,35 |
| Nestle porridge | 270 g | 3,9 |
| Hero Porridge (Gluten Free) | 220 g | 2,95 |
| Hipp porridge (rice) | 400 g | 5,99 |
| Juice Hero | 100 g | 0,79 |
| Yogurt Hero | 80 g | 0,79 |
| Juice Nestle | 90 g | 0,87 |
Tips for parents
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To make your holiday as comfortable as possible, we offer some valuable tips:
- Spain is a southern, sunny country. It is scorching during the day, so don't forget about the siesta. Shops, cafes and restaurants in Barcelona may close from 14:00 to 17:00 or from 16:00 to 20:00.
- An interesting observation: as a rule, a snack on the terrace is 1 euro more expensive than indoors.
- Don't rush to order several dishes from the menu simultaneously, as the portions in Barcelona cafes are big.
- If your child needs special baby food, you should bring a supply for the whole stay.
- Locally produced baby food often contains sugar, sometimes honey, cocoa, citrus fruits, pineapple and other exotic products. Therefore, before buying, carefully read the composition.
- Oatmeal, buckwheat and other cereals are sold in some supermarkets and may be shelved with other specialty flours. .
- Locally produced baby dairy products in Barcelona may taste too sweet. Therefore, buying natural yoghurts and adding fruit to them to taste is better.
- Spain has a lot of delicious fruit and unusual seafood. However, do not hurry to please your children with exotics on the first day of your holiday to avoid food allergies.
- At your request, shop workers will clean fresh fish, and meat will be minced or cut into portions.
- Prices for tourists in Barcelona are overpriced, while local establishments charge less.
The best kid-friendly restaurants in Barcelona
The Catalans are incredibly proud of their history and cuisine. Dishes of national cuisine can surprise even the most sophisticated gourmets. What are the best kid-friendly restaurants in Barcelona?
Mussol Caps. In this restaurant you will enjoy a complete Mediterranean Catalan cuisine menu with quality and proximity products. They always welcome children and you will have all the facilities you need to enjoy a family meal here. Address: C/ de Casp, 19, tel. +34 933 01 76 10
Xiringuito Escriba – one of the best restaurants in the city with a privileged location on the seafront and a menu defined by the flavors and scents of the Mediterranean. It is located in a busy tourist area, so the price is appropriate. Here you can taste traditional Spanish cuisine. Small visitors are offered a children's menu and high chairs. Address: Av. del Litoral, 62, +34 932 21 07 29
Honest Greens Born – its menu includes fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more. All ingredients are sourced from local farmers and producers and everything is prepared with love and care. Meals are always fresh, beautifully served and very tasty, a paradise for all healthy food lovers. Address: Pla de Palau, 11.
Granja Petitbo. If you are looking for a restaurant where you can have a very homely breakfast, Granja Petitbo offers a breakfast menu with cakes and sandwiches. In addition to pleasant decoration, the restaurant has ample space for children to play and entertain. Address: 1. Passeig Sant Joan 82(esquina aragón), 08009 Barcelona - 93 265 65 03 2. Mallorca 194 (esquina aribau), 08036 Barcelona - 93 531 31 98
We advise you to try Spanish pastries at the famous Granier bakery chain, which sells fresh croissants, muffins and cakes. Bakeries have cafeterias.
We will be pleased if our article helps you plan the budget for your trip and organize meals in Barcelona. We offer our author's collection of children's and family entertainment to make the excursion part no less rich and valuable than a meal. We wish you a pleasant stay and unforgettable impressions!
