Tapas is a popular Spanish dining tradition which means you can try a little bit of everything. In Barcelona, a city which thrives on a consistent tourism stream, there are many tapas options. Here are some of the best.
One of the best known tapas bars in the city, Cal Pep has a reputation for a fun ambiance, excellent tapas, fantastic service, and tempting wine. The fact that it is almost always busy is just more proof that it is indeed one of the best restaurants around. Focused on the idea of sharing dishes, Cal Pep offers delicious and varied tapas reflecting Mediterranean cuisine. All of these are made from fresh and local ingredients. Especially popular are the seafood options, all prepared with a touch of originality by the passionate chef.
Well known for serving some of the best tapas in El Poble Sec, Quimet & Quimet specialize in preserved shellfish, as well as montaditos – essentially tapas served on bread. The tiny bar featured walls adorned with endless authentic and dusty wine bottles. This makes it a characterful and atmospheric place to dine. Guests can dine on some of the most traditional and loved dishes of the region. There are also some more international additions, from salmon sashimi to black olive paté. There’s something to suit both the traditionalist and the modernist here. Wash down the tempting tapas with Quimet & Quimet’s own Belgian beer, or some of their irresistible wine.
Located in the heart of the famous and much loved market is La Boqueria. With fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat, it is no surprise this charming and quirky little restaurant/cafe serves some of the best tapas in the whole city. The open bar-restaurant overflows with character, individuality and charm. It offers guests the chance to sit around a bar which consists of only 16 chairs, and watch the food being prepared in a show-like manner. The menu consists of typical Spanish and Catalan delights. But it doesn’t stop there, as El Quim de la Boqueria likes to add innovative dishes of its own, making it both a cultural and culinary delight.
A simple bar with a rustic but pleasing wooden interior, Bormuth has popular and enticing vermouth on tap. More importantly, they offer irresistible tapas. This charming little bar serves all the traditional favorites, from patatas bravas and Russian salad, to the much-loved tortilla. Not only do they master the art of the traditional tapas, Bormuth also serves some creative and quirky tapas twists. These include chargrilled red pepper with black pudding. Perfect for those looking for some safe and typical tapas, and those wishing to be a bit more adventurous with their tapas choices, Bormuth suits all tastes. Enjoy the split-level dining room, which, in tribute to the delicious tapas, is never less than full.
Located in the popular seaside area of La Barceloneta, El Vaso de Oro is a perfect place to enjoy the traditional Spanish favorite while enjoying the sun and the sea. This narrow bar, styled from a narrow cruise-ship bar, overflows with character, and importantly, with tapas too. Guests can choose from a vast menu consisting of all the favorites, from tortilla, to chorizo. Wash all of this down with El Vaso de Oro’s very own beer. With more than 50 years of history, El Vaso de Oro follows its newest philosophy of openness. Extending out onto the street, this inviting bar is constantly adapting to the preferences and tastes of its customers. It’s no surprise it’s a favorite with the locals. It serves both simple and elaborate dishes.
A creation of Albert Adria, a beloved Spanish chef, Bodega 1900 is famous for its innovative cuisine that manages to stay true to the traditional flavors of early 20th-century cooking. Bodega 1900 is somewhat a trip to the past, while paying a great deal of attention to the likes of the modern crowd. It is a charming restaurant that somehow manages to do it all. Relatively new to the scene but already extremely popular, Bodega 1900 is not only known for its fantastic tapas, but also its selection of vermouth. Guests can enjoy tapas of a high quality at an affordable price in this charming bar.
