When eating in Spain, you’ll become very well acquainted with the concept of tapas- small plates of food, or appetizers, that usually accompany your beverage of-choice. When ordering a beer or wine, many other places in Spain will plop a small plate of food in front of you complimentary, but in Barcelona, it’s up to you to order your choice of tapas! Here are some of our top picks when traveling to the city of Barcelona.
1. Bombas
Croquettes filled with potato, this dish is typically served with two special sauces, a white garlic allioli, and a spicy red sauce. This Catalan creation was inspired by the Spanish Civil War, and is a culinary take on the grenades that exploded in the streets, and rocked the city with danger.
Check out the reviews on Yelp for Cova Fumada, whose owner is rumored to have been the originator of the tapa.
2. Embotits
Embotits are a Catalan specialty of charcuterie and cured meats. They pair great with any selection of dried fruit, or regional cheeses, which are super rich in flavor, and make your Rioja or Tempranillo wine taste that much better. Order mató for a ricotta-type cheese to eat with honey and walnuts.
3. Pa Amb Tomàquet
The Catalan way of saying “bread with tomato,” this dish consists typically of french bread, topped with a tomato puree, olive oil, smashed garlic, and salt, to taste. It is an essential part of the Spanish diet, and each region has its own special take on how they prepare it, so it is a must to try!
PRO TIP: Top it with some ham (jamón ibérico) for a protein boost ?
4. Montaditos
Prevalent in just about any tapas bar you’ll visit during your trip to Spain, montaditos are small open-faced sandwiches with various toppings. In Barcelona, you’ll be sure to see some with crab meat, shrimp, calamari, sardines, anchovies, and basically any other seafood local to the region. You can also find them with chicken, cheese, ham, olives, and many other local ingredients. They’re the perfect size to taste a bunch!
We know all the choices can be a bit overwhelming, so to help you find the best places to eat, we offer an authentic tapas tour to show you the best of the best in the “El Clot” neighborhood of Barcelona, where you’ll be guided to the tastiest tapas the city has to offer.
No matter what you end up ordering, Barcelona is any foodie’s dream!